January 30th Devotion

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)
37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Love your neighbor as yourself. Hmmm.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

He has got to be kidding.

No, I don’t think He is.

Love, Pastor Don

January 29th Devotion

Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)
28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 29 "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees, pointing out their failure to do God’s will. Being the first did not secure their position. Be obedient did. Tax collectors and prostitutes who responded to God, we entering the kingdom. Of course the Pharisees were furious because they felt better than tax collectors and prostitutes. Because of their position, the gave lip services and expected that to be sufficient.It is not much different today, is it? Many Christians give lip service to God and point to grace for their failures, while looking down on people that struggle in the faith. Like Pharisees, they pure judgment on those who do not meet their approval, and therefore nullify the grace by which they stand.

Are you a Christian? How can you prove it? Is it possible that someone that you disapprove of can be a Christian. What would be their proof?

Romans 14:4 (NIV)
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Love, Pastor Don

January 28th Devotion

Exodus 21:5-6 (NIV)
5 "But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,' 6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

Earrings are mention 11 times, and so are nose rings.

My favorite is when God describes how he made Israel beautiful

Ezekiel 16:1-14 (NIV)
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices 3 and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Jerusalem: Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 4 On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. 5 No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. 6 "'Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, "Live!" 7 I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew up and developed and became the most beautiful of jewels. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, you who were naked and bare. 8 "'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you ere old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. 9 "'I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. 10 I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. 11 I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, 12 and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was fine flour, honey and olive oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. 14 And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD.

My left ear has been pierced since 1969 or 1970. I very seldom wear an earring, but at one time, I wouldn’t leave home without it. This is not bragging, it is a warning. I use to be so proud of how I looked, and the image I created. Yes, I not God created that look. We need to know the danger of appearance.

Ezekiel 16:15-19 (NIV)
15 "'But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. 16 You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur. 17 You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. 18 And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. 19 Also the food I provided for you--the fine flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat--you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Is it any wonder that women have these instructions?

1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NIV)
9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Peter 3:3 (NIV)
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

How do you wear your beauty? Outward, or inward.

Love, Pastor Don

January 27th Devotion

Exodus 18:1-12 (NIV)
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become an alien in a foreign land"; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh." 5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons." 7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly." 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

Take time to consider this passage. Moses had sent his wife and children back to her father, who was not a Hebrew, and did not believe in the Hebrew God. When he brought his daughter and grandsons to Moses, Moses testified about God’s deliverance of the slaves. In verse 11, Jethro testifies as to the greatness of God, sacrifices to Him and ate with all the elders of Israel. It appears that Jethro may be the first convert, and he was a priest to a foreign god no less.

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Love, Pastor Don

January 26th Devotion

Matthew 19:10 (NIV)
10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a
husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

The institution of marriage is under attack so much today, that even Christians often choose to simply live together. After all, at least they will not end up divorced, and there are perks to living together. A better way to understand this is to consider how being married seems to hinder poor folk. Many would lose their government assistance if they were married. Don’t be shocked by what I say. Certainly many, if not everyone reading this, knows someone in this situation. The want to get married and simply can’t afford to.

Here is another thought. If fewer couples marry, fewer will divorce, and the rate will go down. Now that is “Stinkin’ Thinkin’.”

St. Paul wrote, “ Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.” 1 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV), but immediately after that, he said, “ But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2 (NIV)

Therein lies the problem; sexual immorality. We are at a place in our society where sexual morality has to compete with financial security. The bible is clear on both subjects.

1 Corinthians 7:2 (NIV) 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

Hebrews 13:4-5 (NIV) 4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Now what do we do? If you are in this situation, be honest and see your pastor or a believer that you are close to. Tell them you need help.
If you know someone in this situation, offer to help them to trust God and learn to depend upon Him. They need restoration, not condemnation. They may be ashamed or make excuses. Understand this is a spiritual issue, so show grace.

