y, 2008 DevotionsMa
y, 2008 DevotionsMa
Thursday, May 1
Be Faithful!
KEY VERSE: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much," Luke 16:10.
What a great lesson is to be learned and practiced from these verses! God has rewards waiting for faithful servants, those who have made the little things (things that are often unnoticed by others but are noticed by God) in God's work a priority.
A good explanation of these verses is to take care of what you have and God will bless you with better, but, if you don't take care of what He has provided, how can He trust you with better.
Traveling across America and visiting with many of the Lord's churches, this writer has seen many neglected church buildings. It is upsetting to see how the building set aside for the local place of worship is dirty, smelly and generally tacky, all because someone had neglected to be faithful in the minor things. Possibly the world outside wonders how important God is to the worshipers inside these neglected buildings.
We shouldn't worship the building because it is only the man-made structure for believers to come together in community worship. However, you can see God's smile when we keep the grass mowed, the shrubs trimmed and the inside clean and orderly. God blesses faithfulness in the small things as well as faithfulness in the great things.
REFLECTION: What God has blessed you with, take care of it. The way you care for something shows your appreciation for it or the lack there of.
Beverly Barnett
Hebrews 12:1-3
Friday, May 2
Look to Jesus and Endure!
KEY VERSE: "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds," Hebrews 12:3.
Maheen Sathar of Malabar, India, has been a believer in Christ for four years, but his wife Muneera did not believe. Her husband tried to convince her that Jesus is the true way.
Muneera, told her brother, Siddhiq Yasin, an extremist, working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia of Maheen's conversion and baptism.
Siddhiq and his gang offered Maheen a job, a big house and money, but, when he would not denounce Christ and return to Islam, he was beaten and locked in a cellar for seventeen days without proper food and facilities. They thought this would break him, but it only made him stronger. They decided to kill Maheen.
Muneera never expected her brother to kill him. She prayed to God. While she was praying, Jesus Christ became real to her. She accepted Jesus. She then contacted the director of a Christian ministry and told him the details.
They prayed together, contacted a politician, who sent them to a senior police officer, who forcibly released Maheen.
At the same time, an angry mob under the incitement of Siddhiq gathered to attack Ciniraj, but some secret Christians hid him.
Maheen and Muneera have started a new life in a different place due to the danger they face as Christians.
REFLECTION: Christian persecution is real.
Beverly Barnett
Hebrews 5:12-14
Saturday, May 3
Grow in the Word
KEY VERSE: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat," Hebrews 5:12.
One sure way a baby lets someone know he is hungry is to bellow out a loud cry. Changing his diaper and putting him back into a warm cozy bed will not take care of the hunger in his tummy. His hunger can only be satisfied with a bottle of nourishing milk.
A few years later, the baby has grown into a teenager, home from school, he heads for the refrigerator, because he's starving as usual. He opens the door, sees a leftover piece of pizza and a baby bottle filled with baby formula. Which one do you think he'll take? Long ago he outgrew the bottle for more nourishing food like pizza.
Why is it then that we make excuses when we can't get past drinking milk instead of chewing on the fortified meat of the Word? The only excuse recognized by God is when a person has a learning disability-laziness doesn't qualify.
We complain when our children don't do their homework, but, yet, we neglect to open our Bibles during the week to study the immeasurable riches found between Genesis and Revelation.
REFLECTION: You are encouraged to grow into a vibrant Christian, thirsty and hungry for God's Word, reaching for the meat, not the milk.
Beverly Barnett
Ephesians 6:10-13
Sunday, May 4
Having Done All, Stand!
KEY VERSE: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand," Ephesians 6:13.
Can you hear the urgency in the voice of Paul as he wrote to believers? He had seen and felt the wickedness of men influenced by the wiles of the devil. The word wiles comes from the Greek transliterated word methodeia which sounds like our word method. Other meanings are "cunning arts, deceit, craft, or trickery" which Satan has plenty of to go around. How can we ever protect ourselves from his multiple attacks? We must put on the whole armor of God.
