Virtual Devotions

“Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.” – Exodus 7:7

Dear Friends,

There are times when I think that life is just passing me by.  It seems as if one day is just like the next.  Then all of a sudden, BAM!    Something totally unexpected happens and I find myself right in the place where God meant me to be and just for the purpose that He had planned.

As I reflect on the great people of the Bible, Abraham, Moses, David, etc., there are four things that come to mind.

First, all were called by God even thought by our standards they weren’t the best choices.  Abraham, who was called to be the Father of Nations, doubted God could provide him a son; Moses, who was sent to be the spokesperson to the Pharaoh, had a speak impediment; and David, the one who would slay the giant Goliath, was just a boy.

Second, they are most remembered for something special that they did in spite of their limitations.  Abraham is known for his faith when asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, Moses is known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and David is known for defeating Goliath.

Third, their lives were so much more than just the short stories we read about them.  Abraham lived 175 years, Moses lived 120 years, and David was “old and full of years” when he passed the kingship on to his son, Solomon.

So finally, what did they do with all of those extra days in between the great events we read about?  From the day of their calling, they lived a life in relationship with God, and they allowed Him to mold them for the day when He would use them.

And this is the lesson for us.  Day to day, it may seem like nothing of any significance is happening.  But if we are walking with the Lord, He is preparing us for His purpose.  Takes these days of preparation and build yourself up in the Lord.  Read the Bible and pray.  Allow yourself to become His instrument and be thankful when He puts you in the most unlikely position to demonstrate His glory.

In Christ,

David

"Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.”  Romans 5:18

Dear friends,

The other day, I was thinking about a person who is particularly troubling for me.  As I thought about this person’s actions, I asked myself if the actions really justified eternal damnation.  Were the actions so offensive?

Turning to Scripture, let’s ask this same question about Adam.  Adam disobeyed God by eating what was forbidden.  He then compounded his guilt by blaming his action on the woman that God had given him as a partner.  In essence, he was saying that God had some blame in the matter as well.  Adam was just a victim.

Now, if we put Adam in the world today, he gets off scot free.  After all, who in today’s post-modernism would condemn a man for eating an apple and claiming he was a victim of someone else’s actions?  Instead, he would give a lame apology, write a book, become a celebrity and be on Oprah.

And this is the difference between God and us.  Because we are sinners, we tend to overlook or minimize the sins of others.  But to God, the offense is infinite.  When we sin, we sin against an infinitely holy God.  So, when Adam sinned against God so great was the magnitude that it brought condemnation on all people.

However, praise God who in His mercy had a plan for our salvation.  Being finite beings, we cannot make up for our infinite offense against God.  And those who try to do so are lost.  But, God provided for the reconciliation of the offense through Himself in Jesus Christ.  Only the divine Christ could give the infinite sacrifice to cover the infinite offense and only the humanity of Jesus could be the substitution for the offending human race.

Therefore, one offense, no matter how small it may seem to us, is infinitely damning in God’s eyes, yet one faith in the God-man Jesus Christ is infinitely greater and reconciles us to God.

In Christ,

David

“To whom will you compare me?  Who is my equal?” says the Holy One. – Isaiah 40:25

Dear Friends,

I am certain that you have heard it said that all religions are the same.  That what works for you works for you and what works for me works for me.  In the end, all faiths get us to the one heaven.

Certainly, this is the prevalent worldview and it is deemed narrow-minded and intolerant to suggest, or even worse insist, that there is only one way to eternal life in heaven, Jesus Christ.  But can Christianity really be compared as an equal to other faiths?

Most faiths emphasize the individual’s righteousness or good deeds before God to merit salvation.  Somehow, if you have been a “good person” and lived a “good life” you will earn your place in heaven.  Even reincarnation has a merit system built into it.  If I am good enough, maybe I will come back as an eagle, but if I am not good, I might come back as a slug.

However, the question must be asked, “how good is good enough?” and what is “good” anyway?  If I kill myself and others in the name of my god, does that make me “good”?

Christianity, on the other hand is different.  The “good works” of the Christian are worthless before God for earning salvation.  The Bible tells us “there is not one righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10), and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “all our righteous works are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6).

So how does a Christian earn his or her way to heaven?  He can’t.  Eternal life in heaven is not a reward it is a gift. “For it is by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift from God.”  The believer must simply accept it.

Jesus lived the perfect life you couldn’t live, he died the death you should have died, and he rose again so that you may have eternal life through him.

Someday, you will stand before God and He will ask why you should be allowed into heaven.  Do you want to be judged based on your merits or the merit of Christ?  I choose Christ.

In Him,

David

 “Paul stood up in the meeting of the Aeropagus and said, “Men of Athens!  I see that in every way you are very religious.” – Acts 17:22

As you read Acts 17, you find Paul waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy to join him.  Paul is distressed because the city is “full of idols”.  So what does he do?   He begins to reason with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks on a daily basis.  This attracts the pagan philosophers, which leads Paul to the Aeropagus.

We can learn much from Paul in this short story.  First, Paul engaged in spontaneous ministry.  It does not seem that Paul planned to be preaching in Athens, but as he waited for his companions, the opportunity presented itself and Paul went to work without hesitation.  You don’t need a plan.  Trust the Spirit to lead you and do it.

Second, Paul was motivated by concern for others.  He saw the idols.  He knew they did not know Christ and he knew they were all going to hell.  Paul’s concern motivated him to act quickly.  He may never be in Athens again and the Athenians may be lost forever.  The same is true today.  We need a sense of urgency in spreading the Gospel.  No one knows when his or her last day will come.

Third, Paul preached the simplicity of the Gospel.  The philosophers of the day were accustomed to much more elaborate and thought provoking discussions.  Paul has a very simple formula – there is one God who created all things including you, God wants you to seek Him, God wants you to repent, Jesus took the judgment you deserved for the forgiveness of your sin and He was resurrected as proof of His being the Christ.  Done.

Fourth, Paul understands it is not his job to convert people.  This may sound strange, but Paul knows that we only spread the Gospel; it is the Holy Spirit, working in the hearts of those who hear the Gospel, who converts them.  Immediately, upon preaching the resurrection people scoffed at him – the same is true today.   When Paul was finished with his sermon, he left.  He did not stick around to argue the point any further.  Nor do you need to do so either.   

So there you go.  Sometime soon, probably today, you will find yourself waiting for someone or something.  Take that moment to share the Gospel with whomever is around you, be motivated by love and compassion for the lost, keep it simple and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

In Christ,

David