Today's Daily Devotional

[Bugsy]

December 25, 2008

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. Zechariah 10:1

In Israel, there were historically two rainy seasons. The first was from October through December and was called the former rain. The latter rains fell in April and May. These rainy seasons caused Israel to be a land of lush vegetation. After the Jews were dispersed by the Romans in AD 70, the Turks gained control of the region and began to tax the people there according to the number of trees on their property. It didn’t take people long to figure out that it was in their best interests to chop their trees down. As a result, the ecology changed. The soil eroded. There was no more evaporation. The latter rains stopped altogether and the former rains were so drastically diminished that the land became arid and dry. That is why, when they became a nation again, the first project of the Israeli government was re-forestation. They still plant millions of trees every year. The ecology is beginning to change and the latter rains have returned.

Spiritually, the latter rain speaks of the outpouring of the Spirit that will take place in the last days (Joel 2:23-28). We are living in a time when the Holy Spirit is being poured out afresh. Yet, although we can observe this and study it, we will not experience it unless we ask the Lord to send the latter rain upon us personally.

I think of Noah. Talk about rain! For forty days and forty nights rain fell upon him. Wondering if the storm had abated, he let out a dove. Throughout Scripture, the dove is a picture of the Holy Spirit. When the dove found no place to land, it returned to Noah and in Genesis 8:9, we read that he pulled the dove in unto him. Noah didn’t sit in the ark with folded hands saying, “Dove, if you want to land on me, I’m open.” That’s the way some people approach the Holy Spirit. And then they wonder why the Holy Spirit never empowers or uses them. Noah reached out and grabbed the dove and brought it to himself. We must do the same. How? Simply by asking.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in the Upper Room, they had been praying and waiting for ten days (Acts 2). We no longer have to wait for the Holy Spirit. He’s already been given. But we must wait on the Holy Spirit. That is, we must say, “Lord, is there something in my life preventing You from pouring out Your Spirit upon me?” If you want a fresh anointing, a greater empowering for service, talk to the Lord about it; all you have to do is ask, and He’ll take it from there (Matthew 5:6).

[Bugsy]

December 26, 2008

Brokenness: The Way to Blessing
READ | 2 Corinthians 2:7-9

No one enjoys heartache. Yet God uses pain to mold His children. Although wonderful, happy times feel great, times of suffering tend to produce growth.

Brokenness is God’s way of dealing with the part of us that wants to act independently of Him. He targets areas that hinder His purposes. Then skillfully and lovingly, our Father arranges circumstances that will allow us enough discomfort to realize our dependence upon Him.

The apostle Paul experienced this. After being saved on the road to Damascus, he still needed spiritual growth in order to be most effective for Christ. Therefore, God allowed some type of affliction, which the apostle termed a “thorn.” Three different times, he pleaded with the Lord for its removal, but the thorn remained. Remarkably, Paul’s response was gratitude. Even more, he wrote, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

Like Paul, we can dislike suffering and yet still be confident that God is growing us. His purpose is that we walk in intimate oneness with Him and serve effectively according to His purpose and will. To accomplish this, He has to break us of our rebellion, resistance, and self-will.

If you truly desire to live for Jesus, trust Him enough to pray, “Lord, more than anything else in life, I want to live for You. Please break me of any areas that are not in complete submission to Your will.”

[Bugsy]

December 27-28, 2009

Promises for Painful Times
READ | 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Yesterday we learned about brokenness as a tool the Lord uses to mold us into His likeness. As believers, we should desire this outcome, and yet the process is a painful one. That’s why our heavenly Father gives encouragement in a number of ways.

First, the Lord breaks us in love. Believers are His children; as parents lovingly redirect their sons and daughters, God does so with us. He never allows suffering out of anger.

Second, He sets a limit on our suffering, controlling the pressure to be sure it’s never more than we can bear (2 Cor. 4:8). Our Father knows exactly what is needed to break our stubbornness, rebellion, and selfishness, but He will never break our spirit.

Third, God brings clarity through difficult times. As we learn that His ways are higher than ours, we gain greater understanding of His amazing attributes. At the same time, our self-awareness starts to sharpen, and old, unproductive thought patterns begin to fade.

Fourth, God promises that He will never desert us. Brokenness can feel lonely and empty, as we are losing the things that once captured our loyalty. But our Father replaces those with Himself—and He is vastly more satisfying and dependable.