Paul started with the first layer when describing the protective gear. The loin girdle is truth. God is the creator of truth, and truth is always stronger than a lie. Next is the breastplate of righteousness-God's not ours. The foot wear is the gospel of peace for when a person's steps are uneven, then the soldier is vulnerable. The shield of faith is a must for dispelling and protecting the heart from all those fiery darts that come from the continual battle. Finally, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God are put on. Without the helmet even a small stone can cause a deadly blow, just ask Goliath. The Word, our two-edged sword, cuts away the lies Satan throws at us and is most effective when it is hidden in every good soldier's heart.
REFLECTION: There is no running from battles, no secret place where Satan cannot find us; we must prepare, put on the gear and make a defensive stance.
Beverly Barnett
2 Peter 3:3
Monday, May 5
Latter Day Scoffers
KEY VERSE: "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts," 2 Peter 3:3.
Predicting the weather has greatly improved since meteorologists have started using satellites and dopplers. Many lives have been saved since they now are able to warn people who are in the paths of hurricanes, tornadoes and snow storms. But, still, there are people who scoff or disbelieve their predictions. A visible example of this was New Orleans during Katrina.
Some people believed that the full force of Katrina would miss this city which lies below sea level, and, true, it did not sustain a direct hit. But the rains and tide surges did not miss. Many of us watched the news coverage in horror as people drowned trying to escape the rising waters, as bloated bodies floated on the putrid water, and as babies cried for food and water as they were trapped in the Superdome. In the end the scoffing had turned to blaming, but it did little to change their situation.
People are doing the same thing today with the return of Christ. They are laughing and joking about it, saying preachers and teachers are trying to scare the uneducated into believing in God. This is partly true. Preachers and teachers are warning anyone who will listen that there is a reckoning day coming. It will come "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:52). Christ will call up His saints and the others will be left behind to scratch their lost heads as they face the coming judgments on the earth. These sermons will echo in their heads, as they are running for a pseudo-safe place.
REFLECTION: God is not bound by time, but mankind is, and that time is short.
Beverly Barnett
2 John 7-11
Tuesday, May 6
Avoid Deceivers
KEY VERSE: "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist," 2 John 7.
Heaven's gate cult was in the news when the Hale Bopp comet came into earth's view. The cult's leader, Marshall Applewhite fell in love with a nurse at a hospital where he was a patient. They left their families behind and started their own form of religion. Applewhite and her mixed some of his religious upbringing with her beliefs about UFOs, astrology and science fiction. They believed one must leave family and children behind to become true members.
They scammed for money as they preached their false doctrine, gathering recruits. In 1975 in Waldport, Oregon, they posted fliers concerning a meeting where they would reveal the truth about reality. Two hundred people showed up and twenty joined.
On Friday evening, March 21, 1997, thirty-nine members gathered to eat a final meal at a restaurant in California. They dressed in identical clothes and all wore Nike tennis shoes. The comet was to be closest to the earth. It was time. Saturday evening the first fifteen took massive doses of barbiturates and washed the pills down with vodka, put a plastic bag over their head and lay down on their bunk beds in the million-dollar San Diego rented home. They were led to believe that their departure on the Hale Bopp comet had come. By Wednesday all thirty-nine were dead.
REFLECTION: Deceivers are everywhere. Some promote self more than Christ; some say they are Christ. If you meet people like these beware, avoid them. Be alert!
Beverly Barnett
Psalm 37:12-15
Wednesday May, 7
Persecuted-Not Forgotten
KEY VERSES: "The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming," Psalm 37:12, 13.
Under the religious freedom we experience in the United States, we do not understand the meaning of the word persecution. It is true we are not able to pray before sports events as before. Our children may not be allowed to pray aloud in the public classroom. You will not find Nativity scenes on government lawns or the Ten Commandments in the halls of the court buildings. We still do not have the foggiest clue what real religious persecutions are all about.
You must leave the comforts of home and travel to countries like Vietnam, Iraq and Myanmar and numerous others, or go to the remote town of A1iabed in north western Azerbaijan. There a Baptist pastor, Brother Zaur Babev was arrested under false testimony. He has been sent to prison because the police say he had a dog attack them when they raided the church on May 20, 2007. There the government denies believers legal status and will not issue birth certificates to their children, more so if they have Christian names.
