Real Life Devotions

 

 

John 8:12    Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14   “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

Psalm 119:105.  Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Here, we read of Jesus standing in the Temple courtyard overshadowed by massive menorahs that illuminated the Temple and much of Jerusalem with spectacular light when lit. To those gathered, Jesus proclaimed that He is an even greater light—an inextinguishable light—reaching throughout the world, piercing every hidden corner and dark place of man’s imagination.

Jesus’ words are both awe-inspiring and challenging because, in Matthew 5:14, He says, “You are the light of the world.” How is it possible that He is the light of the world, but so am I, and so are you? It’s easy. Jesus’ light illuminates our lives by His indwelling Spirit working through us as we live according to God’s Word (Psalm 119:105). This should lead us to ask, “What can others see of Jesus in me?”

Look around—people are walking in absolute darkness with no idea where they’re going, either in this life or the one to come. They are headed straight for disaster and need the gentle persistence of Christ’s light shining through us. Others need to see the love of Jesus reflected in our day-to-day encounters with them, which should be evidenced in our countenance, attitude, and acts of kindness.

As simplistic as it sounds, we must live out the words that children sing in Sunday School, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.” His life in us naturally becomes a light for other people. May we let it radiate from within to those around us.

Enduring Word – Devotion. “When God Shuts the Door”

 

 

And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.(Genesis 7:15-16)

Genesis 7:5 says that in preparation for the coming flood, Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. Nothing was left incomplete or undone. Noah, his family, the animals on the ark, and the ark itself were ready for the tremendous flood about to happen.

Having entered the ark, they waited for rain. Genesis 7:10 says they were in the ark for seven days before the rains started and the fountains of the great deep were broken up. Those seven days of waiting were a test of faith, and it’s easy to imagine Noah’s skeptical neighbors mocking everyone on the ark. “You said the waters would come, and nothing has changed. You said God would send judgment, and everything is fine.” If they said something like this, it was only temporarily true. The waters came from both above and beneath, and soon the only refuge was the ark they had mocked and despised.

As God had promised (Genesis 7:4), after the seven days of waiting the waters poured forth for forty days and nights. In the Bible, the number 40 is associated with testing and purification, especially before entering something new and significant. This is seen in several cases.

  • Moses was 40 days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18, Deuteronomy 9:25).
  • The spies were 40 days in Canaan (Numbers 13:25).
  • Israel was 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33, 32:13).
  • Elijah made a miraculous journey to Sinai over 40 days (1 Kings 19:8).
  • Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days (Mark 1:13).

Forty days isn’t a short time, but it also isn’t terribly long. It was long enough to stretch the faith (and patience) of Noah, his family, and the animals onboard, but it had an end. The finish was promised just as certainly as the beginning was.

Notably, the LORD shut him in. Noah did not have to shut the door to keep anyone out of the ark; God alone did it. After the same pattern, it is never the duty of God’s servants to disqualify people from salvation. If the door is to be shut, God will shut the door. God’s servants may warn, but God holds final judgment – not man.

In Noah’s time, one could say that God kept the door open until the last possible minute, but eventually the door had to shut. When the door is open, it is open, but when it is shut, it is shut. Jesus is He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens (Revelation 3:7).

The time of testing has an end (40 days), but so does the day of grace. While the door is open, come to Jesus and find refuge from the judgment to come.

51.s. Wilderness – 15.y. “A Man Hanged on a Tree Is Cursed”

 

 

 

Deu 21:22  “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree,  his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.

 Numbers 25:4    And the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the LORD, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.”

 Joshua 7:12    Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction.

 Galatians 3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”.

 1 Corinthians 16:22    If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

 Leviticus 18:25    and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.

 Numbers 35:33-34   You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.  You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.”

The curse of God, That is, it is the highest degree of reproach that can attach to a man, and proclaims him under the curse of God as much as any external punishment can. They that see him thus hanging between heaven and earth, will conclude him abandoned of both, and unworthy of either. 

Under the Law, a person who was determined guilty and deserving of death would be killed and then hung on a tree. I would imagine it was meant to be an example to the people of God’s laws, judgment, and abhorrence of those acts He proclaimed worthy of death.  The Romans seemingly removed the killing of them before hanging them on a tree and cruelly hung them alive until they died in agony. Such it was for our blessed Savior. 

