Devotions

Not everyone in the church is a good person. Not everyone is saved. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing purposely trying to do damage. The Church leadership needs to be on alert and have systems in place to prevent people from getting hurt. Nothing is fail-proof, but the church needs to be more discerning. If it isn’t, whole families will be swept away and destroyed.

‭‭TITUS‬ ‭1:10-11

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.”

In the early days of the church, there were Jews who were teaching Gentiles that they needed to be circumcised and followed the dietary law. They were leading whole families astray, and worse was that they were doing it for personal gain. You could spot them because they rebelled against the church leadership, were all talk and no action, and told half-truths. Paul was dealing with these people in many of the churches he started. Gentiles who were worshipping in freedom were being put under the bondage of the law by Messianic Jews, and he is warning Titus to watch out for them.

Last year I battled double pneumonia and blood clots in my legs. It almost wiped out a whole year of my health. I lost all of my strength, where even walking was exhausting. It wasn’t until the start of the summer that I was able to get back into the gym. It was slow at first, and only now do I feel energized and at full strength. The interesting thing is that when I was at my weakest physically, I felt the strongest spiritually and closest to Jesus. Where do you find your strength?

‭‭2 TIMOTHY‬ ‭4:17

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.”

These are Paul’s final written words. Soon he will be martyred under Emperor Nero’s reign. Most scholars believe that Paul and Peter were martyred around the same time. In his last words, you will find that hope and strength needed to withstand the persecution. The Lord stood and strengthened him so he could proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. For someone who had been in prison for years, this was incredible confidence in his Savior.

I have missionary friends all over the world. One of the things I loved hearing was how they were called to the work they are doing. Most were leading normal lives, and one day they felt a stirring in their hearts. As they began to seek God, they started to see doors open for them to go. Soon their church was sending them, and the life they knew was in the rearview mirror. They were headed on an adventure of a lifetime.

‭‭ACTS‬ ‭13:2-3

“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

The church in Antioch was mighty in the works of the Spirit and rich in the teaching of the word. During one of their meetings, as they were fasting, the Spirit told them to set apart Saul and Barnabas for a unique work. The elders listened, prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them off on their first missionary journey. The church would expand dramatically during this time. The doors would be flung open to the Gentiles, the old system of Jewish rules would be laid aside, and the world would be turned upside down.

If you read the news and the polls, you would be convinced that the church is shrinking and God is starting to lose ground. Persecution is at an all-time high, and governments are moving to prohibit more of what the church does. Scriptures like Matthew 24:9 stating that many will fall away come to mind. God isn’t surprised by all of this. He knows who is a part of His true church. Don’t worry. If it is of God, it won’t fail.

‭‭ACTS‬ ‭5:38-39

“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

Gamaliel, a Pharisee during the time of Jesus, gives us one of the best quotes in the New Testament, “if it is of God.” He used this reasoning when the Sanhedrin was trying to shut down the ministry of the Apostles and the early church. Earlier scriptures gave examples of rebellions that ceased once the leader was killed. He tells them to leave them alone because if it is of men, it will fail, but if it is of God, you can’t stop. History tells us that it was God and this small group, through the power of the Holy Spirit changed the world forever. Many men and governments can be found fighting against God, and it is fruitless.

Married couples will often look at their rings and be told by the minister that this is a bond that cannot be broken. The minister is trying to state that the commitment between the man and woman is before God, and He doesn’t quickly release that bond. The church possesses a bond that can’t be broken. It is something that can withstand the attacks of the enemy and build up the believers. Today’sToday’s passage shows us what that is.

‭‭ACTS‬ ‭5:12

“At the hands of the Apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’sSolomon’s portico.”

In the early days of the church in Jerusalem, they established a rhythm. They would go to Solomon’sSolomon’s portico in the temple in the afternoon to hear the Apostles teach. They would then gather in houses at night for a time of food, fellowship, communion, and prayer. Many of the people who joined the church were not from Jerusalem. They didn’t have jobs or a place to stay. People in Jerusalem opened their homes. This Koinonia fellowship and the working of the Spirit were significant factors why the church exploded in growth.