Why does God allow the persecution of believers?
Why are innocent children killed and Christians tortured in hopes they will renounce their faith? Perhaps persecution is the fertilizer that grows a deeper and stronger faith in God's strength. It is a question that only God can answer. However, He is touched by the cries of pain from His children.
REFLECTION: Would you deny Christ if your life or the life of a family member was threatened with death? We should always remember persecuted Christians in prayer.
Beverly Barnett
2 Peter 1:19-21
Thursday, May 8
Inspired Words
KEY VERSE: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," 2 Peter 1 :21.
Some days one stares at the computer screen hoping that words will appear supernaturally and fill the page with inspiring or motivating prose that will lead the reader to a closer walk with God. Other days the words come so fast that one wonders whose hands are connected to his arms. It is difficult to imagine what it must have been like to have the Holy Spirit bear up the fingers and hands of the forty writers of the holy Word of God. To do this over the space of fifteen-hundred years and have them in perfect agreement is beyond human understanding.
The Bible agrees from Genesis to Revelation and every book in between. It is more awesome than having Shakespeare agree with Charles Stanley before Dr. Stanley had ever written a word. God breathed life into words and He used human hands to pen them on paper. Although each man used his personal writing voice or style, each word was carefully chosen by the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION: One can appreciate the hours of study required to be able to communicate in another language, more than the flushness of face that appears when corrected by a child because he or she used the wrong word. But these men didn't make mistakes-the Word of God is not flawed-God would not allow it.
Beverly Barnett
Psalm 119:97-104
Friday, May 9
The Work of the Word
KEY VERSE: "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way," Psalm 119:104.
According to the Bible Society, the complete Bible has been translated into 426 languages. Partial translations total 1,115 which only include the New Testament, and 826 remote languages have at least one or more books of the Bible printed. Shakespeare is the next most translated author with 50 translations.
These statistics tell a story. Man never stops searching for truth, until he finds the Word of God. God has placed in every person born the desire to find Him. Some stop short. It is evident by their life-styles. Some search in the wrong places, or in the wrong things, but, in their heart they never are fully satisfied. It is as though they know there is still something they do not have.
The work of the Word is simple-to point to God, to teach man how to worship and obey Him, and how to find eternal life in Christ. We can make the work of the Word more theologically complicated, but even Jesus said "on these two commandments hang all the law" to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-40).
REFLECTION: The Word cannot work in a person's life if it is not read.
Beverly Barnett
Psalm 119:89
Saturday, May 10
Established in Heaven
KEY VERSE: "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven," Psalm 119:89.
It is frustrating to learn how your health insurance works, and, then, to receive a notice in the mail that the rules have changed. The coverage you really needed is no longer provided. The policy you thought was established has changed. This is true with most things in life. Life changes and we must adapt to change. That's why it is a thrill to report to you that the Word of the Lord is established in Heaven and will never change!
This is not based on a man-made rule because the humanness of man is not settled completely. It is solely based on the Lord's unchangeable Word. The name that is used in this verse (word) indicates the supreme God (Yahweh, Jehovah). Yahweh's Word is forever Yahweh's word. The book of Isaiah declares that the Word of God will stand forever (Isa. 40:8).
REFLECTION: A person can fully trust the Word of God which lives and abides forever.
Beverly Barnett
Acts 4:12
Sunday, May 11
Living, Powerful and Sharp!
KEY VERSE: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12.
Living powerful and sharp takes courage. It takes courage to resist the devil and religious people who are only out for self-glorification.
How would you like to have been with Peter and John as they preached their hearts out concerning Christ and salvation found only in Him? They were retained overnight by religious leaders who did not recognize the truth when He stared the leaders in the face.
Living powerful and sharp takes strong faith. It takes believer's faith in the power of Christ's salvation alone to face the whips and shackles of your persecutors. Peter and John believed the doctrines Jesus taught them were true. He staked His life on them. They also were willing to follow Him to death, even if their route was a little longer.
