Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 4:9-10 ESV

Season of resistance

Ben and Lauren had another fight. It was their third one in a week, and Ben was exhausted. He was tired of all the problems in their relationship. In desperation, he turned to God in prayer. A thought struck him, “Maybe my biggest problem is not the external fights I’m having with Lauren, but the internal fight inside of me.”

Ben’s prayerful thought echoes James chapter 4. In verse 1 of this chapter James says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”

Our biggest problem is the fight that goes on inside of each of us, each and every day—the fight between the sinful, selfish nature that hates God’s will and the new nature, born again by God’s Spirit to live for him. If we’re going to resolve the other problems in life, this problem must first be resolved.

All of us sense the battle between these two natures when we struggle to do what is loving and right towards God or others.

James’ words lead us to humbly confess to God all of the times we let that old selfish nature win—when we fall to the devil’s temptations, hurt others, and want to blame others for all of our problems. When we confess, God reminds us that he graciously forgives us because of Jesus, who never fell to the devil’s temptations and won the battle with the devil through his death on the cross and resurrection.

James’ words also lead us to stay in the fight—to never give up! Staying in the fight means humbly submitting to God, resisting the devil, and drawing near to God.

God is calling each of us to humbly resist sin and wage war against it in our own hearts and lives. When we do, we have the promise of God to empower our new nature with his Spirit and to lift us up with his grace when we fall.

Prayer: Victorious Jesus, oh how I struggle in the fight against temptation. Thank you for forgiving me for the times when I fall. Give me your Spirit to stay in the fight and resist sin. Amen.

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!”
2 Samuel 12:7

Conflict avoidance

The Question: I’ve decided not to talk with my friends to avoid conflict. It is better for everyone, right?

Not talking to your friends when there is conflict between you is definitely the easier option, but is it really the better option? Is it what God wants you to do?

Nathan was a prophet while David was king of Israel. David created conflict with God, and it was up to Nathan as the prophet of God to resolve it. David wanted another man’s wife. He had sex with her. He lied and tried to cover it up. When he was in danger of being discovered, he had her husband murdered. In the end, David looked like the good guy because he took the mourning widow into his own home as his wife. God told Nathan to confront David about his sin.

Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. Put yourself in Nathan’s shoes! Nathan was to confront the king with what he had done, though David could easily have him killed. David had already shown that he was willing to murder to cover up his sin. Would Nathan be next? It would have made sense for Nathan to avoid the conflict, but he didn’t. He went to David and said, “David, you are the man. You are the sinner, the murderer, the liar.” Nathan addressed the conflict head on. Why?

Nathan loved David so much he confronted him with the truth. God’s people are sometimes called not just to do what is safe and easy. They do what is best for others. David’s eternal life was at stake due to dangerous, unresolved, and unrepentant sin. Nathan put David before himself and confronted him.

That is what God wants you to do in your conflicts. Avoiding conflicts may at the moment be the easy way out, but it doesn’t make them go away. Confront conflict! Love your friend. Put them first just like Nathan did his king, like Jesus did for you.

Prayer: My Father in heaven, I experience many moments of being weak and afraid. Comfort me with the assurance that you still love and will always forgive me. Reach down and take hold of my hand and lift me to a higher level of strength. Give me courage to speak when I should, and to know when best to be silent. Give me wisdom so that your will, not mine, be done. Use me to accomplish your purpose in Christ. Amen.

Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.
1 Kings 21:1-4,16

Squad problems: Jealousy

The Question: My boyfriend/girlfriend is jealous and says things that make me sad and angry. I really care. It will get better, right?

I get why you don’t like jealousy in your life. Sinful jealousy is so destructive. It can destroy friendships, relationships, and overall happiness. Look at the dark path that jealousy led King Ahab down.

Depression, anger, hate, and eventually murder all came from jealousy in Ahab’s heart. I am not saying jealousy will lead to murder, but it clearly leads to nothing good. Jealousy is definitely something you don’t want in your relationships and life.

So here are some godly tips to help suppress jealousy, specifically in relationships.

