Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
September 2002
September 1, 2002
Proverbs 1:33 (NLT) says, "....all who listen to me (God's wisdom)
will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm."
Millions of Americans (many of them Christians) live troubled, panicked,
peace-less lives. Safety is far from their minds as they live in constant
fear of both the known and the unknown. The answer is not simply "God's
wisdom", as surprising as that may seem to many sincere Christians
who have come to mistakenly think that merely 'knowing about' God's Word
and His wisdom is enough.. It is, rather, listening to God's wisdom; it
is obedience to His wisdom; it is the constant application, in faith,
of the principles of His wisdom.
Dear Father, forgive our ignorance and spiritual naivete. It is not
so much us possessing the Bible, the Word of God, where we find our consolation
and help. It is, rather, the Bible, the Word of God possessing us! Stir
the hearts of Your disobedient children that we might become men and women
of the Word of God, allowing it to truly "dwell in us richly"
(Colossians 3:16). For Jesus' sake, and the sake of the gospel we pray.
Amen.
September 3, 2002
In Proverbs 3:1,2 (NLT) Wisdom (the Lord) speaks to us: "My child,
never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart,
for they will give you a long and satisfying life."
The chance of having a "long life" today is far greater than
100 years ago, thanks to unbelievable advancements in medical technology,
'bionics', etc., etc. The big problem, as I see it, is making sure it's
a "satisfying life". How different God's ways are than ours
(Isaiah 55:8)! We look for satisfaction in job advancement, making more
money, buying more toys, going more places, doing more things, and then
boasting about it to our friends. 'Wisdom' (God Himself) cries out to
us: if you would only believe me! It is in studying, memorizing, remembering,
and faithfully applying my wisdom to your daily lives and experiences
that you will be most satisfied. Many of the emotional, physical, and
spiritual maladies you have are directly related to a wrong life-focus.
Remember my words and repent while there is still time to enjoy 'satisfying'
life, living for me and not for yourself!
Father in heaven, let us genuinely 'hear' Your words of wisdom and
apply them, so that the remainder of our lives - however much is left
- may truly be long and satisfying. In Jesus' name, Amen.
September 5, 2002
Proverbs 5:18 (New Living Translation = NLT) says "Let your wife
be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth."
To some men I have said, "I bet you handle a rose (or your car, or
your golf clubs, or your coin or stamp collection) more carefully than
you handle your wife!" Not necessarily a good way to make friends;
but when I see emotionally hurting, spiritually 'wounded' or 'bruised'
and sad wives, something must be said. In many evangelical churches today,
fully 50% to 75% of 'Christian' marriages are in "serious trouble".
If I read the Bible carefully, the husband bears the bulk of responsibility
for the emotional and spiritual 'health' of the marriage. We are to love
(and nurture, and care for) our wives like Christ loves (nurtures and
cares for) the church (Ephesians 5:25). Men, LET your wife be a fountain
of blessing for you. Stop treating her like a 'piece of meat' or a bag
of garbage being thrown in the trash bin. (Ephesians 5:28,29) Ask the
Lord to help you 'see' her as He sees her; to humbly seek her forgiveness
for your lack of love; and to rejoice in her as He truly wants you to
rejoice.
Precious Father, lover of our souls, teach us men to gently, humbly,
and freely love our wives like Christ loves the Church! Amen.
P.S. Happy 43rd anniversary, Ruth. I love you MORE today than ever before!
September 8, 2002
Proverbs 8:10 says (NLT) "Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge over pure gold."
Unfortunately, this scripture is like a foreign concept to many Christians.
Silver and gold are pretty alluring to all of us. So, when we could be
reading and studying the Bible, we're thinking about what we could do
if we had more money; or, out working to make more money...not necessarily
to contribute to the work of the kingdom, but perhaps to buy more toys
or to pay off over-extended credit card bills, etc. The word 'choose'
implies that there IS a choice, here, in terms of individual spiritual
growth and education. Here's a good exercise: start noting in your daily
life the times when you could willingly choose to read, study, or meditate
on the Word of God and see what it is that really holds sway in our lives,
what really has our heart by the throat, what truly claims an inordinate
amount of our time and resources. And perhaps we should be prepared to
make some critical changes in our lives!