It has been a little over 3 weeks since we celebrated/remembered the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How much of the memory is still residing in your thoughts? How much do you think of His great love and sacrifice? Does it change how you live each day? Are you mindful of the price that was paid for your sin? 

His death and resurrection should never be forgotten. In His death, our minds should ever be in remembrance. Our sin and penalty was placed upon Him and He graciously and lovingly took them on. Every scourge of the whip, every fist against His face, every thorn piercing His head, and every blow of the hammer nailing Him to the cross was due to mine and your sin. 

What love, what grace, and what mercy He has freely given. What manner of person should we be in light of this great sacrifice? 

Let no waking minute ever be without this memory and understanding. Let it permeate thoughts of your mind and be in praise and worship of Him.  Live humbly with these thoughts. Live to honor and glorify Him, who is worthy, in all you think, say, and do.

Turning Point – Devotion

 

O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?
Habakkuk 1:2

The book of the prophet Habakkuk contains three chapters. In the first two, Habakkuk complained about his nation. He was discouraged. But the Lord told him to trust—for the just must live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). In the final chapter, Habakkuk responded by composing a hymn. He rejoiced in God’s splendor and glory, and he said that even if the fig didn’t blossom or the fields yield food, he would still rejoice in the Lord. He ended by saying, “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills” (Habakkuk 3:19).

Like Habakkuk, we sometimes question what God does or what He doesn’t do. Yet we must walk by faith, remembering who He is and how He works. Meditating about God’s character and all the good things He has done can help us remember He has a plan. In all hard situations, ask God to help you take things one step at a time, standing on the firm foundation of His love.

Nothing is beyond [God’s] control. His sovereignty is absolute.

Hab 3:17-19.     Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

51.r. Wilderness – 15.x. “So you shall purge the evil from your midst”

 

Deu 21:18-21  “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

 Proverbs 22:15    Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

 Isaiah 1:2   Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.

 Proverbs 15:5  A fool despises his father’s instruction

 Proverbs 20:20    If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

 Ezekiel 22:7    Father and mother are treated with contempt in you; the sojourner suffers extortion in your midst; the fatherless and the widow are wronged in you.

This does not mean a small child, or even a young teen – but a son past the age of accountability, who sets himself in determined rebellion against his father and mother. The parents must have done a good job raising the son, calling him to obedience, and chastening him as appropriate before the LORD. Such a stubborn and rebellious son was to be put on trial before the elders of the city. If they determine him to be chronically rebellious, then the son was to be stoned to death. The parents had to take the boy to the elders of the community; not only because the decision of life or death should be taken out of their direct hands, but because the guilt of the stubborn and rebellious son was not only against his parents, but against the whole community. He sowed the seeds for cultural suicide in Israel.

This law was clearly intended to protect the social order of ancient Israel. No society can endure when the young are allowed to make war against the old. “If such a law were in force now, and duly executed, how many deaths of disobedient and profligate children would there be in all corners of the land!”  (Guzik)

 Disobedience to a parent’s authority must be very evil, when such a punishment was ordered; nor is it less provoking to God now, though it escapes punishment in this world. But when young people early become slaves to sensual appetites, the heart soon grows hard, and the conscience callous; and we can expect nothing but rebellion and destruction. (Henry)

The character of such a son follows, and by which it may be known that he is stubborn and rebellious; stubborn in his nature, and rebellious in his actions; behaves contrary to the laws of God, and the instructions of his parents; what he should do, that he does not; and what he should not do, that he does; will not do what is commanded him, and will do what is forbidden him, notwithstanding all counsels, admonitions, and corrections given him: which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother; is disobedient to the commands of either of them. (Gill)

Without God in the families disobedience will flourish. Without God in our schools foolishness will expand. Without God in our country judgment awaits.

51.q. Wilderness – 15.w. “Do what is right in the sight of the LORD.”

