Consequences

January 7, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Philippians 2

Have you ever thought about the consequences of your choices? Scripture is very real to life, describing the human follies that not only implicate life in the present, but life down through generations of time. For example, Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all impacted by the decision of Abram and Sarai, to use Hagar as a surrogate mother for Abram’s child. To this day there is rivalry between Jews and Arabs over the land God promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:7), the land Christians call the Holy Land, because it is the birthplace of Christ!

Even farther back – to the very beginning, we find the choice Adam and Eve made in the Garden of Eden inflames mankind today, bound with the consequences of innate sin. Father Adam’s choice to believe the devil’s lie caused our DNA to be tainted with sin (Romans 5:12, 17). Thankfully, the choices another man made provide us with new life. More about that later.

David, King of Israel made various decisions that caused dissension within his family. He had too many wives, so the rivalry between his sons could be described in today’s language as dysfunctional. However, in his heart David worshiped God, writing some of the most beautiful songs (Psalms) used by the Church today. Therefore he, like Abraham, is described as a “friend of God” (James 2:23), or “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). He became the forefather of the Babe who is famous for being born in the City of David.

With God there is always room for forgiveness, no matter what we have done. The Bible teaches us that it’s never too late to ask for God’s forgiveness. Take the thief on the cross as an example. His eternal destiny was determined by a last-minute choice and the consequence was that He is spending eternity with Jesus (Luke 23:43).

It is not only the choices made by the rich and powerful that touch the heart of God. An unnamed woman put everything she had into the temple treasury. We don’t know what prompted her to do so. She didn’t look for recognition for her sacrificial giving but Jesus was sitting there, watching her (Luke 21:1-4). Two thousand years later the consequence of her devotion to God challenges every Christian, regarding giving to the work of God!

A baby was born and laid in a manger. It’s easy to forget this baby was fully human. Called the “Holy Babe of Bethlehem” by lyricists and authors, Jesus was both God and man. This made Him vulnerable to temptation. However, He chose not to give in to Satan when tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He chose not to give in to His human frailty when faced by the cross when He sweated it out in prayer, in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32). The consequence was that He paid the penalty for sin – yours and mine.

Reflection:

Since you and I are only human, let us thank God He had a plan that gives hope to every situation, despite the consequences of our choices. Thank God we do not have to pay the penalty of our foolish indecision or even our rebellious disbelief, if we recognize Jesus as Saviour and Lord of our lives. We may reap the benefit of Jesus’ choice to give up His glory in order to become a man who walked this earth as our example. Praise God! What will you do with Christ and what will be the consequences?

Devotional

Identity Crisis

March 10, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Philippians 3

Some years ago a phrase was coined that described peoples’ search for meaning in life – “I need to find myself”. Many men and women stopped going to school, quit their jobs, bailed on relationships during the process of trying to discover who they were. What futility!

Little children display so much potential from an early age. Was it a failure then in parenting which caused them to feel they were lost, unworthy, inadequate? Was it unrealistic expectations about the meaning of life? Where did they lose that wonderful confidence so often natural to children, in their own abilities? What had people been taught to so unsettle their internal security?

When someone introduces you to a stranger what is your greatest identifying feature, that thing you would like people to know about you? Is it that you have a degree? …or does your marital status define you? Perhaps some great skill or talent ensures you are a person of worth. Every human being needs affirmation of their personhood, whether known for their great heart for people, or for their intellectual accomplishments, whatever it is that makes them feel significant.

How sad is it that people with education and intelligence, skills and talent, and even a measure of charisma are uncertain of what they can contribute to our world. How many comedians feel absolutely worthless while giving such pleasure to so many people? Yet we have all read stories about those who may seem underprivileged reaching out to others to bring joy, satisfied with their lot. We marvel at the inequities of life that bring self-acceptance to some and not to others.

The Apostle Paul remarked on his pedigree, in more than one of his letters. To the Philippians he seemed rather proud of the fact he was circumcised, an Israelite who kept the law, of the tribe of Benjamin – significant because Judah and Benjamin joined together as the spiritual stronghold in Israel. The other 10 tribes formed a northern alliance, which was less than Godly. He bragged about being a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” (3:5-6), a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the Church. Before his conversion he saw himself, with legalistic pride, as faultless.

At least he didn’t have to “find himself” – or did he? Thankfully God arrested his attention on the Damascus road where Paul discovered that, for all his good works, he failed to measure up to God’s standard and therefore needed to be forgiven of his sins. What an amazing discovery Paul made! “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Philippians 3:8).