1. Check yourself. Jealousy is wanting something that you do not have. If your boyfriend/girlfriend is getting jealous, it may be a warning that they want something they are not getting from you. If you are giving someone else special attention that should be going to your boyfriend/girlfriend and it is making them jealous, stop it. Dating is practice for marriage. Practice being emotionally faithful (give special attention) to your future spouse by being emotionally faithful to your boyfriend/girlfriend.
2. Communicate with each other. If there is jealousy in the relationship, talk to each other. Identify what your boyfriend/girlfriend feels like they are not getting. Take each other’s words and actions in the kindest possible way (Eighth Commandment) and build trust.
3. Trust in God. God provides everything you need in a relationship. It’s why he gave his only Son who treats us as if we are his bride! He will provide everything you need—including the right words to say, direction in your life, and peace knowing that he’s got you.

Prayer: My Father in heaven, you are a welcome refuge when I become the victim of my own insecure feelings. Help me to be humble, grateful, and at peace. Make me more like you. Give me grace to smile when I want to cry and to forgive when I want to fight back. As you showed me love in Jesus, help me to live in his love. Amen.

2020 was a tough year. As we look into the new year, what are some of the lessons we learn by looking back?

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:8-10

Refuge

I will be fine in life as long as I have _______. Fill in the blank.

Really think about it. What is so important to you that you’d put it in the blank? Family? A girlfriend or boyfriend? Money? My phone? Approval of others? My health?

This past year showed us that things we take for granted can be gone in a flash.

But through all of the craziness of 2020, God never left. He didn’t leave you. You are part of his people.

If anything, this past year has taught us that God is the only one strong enough to fill in the blank. He alone has the ability to satisfy all of your needs and calm all of your fears. He alone hears all of your prayers and knows all of your thoughts. He alone knows every fault about you and loves you in spite of them.

So, “taste and see” that he is good. Experience what life is like when you run to God on a daily basis and let him be your refuge instead of those other things you might use to fill in the blank.

Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” You can have a full life, even with Covid-19 in the world, as you depend on Jesus and his Word for Every. Single. Thing. In. Life.

Even people as strong and powerful as lions will come to ruin eventually if they rely on themselves. But those who seek the Lord and rely on him lack nothing.

Prayer: Lord, I need you. Oh, how I need you. Every hour I need you. You’re my one defense. My righteousness. Oh God, how I need you! Amen.

2020 was a tough year. As we look into the new year, what are some of the lessons we learn by looking back?

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35

Assisted living

We learned a new term this past year: social distancing. We did it to keep people physically safe. But social distancing has revealed just how much we need each other.

As human beings, we need connection with each other. God did not design us to go through life alone. This year we saw feelings of loneliness and isolation skyrocket.

At the same time, we saw people make connections with others in creative ways. Some wrote messages on the sidewalk. Others talked to their elderly parents through the window at a nursing home. Zoom became a household name for virtual connection. It’s clear that human beings crave love from others.

Jesus tells us that as his disciples we not only need connection and love from other people, we are designed to give love and connection to other people.

The way we are to love others is very specific. It’s the way he loved us.

Soak in the type of love Jesus has for you. It’s self-sacrificing (willingly dying on the cross is the best proof of his love). It’s patient. Kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always trusts. Always hopes. Always perseveres. Jesus’ kind of love never fails.

Jesus knew that we would be a light in a dark world if we loved other people this way. The world says “treat others as they treat you.” Believers in Christ shock everyone and say, “I will treat you as Jesus treats me.”

God made us to be rivers, not reservoirs. A reservoir stores things up. A river passes things on. Jesus gives us his amazing love so that we can be rivers and pass it on to others.

Do you need to be around a love-giving Christian today so they can pass on Jesus’ love to you? Who can you then pass that love onto? Call or text that person today. Or, visit them face to face if you can!

Prayer: Jesus, you love me with the best kind of love imaginable. You gave your all for me. Let me be a river and pass that love onto others in my life. Amen.

2020 was a tough year. As we look into the new year, what are some of the lessons we learn by looking back?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

No pain, no gain

Wow. This past year has been difficult—even horrible—for us as individuals, as a country and as the human race. It’s okay, and even healthy, to admit this. It’s reality.

Maybe you wish 2020 was just a bad dream and that you’ll wake up to find out it never even happened. But the reality is that it did happen.

The events of this past year make it clear that you can’t avoid pain in life. In a sinful world, pain will find you.

Again, it’s okay, and even healthy, to admit this. But eventually, you have to go further than just acknowledging the pain. You have to have a strategy to deal with the pain in a healthy way.

James tells us that we first have to address how we think about pain.

It’s a lie that pain is only bad—a lie we believe. That’s why we’re shocked when James says, “consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials.” How can something that hurts bring joy?