 

Deu 21:1-9  “If in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess someone is found slain, lying in the open country, and it is not known who killed him, then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure the distance to the surrounding cities. And the elders of the city that is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer that has never been worked and that has not pulled in a yoke. And the elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister to him and to bless in the name of the LORD, and by their word every dispute and every assault shall be settled. And all the elders of that city nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, and they shall testify, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed. Accept atonement, O LORD, for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not set the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel, so that their blood guilt be atoned for.’ So you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD.

Num 35:33-34  ‘So you shall not pollute the land where you [are]; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. ‘Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.’ “

This passage shows that the blood of unsolved, unavenged murder defiles and pollutes the land. Therefore, if there is a murder unavenged, some kind of cleansing is necessary, so the land will not be defiled. First, the matter of jurisdiction had to be settled. These elders were responsible to make the sacrifice to atone for and cleanse the murder-polluted land. 

Then, appropriate sacrifice had to be made. This heifer was sacrificed by the sons of Levi in the presence of the city elders, who washed their hands over the sacrificed animal. This washing of the hands, done in the presence of the sons of Levi, who by their word every controversy and every assault shall be settled, was a powerful proclamation by the elders: “We have done all we could to settle this case, but cannot. We are clean from all guilt in the matter of this slain man.” Of course, this ceremony of washing the hands over the sacrificed animal meant nothing if the elders had in fact not done what they could to avenge the murder; apart from that, this washing of the hands was just as much an empty gesture as Pilate’s washing of his hands at the trial of Jesus. 

Unavenged murders defile and pollute the land and atonement must be made for the land itself. When Israel followed God’s instructions for atonement, He honored His word by taking away their guilt. But the removal of guilt was always based on blood sacrifice, on a substitutionary atonement – looking forward to the work of Jesus on the cross for the entire world. (Guzik)

If a murderer could not be found out, great solemnity is provided for putting away the guilt from the land, as an expression of dread and detesting of that sin. The providence of God has often wonderfully brought to light these hidden works of darkness, and the sin of the guilty has often strangely found them out. The dread of murder should be deeply impressed upon every heart, and all should join in detecting and punishing those who are guilty. The elders were to profess that they had not been any way aiding or abetting the sin. The priests were to pray to God for the country and nation, that God would be merciful. We must empty that measure by our prayers, which others are filling by their sins. All would be taught by this solemnity, to use the utmost care and diligence to prevent, discover, and punish murder. We may all learn from hence to take heed of partaking in other men’s sins. And we have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, if we do not reprove them. (Henry)

If the land and people on that land needed atonement for an unsolvable murder, how much more so would the lands where abortion is rampant and approved. It is the murder of innocent babies still in the womb. Making laws that condone it mean nothing in absolution of the guilt of it.  Read this from the WHO website:

Around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. Comprehensive abortion care is included in the list of essential health care services published by WHO in 2020. Abortion is a simple health care intervention that can be effectively managed. Restrictive abortion regulation can cause distress and stigma, and risk constituting a violation of human rights of women and girls, including the right to privacy and the right to non-discrimination and equality, while also imposing financial burdens on women and girls.

  • Lack of access to safe, timely, affordable and respectful abortion care is a critical public health and human rights issue.

51.p. Wilderness – 15.v. “You shall save alive nothing that breathes”

 

Deu 20:16-18  But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the LORD your God has commanded, that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against the LORD your God.

To them no offer of peaceful submission was to be made, and when the city was taken, all the inhabitants without reserve were to be destroyed. This was in accordance with God’s command to Israel and as a precaution against the risk of the people being seduced into idolatry by the heathen should they be allowed to remain in the land. (Unkown)

The horrors of war must fill the feeling heart with anguish upon every recollection; and are proofs of the wickedness of man, the power of Satan, and the just vengeance of God, who thus scourges a guilty world. But how dreadful their case who are engaged in unequal conflict with their Maker, who will not submit to render him the easy tribute of worship and praise! Certain ruin awaits them. (Henry)

But of the cities of those people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance,…. The cities of the seven nations, six of which are mentioned by name in the next verse: thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth; the reason of this severity was because of their wickedness, the capital crimes and gross abominations they were guilty of, and for which they deserved to die; and on account whereof they were reserved to this destruction, when the measure of their iniquities was full. (Gill)