Now he identified with Jesus Christ. He considered the greatness of his relationship with Jesus sufficient reason for losing all those other things – pedigree, position, even protector of his faith, which had been so important to him before. We are celebrating “Love” this month. Do you, can you love yourself so that you can love your neighbour as much as you love yourself. That goal is set for us by the Lord Jesus Himself! (Matthew 22:37-39).

May each and every one sense the love of God for them personally, today. What an honour to be called a daughter of Almighty God! We have so much to offer when we are secure in Him!

Reflection:

What is it that secures your identity?

Has God ever arrested your attention? Reflect on that occasion. What have you learned?

Do you have the reason, the means, the skill and the compassion to help other find their identity in Christ?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Identity Crisis

May 14, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Philippians 3

Some years ago a phrase was coined that described peoples’ search for meaning in life – “I need to find myself”. Many men and women stopped going to school, quit their jobs, or bailed on relationships during the process of trying to discover who they were. What futility!

Little children display so much potential from an early age. Was it a failure then, in parenting, which caused them to feel they were lost, unworthy, inadequate? Did they have unrealistic expectations about the meaning of life? Where did they lose that wonderful confidence so often natural to children, in their own abilities? What had people been taught to so unsettle their internal security?

When someone introduces you to a stranger what is your greatest identifying feature, the greatest thing you would like people to know about you? Is it that you have a degree? …or does your marital status define you? Perhaps some great skill or talent ensures you are a person of worth. Every human being needs affirmation of their personhood, whether known for their great heart for people, or for their intellectual accomplishments, their kindness or whatever it is that makes them feel significant.

The Apostle Paul remarked on his pedigree, in more than one of his letters. To the Philippians he seemed rather proud of the fact he was circumcised, an Israelite who kept the law, of the tribe of Benjamin – significant because Judah and Benjamin joined together as the spiritual stronghold in Israel. The other 10 tribes formed a northern alliance, which was less than Godly. He bragged about being a “Hebrew of the Hebrews (3:5-6), a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the Church. Before his conversion he saw himself, with legalistic pride, as faultless.

Now he identified with Jesus Christ. He considered the greatness of his relationship with Jesus sufficient reason for losing all those other things – pedigree, position, even protector of his faith, which had been so important to him before. We are celebrating Mother’s Day this month. May each and every one sense the love of God for them personally, today. What an honour to be called a daughter of Almighty God! With or without children, we have so much to offer when we are secure in Him!

Reflection:

What is it that secures your identity?

Has God ever arrested your attention? Reflect on that occasion. What have you learned?

Do you have the reason, the means, the skill and the compassion to help other find their identity in Christ?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Inspired by Love

January 19, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

Philippians 2:5-11

As we enter into another year often people set goals for themselves, wonderful determinations which may last through the month of January, and some a little bit longer. What causes us to do this? Perhaps we have assessed the year which has just passed. We see where we need to change. This year is going to be a better year because I am going to be a better person.

We have just celebrated Christmas. Did Santa Claus inspire you to make changes for a better year? Usually children think about being naughty or good closer to the 25^th of December. Maybe we should ask: How did the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ impact your resolutions for another year and why?

The Bible tells us that God, motivated by love, sent His Son into this world because mankind was hopelessly floundering against the pull of temptation. Sin abounded in that last century BC. Sin abounds today. It is appalling to hear the news – abuses of every kind in private lives or public, rock our world and we wonder how it could get any worse. Certainly we need to make some changes, but how, what and where?

Maybe we should look at the baby in the manger…that gift of eternal love. Shakespeare said something interesting about love: “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite”. Was this true? Examine your own heart and possibly you will find the truth about love. How often is our love motivated by self-interest? What will I get out of this relationship? When God sent His Son, He was a gift inspired by real love!

That helpless baby in Mary’s arms was fully God and fully man, perfect and pure. He lived, we read, with the sole purpose of dying for sin – yours and mine. Why? Scripture tells us that God was motivated by love, to offer a priceless gift to mankind….the forgiveness of the sins they were helpless to avoid.

From the beginning to the end of God’s Word we read He is faithful in love, abounding in love, maintaining love throughout generations. In fact we know that Jesus came to give us eternal life – which in essence is eternal love!

Such love empowers us to love one another as Jesus loves His disciples. It even enables us to love our enemies. He inspires truth and reconciliation among warring peoples and makes His love known across the globe, by acts of heroism and forgiveness. Would it be correct to say God’s love is inspirational?

