Reclothe Us

September 12, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

1 Kings 19:11-18

Often as I begin my devotions each morning the words of a hymn forms the basis of that devotion. Today it was the words of John Greenleaf Whittier, words taken from a longer poem which he wrote in 1872. The country was just recovering from the American Civil war of 1861-1865. He describes hearts longing for peace.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun, and history has proven him to be right. The same attitudes exist around the world today, causing hatred and bloodshed between nations and even dividing families. This hymn might be a prayer that God would reclothe us in our rightful minds, even today.

Apparently the words of this hymn came from a much longer poem “The Brewing of the Soma” describing Vedic priests brewing and drinking Soma in an attempt to experience divinity. Whittier’s intention was to compare this to the use some Christians made of “music, incense, vigils…trance……all in vain – it is mere intoxication” (Wikipedia).

Raised as a Quaker, he knew the true way of seeking God’s will. Silence and selflessness enable us to hear the “still small voice” described in the Bible (1 Kings 19:11-13). The voice of God was not heard in earthquake, wind or fire, but rather in a soft, gentle whisper which followed the dramatic events of God’s power. But first we must seek God’s forgiveness. The lyrics go on – “Forgive our foolish ways. Reclothe us in our rightful minds, in purer lives Thy service find”.

As an advocate for justice, the moral and spiritual values of his up-bringing impacted his writings and earned him the title of “America’s finest religious poet”. Many of his poems are still sung in churches today. One phrase captured my particular attention as I thought about our worship “…in deeper reverence, praise!” His poem goes on to talk about “simple trust” with which early Christians rose up and followed Jesus when they heard “the gracious calling of the Lord”.

Jesus calls His disciples, whether in the midst of a Civil War, or in the business of twenty-first century living: “Come unto Me all you who are weary and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Whittier captured the essence of that rest: “Oh Sabbath rest by Galilee….where Jesus knelt to share with Thee [God his Father], the silence of eternity interpreted by love”. The depth of that statement alone is cause for hours of reflection!

Reflection:

However, it is the last verse which provokes even deeper thought. What do the heats of our desires look like today? Do we need God’s coolness and His balm? Oh that we might enjoy His “still small voice of calm”! Then we would be ready to serve, to bless others with God’s love and peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Dei Gratia!

September 9, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Micah 3, 6, 7

Perhaps your high school Latin is as rusty as mine, but here we have a phrase that reminds us “by the grace of God” life may be lived in a manner pleasing to Him. It’s really quite simple. We just have to answer the question Micah asked the Israelites: “What does the Lord require of you?” (Micah 6:8).

For background to that question in the 7^th century BC, we need to look at what Israel was up to. Micah’s ministry occurred in an era when Judah was under siege from the Assyrian leader Sennacherib. The Northern kingdom, pro-Assyrian under King Ahaz, had been taken into captivity, but Judah under King Hezekiah hung on, in faith believing that God would protect them. The people had suffered for many years under political oppression. Spiritually, false prophets had failed to feed them, so God sent Micah and Amos to cry out for social justice.

Beginning with a rebuke, God calls the leaders of Israel to account. “Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil?” (3:1-2). The Lord had seen their schemes, how they distorted all that was right and who had built Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness (:9-10). They had cried out to the Lord but He did not answer them. The result of their evil deceit and lies, was that God had indeed hidden His face from them (:4).

It was imperative for the nation to “listen” to the word from God. Several times Micah’s passion grips him! “Hear!” “Listen!….” “This is what the Lord says……” The prophets are leading My people astray, “but I am filled with power” (3:5, 8). Don’t ever forget that! Micah renewed their commitment to God with the decisive statement “We will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever” (4:5). He recognized that other nations would continue to follow their own gods.

Paul, preaching in Lystra, recognized that tendency. Bringing them the good news of the gospel, Paul is “telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth….in the past He let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left Himself without testimony” (Acts 14:15-16). God’s kindness stood as a witness to His mercy and grace.

In Micah’s prophecy, he could see Messiah coming as a shepherd to His flock (5:4). He would come out of Judah, more specifically from Bethlehem (:2). By God’s greatness and majesty Israel would be secure and at peace. They will have beaten their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks (4:3). The remnant of God’s people would become a blessing to other nations in that day (5:7-8).