Two verses that might help are:

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV) 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Proverbs 17:9 (NIV) 9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Love, Pastor Don

January 25th Devotion

Exodus 12:13 (NIV)
13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are;and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you” Not only did God save and deliver the Hebrews, His promise is to us also. Jesus is the Passover lamb, whose blood covers over us. When the death angel sees the blood of Jesus, he simply passes by that person. Truly God does love us. Romans 5:12 tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ.

Sadly, countless people have rejected life, and searched for salvation “my way”, only to find eternal punishment at the end of their lives. Brothers and sisters, this is of the utmost importance. Nothing can save us from God except God himself. Doesn’t it almost seem silly to think any other way?

Remember, the blood was no good anywhere but the doorpost of the Hebrew houses. They could not bottle it and travel with it. There was only one way. We must be diligent to guard ourselves from denying that truth giving anyone a false sense of security by letting them believe otherwise. It really does boil down to either “Israel or Egypt”. I choose Israel.

Love, Pastor Don

January 24th Devotion

Matthew 18:21-35 (NIV)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. 29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant ust as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

If you do not understand this illustration about forgiveness, there is nothing I can possibly say that will help.

Love, Pastor Don

January 23rd Devotion

Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV)
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" 5 "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?" 26 "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27 "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

“The sons are exempt.”
As believers, we are the “Sons of God”, and therefore exempt from being taxed. Taxes collect from those who are not part of the family. We owe no such debt, although we should think of it as a “sin tax”. Isn’t it interesting that our secular government actually charges so-call sin taxes. The government profits from such taxes. When it comes to Jesus, he paid for Peter’s tax, and ours as well.

“So that we may not offend them.”
Jesus could have declare himself and all his followers, exempt from human taxes, yet for the benefit of others, he instructed Peter to pay the unnecessary tax. We must live according to the scripture not to be saved, but so that nothing bad can be said about believers, and thus Christ, so the unbeliever may repent and be saved.

Titus 2:1-8 (NIV)
1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Love, Pastor Don

January 22nd Devotion

Exodus 4:21 (NIV)
21 The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

This is one of the scariest passages in Scripture. The Lord telling Moses that he was going to harden Pharaoh’s heart. It has impacted my faith since I was first save. I would never want my heart hardened by God. How could someone protect themselves from that? Here are a couple of passages to meditate on.

Exodus 8:12-15 (NIV)
12 After Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the LORD about the frogs he had brought on Pharaoh. 13 And the LORD did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields. 14 They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:30-32 (NIV)
30 Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD, 31 and the LORD did what Moses asked: The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. 32 But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

Pharaoh had two opportunities to listen to Moses and believe God. He even saw that God could perform miracles, yet he hardened his heart. After that, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and all of Egypt suffered the consequences.

Does God still do that today?

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV)
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

When the anti-Christ comes, God will send a strong delusion on those who already refused to love the truth and so be saved. I can’t think of any stronger warning to seek God with all our heart, and search for the truth about ourselves. We need to allow God to reveal the lies we believe, and then love the truth. Pharaoh believed the lie that he had nothing to fear from the God of slaves.

Think about lies that you might believe, and how they challenge the truth. Who do you love?

Love, Pastor Don

January 21st Devotion

Exodus 3:11 (NIV)
11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh
and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

How many times do you think someone has asked this question? “Who am I, that I should….” Moses knew that he had no authority to approach the Pharaoh, instructing him to release all the Hebrew slaves. In fact, Moses had slave blood in his veins. Moses had killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew. Moses knew that the Pharaoh had the power of live and death over the entire nation, and certainly over a run-away slave that rejection his adoption into the royal family.

I can relate to Moses, and surely many others can too. I could easily have said, “With my background, who am I to lead bible studies or become a pastor?”

The real point isn’t “Who am I?”, but Who is God. That question has a simple answer. “Who are You to send me?” “I am God who sends you. I am God, who spoke the universe into existence. I am God who gave you the breathe of life. I am God who gave his one and only Son to die for you. I am God who not only has power of life and death of the body, but life and death of the soul. Who are you?, you are the one I am calling to do this.”