Peter and John were salt and light to an unsaved group of Holy Spirit convicted people. But they resisted and threatened Peter and John if they did not stop their preaching. But these apostles had such a burning desire to preach the gospel that these threats meant nothing.
Oh! That the preachers today would seek to please God and teach and preach regardless of what is popular and soothing to the tender ears of man.
REFLECTION: Living powerful and sharp takes courage to take the sword of the Word in a real and personal way, so that it cuts away the pretense and deadness of sin to reveal that real life is found only in Christ.
Beverly Barnett
2 Timothy 4:19-22
Monday, May 12
Helpers of Paul
KEY VERSE: "Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick," 2 Timothy 4:20.
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent" so said the great poet John Donne. We need each other, Paul knew this and Romans 14:7 concurs. "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself" Paul surrounded himself with all levels of helpers. They were young, old, grounded, novice, encourager, educated, uneducated, men and women; he was as a father to Timothy and mentor to all of them.
Paul was not intimidated by people like Barnabas, who spoke up and challenged his thinking about John Mark, and especially so if it were not in the best interest of the overall work. He knew that it was important to have an assortment of people and personalities on his team to make it balanced.
John Maxwell stated that, when gathering your team, you should enlist people of integrity, dedication and those smarter than you. "Think About It-When you hire people who are smarter than you are, you prove you are smarter than they are," said Robert H. Grant.
However, personal esteem may hinder some leaders.
Instead of gathering a variegated group of team members, they only want people like themselves or those of lesser education or docile personalities.
Paul realized that the most important qualification was that they love Christ first and foremost, and the Holy Spirit would do the rest.
REFLECTION: Paul's helpers shared the same goal-to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. No team can function and go forward if its members are headed in different directions.
Beverly Barnett
Hebrews 9:27, 28
Tuesday, May 13
After This the Judgment!
KEY VERSE: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment," Hebrews 9:27.
Finality is something difficult for us to understand, but this life does have an ending point. Death slams the door of opportunity shut. There is no going back and undoing bad or doing more good; what is done is done; when death comes calling that's it. There is no sudden recall, no going back in spirit form to get our wings. Our reward has been sent before us to Heaven.
Second Corinthians 5:10 declares, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." No, this is not the time when we see if our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds as some teach, but it is a time of reconciliation.
Around the first of every month the bank statement and the checkbook are reconciled. They must match to balance for that month. If not, hours are spent looking for the error. No, God does not have to wait for the judgment to know our good and bad works, He has immediate access to that information. But, it is more important for us to reconcile what we did with the time God gave us on earth-how we balanced the time we spent with Him with the time we spent on selfish desires.
REFLECTION: One fears that not a few tears will be shed as heads bow in shame for the deeds or lack of them on that day of judgment.
Beverly Barnett
1 John 2:28
Wednesday, May 14
Abide in Him
KEY VERSE: "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming," 1 John 2:28.
All of us experience times of doubt, discouragement and temptation from Satan. However, new believers are particularly vulnerable to the cunning craftiness of Satan and his angels because they are not wise to his schemes. But mature Christians know to run to the Savior during these times and abide in His care.
John admonished new believers (and mature ones) to live with His presence in mind, confident that He will not lead them to harm.
The present imperative word (me'no) which translates to abide, remain or dwell is a command to do something in the future, and it involves continuous or repeated action. This sounds like we should stay so close to Christ, that we shadow Him and that we should remain with Christ and do His will until the day He splits the eastern sky. Then, when He appears, we will not be ashamed and fruitless.
Jesus, Himself told us to abide in Him, the Vine, and bear much fruit. This cannot be done if we detach from the root source, Jesus, the nourishment provider to the branches. (See John 15:4,5.) Furthermore, I cannot find anywhere in the Scriptures that teaches one becomes too old to abide in the Vine and should break away.
REFLECTION: It will be a sad day for those who have abandoned their faith and Savior to live a worldly life. When Christ returns, they will hang their heads, make excuses and wish they had remained faithful to Jesus.
Beverly Barnett
Matthew 6:19, 20
Thursday, May 15
Lay Up Treasures
KEY VERSE: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal," Matthew 6:20.
No one will argue that we have this command backwards.
