February 27th Devotion

Mark 14:72 (NIV)
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

This may well have been the sorriest moment in Peter’s life. During the seder on the evening before, Jesus said that all of his disciple’s would betray him, and Peter swore that even if all the rest betray Jesus, Peter would not. We all know the story. Before sunrise, the very next morning, Peter had denied Jesus three times, just a Jesus said he would.

Jesus did not talk about being betrayed to embarrass or shame his disciples. He was simply telling the truth. It certainly wasn’t Jesus’ fault that Peter spoke to brashly. And, Jesus did not hold it against Peter. In fact, he put Peter in charge of the early church.

John 21:15-17 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

After Paul’s conversion, he went to see Peter.

Galatians 1:18 (NIV)
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. If you have failed God, take heart. He loves you and will forgive and restore you.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God loves you, and this is love:

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.

Love, Pastor Don

February 26th Devotion

Mark 13:32-37 (NIV)
32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"

I read a Bible study recently, where a man claimed that he was one of the Watchers”. Those are the believers who are on their guard and watching for the Lord’s return. That certainly left an impression. It sounded strange, and yet we are all told to watch and be on alert.

I have been anxiously awaiting His return since 1981. One of the things I have learned is watching has caused me to love people more. I realize that I might not
have the time later. Time is after all, running out. We all have family, friends and loved ones, that we wish we had time for. We better have time for them. How sad would it be if they were lost when the Lord returns, because we ran out of time to witness to them?

Be on guard. Be alert and watch. Here He comes.

Love, Pastor Don

February 25th Devotion

Numbers 25:1-3 (NIV)
1 While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.

Sin is at work continuously, and is always enticing. Sin does not take the cost into account. The cost of these sins was 24,000 Israelites. In this case, Israeli men became sexually involve with Moabite women, which then led to Baal worship. Whose fault was this? The women? No, they were not accountable to God. The men of Israel had no excuse. They were enticed away by their own evil desires, and that never has a happy ending.

James 1:13-15 (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. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

What should these men have done?

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV)
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

We live in a world of sexual temptation. Here is our defense. Flee, don’t dwell on it. Flee, you have been bought with a price.

Love, Pastor Don

February 24th Devotion

Numbers 21:4-5 (NIV)
4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"

This incident caused great trouble and tragedy for the children of Israel. Because Israel would not be satisfied with the Lord, he sent snakes into their camp and many people died. Jesus points to this story to illustrated his death on the cross.

John 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

It is a sad note that the invasion of snake came right after God deliver an enemy into the hands of the Israelites. They had plead for his help, and swore an oath to completely destroy their enemy.

Numbers 21:1-3 (NIV)
1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. 2 Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: "If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities." 3 The LORD listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.

What strikes me the most though, is what the Israelites said that cause God to send the snakes. They call Manna, miserable food. Can you imagine calling the “bread of life” miserable food.

Do you love the “Manna” from heaven? Or, do you only seek God in times of trouble or great need? The only thing that saved the Israelites was the bronze snake lifted up on a pole. What a reminder of the snake in the garden, and Jesus’ great sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:26-28 (NIV)
26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Love, Pastor Don

February 23rd Devotion

Mark 11:25 (NIV)
25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Matthew 6:9-15 (NIV)
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Have you prayed today? Have you forgiven today?

Love, Pastor Don

February 22nd Devotion

Numbers 16:7 (NIV)
7 and tomorrow put fire and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!"

Relying on the fact that they were Levites, Korah and a group of Levites confront Moses and Aaron saying, “why have you set yourselves above us. We are all holy.’ As a result, over 14,000 rebellious men died.

It is easy to find yourself opposing God when you take Him for granted or think more highly of yourself than you ought. The earth and everything in it, belongs to God, to use as He deems best. Meditate on this passage today.

Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Love, Pastor Don

February 21st Devotion

Numbers 13:28-31 (NIV)
28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan." 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."