He’s telling us we can have joy because there’s actually purpose in pain. He’s telling us that pain, in this life, is actually necessary for our spiritual growth.

It hurts when you lift weights and your muscles become sore. But that’s the only way your muscles will get bigger and stronger.

It’s the same for our faith. God uses the pain in our lives as an opportunity for us to rely less and less on our own power and more and more on his love and power—making our faith bigger and stronger. As you walk through life with God’s promises, you will see him give you a deep sense of confidence, maturity and peace—even while you’re in pain.

And, an even more comforting truth is that Jesus looked at the pain he was about to suffer on the cross with joy. He knew through his pain he would gain salvation for the entire world and ensure we would live with him forever in heaven—pain free.

It was worth it. You were worth it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all I’ve gained through your pain. Change the way I view pain in my life. Let me realize that you have a purpose to my pain, even if I don’t always see it. Amen.

“B.C.” is the title of this month’s devotions. Each one highlights a prophecy indicating Christmas would happen long before that night Jesus was born dividing time itself into B.C. and A.D.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

The name

Do you know what your name means? In some cultures, the meaning of a person’s name is the most important factor. It seems like more parents are giving their kids names that are unique, edgy, or trendy. Do you think names matter?

Before God sent his Son into the world, he gave hints as to what this child would be like. We call these promises, or even prophecies. The people who lived before Christ had limited knowledge. They didn’t know all the details of Christmas and Jesus’ life and death as we do. But God didn’t hold back when he shared the names of Jesus, because these names would say a lot about who he is and what he would do.

He is Wonderful, filling our minds and hearts with awe over his love Not only will people think he is a wonderful person, but his work is wonderful as well.

He is the ultimate Counselor who hears our cries and knows our pain. Though a child, he has no need for counselors. He already has a plan for our salvation.

He is Mighty God with unparalleled power and unmatched strength. The point is clear: When you struggle, God will comfort you with all his might.

He is Everlasting Father who provides and protects us beyond this life and into eternity. Not only does he possess the eternal gene, but as a faithful and wise father, he will share eternity with his children. God sent his Son to work out the plan for our eternal good.

He is the Prince of Peace. That’s not just a name. “He himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). He removes anything that has robbed us of peace. He calms our fears about sin, death, and where we stand with God because he is our Savior.

What’s in a name? With Jesus . . . everything!

Prayer: Dear Savior, draw me in to every detail of your names so that I find your grace for me. Amen.

“B.C.” is the title of this month’s devotions. Each one highlights a prophecy indicating Christmas would happen long before that night Jesus was born dividing time itself into B.C. and A.D.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers, he [the woman’s offspring] will crush your head and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15

The promise

Fill in the blank: “2020 has been _________.”

I bet you didn’t think of anything positive. It’s hard when we see all that’s gone wrong this year. But isn’t that the world we live in? If you’re anything like me you wonder, “Why? Where did all this come from?”

Go to the beginning. All was good—perfect in fact! Not just to our standards, but to God’s. Then our great ancestors broke it all for at least one reason—they believed that God was holding out on them. They believed the lie that their knowledge would be bigger and life would be better. Only the opposite became true. Fill in the blank: “Human life has been ____________.” With just a glance we see a world that is broken, lives that are hurting, and souls that have so much missing.

As it turns out, the devil is still whispering those lies today. “Life would be better if I had the next phone, if I had a bigger following, if I had better looks, or if I had greater popularity.” However, this world is not only broken, it tries to pull us farther in. The more we cling to the world the more we are broken by it.

This world will never truly fix us. It can’t even fix itself. Think of all the hostility, disease, pain, depression, stress, pollution, calamity, etc. (And that’s a big “etc.”!) Sin has ruined this world, and it permeates every aspect of our lives.

Yet it is directly into the mess and the face of the liar that God spoke his first promise. Isn’t that interesting? God wants you to overhear the way that he speaks to Satan. “Your head will be crushed!” He lets us lean in and listen to how he feels about all that is broken. He’s already thinking about the Savior being struck with the punishment for sin and death, which would happen on the cross. From Jesus’ first breath in the manger to his final breath on the cross, Jesus paid for every sin and delivered us from a broken world. Sin? Defeated! Death? Destroyed! Satan? Crushed! And you? Loved and saved, now and forever. That’s the sure promise of Christmas.