The previous commands regarding warfare did not apply to the upcoming conquest of Canaan. There, not only was Israel not to offer peace to the cities, but they were also to destroy everything, not only the adult males. This was a unique war of judgment, more than a war of conquest or defense. This explains why such a complete destruction was commanded. The culture of the Canaanites was so corrupt – socially, morally, and spiritually – that God considered it irredeemable, and ripe for judgment. In this unique war, the armies of Israel were to bring that judgment upon the Canaanites. (Guzik)

There were other times of God’s judgment upon mankind when God judged them irredeemable. In the time of Noah God judged all of mankind and destroyed every living thing but those on the Ark. Noah proclaimed God’s judgment for 120 years while he built the Ark. What did the people do? They mocked, ridiculed, and laughed at him and the thought of pending judgment coming. 

Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and destroyed. The Assyrian army lost over 100,000 men in one evening. Jericho was judged and destroyed. There are other examples of God’s judgment and destruction that occurred on this side of eternity. The things that were an abomination to God for which these peoples were destroyed are not much different from what we see being declared. No reverence for God. Love of self. Self-reliance. Self-worthiness. Arrogance. Lusts of the flesh. Covetousness. Strife. Doing evil. Calling that which is good, bad. Calling that which is godly and holy, foolishness. Worshipping things other than God. Rejecting and denying God. Rejecting and denying Jesus Christ. Living in sin without a thought of God’s judgment. However, there is coming a time when everyone will stand before God and be judged.   

Denying that judgment is coming allows a person to live according to whatever seems right in their own eyes. In this denial, everything seems permissible. No one ever born will be excluded from judgment. Everyone will stand before God to give account. 

When people should be asking what can we do to be saved, they are proclaiming their sins, making excuses for their sinful ways, and encouraging others to do the same. Judgment is coming and those found in Jesus Christ will pass into eternal life, and those who chose to reject and deny Jesus Christ will be cast into the lake of fire and be tormented forever. 

51.o. Wilderness – 15.u. “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.”

 

 

Deu 20:1-4  “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

Deu 20:8  And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’

 Deuteronomy 3:22   You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.’

 Genesis 26:3     Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.

 Joshua 1:5     No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

 2 Chronicles 32:7-8    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

 Psalms 118:6     The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

 Romans 8:31    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 1 Corinthians 15:33    Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

 Deuteronomy 1:28    Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven. And besides, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.”’

Israel, a small nation surrounded by great empires, was rarely in a strategically superior position. Despite the clear danger, they also had a clear command from God to not fear. Israel was commanded to not fear what any logical military man would fear: superior numbers, superior technology, and superior equipment. Yet, Israel was given a reason to not fear. God did not deny that the enemies of Israel would usually have more horses, chariots, and people than Israel. But God asked them to recognize a greater fact: That the LORD your God is with you. It was the job of the priest to encourage the soldiers to trust in God. Though the priests were not normally to go into battle. When Israel was obedient, and trusting in God, they could never lose. But when they were disobedient, or not trusting, they could never win – even if they had superior forces.

 To God, the size of the army wasn’t important; the heart of the army was far more important. He didn’t want people who might be distracted from the real battle by worrying about the cares of everyday life (their home, their vineyard, their fiancée’); nor did He want people who were not really trusting Him. God could do more through a smaller army that was really committed to Him than through a bigger army that was full of compromise. (Guzik)

There is a fear that most experience – It is a “sudden fear” of when something happens. A car accident that is about to happen, waking up to smoke in your home, loud unexpected noise, or being startled by someone or something you didn’t know was there. We are just born with this. Proverbs says, do not be afraid of sudden fear. When sudden fear occurs, recognize it, and do not be afraid. You would apply brakes or swerve in an on-coming accident. You would flee a burning building. You would not try to pick up a venomous snake as it slithers by.  You would be cautious, attentive, mindful, and putting things into their right place within your mind.  God is there. God is sovereign. God is all-knowing. God is all-powerful. He will never leave or forsake you.  