Fifth, the Lord is always patient. He knows our background and deeply rooted thought patterns. Yet He also sees the end result and knows that the journey is worth it.

When you face hardship, remember God’s promises and keep your eyes fixed on the goal. He has your best interest in mind, so seek His lesson for you

[Bugsy]

December 28, 2008

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. Zechariah 11:13

In the small town of Carioth, a boy grew up. Educated and refined, in his twenties he began following an itinerant Rabbi named Jesus of Nazareth. Chosen by the Master to be one of His twelve disciples, he was the only one from the southern part of the nation. People from the north were thought to be uncouth, unteachable, unyielding. Eleven of the men Jesus chose were from Galilee in the north. Judas of Carioth was not one of them. No doubt he spoke with the accent of an intellectual sophisticate. Maybe that is why he was appointed treasurer of the group. No doubt it would seem that at the beginning of Jesus ministry, Judas would be His right-hand man.

But we know, of course, that Judas was, in fact, His betrayer. Why did Judas betray Jesus? Perhaps it was because he was disillusioned with Jesus. Maybe he thought that when Jesus was made King, he would have the prestigious post of secretary of the treasury. But when Jesus began to say that His Kingdom was not of this world, when He purposely went to small towns that had no political importance, Judas’ heart must have sunk.

The same thing can happen to us. When Jesus doesn’t work the way we think He should, we can become disillusioned and vulnerable to a degree of betrayal as well. When Jesus sat at the Last Supper and told His disciples that one of them would betray Him, they didn’t say, “It’s Judas.” He wasn’t even suspected. Instead, they looked to themselves and said, “Is it I?” I must ask this question as well. “Am I using You to do my own thing, Lord? Search my heart.”

After realizing he had betrayed innocent blood, Judas brought the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. When they refused to take it, he cast the money down on the floor of the Temple. In Matthew 27:10, we read that a potter’s field was purchased with this money - exactly as Zechariah prophesied. Thus, a prophecy given 520 years earlier was fulfilled to the letter.

Culturally, being paid the price of an injured slave was insulting to Zechariah. Prophetically, however, it was exacting. But personally, it is incredibly comforting. You see, the potter’s field was the field outside the house of the potter wherein broken or flawed pottery and clay were thrown. The potter’s field was the least valuable piece of property in the area because, filled with pottery accumulated over centuries, the soil was useless. In Jeremiah 18, God likens Himself to a Master Potter and us to lumps of clay He shapes into vessels for His use. If, however, we refuse to respond to the shaping He desires to do in our lives, as worthless pieces of pottery, we find ourselves in the potter’s field.

Yet what did Jesus do? The money that was used to betray Him was then specifically used to buy the most worthless piece of property, the place filled with cracked pots and marred vessels. That’s what Jesus always does. His blood purchased people like you and me - people with nicks and chips, flaws and failures - and then He reshapes, remolds, and renews us. If I were Jesus, I would have bought beachfront property. He, however, bought me.

If you feel broken, remember Zechariah’s prophecy - and never forget Jesus’ unspeakable love.

[Bugsy]

December 29, 2008

A Realistic View of Life
READ | 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Our culture desperately tries to postpone death. Vitamins, exercise, and wise diets are ways we try to live as long as possible. Not that these things are bad! Our motive, however, is key. For instance, knowing that our bodies are God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16), we should take care of His dwelling. And since He has good works for us to do (Eph. 2:10), we should stay fit to complete His tasks.

On the other hand, prolonging life for fear of dying isn’t of God. Because Jesus died in our place, those who have faith in Him as Lord and Savior need not fear death. Once saved, we have assurance of a real place where we will live eternally in His presence. The Bible teaches that fear isn’t from God (2 Tim. 1:7). In fact, the apostle Paul assures us that, far from being a dreadful change, physical death actually leads believers home to be with the Lord forever (2 Cor. 5:8).

God already knows the duration of each person’s life. With this in mind, how can we best prepare for what’s next? The first step is to receive Jesus as Savior through faith. Next, we should live a surrendered life and strive to walk according to His will. Furthermore, it is vital that believers fight the tendency to view this world as “home.” If we become too comfortable here, finding our security and worth in earthly success, we won’t be able to maintain an eternal perspective.