Prayer: Help me see your saving promise from the manger to the cross. Amen.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13: 6,7

Christian citizens

“Why would I support the government when it allows ________ to happen in our country? . . . I’m not paying taxes until the government proves it knows how to use my money! . . . How could I ever respect a president/governor/mayor who acts like that? Who could honor someone so dishonorable?”

Our sinful nature just eats this stuff up. Satan preys on my heart when it is not happy with our government or governmental leaders. Is it wrong to be dissatisfied with leaders? No. Is it wrong to want justice, moral laws, and peace? No. Is it wrong to personally feel a different leader could do a better job? Not at all. But the problem is how I react when Satan leads me to twist those thoughts in my heart into doing as I see fit. It’s almost as if Satan convinces us that if anyone in government sins or fails us, then we are justified in sinning back with disobedience, disrespect, or dishonor.

First of all, that’s not how Jesus lived. Our perfect Savior showed perfect respect and honor for those in authority. Perhaps you remember the time he told the Jewish leaders to, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” A fascinating statement of humble respect from our true God considering that Caesar claimed to be a god himself! We also consider how humble and respectful Jesus was to the weak-willed yet hard-hearted Pontius Pilate who sent him off to his crucifixion. How thankful we can be for Jesus, our perfect Savior, who lived a perfect life of humble respect in our place and then died to pay for our selfish sins.

In thanks for our Savior’s forgiveness, we too can live such a life of humble love and respect—yes, even when we disagree with or disapprove of our leaders. Thus, the apostle Paul teaches us that we can pay taxes to those who ask us to, even if we aren’t quite sure how well that money is being spent. And we can give respect and honor to those who lead us—yes, even if they have acted disrespectful and dishonorable themselves. Though we don’t condone the sins of leaders, we also understand that only Jesus is perfect. All other worldly leaders will fall into sin. Thus, we need to ask God to give them strength for the difficult task of leadership. For that alone—the challenge of their position and task—there is in fact a certain level of respect and honor due.

How challenging! God give us the strength and the wisdom to respond to Jesus’ incredible love with our lives of humble love and respect for all—including our government and its leaders.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my heart that so often strays in selfish anger, disrespect, and dishonor toward others, especially our government and its leaders. Move my heart to live in your love and to show respect and honor to all for whom it is due. Amen.

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:4

Government over me

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had no government? Then we wouldn’t have to argue so much about politics! Then we wouldn’t have to worry so much about following so many rules! Then we could drive as fast as we wanted on the freeway (at least legally this time)!

Not so fast on your wishful thinking! Though it might sound good on paper if we didn’t have government interfering with our personal business, in real life it would turn out to be one chaotic mess! If there was no local government, who would prevent anyone from committing a crime—be it small or large? If there was no state or federal government, who would protect us? If there was no government, who would keep the peace? The list could go on for all the problems that would quickly arise without government.

Surely, this last year we have seen again that no government is perfect. That means sinful people in government can sometimes abuse their power and citizens will not always feel safe or even be safe. But just because there has been political and civil unrest, protests, riots, and lots of fighting (verbally and physically), that doesn’t mean that government is useless.

As Christians, we recalled last week that God is in ultimate control and he has established all authorities in all places. This week we can pause to remember that God uses the government—yes even ours—as his servant for our good.

In the apostle Paul’s time, the Romans had all kinds of evils in their government—abuses of power, persecution of Christians, laws that permit great wickedness, and even an emperor who claimed to be a god himself. Yet at the same time, that government was used by God for Paul’s good. Paul traveled on Roman roads to preach the gospel. He relied on his Roman citizenship to protect him against unfair punishments and imprisonments. He benefited from Romans soldiers who protected him from persecutors, and he even appealed to the highest Roman court for a fair trial. Those are just a few blessings Paul experienced from God’s servant, the Roman government.

So also today, whether we are in love with our government, our president, current political trends or not, God will still use our government to serve us. From roads to civil services to government programs that we benefit from to college financial aid to laws that protect and keep order to the military that defends us and so much more, thank God for the many ways he uses government for his purposes to serve you!

Prayer: Dear Lord, though our government is flawed as is every other device of sinful humans, we thank you for using our government to serve us as you see fit. Bless our land and our people for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

In the month of October, the Transformed devotions deal with “apologetics”, that is, a defense and explanation of Christian beliefs like trustworthiness of the Bible, who is God, and why faith is counter-cultural to the world.