Reflection:

I am well aware of my propensity to dislike, to judge, to be impatient, to suspect others of loveless behaviour, but as I examine my own heart I must always marvel at the comparison with my Saviour’s love! Another reason to marvel at God’s love is that He implants the Holy Spirit in the heart of each believer to give to you and to me God’s vision of a world, helpless in its need of true love. Surely this inspires the way we live for Jesus our Lord.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Humble?

October 17, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Philippians 2, 2 Chronicles 7

Since Dickens invented Uriah Heep people have been making fun of humble pretensions. The groveling servility of this man stands testimony to self-seeking. He would have made an interesting psychological study today. Dickens was a genius at observing human nature! He paints word pictures that stir the imagination!

“[Heep’s face] was quite as cadaverous as it had looked in the window —a youth of fifteen, who had hardly any eyebrows, and no eyelashes, and eyes of a red-brown, so unsheltered and unshaded, that I remember wondering how he went to sleep. He was ….dressed in decent black, with a white wisp of a neckcloth; buttoned up to the throat; and had a long, lank, skeleton hand, which particularly attracted my attention…”

With this picture in mind, along with the character Dickens described vividly as patronizing, grasping, ingratiating and manipulative, is it any wonder that humility has taken on the appearance of evil, of treachery, by its very insincerity?

Yet as we read scripture humility is recommended by God (Proverbs 11:2, Zephaniah 2:3, Philippians 2:3). A humble attitude is needed to approach His throne. It reflects the character of our hearts as we inter-relate with other people. Our Lord, Himself was the greatest example of true humility. Knowing He is equal with God – united in the Trinity, we read He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8).

What did that humility look like? He gave up His heavenly status to come to earth, to be limited in form, taking on the body of a human being (2:7). This was God who created the universe, assuming the limitations of one of His creatures. I have to ask myself if I would be willing, for example, to take on any limitation that confines someone in a wheelchair, in order to fulfill God’s will in my life?

Jesus emptied Himself, became “nothing” (Philippians 2:7) The theological construct here is amazing! He veiled His pre-incarnate glory, voluntarily relinquishing His divine prerogatives while here on earth. For us as humans to give up anything that empowers us, can be a very scary experience. But this is the face of humility…not grasping at control, manipulating the course of events in our lives. Even for the sake of the gospel, Jesus would not manipulate people but freed them, as in the case of the rich young ruler, to go away disillusioned about what he could do to earn his salvation!

In the hierarchy of the Christian movement, what does scripture recommend as the best form of leadership? Those with a servant’s heart are most pleasing to God. Why? Following Jesus, we see He became like a servant (Philippians 2:7). The nature of a good servant is one who is loyal, one who gives above and beyond for the benefit of his master. Of all things in this life, if we could only see that our service is for Jesus Christ, Himself.

Serving is a Biblical principle. Abraham served the angels who visited him. Moses served his father-in-law; Jacob and many others served in their homes. Joseph served Pharaoh. The prophets served God, often at great personal cost. Service from the heart is synonymous with humility. The opposite of humility is pride. Known as one of the seven deadly sins, pride is an affront to the Divine, to God’s holiness and perfection.

At the dedication of Solomon’s temple God reminds His people of the importance of this attribute, humility. Thundering down through the ages are words from God’s throne: “If My people….will humble themselves…..!” HUMBLE! Humble! Humble hearts define our relationship with Almighty God, don’t they? (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).

Reflection:

Hear the yearning in God’s voice? If only…MY people will worship Me in spirit and in truth, with humble hearts. The choice is ours. Is our humble heart real, or is it fake?

What is the value put on humility today?

What form did humility take in Jesus’ life?

Is this an example you and I might follow?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Privileged Life

October 17, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Ekaterina Astakhova on Pexels.com

Philippians 4:4, 10-13

How many of us have compared ourselves to the rich and famous from time to time, and wondered what it would be like to have no material needs? Let me share the story of a young woman I once knew. Her job took her to many countries around the world; money was not an issue in her home. Which one of us wouldn’t like to be rich enough to travel? We might forget to count the cost – consider how difficult it was for her to leave her children behind for days at time. Her health suffered from lack of proper rest and eating. She was always running, always fatigued, always feeling guilty because she couldn’t give the quality time she wanted to either her job or children, and suddenly she found herself considering suicide. Things are not always as good as they look.

Poverty comes in different packages. Some folks are rich in spirit. I remember being hosted in very humble homes in Kenya, homes where the joy of the Lord reigned over a simple cup of Kenyan tea. Yet how impoverished are the rich, who like Zacchaeus had spent his lifetime robbing folks in order to gain wealth.