It is an inescapable fact that life on earth is temporary. It would be foolish not to prepare for something inevitable. How can you best live so that you are ready when God decides it is time?

[Bugsy]

December 30, 2008

Ending Well
READ | Luke 12:15-21

Today’s passage is about a rich man who made poor use of his days. Incorrectly assuming that his life would last for many years, he not only left God out of His plans but also allowed materialism to guide him.

The apostle Paul, on the other hand, knew his time was short and yet made the most of His life on earth. For one thing, his priority was to give to others until his final days. His letters from prison illustrate this—despite knowing he would soon face death, Paul devoted his time and energy to instructing fellow believers and praying for them.

Paul also recognized the value of time spent encouraging Christians to do everything as if for the Lord (Col. 3:23). This is important even when one’s task seems unrelated to the church. Our Father’s work isn’t just for missionaries and pastors; He calls all His children to different fields and assignments.

The apostle also knew that the Christian life encompasses struggles. And he was realistic about acknowledging his own imperfections (Rom. 7:5-25). This meant that to make the best use of his time, he needed to persevere, keep faith in God’s promises, and rely on divine power for victory. And indeed, at the end of his life, Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Life is a gift. Every one of us has a limited number of days on this earth. How will you utilize your time so you can look back and, with Paul, confidently say that you ended well?

[Bugsy]

December 31, 2008

The Bible: God’s Voice Today
READ | 2 Timothy 3:16

In biblical times, God spoke in many dramatic ways. Although He still speaks today, His methods have changed. Therefore, we can’t expect Him to speak in an audible voice or send an angelic messenger every time He has something to say. We must learn how to perceive His voice today.

Today our Father speaks to us primarily through His written Word—we have His complete revelation within this Book. There is not a single thing missing that He needs to add. Why? Because He has already revealed His Word perfectly to those whom He inspired to write it down. This is not a book written by human beings; the Holy Spirit of God literally breathed His truth upon the minds of certain men so that they could record it (2 Tim. 3:16).

The Bible is God’s way of speaking to our pressing needs, concerns, heartaches, and worries. So often when trouble strikes, we turn here or there, talking to some friend or counselor. All of that is well and good, and the Father does indeed speak through godly men and women. But the first place we should turn is to His Word.

The Lord has given us this Book so that we might know His mind—which requires consistently spending time in the Word. If you pick up the Bible only when you have a question or emergency, then you’ll never get the big picture of what God wants to say.

Scripture is a treasure trove of God’s thoughts. Spend time there every day—starting today—mining it for new truths and insights

Wednesday Bible Study for those who seek the word of God

[Bugsy]

January 1, 2009

Answered Prayer
READ | Matthew 7:7-11

In His Word, our Father commands us to pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17). And He promises that when we ask, we will receive (Luke 11:9). Yet how often has silence seemed to be the answer to our prayer requests?

The Lord wouldn’t tell us to pray if He were not going to respond. In fact, He points out that any father who loves his children gives them what they need and what is good (vv. 11-13). As our heavenly Father, He will provide so much more. But if we want God to respond, we must meet three important conditions.

First, we need to have a right relationship with Jesus Christ by trusting Him as Savior. But some people choose to live in ungodliness even after salvation. Scripture states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps. 66:18 KJV). This doesn’t mean we can never make a mistake—God understands our frailty. But we must repent of all known sin and avoid continuing in it.

Second, we must make the right requests. First John 5:14 reminds us to ask according to God’s will. In other words, we can share our desires while submitting our hopes to Him. Over time, certain yearnings may lose their appeal or give us a check in our spirit. Third, we should pray specifically and with confidence. When making requests aligned with God’s will, we can be sure He’ll answer.

Our heavenly Father tells His children to pray and assures that He will respond. As you present your requests, ask Him to show you if anything is getting in the way of His answer.

[Bugsy]

January 2, 2009

Effective Prayer
READ | Mark 11:24-25

John 14:14 reads, “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” People sometimes interpret this to mean that any request ending with the words “in Jesus’ name, amen” will automatically be fulfilled.

Yet basing our entire concept of prayer on one isolated verse would lead to a skewed perspective. It is also important to consider . . .

Our Fellowship With God. For God to hear and answer prayers, we must first be saved from our sin through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we have trusted Christ as Savior, God will hear us only when we walk in righteousness before Him. Of course, He understands our weakness and doesn’t expect perfection. But if we knowingly continue in sin and fail to repent, He will not listen.