Many are consumed with having a big bank account, big house and a big car before they die. They play hard and relax in the most expensive spas. And, yet, most will admit that their lives feel unfulfilled even though they have met or exceeded most of their goals in life.
Some would submit that the Bible does urge Christian fathers to take care of their families, and those who don't are considered as unbelievers. But, where is the line drawn, when is enough, enough? Jesus warned about depositing our treasures on earth, where all things will eventually end up in the landfill. Who wants their heart in a stinking landfill?
A few years ago a theft ring was caught in Alabama.
The thieves, including a few grandmothers, had thousands of dollars in stolen property that they were selling in weekend yard sales.
But the treasures you deposit in Heaven are safe and secure. No one has ever broken into Heaven. There the treasures do not get too old and end up in some dusty antique shop. They stay right there waiting on the owner to claim them one day to be cast at the feet of Jesus.
REFLECTION: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matt. 6:21). Can you honestly answer that Heaven holds your heart?
Beverly Barnett
Isaiah 41:10
Friday, May 16
He Stands with You!
KEY VERSE: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness," Isaiah 41:10.
Have you ever had those days, those dark, silent days when the world is cold and there is not a friend in sight? Maybe you have had a job transfer and you had to pick the family up and move to a new town. You are apprehensive and a bit resentful because you had to leave friends behind. You have got to adjust to a new boss, new rules and a new amount of traffic. The stress is mounting.
Perhaps, a family member is having a personal encounter with the courts because of a bad decision. And now bail is your next two pay checks, just as you were beginning to get your head above water. Maybe this is the last time, but it is not.
Sadness and sorrow, trials and troubles are not strangers to most people. We are coping but not very well. Our strength is failing fast. How can we take much more?
REFLECTION: Believers, you have a resource. God's strength never dwindles. God Himself said not to fear, He stands with you. He is stronger than methamphetamines, pornography, anxiety and loneliness. He wants you to depend on His strength. It's inexhaustible.
Beverly Barnett
Psalm 121:1-8
Saturday, May 17
He Shall Preserve Thee
KEY VERSE: "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul," Psalm 121:7.
As sojourners of earth, believers must cross a lot of open land before they reach their final destinationHeaven. In this earthly, desert place there are many pits, traps and hidden obstacles set by Satan. His goal is to maim, injure and so damage the child of God that he or she feels useless, but God made other plans.
With our trekking shoes on, we'll cross a lot of miles before we enter Heaven. You see, Creator God has our earthly journey mapped out from our birth until death; guiding us one step at a time. (See Psalm 37:23.) He wants our faith to be totally in Him. (See Psalm 32:8.)
God lights our path, so that we can clearly see what lies before us. But Satan's path is dark (Prov. 4:19)-he hopes we will fall. And though we may stumble, God will hold us up with His hand (Psalm 37:24).
We serve a gracious and loving God! He assures our success by making our path straight, lighting our path, holding us up and preserving our souls. Without exception, we will arrive at our destination, some battered and bruised, some weary in the flesh, some with wornout shoes, and some with tears of joy but not a scratch on our souls.
REFLECTION: And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him (Psalm 37:40)
Beverly Barnett
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
Sunday, May 18
He Is Coming Again!
KEY VERSE: "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels," 2 Thessalonians 1:7.
Have you turned on the news lately? It seems in the humanist mind that what is good is bad and what is bad is good. The critical reporting is so negative that the choice is made. All hope should not be lost by any of us. We have the choice not to watch.
We know the end of the story, we have read the end of the book and God wins! One day, Jesus will come with such a heroic, heavenly force to the earth it will seem to be something like a three dimensional picture. A surreal event, but it will be, oh so real.
Jesus is coming again and He is bringing His waring angels with Him. He will be seen, and His wrath will be felt by all those who have not believed.
Though the lawless one reigned and deceived many, at this time Christ will bring justice. And, even though many believers will be martyred because they will not deny Christ, their murderers will be brought to swift and terrible judgment.
The next time you hear a reporter criticizing Christianity, do not despair, God is taking notes, and, if that person does not believe in Christ as his or her personal Savior, we know what is waiting for him or her in the future.
