You Look Confused

Daniel 9:8
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

Daniel is praying! Oh, brother is he praying! God has moved upon Daniel's heart during this prayer time with Him. Daniel is confessing the sins of the nation of Israel and then says these words, "to us belongeth confusion of face,..." He was telling God that he was ashamed. Daniel was telling God, on behalf of Israel, that they were ashamed. The kings were ashamed. The princes were ashamed. The fathers were ashamed. Why? Because we have sinned.

There is a shame that comes from being caught and there is a shame that comes from realizing that you are guilty. These two shames are not the same. One causes you to be sorry because you were caught or seen in the act of sin. The other causes you to feel a Godly sorrow because you committed sin. One fears the punishment and the other fears the disappointment and disobedience.

Daniel was saying that "confusion of face" belonged to all the people. Sin is confusing. Confusion is sin. The bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Sin, either in the life of the believer or non-believer, is destructive. One thing is for sure, sin should bring shame! In the believer of Jesus it should show on our faces.

You look confused... Come to Jesus in shame of sins and leave with joy in repentance. Don't confess because you get caught. Confess because you committed sin.

"He's a Purdy Yeller Dog"

Ephesians 2:4-8

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Have you ever seen the movie "Old Yeller". Of course you have!  Everyone's seen that movie. I love Ollis, the baby brother. He is one tough kid. Remember when old Yeller came running through the garden chasing the rabbit? Travis was being dragged behind the mule and plow?  That was the first time he laid eyes on the old yellow dog. Then later Ollis tells how he needs him a good hunting dog. 

The movie progresses and the dog has now eaten their meat that was hanging outside overnight. Well Ollis comes outside and finds Travis about to warp the dog with a stick. Remember how Ollis picks up a stick and fights Travis back? Mom comes outside and asks whose dog it is and Ollis says these words, "He's my dog and there ain't nobody gonna try an hurt em'". Travis says, "He's just an old ugly yeller dog". But Ollis says, "He's a Purdy Yeller dog". 

Think of what we looked like to our God when we came to Him in our sins. We were filthy and nasty. We were in darkness and disgusting sin. Nothing but an old ugly sinner. Satan even said, "Look at them, they will never be any count, they will never fully serve you, they will never be anything but an old, ugly sinner". It excites me to know that's when Jesus spoke up and says, "They're not an ugly old sinner, but they are a Purdy Child of God.  And there ain't nobody gonna try and hurt em'". Praise The Lord!  

I'm so thankful that we serve a God that sees what we could be if we would just surrender our lives unto Him. We can never be what He sees unless we surrender. You sure are Purdy!

Laughing in the Tent

Genesis 18:14
Is any thing too hard for the LORD?...

God had just finished up communing with Abraham and Sarah when this was spoken. He had told them both that He was going to bless them with a son, even in their old age. God made a promise to them. While both of them at one time laughed about this promise from God, that didn't make it any less valid. God was going to move in a mighty way to show that it was Him in the promise and not humanity. If we would be honest this morning we would probably laugh also. This is a huge promise!

Throughout my life I have made promises and wasn't able to keep them. I've made promises to my children, my wife, my fishing buddies of how many we would catch. While I tried my best to keep everyone of them I have fallen short many times. The task of performing the promise was more difficult that just speaking it. God made a promise and because there was no one greater than Himself, He promised by Himself or on His own word.

After God spoke His promise Sarah laughed inside the tent. God spoke again to Abraham... "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Think about that this morning. What could be too hard for the LORD?

Satan would love to convince you that the LORD is just too busy or that your situation is much to big for God. God doesn't live in a thimble, no He flung the stars off of His finger tips! God doesn't live in a box, not the earth cannot contain Him! God is not confined to a book, nope His word says that their are not enough books to hold the things that are about Him! What could you possible think is too hard for Him?

Hot and Steamy Marriage

1 Corinthians 7:3
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

Some of you only viewed this devotion today because of the title. It brought you in like flies to garbage. Maybe you thought I was going to talk about my marriage and my hot wife. Well, you're right! (Pray for me, Patti ain't liking this one...)

Throughout my day I receive many phone calls or texts. I have certain ringtones and sounds for different people. This way I know if it is important or not just by the sound that I have placed on those people calling. Well my wife's ringtone is "Let's Get it On". There are no words in it, just the music at the beginning. When this happens to go off while I'm around others, people automatically say, "Is that your wife calling?" Sometimes I want to say, "Nope, my girlfriend" just to get them stirred up. But I always answer with, "Yep, that's my smoking hot wife. Wonder what she's wanting to cook up?"