From the very beginning of the conquest of Canaan, the Israelites were terribly afraid of the Anakim. After all, the Anakim were descendants of the fabled Nephilim.

Numbers 13:33 (NIV)
33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

God told Israel to completely drive out the inhabitants of Canaan or else.

Numbers 33:50-56 (NIV)
50 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, 51 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 54 Distribute the land by lot, according to your clans. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one. Whatever falls to them by lot will be theirs. Distribute it according to your ancestral tribes. 55 "'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. 56 And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.'"

Unfortunately, Israel did not completely drive the enemies of God away.

Joshua 11:21-22 (NIV)
21 At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. 22 No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.

Failure to remove all the Canaanites came back to haunt Israel. A giant name Goliath blasphemed the very name of God and paralyzed the entire army of Israel.

1 Samuel 17:4 (NIV)
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall.

Since Goliath was from Gath, he may well have been a Nephilim. Either way, he held a nation at bay until David confronted him on behalf of God.

Sometimes believers elevate people or things to a status that makes them seem unbeatable. Things that we don’t believe can ever change or be overcome. We may consider them too strong, and never completely drive them out of our lives. When this happens, they will trouble us wherever we live and whatever we do.

The only remedy is to stand on the word of God and drive them completely out. Otherwise, because of our failure to do so, they may blaspheme the very name of God.

Love, Pastor Don

February 20th Devotion

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

The disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest. It kind of reminds me of today. So many ministers make claims of special gifts from God that make them great. People follow from one great preacher to the next. Some pastors have pastors under them that meet with members of the congregation, and are not available to their church members. Doesn’t that seem contrary to what Jesus told his disciples?

Church leaders should be servants to the church. The Greek words for Bishop, Elder, Pastor or Deacon, translates “as if servants waiting tables.”

Should church leaders be treated differently than Jesus? Here is what He said about Himself.

Mark 10:41-45 (NIV)
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Love, Pastor Don

February 19th Devotion

Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

In Peter’s confession, he is putting his hope in Jesus. Peter is saying that Jesus is not Elijah or another prophet, but the one sent to save Israel. Matthew’s account gives more details. He tells Peter that this knowledge was revealed by God.

Matthew 16:13-17 (NIV)
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

It is very important to understand that people who hear from God, can also listen to Satan. We have to be diligent and careful to make certain we don’t believe anything that is contradictory to scripture. Believers in Christ can still believe a lie from Satan.

After this confession of faith, Jesus taught about his death. Look at this conversation.

Mark 8:30-33 (NIV)
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Peter completely missed the mark, and Jesus rebuked him, calling him Satan and saying that Peter had the mind of men. Brothers and Sisters, we need to be on guard, because our enemy never gets tired of attacking us. Who better to warn us than Peter himself.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Love, Pastor Don

February 28th Devotion

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
24 "' "The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'

The priests were instructed to say this blessing to the children of Israel, on behalf of God. Would it not be wonderful if we did indeed pray this blessing upon one another.

So, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'

Love, Pastor Don

February 17th Devotion

Numbers 3:11-13 (NIV)
11 The LORD also said to Moses, 12 "I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether man or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD."

When God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt, He claimed the firstborn sons of the Levites to be His priests. He declared them to be His.

When he saved us out of sin, he made the same claim.

Revelation 1:5-6 (NIV)
5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

One of the functions of the priest is to intercede on behalf of the people. God has chosen us to represent Him to the people, and the people to Him.

God, help us to see the lost as people who need us the intercede for them. Were it not for You, we too would be lost. Even as they are Your enemies, we were once Your enemies too. Help us pray for their salvation and redemption, no matter who they are. Amen

Love, Pastor Don

February 16th Devotion

Mark 6:25-27 (NIV)
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,

Herod was not the first or the last person to have an oath come back to haunt them. After all, God is really the only one who has control over every situation. More than once, I have told my children, “This is going to cost you more than you are willing to pay, you just don’t know it yet.”