So what does God require in return? Israel replies to the Lord’s indictment in chapter 6, bowing down in repentance and humility, empty of anything that would dishonour the living God. “What misery is mine!…not one upright man remains!….All men lie in wait to shed blood. But as for me….I wait for God my Saviour” (chapter 7). This is precisely what God requires of each of us….”to walk humbly with your God.” To be utterly dependant on Him in order “to act justly and to love mercy” (6:8). Today, filled with the Spirit of the living God, we too are enabled to do His will.

Reflection:

What has God’s grace accomplished in your life?

What is your greatest spiritual need at present?

How do you anticipate God’s grace to work out in your life, in the days ahead?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Persecution, Pain, Perseverance

August 30, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

John 15:20, Romans 12:14

Recently I listened to two men describing their experiences of being jailed for blasphemy, now – in the 21^st century. Accused for a crime they did not commit, they were persecuted, tortured, and beaten for days….days without sleep….days of fear for when the next interrogation would suddenly occur. I was reminded of how, in my generation we could look back to when, even in Canada, people were sent to jail for preaching the gospel!

In a spirit of mockery an atheist colleague later compared his circumstances with Mr. X, reminding him of how successful he was in his business, and blessed with a good family even though he didn’t believe in God. Instead, Mr. X was suffering for his faith in God, stripped of everything material that he had enjoyed, separated from his family, physically and mentally abused. Incongruous of course to the human mind! Why then the atheist asked, would one choose to believe in God?

The answer? While in prison Mr. X was not alone. He had Someone to talk with, the assurance of being cared for, the certainty of the Divine plan. In spite of the circumstances, he even had hope! If the atheist could put himself in the same circumstances what would he have to hope for? How lonely would he be? What would strengthen his resolve to persevere?

The Psalmist refers to men who persecuted him without cause, but Jesus taught His disciples to anticipate persecution. “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you, also” (John 15:20). They would be falsely accused with all kinds of evil, because of their faith in Him (Matthew 5:11), but in this experience they would also be blessed; blessed with the power to love their enemies, to bless them in return, without cursing (Romans 12:14), blessed with opportunities to later share what Jesus meant to them, throughout their darkest hours!

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians to share his sufferings. His team was seen as fools for Christ, weak, dishonoured and even deprived of the physical necessities of life. They felt they had been made a spectacle of to the whole universe, and therefore had become the scum of the earth. What a reputation! Who would choose this way of life? Yet Paul says “We endured it” (1 Corinthians 4:9-13). Why? “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Pain is short-lived when one considers the outcome. How quickly a woman forgets the pains of childbirth when once she holds that precious baby in her arms! In the same way, persecuted believers, for glory of being enabled to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21), the memory of the pain is removed by our loving heavenly Father.

Yet God keeps an account of our sufferings. Jesus said “You have endured hardships for My Name and have not grown weary [perseverance]…I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich!…You remain true to My Name….I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance….I know you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name”. Writing to the churches in Revelation Jesus commends 5 out of 7 churches for their perseverance through pain and persecution.

The question for us today is one of faith. Faith, the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) cannot be shaken. As with the gift, given in the first place to those who believe, God sustains us through every trial and test, persecution and pain. Paul, who suffered as much as any believer until now, wrote “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Let us add to persecution, pain; perseverance is given as the word of promise from God Almighty who sees and knows how much we can bear, and will provide all that we need to go through (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Reflection:

No one wants to think about persecution and pain. What is it that helps you think positively about this difficult journey?

You may be praying for people you never met, yet are brothers and sisters in the Lord. What helps you to persevere?

Have you ever regretted causing someone else pain?

Is there anything that prevents you from blaming the perpetrators of injustice and persecution? Explain.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Matters of the Law

August 22, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 23:23-33

To the religious Jew, keeping the law was everything. The Pharisees, over many years, added helps to enable people to keep the law more perfectly. These became so detailed that even their garden herbs and spices were to be tithed. Imagine trying to give a tenth of cumin, which is a tiny seed.

Today we have done the same thing. We first of all pick and choose which laws are the most important, and chastise or punish every infraction accordingly. Biblically one sin is as deviant as another since every sin separates us from God. But we forge ahead making human judgments without consulting the Word of God.

Jesus addressed the Pharisees on this issue, and if we read His words, recorded by both Matthew and Luke, we would know the important matters of the law. Luke writes “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but….!” (11:42). Matthew remembers Jesus said “Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth….but you have neglected the more important matters of the law “ (23:23).