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 1:14-17

Proclaiming with power

“How would you know what it is like to experience [fill in the blank]…?”

“You have no idea what it is like to be [fill in the blank]…”

“You don’t understand.”

Chances are, when you consider how diverse our backgrounds and experiences are, they’re absolutely right.

Think of all the diversity the apostle Paul encountered on his missionary travels. His three missionary journeys took him throughout the diverse cities of the Mediterranean world. He saw new and different sights and heard different sounds. He interacted with all sorts of different people. He immersed himself in different cultures. And, I’d be willing to bet he likely ate a lot of different foods, too.

But the gig wasn’t merely to be a cultural aficionado. Paul’s gig—the Christian gig—is following Christ wherever he leads us—that we would be his witnesses and proclaim the good news of Jesus to the world. “You will be my witnesses,” Jesus said, “in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The ends of the earth? Talk about culture shock for us! Talk about a diverse audience! And our mission field today is just as diverse! While God has graciously done his church a solid and dropped the ends of the earth right in our backyard, such diverse backgrounds and experiences of those around us can leave us feeling unable to speak to those around us about Jesus. “What if they dismiss what I have to say? What if they don’t think I understand their experiences? What if I don’t know everything about their culture? What if I can’t speak their language very well?”

That all seems to be confirmed when the world to whom we witness fires back “You don’t understand.” And, chances are, they are absolutely right. We don’t.

But does that mean the validity or truthfulness of the Christian message is lost? Does our ability to talk to others as Christians boil down to whether or not we’ve experienced the exact same things as the people to whom we’re witnessing? Because if that’s the case, then we might as well hang it up.

But that’s not the case.

You don’t need to have experienced everything someone has experienced to proclaim the reality of the gospel not just with them, but for them. Who our God is and what he has graciously won and done for the world is not contingent on whether or not you—as a Christian—understand in experiential entirety what the person you’re speaking with has gone through.

There’s gentleness and respect when we bend a loving ear and listen to someone’s story. There’s power in sharing your own personal story of how Christ personally died for you, and how that same Jesus personally died for the person listening to you. There’s gospel-driven love in personally sharing the gospel uniquely to a unique person.

In spite of the fact you most certainly do not share their exact experiences, how powerful it is for you to remind them that you share the same Jesus. How powerful it is to remind them that at the other end of their catalog of all the confusion, the questions, the hurt, the heartache, and the pain in their lives, their Jesus is still there.

Never be ashamed of the message you share. It’s power rests not in who you are but in who God is. There is power in the gospel—power, even in spite of you! So listen, ask questions, and seek to understand—and find comfort knowing you don’t have to share their exact experiences to share Jesus. Your Savior is the world’s Savior.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, work in us a confidence to proclaim your word with the world. Give me eyes to see opportunities to share your saving love, and a heart of compassion to model your love to others in my life. Give me the words to say and the confidence to say it. Amen.

In the month of October, the Transformed devotions deal with “apologetics”, that is, a defense and explanation of Christian beliefs like trustworthiness of the Bible, who is God, and why faith is counter-cultural to the world.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19-21

God’s love letter to you

The spaceships were coming to take them home. That’s what Marshall Applewhite believed, the founder of the religious cult known as Heaven’s Gate. Applewhite believed that he and his partner, Bonnie Nettles, were extraterrestrial agents with “higher level minds” that had come from outer space to unlock the path to paradise. Applewhite preached that this time on earth was a season of metamorphosis, where his followers could achieve a “next level” mode of existence and eventually evolve into aliens. But this bizarre tale takes a tragic turn. Applewhite and 38 of his adherents eventually coordinated a mass suicide. They went to sleep, never to wake up. Why? Because Applewhite claimed that, by dying, their souls would be received by an incoming UFO spaceship and shuttled off to heaven. But that ship never came. A total of 39 people—21 women, and 18 men—died for a cleverly invented science fiction story, a man-made religion, a myth, a lie.

I know plenty of people who would argue that Christianity is no different—that the Bible is just a bunch of manipulative fairy tales cooked up by human imagination.

The apostle Peter knew that objection, too. He wrote in defense, “We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Christianity is not some back-alley cult, crafted in secret. The Bible isn’t some mythological compilation of half-baked narratives and proverbial maxims like other religious texts—written in a vacuum, hidden from examination, study, and scrutiny. The events the Bible describes actually happened in real history!