Jesus went so far as to warn us against swearing an oath.

Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV)
33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Love, Pastor Don

February 15th Devotion

Leviticus 25:35-38 (NIV)
35 "'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. 36 Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. 37 You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. 38 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

Am I my brother’s keeper?

Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 12:21-26 (NIV)
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Yes, yes, yes. Thank you Jesus

Love, Pastor Don

February 14th Devotion

Mark 5:21-24 (NIV)
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.

You need to copy and paste this you tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwNwTqI-y4

Love, Pastor Don

February 13th Devotion

Leviticus 20:10 (NIV)
10 "'If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

At one time, I was a proponent of capital punishment for murders, because of the scriptural instruction.

Numbers 35:16-21 (NIV)
16 "'If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. 17 Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. 18 Or if anyone has a wooden object in his hand that could kill, and he hits someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies 21 or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
My daughter pointed out that there were several other sins that called for death, that our society does not adhere to. Adultery is one.
Many Christians are guilty of adultery, and yet none are subjected to the death penalty. Consider what Jesus said about adultery.

Matthew 5:32 (NIV)
32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

I found myself in a very difficult position. I don’t know about you, but here is what Jesus said.

John 8:1-11 (NIV)
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Love, Pastor Don

February 12th Devotion

Today’s devotion is self explanatory.

Leviticus 19:9-18
9 “When you harvest the grain in your land, don't harvest the grain in the corners of your fields or gather what is left after you're finished. 10 Don't harvest your vineyard a second time or pick up fallen grapes. Leave them for poor people and foreigners. I am the LORD your God. 11 “Never steal, lie, or deceive your neighbor. 12 “Never swear by my name in order to deceive anyone. This dishonors the name of your God. I am the LORD. 13 “Never oppress or rob your neighbor. Never keep the pay you owe a hired worker overnight. 14 Never curse deaf people or put anything in the way of blind people to make them stumble. Instead, fear your God. I am the LORD. 15 “Don't be corrupt when administering justice. Never give special favors to poor people, and never show preference to important people. Judge your neighbor fairly. 16 Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor's life. I am the LORD. 17 “Never hate another Israelite. Be sure to correct your neighbor so that you will not be guilty of sinning along with him. 18 Never get revenge. Never hold a grudge against any of your people. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the LORD.

Love, Pastor Don

Leviticus 16:20-22 (NIV)
20 "When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites--all their sins--and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.

The Miriam Webster online dictionary defines scapegoat as:

1 : a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur

2 a : one that bears the blame for others b : one that is the object of irrational hostility

The High Priest of Israel was required to have two goats or sheep to atone for Israel’s sins. One was slaughtered and its’ blood was sprinkled on the atonement cover of the Ark of the Covenant. The priest was to lay hands on the second goat, to transfer the sins of Israel open it. That goat was left alive and sent into the wilderness to be alone and carry away Israel’s sin.

Jesus filled the purpose of both goats when he was crucified and buried.
He shed his blood and was sent away. Of course he was dead when he was buried, but once he was resurrected, he became like the second goat to carry our sins. Jesus became our scapegoat.

This fulfillment has brought us everlasting life, because as the scapegoat, he lives forever.

Galatians 2:19-20 (NIV)
19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Love, Pastor Don

February 10th Devotion

Mark 2:17 (NIV)
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Here we find a simple truth. Why would Jesus eat with sinners? It was sinners that he came to save, not to mention, it was sinners who would eat with him. It was the Pharisees that snuck around and hard dark secret plans to kill him. If any of them wanted to know the truth, they had to sneak to see and speak to him. They certainly could not openly embrace him like the sinners did. Why, that would have made them sinners. Oh my.

The Pharisee mentality is one that considers themselves better than everyone else. Since they are not really better, they have to hide their sins from everyone, including one another.

But, who is really better off?