Jesus used some strong language in His vindictive! Blindness afflicted the teachers of the law – “You blind fools” “blind guides” (23:17, 24). Four times He raves against their blindness, ending His tirade by calling them a “brood of vipers” (23:33). We might ask, if these men were conscientiously doing their best to interpret the law for the people, why was Jesus upset? This is a question asked today when someone is confronted with aberrant behaviour.

The answer is in Jesus’ own words. He talks about the “more important matters of the law” (23:23) which have been neglected. He agrees it is important to do what they have been doing, giving their tenth, but he rages against that which they have neglected….the spirit of the law (23:23). First things first! They should have practised justice, mercy and faithfulness. Luke adds the love of God to the list (Luke 11:42).

How often do we measure our obedience by the things we do, without considering if it is the attitude of our hearts which motivates our obedience. If it is for the praise of men – we will get our reward here on earth, but if it is to please God we will receive our rewards in heaven. He alone knows our hearts.

Justice! Do we really care about it? How involved will we become on behalf of those who are oppressed or abused? One devout Christian lady said we can pray – which is true, but our presence is even more effective, as a testimony to what we say we believe about justice. Am I willing to stand in court on the side of justice?

Mercy! Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. If we truly believed that might we not be gentler, kinder to those who disappoint and hurt us?

Faithfulness! In our world today faithfulness has almost disappeared. Political alliances and policies have almost completely severed our patriotism. Even in the most intimate of relationships faithfulness is challenged, whether it is grounded emotionally, socially or physically.

Love! Least of all understood emotion – too often today defined by sexual attraction! Where is that tenderness and nurturing of the most precious of relationships, whether family or friend?

Reflection:

How often do we concern ourselves with the sufferings of Jesus? Easter is one time when we think about His past sufferings, but what about His present sufferings as He watches us flounder in our faith?

And over the whole of Jerusalem, teachers of the law, Pharisees and people, the Lord Jesus grieves! (23:37)

Surely He is grieving today over every nation and individual who is rejecting His law, the law of love.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Fill My Cup

August 14, 2023 Admin2 Comments

1 Corinthians 11:25

How often do we pray for God to fill our cup, believing He will bring us health and comfort? One hymn, at least, conveys that idea:
Like the woman at the well I was seeking for things that could not satisfy,
And then I heard my Savior speaking – “Draw from My well that never shall run dry”

Fill my cup, Lord. I lift it up, Lord! Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me ’til I want no more; fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole

The scripture speaks to us about various cups. The Psalmist’s cup “runneth over” (Psalm 23:5 KJV) “Overflows” (NIV). In this beloved and well-known Psalm David rejoices in all that the “Good Shepherd” is doing for him. However, like the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well, there are too many weary souls whose cup is empty.

There are millions in this world who are craving the pleasures earthly things afford,
But none can match the wondrous treasure that I find in Jesus Christ my Lord

Because God is love, He reveals Jesus to those hearts which truly seek. Why? Matthew records His promise to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness that they “will be filled” (5:6). Jesus also promises “Whoever drinks of the water I give him will never thirst” (John 4:14).

Fill my cup, Lord – I lift it up, Lord – Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of Heaven, feed me ’til I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole. Here’s my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

Has it ever occurred to you that sometimes God requires us to drink from another cup? Jesus, to provide you and me with salvation, drank from the cup of suffering. Would we be willing to do so for the sake of another’s salvation? On the evening when Jesus was betrayed Peter tried to prevent His arrest, but Jesus rebuked him, saying “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” (John 18:11). When James and John asked to sit on Jesus’ right and left hands in glory He asked them “Can you drink the cup I drink?” referring to the cup of suffering He knew lay ahead (Mark 10:38).

The Apostle Paul has something interesting to say about the cup. “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons”. What did he mean? He offers us a principle: “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:21, 24). Founded on that principle we must remember that the cup represents a new Covenant with Christ. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Reflection:

With the New Covenant in focus, how do our perspectives on life change? Are we seeking to satisfy the thirsting of our souls? Is this what caused David’s cup to overflow?

Are we challenged to put others first, before our own comfort? Remember, in the midst of drinking that bitter cup at Calvary, Jesus cared about the soul of the man hanging beside Him! What is your prayer and mine as we seek to have our cup filled?

by Marilyn Daniels (www.MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Where Were You?

