Day 4. The Best of Times, The worst of Times

Consider the opening of the book A Tail of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us" Do you ever feel like this is the time that we live in? We have more technology, comfort, convenience, and luxury than any other time in history! Yet, we continually hear of religious wars, terrorist attacks, moral decay, and heart wrenching stories from close to home and around the world. What are we to do? How are we to react? 

Let me be frank. This world can be depressing. Yet, this world continually tries to offer us happiness. What does God's Word say about our situation? 

1 John 2:15-17 says: Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

We must not love the world. Wait?! Doesn't the Bible say that God loves the world? YES, it does. But God does not love the world by longing for the pleasures it promises. He loves the world in that he sent His Son to die for a world lost in their own pursuit of sinful pleasures. All of the vanity of this life will be done away with someday. NO ONE will care what brand of shoes they wear, or what kind of car they drive, or how big their house is. The only thing that will matter is "Have you surrendered to the Gospel and entrusted your life to the only One able to save you?" Finding our way in this world is discovering the will of God and doing it! Faithful, obedient, devotion to Jesus Christ is the only pursuit in this mixed up world that will end up mattering for eternity.

How can you devote yourself today to Jesus? Pray? Encourage another? Praise him with singing? Rejoicing in your salvation? 

Day 3. Man and Wife

Colossians 3:17 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord...

My Song for you...

What song do you have in your heart? How is Christ dwelling in you richly today. Read Colossians 3 and notice the progression of redemption, sanctification, and praise to God. And have a blessed day!

Day 2. Devotion in the daily grind

Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Ok, I realize you may or may not have a wife (or husband), but let's consider the urging of Solomon in these verses. Solomon in a sense is saying, you only get one shot at living this life - so do it well. God works in many ways to accomplish His purposes. He works through miraculous means, through his people (Believers in Jesus Chirst), through unbelievers, and even through natural means. 

For example, we would hope that if our loved one were sick, that the doctor providing care would have done his or her best to learn the knowledge of the practice of being a doctor and apply that knowledge when treating the sickness. God is ultimately the source of knowledge. He created every human and every plant, mineral, herb, and other substance needed to have the tools, medicines, and technology needed to treat sickness. And whether by his own miraculous healing or through the natural process of healing which God also has enabled our bodies to achieve, He gets the credit. 

Think of this example. Is God more exulted by providing a family without enough income with an anonymous donation at just the right time, or is God more exulted when he provides steady work which allows a family to be provided for? Sometimes God provides for us in ways that require hard work and perseverance. In both circumstances God is exalted as provider when we depend on Him and praise him for providing!

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Part of our devotion to Jesus Christ, is simply recognizing His place as provider for every good thing in our life, as Creator of the universe, and as the only Redeemer able to free us from sin and death and grant the promise of eternal life.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

Rather than asking God for something more, perhaps today you can thank Him for all that He provides for you and focus on using those good gifts to put feet to your devotion to Him, to brothers and sisters in Christ, and to a world in desperate need of the Gospel message shared in word and action.

Day 1. Devotion ... Devotions

Isaiah 29:13 (ESV) - And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.

What is devotion? Merriam-Webster says that devotion is a noun meaning a feeling of strong love or loyalty, the quality of being devoted, the use of time, money, energy, etc., for a particular purpose. What are you devoted to?  What do your affections cause you to desire and seek. What do your desires cause you to spend time and money pursuing? Are you devoted to sports? Are you devoted to new clothes? Are you devoted to video games? Are devoted to fun with friends? Are you devoted to new electronic gadgets? Are you devoted to Jesus? Merriam-Webster Dictionary also lists a definition for devotions as prayer, worship, or other religious activities that are done in private rather than in a religious service. Devotions are instrumental in our growth as Christians. Spending time with our Creator and Savior who has restored our relationship with Him through the Cross is essential for our growth in Him. But, if our devotions aren’t done with the desire for devotion to Jesus Christ, The Gospel, and His kingdom, then they are deficient, lacking a right motivation. Do we give God time because we feel like we have to? Because that's what we are told we should do? Or because we are truly devoted to Him? Ask yourself this question. God already knows. Be honest with yourself, and take comfort in this:

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.