Both the Old and New Testament writers ‘marry’ their text to history to a degree matched by no other religion. Christianity shamelessly joins the unfolding of salvation to real, historical events that are verified not only by archaeological evidence but also by ancient secular, non-Christian historians. Peter’s point is that, the biographies of Jesus’ life (the Four Gospels) are well corroborated accounts internally and externally.

The Bible actually is what it claims to be: the true story of the salvation of the world! The very words of God himself! For Christians today who daily wrestle with doubt, we might think, “Easy for you to say Peter. You were there! You witnessed these things with your own eyes!” And you’d be right. We weren’t eyewitnesses of these events firsthand.

But just in case we would see the Scripture as something less valuable than firsthand experience, Peter lovingly reminds us that what we have—God’s Word—is completely reliable. Because God wrote it. “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

True, human beings recorded the words of Scripture—but they were just the “pen.” God is the author who wrote with the “pen.” Why would God write the books of the Bible? So that you would know with certainty who your God is and who you are because of who your God is.

At the beating heart of every biblical promise is your Savior: Jesus. God not only points to Jesus as the central figure of Scripture—the promised Messiah who had come to save the world—but God points to the cross as the way he would do it. True, we weren’t at Calvary. But our sins were. Outside of Jerusalem the glory and majesty of God would be demonstrated not in flashes of lightning, but in darkness; not in radiance, but in the shame of the cross. Why? To ransom and rescue sinners like you and me.

So, you know that Bible you hold in your hand or scroll through on your smartphone? It might seem quiet and quaint when you page through it but make no mistake—your God is there. God gives of himself through the Bible—to strengthen and nourish your faith, to grow you in wisdom, to guide you on right paths, so that you, right now, are able to fellowship with God.

The Bible is not some man-made, cleverly cooked up story; it’s God’s undying love letter to you—one penned in the fulness of his grace, one that unfolded in real time and space, and one preserved throughout the ages so you could hold it not just in your hands, but, in faith, hold it in your heart.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, continue to work in us through your Word a trust in you and your gracious promises. Work in us a heart that delights in your Word, but a heart that rejoices in the love shown us through our Savior Jesus. Amen.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

Play your best song, Lord, to give me courage

What makes a king out of a slave? Courage. What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage. What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage. What makes the Sphinx the 7th Wonder? Courage. What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage. What makes the hottentot so hot? What puts the “ape” in ape-ricot? Whatta they got that I ain’t got? Courage. You can say that again!

– The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz

We aren’t too young for this reference, are we? (Granted, the quote is from a movie that’s now just over 80 years old, but still, it’s a classic. If you aren’t familiar with it, check out the Cowardly Lion’s performance of “Courage” on YouTube, or better yet, watch the movie on Amazon Prime for a few bucks.)

How are you doing in the courage department these days? I suppose that depends on what you’re up against. If we’re older and vulnerable, immunocompromised especially, we may lack courage in facing the Coronavirus. (Even if we are perfectly healthy, there’s always a chance it could be fatal. This demands courage from all of us!) Maybe you’re facing peer pressure to join in some things you know aren’t right. It takes courage to go against the crowd, doesn’t it? Maybe you’re facing some worries this school year with some project, some event, some challenge, some issue, and you wonder how you’ll ever make it. This too demands courage. Pause for a moment and ask yourself, “What’s my greatest fear?” Courage is required to stop running from it, stop putting it off, but to finally face it head on. Do you have courage? If so, could the strength of your courage fail and flee when you need it the most like what happened to the cowardly lion after encountering the wizard?

What alone gives you courage, courage which cannot fail? It’s always the Lord, isn’t it? This is precisely what the psalmist concluded in his song which would have helped the cowardly lion out immensely had that timid scaredy-cat learned it. The psalmist sang, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Here’s the beauty of that hymn. Are you fearful? Are you lacking courage? Is your greatest fear nothing short of sin, death, or the devil? The psalmist gives you courage. He says, “Wait for the Lord.” That implies that the Lord knows your greatest challenges, your greatest threats, your greatest worries and fears, and he’s already on the way to be your courage. You need only wait for him, and he will never let you down. He didn’t let us down on the cross, did he? Certainly not, he rose after three days. He conquered our greatest fears there, and we can be sure he’ll do it again, every time. And so the psalmist concludes, “Be strong and take heart.”