What is it then, that gives us a sense of privilege? God created human beings with everything necessary for a good and happy life. Adam and Eve didn’t need clothes in order to be fashionably trendy. Their diet was very simply vegetarian. They were surrounded by beauty, and they walked with God. If it wasn’t posh, it was a privileged life.

Perhaps we need to examine our expectations. What is legitimate and what is unfortunate? The thing is – God has placed each one of us in circumstances from which we can and will, learn and grow. What we learn is up to us. Will we become bitter or better? Will we spend time regretting the past, blaming and shaming others, or will we take the gifts God has given to us and make them into something that blesses His heart?

Each one of us has been given gifts of personality and temperament. We choose what characteristics we allow to shape us, by using the strength of will God has also given to us. The whole issue is one of choice. There are heroic testimonies of folks who have overcome terrible odds – super heroes in the Para-Olympics, for example. Why are they different from another human being who moans and groan their way through daily life?

Made in the image of God, we have the privilege of choosing what we will be remembered for. Have we been generous and kind, or do self-centered habits alienate us from others? I learned from the poorest of the poor that sharing what one has, makes one feel rich.

Reflection:

Jesus challenges us today to love others as we love ourselves, because He loved us enough to die for us! This is the privileged life! God knew from the beginning that the plan of salvation included not just His chosen people, the Jews, but also included the Gentiles. He prophesied to Abraham thousands of years before Christ came to earth, that his seed would bless the nations. I am a Gentile, as probably most are, who read this. Consider the privilege we have of being grafted into the Branch, the Lord Jesus Christ! (Jeremiah 23:5) I want the whole world to know that joy and peace come from our relationship to God through the Lord Jesus, don’t you? It is my privilege to share Jesus with others, as He shared his life with me. What is your privilege?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional · Uncategorized

Leaving Things Behind

August 2, 2020 AdminLeave a comment

photo of person walking on desert — Photo by Ethan Jones on Pexels.com

Philippians 3:7-14

This devotional is a corollary following ‘My Sin Is Ever Before Me’. It’s absolutely necessary for us to understand the glorious freedom we have been given in God’s forgiveness. Think about it. Perhaps you have destroyed someone’s reputation by passing along unnecessary gossip, which in the end proved to be untrue. You feel terrible and apologize. Then, marvellously, your friend forgives you. How do you know you are truly forgiven? They don’t rub your face into the memory of what you said. Fellowship is restored.

Forgiveness uplifts us! That is what brings glory to God. In spite of our wrong-doing, when we confess and turn from our sin, He lifts us up to have communion with Him, because we’ve been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus! His forgiveness facilitates our moving forward. He even shares His plans with us so that day by day we are able to worship Him, serve Him and revel in the abundant life Jesus promised to God’s children!

The joy of knowing that our lives can please God brings us tremendous hope that today, and in all our future days, we have something special to strive for. In order to do so we must leave the past behind. The Apostle Paul knew all about that. He wrote to the church at Philippi that he found “straining toward what is ahead” took all his energy. It required leaving the past behind. (Philippians 3:13)

You see – Paul had a renewed vision! God was sharing His purposes for ministry that gave impetus to Paul’s plans, his hopes and his work. He was totally committed to doing the will of God. It cost him; he was tested by shipwreck, human violence and rejection, imprisonment and so forth. But it wasn’t only the bad things that imprisoned Paul. His status as a Pharisee, his position in society had also had a negative impact and it was all this which now he told the Philippians, he had to leave behind.

Just imagine saying “I consider everything a loss [good and bad] , compared to the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things!” (Philippians 3:8). It takes maturity to leave the past behind, while remembering its impact on our lives. Certainly our vulnerability to pride often blasphemes the very sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, because it brings glory to me and you, rather than glory to Him! We live in ever-present danger because our enemy goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour [destroy, separate from our Father, God] (1 Peter 5:8).

Reflection:

The Holy Spirit brings balance to our thinking, as He reminds us of all that Christ taught. We are to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. If we remain in a state of hatred for what we have done it will colour our relationship first of all with God. It means we really haven’t received His forgiveness, but also it makes us suspicious of others. Instead of rejoicing with all that God is doing to bring folks into sweet fellowship with Himself, we lose sight of the glory of God! This is a grave danger. The Bible tells us to rejoice in the Lord always and to think about whatever is true. My prayer is that we will leave the past behind, pressing on toward God’s goal for you and me. There is a prize at the end of the journey. (Philippians 4:4, 8, 14)

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net