There is another type of fear that should not be in the hearts and minds of those who trust in, rely upon, and cling to Jesus Christ. It is the fear of an unknown outcome of a potential event of something in the near or distant future. How do these fears arise within us? How do they gain even a spec of space within our minds? If you spend any time reading or watching news outlets you will be told what to fear right now and what to fear in the future. They will lay out their narrative in convincing crafty words. Every news and weather outlet broadcast station is supported by income from advertising that pays certain fees depending on the number of viewers. How better to get more viewers than to incite fear? Stay tuned for more breaking news. We will keep an eye on this for you, stay tuned in. This is a developing story, stay tuned. New information has come to light, stay tuned. This could affect every single person, so stay tuned. Scientists confirm, stay tuned. Witnesses have stated, stay tuned. Researchers have just revealed, stay tuned. The more they can generate fear the masses will tune in and hopefully rely on them to make sense of the fear being generated. 

In contrast, God’s Word says to “Fear Not”, “Be of this world but not partakers of it”, “Be anxious about nothing”, “Trust in the Lord your God”, “God will never leave you or forsake you”, “I am with you”, “I am your rock and refuge”, “God is all-powerful”, God is ever-present”, God is all-knowing”, “the battle is the Lords”, “nothing can separate you from the Love of God.

The biggest battle we should fear is the battle with, neglect, complacency, lukewarmness, being attracted to things of this world, lust, greed, pride, envy, jealousy, arrogance, hate, anger, self-worth, self-reliance, etc….. Paul said that by the renewing of your mind, studying yourself as a workman who doesn’t need to be afraid, be anxious about nothing, guard your heart, be strong, be steadfast in your commitment, lean not unto your own understanding, be courageous, trust in Jesus Christ, be faithful, be holy, be more than babies in the Word of God and its application in your lives, hold onto what is true, rejoice, praise, be joyful, and love, these things must come to pass but do not be afraid, etc…..

Fear has no place in the heart that trusts in God. We can place all of our concerns at His feet and fully trust in Him to be with us no matter what the concern is. He will never leave you. He is ever-present. He can do all things mighty and powerful is He.

Compelling Truth – Devotion

 

We know that the Holy Spirit was given to lead and guide and comfort us (Acts 1:5; John 14:16, 26). But how do we know if the prompting we feel inwardly is from the Holy Spirit or just a product of our own thoughts? How do we discern between the influence of the Holy Spirit and the influences of culture, friends, and family? How can we really recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. As such, He is one with the Father and the Son and speaks in harmony with them. God will not contradict Himself. The Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Therefore, the Holy Spirit will not contradict the Bible. As we meditate on the Scriptures, study them and read them, the Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts (John 16:12–14; 1 Corinthians 2:6–16; Psalm 1:1–3; 119:9). Furthermore, intimate knowledge of the voice of God is gained through exposure to what He has written, and we will easily recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice if we recognize it from reading the Bible.

Those who believe in Christ have been reborn in the Holy Spirit (John 3:3–8), and by that rebirth we enter the kingdom of God. Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ have the indwelling Holy Spirit who is with them always (Ephesians 1:3–14). We become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God works in our hearts and minds to transform us to be more like Him (Romans 8:29–30). This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The natural heart is “desperately sick” and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). But in Christ our hearts become new (Ezekiel 11:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17) even though we will still battle the flesh this side of eternity. This is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit in us and also something in which we actively participate (Philippians 2:12–13). We do this through regularly spending time in God’s Word, regularly spending time with Him in prayer, spending time with other believers who love and strive to follow God, and obeying God (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Hebrews 10:19–25; James 1:22–25). Much of God’s will is clear and evident. The more we obey the things we know God calls us to, the more we are sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The more we grow in faith and yield to the indwelling Holy Spirit, the more His voice is easily recognizable to us. The more we grow in our love for God, the more His desires become ours.

We are also called to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Our minds are informed by the Holy Spirit. Worldly wisdom is often different from the true wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18–31; James 3:13–18; Proverbs 3:5–6). Those who love God have the Spirit, who “searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Just as the thoughts of a man are only understood by that man, the thoughts of God are only understood by the Holy Spirit—believers can seek to understand the thoughts of God because we have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds and makes it possible for us to discern truth that the natural man cannot (1 Corinthians 2:14).