It is normal to scratch your head when you hear the baffling words of a world ruler. You can even question their sanity. We do it all the time here in the United States. The hardest part to deal with is wondering why they are in power in the first place. Isn’t God a loving God who looks out for His children? The answer is yes, but we live in a sinful world, and wicked rulers are put in power. Sometimes they are allowed to remain so God can show His power.

‭‭EXODUS‬ ‭9:16‬

“But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth.”

Pharaoh was a stubborn man. He didn’t want to lose the free services that the Israelites were providing. Even after several plagues, he refused to budge. All the livestock were killed, boils came up the people, and locusts ate the plants. Still, Pharaoh didn’t budge. God hardened his heart and allowed him to live so that He could show His power and proclaim His name. It switched from Pharaoh using Israel to God using Pharaoh to accomplish His purposes. Never think that a wicked ruler has gotten one over on God’s people. God is probably using them to do His work.

Every family has one or more members who can’t get on their feet. They have a history of taking advantage of their parents or other family members. When their name is mentioned, people roll their eyes. It is wise to be aware of their tactics, but as Christians, we are called to love like a brother. That means they will always be family.

‭‭PHILEMON‬ ‭1:15-16

“For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”

Paul had led Onesimus to the Lord and discipled him. It came out that he was an escaped slave from another believer in Colossae, Philemon. Under Roman law, Onesimus could be put to death by Philemon. Paul writes this letter to persuade Philemon to forgive Onesimus. He appealed to Philemon’s generosity and care for the church. Paul asks him to extend the same to Onesimus and uses the letter to show how God extended grace to everyone, even though they deserved death.

Is your heart hurting right now? Are you struggling to get over a complicated issue? If so, you are not alone. The Bible gives a lot of wisdom and insight into how to process these circumstances. Finding joy in tough times can be a lifesaver. The principles here can help you work through the challenges you are facing.

‭‭PSALMS‬ ‭109:30‬

“With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.”

This Psalm is a prayer for vengeance against the writer’s enemies. He wants God to deliver him from his troubles and bring justice to those causing harm. At the end of the prayer, the author pens some vital principles when going through tough times. He will give thanks and praise to the Lord even when he is in the midst of many adversaries. It’s easy to focus on justice and judgment when someone is wronging you, but to find joy in tough times, it is better to focus on praising the Lord.

Don’t fall for the line of thinking that all roads lead to heaven or that all religions are the same. There is nowhere in the Bible that it tells you that. In fact, it tells you several times that there is only one way to be saved, Jesus Christ. There is power in His name, and by calling on Him and asking for forgiveness of your sins, you will be saved from an eternity in hell.

‭‭ACTS‬ ‭4:12

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Peter says this as he is standing in front of the Sanhedrin. They have arrested him, and now he is speaking. He tells them that Jesus Christ healed the crippled man at the gate. The same man that they had rejected and crucified, but that God has resurrected. He then tells them there is only one way to salvation, only one name to call on, Jesus Christ. Bold words from an uneducated fisherman.

The most well-known feast the Israelites celebrate is Passover. It commemorates God’s rescue of the Jews from Egypt. The celebration typically falls around when we celebrate Easter. Jesus was crucified during the feast. Did you know that the initial Passover was full of symbolism? It shows us what Jesus would do for every sinner. We are covered by the blood and spared final judgment.

‭‭EXODUS‬ ‭12:13‬

“The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

The final plague in Egypt was the killing of the firstborn. The way that Israel would escape that judgment was to put the blood of a lamb on the doorposts. That way, when the Angel of Death saw the blood, he would Passover the house, thus sparing the family judgment. This instituted what we know as the Passover celebration. The Israelites were to sacrifice the lamb, put the blood on the doorpost, and have unleavened bread ready to eat for the long journey out of Egypt.