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I would rather be that sinner, that a Pharisee. Don’t even get me started. Have mercy on us all, Oh Lord.

Love, Pastor Don

February 9th Devotion

Mark 1:21-28 (NIV)
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" 25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

There are things that you and I simply do not know. There are things that only God knows. Today’s passage is a good example. It seems straightforward enough. Jesus went into a synagogue on the Sabbath. It might have been his first visit since his baptism. Certainly the people there didn’t expect him. In fact they were amazed by him and the authority with which he taught. But be sure to notice the man possessed by an evil spirit. The evil spirit knew Jesus and yet did not know that Jesus would be there that day. Out of the entire group in the synagogue, he was probably the only one who knew the significance of that day. “Have you come to destroy us?”

Christians have no reason to fear evil spirits. Jesus came to destroy them. They have to answer to and obey him, and the battle has begun. There is such an interest in spiritual things today. Many people claim to be very spiritual, and yet admit they are not Christians. If they are spiritual and not Christians, what does that mean?

1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)
1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

Every spirit knows and recognizes Jesus for who he is. Those who deny the truth, come from the antichrist.

Love, Pastor Don

February 8th Devotion

Leviticus 7:27-28 (NIV)
27 If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.'" 28 The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 17:11 (NIV)
11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.

As God was instructing the Israelites about sacrifices and offerings, He always made a point to instruct them to never eat the blood of the sacrifice or offering. We might think that it was because eating blood is gross, but it was actually because the blood was also precious in God’s eyes. The atonement is in the blood. Not by ingesting the blood, but by shedding the blood. This included the Passover lamb.

Our sins are covered

Psalms 32:1 (NIV)
1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Similar to the door posts at the first Passover.
Exodus 12:21-23 (NIV)

21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Love, Pastor Don

February 7th Devotion

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In his letter to the Romans, Paul reiterates the “Great Commission”. He understood that a disciple of Jesus Christ must share the word and teach people to obey it. Christians may be challenged when they share the Word. Unbelievers may ask, “Who give you the right to preach to me?” The honest answer is, Jesus Christ.

Isn’t it comforting to know that we are not alone. As we share the Gospel, we can rest assured of his promise to be with us always, to the very end of the age.

How can we be certain that God wants us to share His word. Let me ask this question. “How did you become a Christian?”

Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
14 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? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Share your faith with someone today. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Love, Pastor Don

February 6th Devotion

Matthew 27:22 (NIV)
22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"

Pilate did not want to be a part of Jesus’ death, so he allowed a crowd of people choose between freeing Jesus or a murderer named Barabbas. The crowd wanted to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. It is hard to imagine how guilty these people are. After all, they betrayed God and in fact demanded his death.

Jump ahead around 2,000 years and you will find a twenty eight year old sinner, who had become aware of his own guilt. The first time I read this, I was deeply saddened by the crowd. How strange it is that their cry for the crucifixion of Jesus was to my advantage. Had Jesus not been crucified then, I would not be saved now! How terrible it truly is that He had to die for me and you.

The lives we led and sometimes fall back into, demands no less than that wicked crowd. The sins committed by our own desires, cries back to that fateful day. “Crucify Him”.

James 2:10 (NIV)
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Love, Pastor Don

February 5th Devotion

Matthew 26:74 (NIV)
74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

This is a famous statement by Peter. He had declared his absolute loyalty to Jesus, and Jesus declared that before would deny him 3 times before the sun rose. Of course, Peter did just that.

I tend to give Peter grace in this situation. He has seen his “Messiah” captured, beaten, spit on, and who knows what else. I know that in my life I have betrayed Jesus for much less. How about you? Have you ever betrayed Christ by your behavior? Think about the circumstances. What was it that caused you to lie, steal, judge, hate, refuse to help, commit a sexual sin, or any of a multitudes of failures that may have been committed by you?

What I find most amazing is that Jesus understood and forgave the repentant Peter.