Our Request. For some people, ending prayers with “In Jesus’ name, amen” can seem like a magic charm, but nothing can force God’s hand. This saying did originate from a good motive, though: the desire to ask only for what is consistent with Jesus’ character. When we ask, we should pray with faith, believing that God is able and will do whatever is in His will. And we should willingly submit our desires to Him.

Our Motive. The Lord won’t say yes to prayer that will hurt us or His purpose. When we bring supplications before Him, it is important to check our motive. Is our goal to glorify God and let others see Him in us? Or is our motive selfish, greedy, or impure?

Our heavenly Father tells us to pray. And He will answer when our hearts are pure.

[Bugsy]

January 3-4, 2008

Discouragement—What Is It?
READ | Joshua 1:7

Because we consider certain emotions and behaviors harmless, we don’t pay much attention to them. In fact, we regard some attitudes as so “normal” that we just assume everyone feels them from time to time. Yet, if we look beneath the surface, we’ll discover hidden danger and realize the situation is different from the way it appears. One good example is discouragement.

A lot of people view discouragement and disappointment as the same thing, but this is a misconception. Disappointment is an emotional response to a failed expectation, whereas discouragement is the spoiled fruit that results from unresolved disappointment.

Since we cannot experience perfect success every single time we try something, there’s no way to avoid all disappointments in life. However, we can avoid discouragement; it is a choice that we make when we decide whether or not we will allow our times of disappointment to destroy our confidence.

And that’s exactly what discouragement is—a complete lack of confidence, a feeling of dismay, and a loss of motivation regarding something that brings fulfillment and purpose. Think about the very word “discourage.” The prefix “dis-” means “without.” So, to be dis-couraged is to be without courage altogether.

-- Can you see how this is a tremendous problem for a Christian? The Bible calls us to be strong and courageous, trusting Jesus Christ for what we need. If you’re without this courage, the first thing you must do is ask God to wipe away your fears and remind you of His mighty power.

[Bugsy]

January 5, 2009

Protecting Your Future
READ | Genesis 25:27-34

Would you forfeit a double-share of your family’s inheritance for a bowl of soup? Esau did. In one impulsive bargain, he gave up his right both to lead the family and to take a lion’s share of his father’s wealth. From where many believers sit in safe and well-stocked homes, Esau’s actions seem ridiculous. But falling into this brand of temptation is not unique. Every person is enticed to sacrifice future blessing in favor of feeding current desires.

Esau had his priorities out of order. The Bible says he “despised” his birthright, but that does not mean he hated the benefits of being born first. More likely, Esau didn’t give much thought to his position—it was doing him little good in his current life. He lived dangerously as a hunter. So how could he inherit anything if a wild animal killed him? Therefore, he placed a higher value on his immediate need for a full belly.

Esau’s shortsightedness isn’t all that different from some common modern scenarios. 1) When people trade family time for extra work hours, they lose the comfort of a loving household. 2) When men and women ignore God’s marital standard of faithfulness, the result is a damaged or destroyed partnership. 3) When someone refuses a relationship with the Lord in order to maintain a sense of self-will, he forfeits eternity with God.

What is your “bowl of stew?” At some point, you will face a choice between future gain and present pleasure. Do not act on impulse like Esau. Consider your decisions carefully and seek God’s will.

[Bugsy]

January 6, 2008

Come to a H.A.L.T.
READ | Psalm 51

How many people have lamented, If I had it do over again, I’d do it differently? “It” refers to decisions, actions, and conversations we’d like to take back. As King David mourned the sinful choices that made him an adulterer and a murderer, he probably thought about the righteous alternatives. Like David, we tend to make wrong decisions when we are ruled by our appetites rather than godly discernment (2 Sam. 11:4).

Foolishness of some kind often results when people give in to stress placed on body and mind. These “earthly vessels” are more vulnerable than we think. That’s why Christians shouldn’t make snap judgments when feeling hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (H.A.L.T.). In those states, we are particularly at risk of making bad decisions with no lasting gain.

Craving immediate gratification makes for poor decision making. We need time to weigh a situation’s merits and drawbacks. And we must consider potential long-term outcomes, particularly if there might be an eternal impact. Sometimes that process takes a few minutes, but in other cases, we might have to deliberate and seek God’s guidance for weeks or months.