God’s credentials has a completely different feel to it than mine. He does have the authority, all the authority. What did Moses do? He did exactly what God told him to do.

What do you do?

Love, Pastor Don

January 20th Devotion

Matthew 15:1-9 (NIV)
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" 3 Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' 5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6 he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"

What a way to answer an accusation about being unclean! “They eat with dirty hands? Well, you dishonor God when you take support away from your mother and father, in MY Name.” “Their hands are dirty, and your hearts are dirty. You are the unclean ones.”

The fourth commandment, Honor your father and mother, is the first commandment after, Honor God, Do not use His name in vain and Remember the Sabbath. It comes before "You shall not murder. "You shall not commit adultery. "You shall not steal. "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 21 "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Deuteronomy 5:17-21 (NIV)

You may be a Christian, but you are still a son or daughter. Whether or not your parents are saved, does not change this commandment. In fact, whether or not someone else is saved, does not negate any commandment.

This truth begs the question, “Are you clean or unclean?” Heaven knows.

Love, Pastor Don

January 19th Devotion

Matthew 14:16 (NIV)
16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

While Jesus was in a remote area, he began preaching to 5,000 people. He preached into the late afternoon, and one of his disciples brought his attention to the fact that the people had not eaten and needed to find food to buy in the surrounding villages.

He told his disciples to give them food. Their response was a natural one. “We don’t have any food to give.” If they would have said that to anyone else, they would have been absolutely correct. But, since they were with Jesus, they had plenty of food to go around, and have some left over.

The lesson concerning our meeting the needs of others is a great and necessary message. Greater still is the lesson that any obstacle that we come across, can be met by Jesus. We can be challenged to look at each situation in our lives when we see failure, and know that were we to count on anyone else, the answer would be, “we can’t”. I have wondered many times in my life, “why don’t mountains jump into the sea?” The answer is simple. We KNOW they won’t.

Lord Jesus, please help us to believe in You. Help us to move mountains.

Love, Pastor Don

January 18th Devotion

Genesis 45:5 (NIV)
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

How easy would it have been to hold a grudge? How difficult would forgiving his brothers after what they had done? Without knowing God, I imagine it would be nearly impossible to forgive them. In fact, how many people would absolutely love to have someone who had done them wrong, over a barrel like this. Their lives were in his hands, and he said, ”God sent me here to save lives.”

Joseph could have turned his brothers away, and no one would have questioned why. He could have even kept their relationship a secret. Who would have known, but God. But, that is the point. God did know, and does know. There is nothing hidden from Him. Not then, not now.

This would be a good time to review your life. Think about who has hurt you, and think about how much God loves you, and has brought you to this point. God has been with you through it all. Maybe people have hurt and done you wrong. God will help you. He will help you forgive, and choose life.

Please, pray about it today.

Love, Pastor Don

January 17th Devotion

Genesis 41:41 (NIV)
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."

Have you ever worked for an unbeliever? I have, and I have many people who did. Sometimes they hated the fact that they worked for people who didn’t believe like them or practiced the same principles. That can be tough, but remember, God’s hand is in it.

Joseph was put in charge of all Egypt, and make the Pharaoh richer than ever. He was faithful to fulfill his duties on behalf of his master. The Scripture gives us the same instruction:

1 Peter 2:18-21 (NIV)
18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Titus 2:9-10 (NIV)
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NIV)
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.

Colossians 3:22-23 (NIV)
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

Love, Pastor Don

Special Worship Service

Mercy’s Child and One Church
March 28th, 11am

Church of God at Baden
8375 North Broadway
St. Louis, Mo. 63147

Be sure to mark your calendars and bring as many people as possible. These ministries will lead us into the presence of God. Both have been friends of the Church of God at Baden for many years. We are looking forward to this reunion and praying God’s will for the day.



http://www.mercyschild.com/

January 16th Devotion

Genesis 39:23 (NIV)
23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

“The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” What a marvelous statement to be made concerning anyone. Even better is the Bible students consider Joseph as a type of Jesus Christ. He did prepare a place for Israel during a famine, and because of that, Israel became a nation. You can read his story starting in Genesis , chapter 39, through the rest of the book. Joseph was a man of God. Everything about him must be understood from that point.