REFLECTION: The result that Jesus gives is the only rest worth having.
Beverly Barnett
Titus 3:12-15
Monday, May 19
Maintaining Good Works
KEY VERSE: "And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful," Titus 3:14.
To maintain, according to The Oxford Desk Dictionary, is to "(1) cause to continue; keep up (an activity, etc.) (2) support by work, providing funds, etc. (3) assert as true (4) preserve in good repair and (5) provide means for. It is formed from two Latin words manushand and tenere-hold."
The work of the Lord must be maintained and what a great way for us to be fully involved in hand-holding. While Jesus holds our hand, we hold the hand of a brother or sister in Christ, a missionary or pastor or lost person.
There are many examples of good works in the New Testament. The apostles encouraged believers to continue in, maintain or to do good works, for the glory of the Lord the furtherance of the gospel and the encouragement of other believers.
Men, women, boys and girls have an important place in maintaining good works. The men who let down the lame man through the roof were maintaining good works. The boy that gave his lunch to Jesus was maintaining good works. Dorcas maintained good works when she made clothes for poor believers. Paul was maintaining good works when he traveled to encourage believers. Each of us are called to maintain good works, especially for the glory of God and the work of the Lord's churches where God has called us to serve.
REFLECTION: Hand-holding has a whole new meaning.
Beverly Barnett
Romans 13:1-7
Tuesday, May 20
Subject to Higher Powers
KEY VERSE: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God," Romans 13:1.
All God-fearing Christians love America. God has blessed it beyond its founding fathers expectations. Now, Americans are multi-ethnic people from many corners of the world, living and working together under the world's largest government. Its laws are to protect the innocent and create equality for all people while they pursue life, liberty and happiness.
However, some have hidden their evil desires under the flag of freedom. Lawmakers have been influenced by the far left and have created laws that kill innocent unborn babies and other laws that some use to justify their sinful life-styles.
This brings us to the question, is it ever justifiable to break the law? As the laws of our land become more against the moral laws of God. Soon we must make a choice to follow God or to follow man.
Christians are divided on the subject of governmental involvement. Some say Christians should never become involved in government or politics. Others adamantly believe we should never mix Christian beliefs and government. Still others believe that government should be influenced by Judeo-Christian beliefs. Regardless of your stand, we can definitely see a moral decline in America.
REFLECTION: No one is promoting the idea of breaking our country's laws, but just use God's measuring stick when making choices. Morality cannot be legislated, and it should not have to because there is a higher power.
Beverly Barnett
Ephesians 4:25-32
Wednesday, May 21
The New Man in Christ
KEY VERSE: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption," Ephesians 4:30.
The metamorphosis of a butterfly is amazing. It has four stages of life-the egg, larva, pupa and the adult. And it does this in only thirty to forty days. It goes from a lowly egg, all the way to a beautiful dainty creature fluttering from flower to flower in the summertime heat.
Christians, too, go through a metamorphosis after the new birth. This metamorphosis takes a lifetime and beyond to complete. Repeatedly we need to be reminded that we are still changing, growing into as Paul called it, "the new man" (Eph. 4:24).
Our spirits are transformed the moment we believe in Christ as our Savior, but the flesh is not so quick; that change comes slowly with effort-purposely. We need guidance, training, nourishment and encouragement, or we will get stuck in one stage and not move on to the next.
In these verses, Paul gives us guidance on how we should change from that old man into the new one. For some it is not a difficult process, but for others it is a daunting process. The thief becomes an honest working man in his new way of life. The untruthful transforms into a speaker of truth. The bitter become kind, the angry become forgivers and so on.
REFLECTION: Paul reminds believers that we are transformed into new creatures and one way that we can measure our progress is that we no longer act like the old man.
Beverly Barnett
1 Peter 3:10-12
Thursday, May 22
To See Good Days
KEY VERSE: "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile," 1 Peter 3:10.
Let us begin today with an examination of two words, evil and guile. Evil means "of a bad nature, not as it should be; a way of thinking, acting, feeling; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive or baneful." Guile means "crafty, deceit or guile."