Satan is always on the lookout for a gap in the Christian soldier’s spiritual armor, but physical, mental, and emotional vulnerabilities prove handy for his cause as well. Do not give the Evil One a toehold! Keep yourself fed, rational, in good company, and rested. Then you are prepared to make godly judgments on the spot rather than thinking of them in retrospect.

[Bugsy]

January 7, 2009

Confidence in Troublesome Times
READ | Romans 8:35-39

Life is continually changing. At times I tell myself that if just a few pressing issues resolve, my days will be calmer. But as soon as those problems are settled, some new challenge always pops up. Even globally, we’re in a constant state of flux. The economy rises and then spirals downward. Gas prices increase and unemployment falls. A new conflict flares up every few months. Since we live in a fallen world, trouble is part of our reality. Life will never settle down to the point that we can sail along with uninterrupted ease.

Thankfully, God guides believers through times of turbulence (Psalm 23). He is the Good Shepherd who constantly abides with His world-weary lambs. Jesus vowed to His disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18). And His promise was fulfilled in the person of the Holy Spirit, who was sent to indwell and care for each of God’s followers. Paul poetically described the Spirit as a seal placed around believers until they are called to their heavenly home. In other words, He provides a protective barrier against evil forces desiring to snatch us from God’s hand.

In the verses leading up to today’s reading, Paul defined his audience as the Lord’s children (Rom. 8:16). So let me be very clear that the promise of a holy protective presence is only for those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior. No one’s life will always be calm. But believers are assured of a Companion in the dark hours. You can be confident that God’s goodness and love will surround you until you dwell in His house forever. (Psalm 23:6).

[Bugsy]

January 8, 2009

ver.28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Courage in Troublesome Times
READ | Romans 8:28-34

Recently, two Chinese women shared their father’s story with me. He was arrested in a roundup of house church members and given a choice—deny Christ or go to jail. The man spent 20 years imprisoned for his faith.

I was moved to tears by this brother’s godly testimony. He understood that God was in control of his life, and that realization gave him the courage to please his Father regardless of the repercussions.

Romans 8:28 teaches that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love [Him].” But relying on that guarantee gets tough when we’re in the midst of trials. The first few words of the verse—“And we know” (emphasis added)—provide a hint about how Christians trust the Lord to keep His promise. We face adversity courageously when we make a habit of finding the Lord’s fingerprints on prior situations in our life.

While God causes good to come from our experiences, He doesn’t necessarily initiate them. Psalm 103:19 says, “His sovereignty rules over all” (emphasis added). Other forces are at work in the world, but the Father’s power reigns supreme. Satan may touch our life with pain, but only because the Lord lets him do so. And He gives permission only when a situation fits His ultimate purpose.

Regardless of the tragedies we face, God’s commitment remains the same—He makes good out of bad just as He has always done. Paul knew the promise was true, and so do I. Examine your life for evidence of the Lord at work, and you will be assured as well.

[Bugsy]

January 9, 2009

ver. 4-5: 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;)

Our God of Grace
READ | Ephesians 2:4-5

Grace is God’s favor and love shown to mankind. We cannot earn it or ever be good enough to deserve it. To truly appreciate His grace, we need to comprehend certain truths about Him and ourselves.

First, God is perfectly holy, so He cannot allow sin in His presence. When Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree, their intimate connection with Him was broken. Since all future generations inherited their sinful nature, every person is born with a disposition that is bent away from the Lord.

Next, God’s character is just. As a result, He requires payment for all sins. The penalty He demands is death (Rom. 6:23), not just physically but also spiritually through eternal separation from Him.

Finally, we have a merciful God who does not treat us as our actions deserve but instead extends His grace toward us. He devised a plan that would affirm His holy nature, satisfy His justice, and enable us to become members of His family: He sent His Son to accomplish our salvation.

Born as a human being, Jesus lived a perfect life and completely fulfilled the Law. He alone qualified as the one who could satisfy divine justice. Christ took our place, bore our sins, and experienced God’s wrath over our rebellion—all so that we could be reconciled to the Father.

God made this provision for our salvation while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). Have you acknowledged your sinful state and received His forgiveness through faith in Jesus? If so, are you expressing ongoing thankfulness for His grace?