God gave Joseph success in everything hid did.

His brothers hated him, plotted to kill him, sold him into slavery, to relatives no less. He was falsely accused and convicted of sexual assault and was thrown into prison. Where was the success? It was in the lives of others. Potiphar, the prison warden, Pharoah, and ultimately his brothers who did him wrong. His famous quote says, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.

Is God with you and giving success to everything that you do? I believe it depends on what and why you do it. Do not get discouraged, but do what you know to do. God will do the rest. You and your live are an important part of God’s plan. You need to trust Him, and you will succeed.

Love, Pastor Don

January 15th Devotion

Matthew 11:16-19 (NIV)
16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

You just cannot please some people. That is basically what Jesus said here. They are critical of you, no matter what you do. He compares Israel with children that complain about no one dancing when they played their flute, and no one mourning when they sang a dirge (a song of grief). Jesus embraced the crowd by eating and drinking with them (referring to playing their flutes), and he was called a glutton and drunkard. John refrained from these things (referring to their singing a dirge), and they said he was demon possessed. That obviously effected both John and Jesus, but it did not stop them from doing what they were called to do.

There is a good chance that this type of criticism has happened to you at one time or another. If so, I would like to encourage you. Simply do what you know God wants you to do. I cannot tell you how many times I have been praised and criticized about my sermon, in the same service. I am thankful that I don’t usually worry about pleasing people. However, I am concerned with pleasing God. Be sure to be a God pleaser, and let the complaints come as they may. Don’t worry about it. Dance to God’s tune.

Love, Pastor Don

January 14th Devotion

Genesis 34:30 (NIV)
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed."

I wonder how many Christians would side with Jacob’s statement about his sons. After all, wasn’t their deception justified? Their sister had been raped, and afterward, her rapist’s father tried to make a deal with Jacob. Shechem, the father, pleaded with Jacob to join with his family. Jacob agreed to do it, if Shechem circumcised all of the males in his family. While they were recovering from the procedure, Simeon and Levi murdered every single one of them, and took their women, children and livestock. As far as Simeon and Levi were concerned, their actions were justified because of what was done to their sister.

Later, near death, their father Jacob said this about them: Genesis 49:5-7 (NIV)
5 "Simeon and Levi are brothers-- their swords are weapons of violence. 6 Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. 7 Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.

How do you respond when someone offends you are your loved ones? Even though Simeon and Levi felt they were justified, they were actually a reproach on their father’s name. We must always be mindful not to bring a reproach upon the name of God. Jacob saw fit to forgive the sin against his family. I believe God have would too.

Love, Pastor Don

January 13th Devotion

Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV)
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it,and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Jim Elliot and four young companions, all in their twenties, journeyed to Ecuador to meet the Auca Indians. There they died. The Aucas attacked them, killing them with spears. The young missionaries had guns with them, but refused to shoot. They did not reach the Indians, but amazingly, their widows later came to Ecuador and reached the entire tribe for the Gospel!

Years later, a young man traveling in Ecuador flew in a small plane over the country. The pilot knew of Jim Elliot's ministry.

"When we fly over the place where Jim Elliot and the others died, show me," the man said to the pilot.

"I can't take you there," replied the pilot.

"Why not?"

"Because Jim Elliot did not die in Ecuador."

Perplexed, the young man remarked, "Yes, I know Jim Elliot died here in Ecuador."

"Jim Elliot's body expired in this life," the pilot said, "But Jim Elliot died while a college student at Wheaton College several years before. He yielded his life to God then, no matter the consequences."

You see, for Jim Elliot, the step from this life to the life beyond was a little one, because he walked so close to Jesus.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” - Jim Elliot

These young missionaries experienced what Jesus was saying. They lost and gained their lives in a jungle far away, and many years ago. Is Jesus’ statement still true? Can it apply to you and me? Take the time to see how you can apply this truth in your life. Think about your family, friends, community, work, church or whatever, and how you can apply this truth.