There’s your courage.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I love the playlist of Psalms, songs which give me a voice, songs which address all my needs with the good news of your love in Christ. Keep me in tune with the sweet music of your gospel, because I know that without your strength I can only fall into fear. Bless me with the very courage of Christ and teach me to face all things with all confidence. Amen.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14

Play the song of unfailing love

Think back to all the times you wandered away from God’s presence. It never ends well, does it? After so many times, you’d think that our God would say, “I’ve had enough already!” You’d think for all the times that we go wandering through this desert life looking for a drop of water anywhere but from the Rock of our salvation, that God would finally turn away. I mean, how long does a guy continue to pursue a girl who isn’t interested? Or, how many times does a girl allow her heart to be broken by someone who has eyes for everything else but her? Only so much.

But, not our Lord.

This was the reality of God’s relationship with his people during the desert wanderings described in Psalm 90. The One who had rescued his people over and over again through miraculous plagues and parting waters was refused at every turn by his wayward people. If there was ever unrequited love, this was it. God had fallen in love with a people. But they were prone to complaining and straying.

But God never gives up. That’s the amazing thing about God and his pursuit of us too! He never gives up. At the same time, he never forces himself on anyone. He will never make you love him. For those who refuse to turn to him and only complain, there is only a hard reality—a thirsting one, a desert one. God sometimes allows us such an experience so that we come to our senses before we perish in the wilderness of this life and enter into the absence of God, his eternal wrath. That’s precisely Moses’ experience and that of his generation in the verses leading up to the song being played for us today in Psalm 90:14: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

God’s love finally broke through! His people who loved to stray finally began to cry out to him for rescue and true love. Though they didn’t deserve it, they realized all their pursuits only left their souls desperately parched. God’s love finally won over their stony hearts. It melted their cold complaining. It revived an attitude of faith and gratefulness. God’s love rescued those who returned to him in repentance and trust.

Such a beautiful song is the same song Jesus Christ puts on our lips and in our hearts. He suffered in the wilderness of our rebellion on the cross and withered in the depths of hell so we could be revived in every way. Has such a love broken through to you? It has! You have been baptized into Christ! May we never wander from his love! And when we’re tempted to grumble and go astray, may we quickly turn back in that moment to his unfailing love.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, don’t give up on us, even when we stray. Should complaint flow from our lips, forgive us. Soften our hearts by your unrelenting love in Christ. Give us a renewed love for you and satisfy us every morning! Amen.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Matthew 25:21

God’s good gifts

Have you ever received a compliment from someone you admire? A parent gave you loving personal advice that helped you greatly. A coach congratulated you on a great performance and inspired you to keep playing well. A teacher took notice of your work ethic and motivated you to continue your efforts. A friend knew just the right thing to say.

What did you do to receive that compliment? Likely, you utilized some talent or ability that you have. Did you know that God’s Word says that, to everyone who believes in God, he gives spiritual gifts or special abilities! (See 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 1 Peter 4:10.)

On top of the forgiveness and goodness that Jesus richly pours into our hearts and lives, in addition to taking away your sins and taking all your troubles on himself because he cares for you, God blesses you with abilities. As a cherry on top of the joy, peace, hope, faith, and love that God serves to you in your Baptism, God gives you even more gifts, which are the very talents you have!

The gifts God gives are varied. God gives his gifts to people in varied amounts, too. But rest assured, God gives to you! Some have artistic abilities to create in awe-inspiring ways. Other people are leaders who motivate groups to get things done. Musicians skillfully use their voices or instruments. Others have the unique ability to encourage with just the right word at the right time. Those with the gift of hospitality make strangers feel like friends. Some have the ability to write clearly, give generously, serve faithfully, think deeply, or care compassionately. The list could go on and on!

Whatever your gifts may be, understand this about your gifts: your gifts are not from you or for you! First, they are from God. Your talents are not something that are from you, your hard work, or that you developed on your own. Rather, God is the giver of every good gift, including your abilities! Second, knowing that our gifts are from God we better know how we are to use them. Your gifts are for serving those around you. The reason God gives his good gifts to us is so that our neighbors will be served, and through our service to others we give glory and praise to God!

To those who use their gifts faithfully, God says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

What an unforgettable compliment!

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gifts that you give us on top of the gift of your grace! Thank you for blessing us with talents and abilities. Forgive us for using these gifts selfishly to serve ourselves. By your Spirit, help us to use all the gifts you’ve given us to give glory to you. Amen.