July 31, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Job 38:4-41

I enjoy learning about nature from programs on television. God has given us the means to see mountains and seas, stars in outer space, and minute details of the unborn in a mother’s womb! The knowledge of Creator God is past human understanding, yet He blesses us with glimpses into various realms, for which He has some wonderful eternal plan.

Elihu, one of Job’s friends ended a long speech into the mysteries of God’s ways with these words: “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power!” (Job 37:23). Elihu assumed Job has offended God so he took the position that he must defend God (Job 36:2-3). One of Elihu’s themes is that God is beyond our understanding (36:26). This is so true, even today when technology has advanced our understanding of science, medicine and astronomy.

Finally God speaks! Newspapers and television are full of the great discoveries being made by man. God warns us to stop flapping our gums! “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2). How dare the creature take the glory belonging to the Creator! God has been patient with Job’s counsellors, and even with Job himself. Now they must listen. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” Scientists may yet have to answer that question, when face to face with God.

Back to Job….in exasperation, riddled with pain and sorrow, he had cried out “If only there were someone to arbitrate between us….someone to remove God’s rod from me”. In Chapter 9 Job speaks about his God, who is not a man like himself. He wished that they might confront each other, so he could get an explanation for his suffering (9:32-34). He speaks out of the bitterness of his soul (10:2). Have you ever been at that point in your life?

Now God thunders from out of a storm. Quite often in scripture we read that God speaks out of the power and terror of stormy circumstances. Perhaps when the storm clouds rise over our lives we should prepare our hearts for a message from God!

God asks some difficult questions. “Who marked the dimensions of earth” (:5) or fixed the limits of the sea? (:8-9). Have the gates of death been shown to you? (:17) What is the way to the abode of light? (:19) Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons? (:31-32) Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind? (:36)…and His questions continue into Chapter 40 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?” (:1).

Reflection:

When we are struggling we ask a lot of why questions, but here we have God asking where, who, what. The contrasts between the knowledge of God and the understanding of man is vast indeed! No wonder we fall down in worship when we see Him. Job gained the right perspective when he exclaimed “Now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes!”(Job 42:5-6).

Where were you when Creator God planned the marvellous details of your earthly existence? The important question is – Where am I now, in the plan of God? Have I accepted the arbitrator of my soul, Jesus Christ the Lord? Thank God for the plan which included one for my salvation and yours!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Privilege, Responsibility, Opportunity?

July 25, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“It’s a mess!” How often do we hear those words? Mom’s in the kitchen where the cake fell flat. War has decimated a population! Babies are dying of starvation. The environment is deteriorating. A marriage is on the rocks. Large or small, problems are a very real part of life. Who do you lean on when you are frustrated, anxious, depressed? That is a question often asked. What is the answer?

As believers, there is one great answer….we have the privilege of talking with the Almighty God, about anything. He invites us to bring our problems, great or small to Him. Why should He care so much about you and me? Perhaps it is because we fit into the bigger picture, each person, each piece an important part of the puzzle. No puzzle can be complete with one piece missing; missing just one small piece, the picture will be a mess.

There is a short verse in the Bible that brings privilege and responsibility together. “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That means more than just keeping in touch. As we walk through each day we converse with Almighty God about the things we see and hear. Of course we worship Him for the beauty of His creation, but what about the messy side of life? How do we pray about wars and famine and flood? Certainly watching these tragedies around our world gives us opportunity to talk with our heavenly Father.

If we see a precious family member making a mess of their lives, we pour out our hearts, don’t we? But how about the human “family” – the people for whom Christ died, who don’t know about Him? Do we care enough to pray? Do we believe that God will hear and answer our prayers? Can our prayers change the world? We have Biblical examples which assure us of the power of prayer. Esther, for one, fasted and prayed for her people, who by law had been condemned to death. God answered her prayer. Read the book of Esther.

I wonder if we pray in too general terms? What if we were more specific, enough to pray for individuals. For example, I know about a man named Samson who lives far away, someone I will never meet, but living in a Muslim country, he probably needs Jesus in his life. Why does the Holy spirit prompt me to pray for Samson, among all the other Muslims in his town? I can’t answer that question, but when we are prompted to pray, we must – it is a compelling force, a privilege, and responsibility, in answer to the opportunity.