Love, Pastor Don

January 12th Devotion

Matthew 9:34 (NIV) 34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."

I have always been amazed that the Pharisees could make such an accusation. Jesus casted out demons. People were released from the power of the devil, and Jesus was accused of calling on the devil to do it. How said it is when people deny the power of God, in any form.

Here is Jesus’ response to such claims.

Matthew 12:22-28 (NIV) 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined. Do you think that includes the kingdom of God? The Church in America is in decline. Could we be the reason? We are so quick to make claims against other denominations, and yet rarely recognize how God is working in them. Instead of pointing out everything that is wrong in them, we should recognize the things that God does through them. The House of God needs healing, not division.

We cannot blame the devil for everything.

1 Peter 4:17 (NIV) For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God

Love, Pastor Don

January 11th Devotion

Genesis 26:1-2 (NIV)
1 Now there was a famine in the land--besides the earlier famine of Abraham's time--and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar. 2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live.

Compare the above passage with this one.

Genesis 42:1-2 (NIV)
1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you just keep looking at each other?" 2 He continued, "I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die."

God told Isaac not to go to Egypt during a famine, yet allowed Jacob to send his sons, and ultimately go to Egypt himself. Sometimes God forbids us from something and yet seems to allow it to someone else. This can be confusing. I do not have the answer to our dilemmas, but maybe this will help.

In between these two incidents, Jacob’s son Joseph was sold into slavery and wound up in Egypt. After many hardships, and jail time, God brought Jacob to the second highest position in Egypt. It was after this that Jacob sent his other sons. It is important to know that Jacob had no idea about Joseph. In fact, he believed that Joseph had been kill by a wild animal.

Anyway, you can look at the situation like this. God had not prepared Egypt in Isaac’s time. However, He fully prepared Egypt for Jacob. To continue the story; Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, and his descendants lived as slaves for four hundred years, before Moses led them out of Egypt and the became a great nation.

A lesson to learn here is, “Don’t worry about anyone else. Do what God tells you to do, when He tells you to do it.”

Love, Pastor Don

January 10th Devotion

Genesis 25:29-34 (NIV)29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." 32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" 33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

•Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.

Numbers 30:2 (NIV) 2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.
Deuteronomy 23:23 (NIV) 23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

•Vows must be kept.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NIV) 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

•Better, not to make them, than make them and break them.

Hebrews 12:14-17 (NIV) 14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

•God Himself, held Esau to his.

•Enough said.

Love, Pastor Don

January 9th Devotion

Genesis 22:1 (NIV)1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.

God tested Abraham. It is of great importance the we do not think for a minute, that God tempted Abraham. I believe that God may put us through any number of tests, but He never tempts us. I have been tested, and I have been tempted. If God is not tempting us, then who is? Is it the devil? Temptation begins in our own heart and mind. Satan certainly will take full advantage of our temptation, but he is not the originator. It is true that he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, but they were tempted when they decided that “6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

1 John said it this way:” For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (NIV)

So, where does temptation come from? James, chapter one, goes right to the heart of the issue, and the answer really is no surprise.

James 1:13-14 (NIV) 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

So, who was responsible for Adam’s sin? He was. And who is responsible if you sin? Yep, you are. It is no use blaming anyone else for sins that you commit. In fact, unless you own up to them, you simply cannot repent.

Face your sins today, and give them to God. He loves you and I promise, will forgive you. There is nothing better than to be clean. Let Him cleanse you.

Love, Pastor Don

January 8th Devotion

Matthew 6:24 (NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

I love the fact that Jesus made this statement. God was speaking to a crowd of people, who had no idea it was Him. I am confident that most, if not all, of the crowd would say that they served God, alone. I am confident that most Christians would say the same. But, what about you? Who do you serve? I know that you love God. Otherwise, you would not be reading this devotion. Jesus stated that you will be devoted to the one you serve. Below is a list of statements that require you to fill in the blanks. You only have two choices: God or Money. Do you depend on God or Money?