If then we have new hearts that trust in God and we have God’s promise to teach us by the Spirit (John 14:26; Luke 12:12) we can live connected to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:6–16), relax in the knowledge that He is governing our lives, and simply walk in that trust. A big part of walking in trust is to know the Bible, which is the source of God’s wisdom. We should follow the advice of Proverbs, which says: “My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble” (Proverbs 3:21–23).

There are some things that Scripture does not inform us about directly. Questions like “who should I marry?” or “where should I work?” and things of that nature are often puzzling for Christians as we seek God’s guidance. But again, if we have hearts and minds that are regenerated and connected to God and are truly and wholeheartedly seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, any desire that a believer has, or any path he or she chooses (provided it does not go against Scripture or pursue what is sinful) can be trusted as God’s plan. This may seem simple, but it is often the most difficult thing to do.

We sometimes fear that we will make a wrong choice, or do the wrong thing, or choose the wrong way and that God will punish us for it or that we will somehow ruin our lives or mess up God’s intentions. But God is not vindictive. He is also sovereign. It is true that God disciplines His children for their benefit (Hebrews 12:5–11). It’s also true that circumstances and outcomes are not always indicative of our obedience. Many people obeyed God yet suffered (John 16:33; Hebrews 11). Others were enemies of God and enjoyed worldly ease, at least temporarily (Psalm 73).

We can know God’s will by knowing His Word and seeking Him through prayer and can trust that He is working all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). In all circumstances, we can trust that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Will Graham – Devotion

 

Hebrews 5:9-14.  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,  called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”  of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,  of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this we will do if God permits.

As an evangelist, I share the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ as clearly and plainly as possible: that we’re all sinners; that—while we were yet sinners—Christ died for us; that He is the way, the truth and the life, and that whosoever believes may not perish, but have everlasting life.

It’s so simple, and yet eternity hangs in the balance.

>>Get Wednesday in the Word, a weekly devotion from Will Graham, straight to your inbox.

But there’s still work to be done, even after someone has accepted Christ. Our organization works hard to follow up with each person, plugging them into the local church and helping them grow in their faith. Why? Because, much like a child grows in wisdom and power, that is how inquirers mature from “baby” believers to strong Christians as they begin to apply Scripture to their faith journey.

This all sounds good, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. As in any area of life, some passionately pursue a goal while others rest or focus on other priorities.

In Hebrews 5:11-14, we see the characteristics of a group of believers who are not maturing in their faith.

Lazy or ‘Dull’
A person’s faith is immature because they are lazy or “dull of hearing” (v. 11). There is no drive or initiative, and this prevents understanding. They sat and listened, but were not paying attention and applying what they had learned from God’s Word.

Refusal to Grow
Many of these same people who were weak in their walk were refusing to grow (v. 12). They had a knowledge of Jesus and identified with Him, but they refused to mature in their faith and apply it to their lives. They had not progressed from “milk” (basics) to “solid food” (applying the Scriptures).

Unskilled
Some people are spiritually underdeveloped because they are unskilled (inexperienced) in the Word of God (v. 13). By this time they should be teaching, but could not because they refused to be trained in spiritual matters.

Do Not Exercise Discernment
Finally, some believers remain spiritually immature because they do not exercise their mental and spiritual senses (v. 14) and are therefore unable to discern between good and evil.

Reviewing the characteristics of a stunted Christian may hit a little close to home for some of us. So what’s the remedy? How can we become fully developed and mature Christians? Hebrews 6:1-3 offers some guidance.

First, we must build on the teachings that we already know (v. 1). The foundation has already been laid. Now we need to develop our spiritual structure, adding depth and understanding.

Second, we must be determined to grow (v. 3). The author makes a declaration (“This we will do”), which shows the determination required to grow as a Christian.

Third, we must also realize that we are totally dependent upon God for growth. By saying, “if God permits” (v. 3), the author shows that we cannot grow apart from His strength.

To summarize, the answer for a stunted and immature spiritual walk is a motivation to build on the foundation we have, with determination and a reliance on God’s faithfulness and strength.

My friends, it’s easy to slip into laziness and immaturity. We must passionately and deliberately pursue our Savior and the incredible wealth of wisdom He has given us. This will strengthen your faith walk and better prepare you to impact the world for the Kingdom.