How often we are so caught up in our pain and need, that we forget the bigger picture and the privilege God has given to us to specifically bring people in our world to Him, in prayer. If our prayers are conversational, as continual prayer must be, it may make a change in both the way we pray and the things we see happening around us. What delight there is in talking with ones we love! We ask their opinion because we want to understand them. How often do we rush into the presence of God, breathlessly pouring out a request focused on our perceived need, without wondering what God’s thoughts and purposes are. Is our prayer a conversation or a demand?

Reflection:

Prayer gives us the opportunity to hear from our loving heavenly Father. Are we taking advantage of our privilege? Do we drown His voice with the tears we shed over our own desires? Do we miss the delight of hearing His voice and the joy, when He choses to overwhelm someone we have prayed for, with His love? I have learned so much by asking God to help me understand His will. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways”, declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thought than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Let us pray without ceasing, so that we may know the heart of our God!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

God’s Glory

July 17, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 104:1-4

As I write, we are still watching the glory of man in the coronation festivities of Britain’s King Charles III. What a spectacular celebration, golden coach and all! Yet there he was, dedicating himself to God as a servant of all. That was his mother’s prerogative too. Suddenly I was gripped with the urge to see what scripture tells us about the glory of God! From beginning to end we find references to God’s glory, by which comparison, man’s is very pale. Therefore, this devotional is going to be a real Bible Study.

In the beginning…Genesis tells us that in the creation process there was light long before our sun was created. The first thing God commanded was Light. Where did it come from? It was the light of God’s glory, also revealed in heaven where there is no need of sun or moon (Revelation 21:23).

We may have some misconceptions about God’s glory when we think in terms of light and darkness. In Genesis He separated the light from darkness, yet it was all part of His glory. We see an example of this when Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. We read “The cloud covered it [the mountain], and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai” (Exodus 24:16). TO the Israelites waiting for seven days below, “the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire” (Exodus 24:17).

God’s glory was seen in a cloud more than once; one time was when “the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting [where the Israelites worshiped], and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle!” In fact Moses couldn’t enter the Tent because ”the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle” (40:34-35).

However, God’s glory is not confined. “As surely as I live, and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw My glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt, and in the desert….” …and God went on to declare they would never see the promised land because of their sin of disbelief. There may be a lesson here – if we do not believe in Jesus, who performed so many miracles, even raising the dead, we will not see the “promised land”, which is heaven.

The glory of the Lord is revealed in His miracles. It is a visible reality. The disciples saw “the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). However, we must not take the glory of God for granted. It is, unfortunately, the lot of humankind to “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This leaves us in a desperate place if we are not revived by the Holy Spirit. We are all dead in sin, because of the sin nature we inherited from Adam, unless “God who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ” . Paul continued, in his letter to the Ephesians, to describe the glory of being seated with Him in heavenly places in order to show the riches of His grace [glory] (Ephesians 2:4-6).

Also God has given us a wonderful hope. He has revealed the great mystery which was hidden for generations, but now “disclosed to the saints” through Jesus Christ our Lord. This mystery Paul tells the Colossian church is made known among the Gentiles –“the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (26-27).

Reflection:

Just imagine the fulfillment of our hope – that day when we will see the King of kings, seated upon His throne, in all of His glory!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

A Fool’s Folly

July 10, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 14:1

Isaiah had a reality check. He was given a unique message for the people. “No longer will the fool be called noble” (Isaiah 32:5). One wonders if a fool, as we think of one, would ever be called noble. Heaven forbid – might we ourselves fall into one of the following categories?

Some clever commentator has distinguished five types of fool in the Bible. The first is simple – open-minded, immature, gullible and curious. Lacking discernment this person is willing to give consideration to any new thought (Proverbs 22:3). The second (10:14, 20:3) is silly, despising advice (7:1) and getting angry when things do not go his way (27:3). Third – sensual “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief” (Proverbs 10:23). Fourth – scorning. This person makes dangerous company, since they will not listen to rebuke (Proverbs 13:1). In a sense their own wisdom is beyond correction. Fifth – steadfast! Most dangerous of all, this person rejects God (Psalm 14:1).

Isaiah goes on to describe a trait of fools in general: “the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil” (Isaiah 32:6). Not only is their thinking corrupted, but also their behaviour, because they practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the Lord (:6). They scheme and lie, ignoring the plight of the needy, even when “The plea of the needy is just” (:7).