No matter how hard I work, I never have enough _____.

Raising children takes a lot of _____.

I worry about having enough _____ to get by.

_____ makes the world go around.

You can never have too much _____.

I save _____ for a rainy day.

It takes _____ to survive.

I depend on _____.

Hopefully, God filled in all the blanks. If not, take a minute of two and make statements of your own, that God does fill.

Jesus made another statement when he was tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:4 (NIV) Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Love, Pastor Don

January 7th Devotion

Genesis 17:18 (NIV) 18 And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"

Sometimes it is difficult to discern God’s will. The reason for this is simple; we want what we want, and we expect God’s will to be what we want. God had promised Abraham an heir, but was taking too long, as far as Abraham was concerned. His wife suggested that he get a slave girl pregnant, so that she might give him a son. Don’t try this at home. The boys name was Ishmael, and Abraham loved him dearly. Our devotion verse is part of a conversation that happened years later. While Abraham love Ishmael dearly, his wife Sarah, had no such feelings for the slave woman, Hagar, which put Abraham is a very difficult situation. Sarah wanted Abraham to force Hagar and Ishmael out of the camp. When God speaks with Abraham, He agrees with Sarah. Hagar and Ishmael must leave. Ultimately, no one was happy. Abraham and Sarah are fighting. Sarah and Hagar are fighting. Hagar and Ishmael become abandoned, and Abraham loses the son he loves dearly. This results in Abraham asking God for the wrong thing.

How many times do you think that situations similar to this have taken place? Not only in the lives of others, but in our own lives. It is easier to do than you think. We do something because of our own desires, and then actually expect God to understand and work it out. Abraham did finally obey God. How many of us would have fought God tooth and nail, not believing He would do anything against our will? Here are a couple of verses worth remembering: 1 John 2:17 (NIV) The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. And, Acts 5:39 (NIV) But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Love, Pastor Don

January 6th Devotion

Genesis 15:1 (NIV) After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

God spoke these words to Abram after he had rescued his nephew Lot, from Kedorlaomer the king of Elam, and his four allies. Kerdorlaomer had controlled the area around the Dead Sea, for 13 years. In an effort the free himself from Kerdorlaomer, the king of Sodom went to battle, and lost his city. Abram’s nephew, Lot, became part of the plunder the Kerdorlaomer took, so Abram and 318 of his men pursued and defeated Kerdorlaomer, rescuing Lot.

When the king of Sodom offered Abram a reward, he refused, because he did not want to be indebted to the Sodomite king at all.

Genesis 14:21-23 (NIV) 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself." 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'

What a challenge to us all. Is God truly your shield and reward? Or, do you accept the offering of someone or something in order to feel more secure and safe? Is God’s provision enough? Is it enough for you to simply know that you have done God’s will?

Father, please help us to put all of our trust in You, and be satisfied with Your provision. You alone are our shield and reward. Amen.

Love, Pastor Don

January 5th Devotion

Good Fishing, Good Works

Matthew 4:19 (NIV) 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

There it is, nice and simple. “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I heard His call in 1981. It wasn’t the same words. He said to me, “Yes, it is true, and I do love you.” My life changed forever. I think many Christians miss the point when the answer God’s call. While it is surely a call to repentance and salvation, we often focus on the “Salvation” part, at the expense of the “Repentance” part.

Consider “Fishers of Men”, and what that entails. I don’t know of any fish that actually want to be caught. It is the same with people. Catching fish is labor intensive, and requires quite a bit of preparations and equipment. Again, people are quite similar. Unfortunately, you do not catch fish, unless you purposely fish for them.

Fish bite at different times of the year or day, different weather conditions, water depth or temperature, and are attracted to different bates at different times. Are people so different?

Fishing can be expensive, and the fisherman often comes home with a pure catch or even empty handed. That too happens with people.

Finally, just like Peter and Andrew, following Jesus changed their lives forever. They simply became something else. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Are you following Jesus. If so, good fishing to you.