John 21:15-17 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Not only was Peter forgiven, he became the leader of the new Jerusalem church and was trusted by God to minister to this group of new believers. Feed my sheep. What wonderful words. You and I can trust that Jesus has forgiven you, and trusts you to do the same as Peter. Feed his sheep.

Love, Pastor Don

Februaru 4th Devotion

Exodus 39:1 (NIV)
1 From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the LORD commanded Moses.

We have 13 churches in Japan, and once while visiting there, I came across a person that believed Shintoism to be related to Judiasm. This verse reminded me of that discussion. I am giving a link to that site and hope you will read it.

Here is that site. http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~magi9/isracame.htm

Love, Pastor Don

February 3rd Devotion

Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

When I read this parable, a couple things jump right out. In this parable, Jesus is speaking about his return, and what will happen to the inhabitants of earth, who will be judged according to their works; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison. He even related these things to himself.

Another thing that jumps out to me is that none of them knew this beforehand. Had they been warned beforehand, surely they would have given attention to those in need. Instead, their behavior was a natural expression. Those who cared for the needy received their inheritance. Those who did not care for the needy were sent to eternal fire. We know that we are not saved by works, yet it is obvious that works is connected with salvation. I believe that all Christians should have a heart for good works. What does your heart tell you?

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NIV)
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I pastor a small church in North St. Louis, and we are careful to meet the needs of these people. We have ministries that meet these various needs. I would like to invite you to participate with us. There are many ways to do this. Youth groups, food, clothing, and furniture donations. Of course, we can always use financial assistance, but I would love for you to pray about physical involvement.

Love, Pastor Don

February 2nd Devotion

Exodus 32:31-33 (NIV)
31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." 33 The LORD replied to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. Israel had sinned a great sin against God. While Moses was on the mountain with God, Israel made a golden calf and worshipped it. Moses did a great thing and offered to have his own name blotted out of God’s book. God responded by saying that He would blot out whoever had sinned against him.

I pose two questions.

1. What is the book God has written?
2. What does it mean to be blotted out of it?

There are of course many books, but this book seems to be THE book. There is similar talk about a book, and being blotted our or removed from it. That can be found in Revelation.
Revelation 3:5-6 (NIV)

5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 20:11-15 (NIV)
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 3:5 speaks of overcomers. Who is an overcomer?

Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Lord help us overcome.

Love, Pastor Don

February 1st Devotion

Exodus 30:11-15 (NIV)
11 Then the LORD said to Moses, 12 "When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. 13 Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. 14 All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the LORD. 15 The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the LORD to atone for your lives.

How do we count worth? We weigh worth every day. Rich people or worth more financially than poor people, and we often count their worth that way. People who have done us wrong are often considered worthless. We often decide someone’s worthiness or unworthiness, based on our relationship with them. There are obviously some people that can benefit us more than others. Is a righteous man worth more than an unrighteous one? Which life is more worthy?

Today’s passage concerns money offered to the Lord for our ransom. God makes a distinction between the rich and poor. What are their lives worth? Exactly the same.

Love, Pastor Don

January 31st Devotion

Matthew 23:24 (NIV)
24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

How many times have we heard this phrase? We use it for many circumstances, but today we will keep it in context. Jesus is speaking to the teachers of the law and Pharisees about the law. They made certain to give one tenth of their material things (strain out a gnat), but neglected the more important matters of the law (swallowing a camel). What were these “more important matters?’ They were justice, mercy and faithfulness. How many people have been adamant about tithing, and yet failed to practice these other things. This was not, and is not a new problem. In fact, it came between God and his people before.

Isaiah 1:13-17 (NIV)
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. 14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine becoming an unbearable burden to the Lord. Look at verse 17. Learn to do right. What is right? Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.

It is still early in this year. Let us agree together to seek these more important matters of God’s law, and continue in the lesser also.

Love, Pastor Don