Now before you choke on your morning coffee or doughnut please get your head out of the gutter. I'm not talking about intimacy, but benevolence. Our scripture says let the husband "render" unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. Render is a cooking term that means to melt something down or mix together in heat to bring out the flavor of something. Benevolence is a nice act or gesture of love and appreciation to someone.

It's cooking up love! I try my best to describe the beauty that I see in my wife to her at times. Almost like putting something on the stove and rendering it down to the good that is in it. Some of you may ask me why I get things cooking in my marriage... the scripture tells us why. "Render unto the wife DUE benevolence." She has it coming to her, she is due it. Men, get to cooking! Wives, stir up some love and benevolence for your husband, he's due it.

Maybe, just maybe our marriages would last longer and be more impactful of the Gospel of Jesus if we gave one another the "due benevolence" that is needed. You ask how? The same way you give Christ Jesus the due benevolence that is due unto Him. I gotta go... my phone is ringing.

Jesus Loved Martha

John 11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

Did you ever do the "He Loves me, he loves me not" with the flowers when you were young?  How much torture we put ourselves through as children trying to figure out if people loved us or not. Over and over we would put this theory to the test. If it didn't work in our favor, we would just pick another flower. 

Just a few verses ago, Martha was working in the kitchen and Jesus told her she was cumbered (distracted) by many things. You see her sister Mary was worshipping at the feet of Jesus and Martha was laboring in the kitchen. Jesus talked with her about the one thing needful in her life, which was worship. I wonder if Martha felt like she had left the Savior down?  I wonder how she felt when she realized what she was missing out on?  Do you think she ever felt like the Savior was disappointed in her, or maybe even questioned if His love was still the same? I'm sure at some time or another we have all felt this way. 

A problem I see, is this same formula being used in the church today. People come to know Christ, fall and commit sin, then look for flowers to see if He still loves them. People will pick off (dissect their actions, life and decisions) petal by petal, questioning the love of Jesus for them. Let me reassure you on this... He loved, loves, and will love you!  He loved you before you became a Christian. He loves you with an eternal love. Put down the flowers!  

Did you notice something in the scripture this morning?  Mary was called out for choosing the needful "good part" in our other scripture. But in this mornings scripture the word of God notes that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus". I find it so loving of God to note the name Martha and referenced the other sister. Maybe, just maybe it's because he wanted Martha to put down the flower theory and know that He loves her. Just like He loves you!

Go-Pro Hero

Matthew 23:5-12

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

A phylactery is a small wooden box worn by Jewish rabbis upon their foreheads or hands. Inside it contains a scroll of scripture. The scripture written tells them to "write the word upon their forehead and upon their hands". Meaning to keep God's word in its place and priority. 

In Jesus' day, the Pharisees took it to another level. They began to make these boxes larger and larger. Being seen of men was their objective. They wanted the recognition and prestige. 

Just the other night me and my family were watching the Bible series that the History Channel put out. A Jewish rabbi came across the screen and my son asked, "What's that? A GoPro?"  Hahaha. (If you don't know what a GoPro is, it is a camera that bike riders, skateboarders, extreme sports people wear on their heads). I couldn't stop laughing about it. Because it seemed so silly, but became so true. 

The slogan for the GoPro is... "Be A Hero". See the Pharisees wanted to be the heroes. They couldn't stand for anyone to receive praise but them. This should not be found in the life of a Christian. As Christians, we should desire all praise to go unto Jesus. 

Jesus, and only Jesus, is our hero!  He is worthy of our praise. He is also deserving of our praise. We should mimic Him. 

Philippians 2:7-11

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Listening and Living in His Law

Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

God has given us His law. Now some would say that it is a law hard to keep and grevious and others would say His law is gracious that guides and governs our lives.

The law of God is first of all pure and holy. Pure to the point that it is the only real truth for our lives. We spend so much of our time searching for the truth and it is found in the law of God. David said that God's Word was the truth and he rejoiced in reading it.

God's Word is holy! Holiness is a lost word among the world today and sadly even with Christians. God's law demands holiness. Holiness is righteous living. Knowing that God's Word is right and living according to its teaching is striving for holiness. You may think it is being perfect and always being the best but it is our striving for holiness that we need. How can we accomplish this difficult task? Living in the law of God.

Now before you leave for the day this morning please understand that I'm not talking about being a legalistic lawyer for God or the soul patrol. I'm speaking about you living according to God's Word.

Could you imagine God not answering or hearing your prayer because you aren't following Him? God desires for us to follow His Word and live by His law.