Love, Pastor Don

January 4, 2010 Devotion

Lesson To Be Learned
Genesis 9:20-23 (NIV)

20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father's nakedness.

Discernment between right and wrong is critical to our relationship with God. So is learning from our mistakes.

Shortly after the flood waters receded, Noah planted a garden and made fermented wine, which he got drunk from. Apparently, God had no problem with that. As a result, he went to sleep in his tent. His son Ham either went into his father’s tent, and saw him naked, at which time he told his brothers. Shem and Japeth in turn, walked backward into the tent and covered their father’s nakedness.

It appears that Ham had not learned anything from the flood and destruction of the entire earth, and as a result, his son Canaan was cursed. Canaan’s descendants were the first ones destroyed by the Jewish nation. Their land was given to Israel by God.

Here are the points to ponder.

Noah did get drunk and was not condemned by God. Sometimes drinking alcohol is not wrong. Ham went into his father’s tent, saw him naked, and told his brothers. That is always wrong.

What is the lesson we can learn here?

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Love, Pastor Don

January 3, 2010

Matthew 3:16 (GW)
16 After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the
water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit
of God coming down as a dove to him.

As a new believer in Jesus Christ, I was not aware of baptism. However, my
wife Deb informed me that we needed to be baptized. When I asked my pastor
about it, he said that Baptism was simply an outward sign of an inward work.
True as this may be, when Jesus came up from his baptism, the Spirit of God
came down on him. It seemed to me that his baptism was an inward work of an
outward sign, so I studied baptism. I am listing just a view passages for you to
meditate on. There are many more.

Mark 16:16 (NIV) 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does
not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38 (NIV) 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Galatians 3:27 (NIV) 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Colossians 2:11-12 (NIV) 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

If you are a believer and have not been baptized, I strongly encourage you to do
so. If you would like to study the subject, please contact me.
Love, Pastor Don

January 2, 2010; Where Are You?

January 2, 2010
Genesis 3:9 (GW) The Lord God called to the man and asked him,
“Where are you?”

In chapter 3 of Genesis, we read about the fall of Adam. After being instructed by God to not eat the fruit from the tree of Knowledge of good and evil, Adam did just that. His eyes were immediately opened and he knew the difference between good and evil. What he did after that is very telling. In short order, he tried to hide his nakedness, his wife’s nakedness, and he hid from God. From those actions alone, Adam exposed his disobedience. God’s question, “Where are you?’, gave Adam the opportunity to come clean. Instead, Adam chose to avoid the issue of disobedience, and told God that he did not want God to see him naked.

What did God know? Did He know, for instance, that Adam had eaten from the forbidden tree? Or, did he know that Adam tried to fix the sin by covering himself? Of course God knew. One thing WE know. God did not tell Adam to eat from the forbidden tree and then cover his nakedness on his own, but that was Adam’s “solution”.

How do you respond to God’s instruction? You only have two choices: obedience or disobedience. You simply cannot hide your actions from God. He knows it all. The bigger question is, “Where are you?”

Love, Pastor Don

Januray 1, 2010 Devotion

Genesis 1:1 (NIV) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Thinking about this verse, I realize how difficult it is for humans to comprehend God’s existence. We attribute time to everything. Just consider this verse. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

There was no time when the heavens and earth did not exist, yet God existed without them. The verse actually means that “In the beginning” God created the heavens, earth… and time.

Since we live in time, we think in terms of time, and it’s boundaries. Think about tomorrow. We simply cannot know what will happen tomorrow. We can look forward to, hope for, fear, live in anticipation of and a host of other feelings, but we cannot know what will happen. A good example is the following verse: Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) 9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

In view if this truth, it is in our own best interest to trust God. Since His knowledge, wisdom and power are not shackled to time, He does know what is best. Over the course of our life, we learn to trust many people. In every walk of life, we trust people who have greater knowledge than we do. I certainly trust a mechanic when comes to auto repair, and yet I often struggle trusting God with my children.

I leave you with these verses: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Love, Pastor Don