Peter gives a graphic description of what a fool looks like, so we make no mistake. Bold and arrogant, they do not restrain their judgment, even of celestial beings and God, since Peter goes on to say they blaspheme in matters they do not understand? (2 Peter 2:12). He likens a fool to a beast guided only by instinct. Fools apparently indulge in adultery and seduction in broad daylight, preying on vulnerable people. By appealing to the lustful desires of human nature and guided by greed, the fool makes a mockery of clean living. His soul is full of darkness, Peter tells us.

Paul warns Timothy, his son in the faith, to beware of those teachers who only say what people want to hear. Even centuries ago there were problems arising from a society focused on suiting their own desires, coddling themselves in self-indulgence while turning their ears away from the truth of God’s word. Preference was given to myths because men would not put up with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). Paul could have been describing the twenty-first century! Instead, Timothy is urged to ”correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

In contrast to the fool, the noble man makes noble plans. The dictionary defines noble as “one possessing outstanding qualities”! Paul reminds us to think noble thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Noble deeds follow on the heels of noble thinking. Who wouldn’t choose to earn the reputation of a noble person? That choice is up to us! We can follow the path of fools or we can take the noble way, modelled by our Saviour and Lord.

Reflection:

Contrast a fool with a noble person. Who comes out the winner?

Name 2 significant dangers of associating with fools.

What does God think of fools? How would He advise you to deal with the folly so often seen in our world today?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Our Father

July 4, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 6:9-13

Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray. Addressing God as ‘Our father’ was a privilege not known to people of faith in the Old Testament. They fell on their faces to worship an awesome, holy Judge, knowing that they must keep the covenant law in order to be accepted by their God. Yes – they knew He was a God of love, but even His love had to be earned by keeping the law. There was no fooling around with God, no taking His forgiveness for granted; He was strict in the eyes of His chosen people.

How have things changed over hundreds of years? God has not changed. The Bible assures us of His unwavering stability. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). The point James is making is that all good things come from above; “God is the source of light – physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual light – and He does not change” (Ryrie Page 1686). This is the God Jesus tells us to worship as “our Father”.

We know that the Holy Spirit gives us graces which are imbedded in the character of God. The Apostle Paul lists those qualities which make us fit representatives of our Father – gentleness, patience, kindness and self-control – those tender mercies which make us likeable, approachable, and trustworthy. Folks who have struggled with less than perfect father-child relationships here on earth, will see Divine love played out in the lives of God’s children as we respect, and honour, and cherish one another.

You see – our Father accepts us just as we are. Of course, He expects us to resemble Him, to take on His personality. This requires change in you and me, but our Father remains the same – all that is good and perfect. Our role model is Jesus Christ, who became human to show us how to live Godly lives. When I am wiling to make God Lord of my life, He actually becomes my Father. Sometimes this is an event, when the Holy Spirit suddenly revives us, but for others it is more of a shaping – like the potter and the clay.

Isaiah reminds us : “The Lord says…. You turn things upside down as if the potter were thought to be the clay. Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say of the Potter ‘He knows nothing’?” (Isaiah 29:16). Sadly today we find many folks who are saying this, denying the power of Almighty God to sustain His created beings, denying Him as Creator of all. God thunders down through the ages: “Woe to the obstinate children….those who carry out plans that are not Mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit” (Isaiah 30:1).

As with any good Father, our heavenly Father has some absolutes which form His standard for living. There will also be discipline in His family. In order to trust God we must know what He expects – and it is all written down. Jesus reviews the fact that our Father in heaven is holy and to be worshiped as such. In order for His Kingdom to be seen on earth, His will must be done as it is in heaven. We must keep the slate clean by seeking our Father’s forgiveness – perhaps for our unthankful hearts. How many of our blessings do we take for granted?

In the matter of forgiveness – how can we expect God to forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive those who disappoint or even hurt us? Satan will work hard to make us bitter and unforgiving. Our Father stands ready to protect us from such evil.

Reflection:

When we are asked to pray the Lord’s Prayer, is it with the sense that we are talking with a friend? Is it my personal prayer to my Father in heaven? Does that relationship fill my heart with joy and compel my spirit to worship? Happy, content, merciful and kind, is the person who knows our Father as “My Father”.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)