God has plainly given us instructions on how to have a life filled with good days, a life not perfect but with an attitude that does not go looking for trouble.
Trouble seems to follow some people, their lives are one problem after another, most of which they cause themselves. They just cannot seem to walk away, keep quiet or stay out of arguments. They push the wrong buttons on the wrong people. They deceive the wrong people. They can't hold their tongue.
In the pursuit of a peaceable life one must not make evil their friend. Psalm 34:12-16 warns what will happen to those who do evil and speak guile; the face of the Lord is against them (verse 16). And, if God is not on our side, then life will be bleak.
REFLECTION: Run away, far way, from evil; do good, seek peace, as 1 Peter 3:14 admonishes. There are no guarantees that everything will turn out problem free, but it is certain that if you live a life that is violent, you have a greater chance of dying a violent death.
Beverly Barnett
Galatians 2:16
Friday, May 23
Justified by Faith
KEY VERSE: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified," Galatians 2:16.
Justification by faith is a tremendous study. Jesus placed emphasis in it. How long can one go without sinning.
This writer never liked rules. To attend church camp as a youth was never fun because there were too many rules and not enough hot water. The Law is similar to church camp. Do not eat this, do not wear this and that together, do not eat that fish, do not touch this. Do you understand what this meant?
The Pharisees and Sadducees were great at keeping the Law or so they thought. But they mainly kept the ones they liked. Some they totally ignored such as love your neighbor and love God with all your heart soul and mind. To them the Law was a reason to condemn others.
The Law was never intended to justify man. In God's eyes only faith can do that. It is our schoolmaster, as Paul said, to bring us unto Christ. The Law condemns. Faith justifies. Faith in Christ Jesus covers our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (Gal. 3:11, 3:24; 1 John 1:9).
REFLECTION: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (Gal. 3:13).
Beverly Barnett
Ephesians 2:8, 9
Saturday, May 24
By Grace Through Faith
KEY VERSES: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast," Ephesians 2:8,9.
I wish Bible clubs had been around when I was a child. If they had been I might know more Scriptures by heart. Ephesians 2:8, 9 is one the young clubers learn early in the year and teaches them about the gift of salvation.
Salvation is not by works. If it were based on our physical, mental or spiritual abilities, people with physical disabilities would lose their salvation, people with critical head injuries would lose theirs. My mother would have lost hers after her stroke, Alzheimer patients would lose theirs, but thank God our salvation is not based on our abilities but on His grace.
Salvation is a free gift from God and we can only receive it through faith in Jesus. Once we have believed in Christ as Savior nothing can separate us from God's love. Not death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, nor height, depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ (Rom. 8:38, 39).
We are secure and safe in the hand of God, we cannot mess it up.
REFLECTION: As we draw to a close in this devotional, you have been warned, instructed, encouraged and challenged to be the kind of Christian whom God would have you to be, one who does not take salvation lightly. I pray that we will take the Light into a dark world.
Beverly Barnett
Romans 3:20-28
Sunday, May 25
Justified By Faith-Not Works
KEY VERSE: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law," Romans 3:28.
If one believed as some religious groups teach, that one must work to keep or earn his salvation, he or she would move into the church building. They would be careful to keep every one of the Ten Commandments, plus the other three hundred plus commandments and love their neighbors as themselves. And if you believed it, too, the church building would become a crowded place. Soon we might not be so neighborly.
Paul, thoroughly examined the teaching of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. His conclusion was that it is the only way that sinful, prideful humanity can have a relationship with a righteous God. It made perfect sense.
Sinners from birth because of one man (Adam), we are all unrighteous (verse 23). So ponder this, how can believers (saved but still sinful because we are still in the carnal flesh) ever do enough good to make ourselves righteous? We cannot.
The only way we are justified is through faith in the propitiator for our sins-Jesus Christ. He substituted Himself as the sacrifice for our atonement. His blood, once and for all, was sprinkled on the mercy seat before a holy and righteous God. God accepted the payment in full. This is a simple plan that some try to complicate.
Works, Jesus called it bearing fruit does have a place in the kingdom, but it is not for salvation.
REFLECTION: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:39).
Beverly Barnett