Father, teach us to recognize and do what is most important in this
life. Give us the grace to make the right choices. Our happiness, our
children's happiness, our marriages, our home budgets, our church all
cry out for us to be that wise. Through Christ we pray. Amen.
September 10, 2002
Proverbs 10:17 (NLT) says "People who accept correction are on the
pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray."
Correction may come from the Holy Spirit directly to my heart, or, if
I ignore Him, perhaps through a servant of His who loves me. Either way,
IF I listen and humbly acknowledge my sin by accepting His correction,
I'm on the pathway to life; I'm in an attitude of humility which pleases
the Lord and brings forgiveness, recovery, and peace to my sinning, troubled
heart. I've noticed, however, that if I don't accept the Holy Spirit's
conviction, it is easy for me to look for others with whom to share my
'hurt' or anger....and end up leading them astray as well.
Father of mercy, thank You for Your faithful correction to my frequent
sinning heart. Please keep me from the pride which refuses to accept Your
correction. I don't want to lead others astray through my rebellion and
failure to humbly - and quickly - accept Your correction. Please keep
me - and all Your children - on the pathway to life! Through Christ I
pray. Amen.
September 12, 2002
Proverbs 13:9a says "The life of the godly is full of light and joy....."
It's a privilege to walk with Christ on a daily basis, isn't it? I mean,
doesn't He seem to just wonderfully put things into proper perspective
when we've consciously given the day to Him? David, in Psalm 139:12 says
of God, "To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light
are both alike to you." Daniel says "He reveals deep and mysterious
things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he himself is surrounded
by light." (Daniel 2:22) No wonder we're so full of light (understanding
God's purposes for the things we don't 'understand') and joy (finding
delight in resting in His eternal purposes)! We just can't go wrong walking
with Him!
Father of light and joy, thank you for letting us in on so much that
brings us enlightenment and understanding, as well as abiding joy and
peace. We love you! Keep it up! Because of Jesus, Amen.
September 14, 2002
Proverbs 14:16 (New Living Translation) says: "The wise are cautious
and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence."
At this point in American history, I can't imagine a couple guys in a
public restaurant
reviewing out loud about 9/11 and how what they're talking about could
be "bigger" or cause more damage or kill more lives than 9/11,
etc. Foolish, to say the least. And, of course, when they're apprehended,
they're angry because "you're making a lot out of nothing!"
Wrong! They have merely exposed the foolishness of their own sinful hearts.
If they were truly wise, they would have sensed the danger of such careless
chatter, and been more cautious. And, so should we Christians be spiritually
wise and cautious in our homes, our marriages, at work, and before the
watching world. Acts 17:28 says that "in Him we live and move and
have our very existence". So, as Peter says (1:17), we should live
our lives "as strangers here in reverent fear....".
Father in heaven, we choose to be wise and cautious.....and to live
long, if You allow it. Expose our foolishness before we express it, lest
we arrogantly plunge ahead and end up suffering for it...and bring reproach
to Your sweet Name! For Jesus' sake we pray. Amen.
September 16, 2002
Proverbs 16:20 (NLT) says, "Those who listen to instruction will
prosper; those who trust the Lord will be happy."
Spiritual prosperity and emotional happiness. Two qualities of life sought
after by tens of millions who end up spending tens of millions to pop
pills just to have a taste of 'it'. For many, those beautiful qualities
could be only a prayer or an act of obedience or a confession away. But,
the spirit of the day is to not "listen to instruction"; rather
to be independent and go it on your own. After all, only ignorant wimps
have to ask for or listen to instruction. And, if you carry through on
that thought, only ignorant wimps feel like they have to trust in the
Lord, too! Oh, what needless pain and emotional
deprivation people go through just to avoid God and His Son, Jesus! How
awful to rob one's self from what God would love to shower on us all!
Precious Father, help us to LISTEN to Your instruction and to TRUST
that You are right in what You tell us in Your Word. We often don't act
like it'; but we really do want the spiritual happiness and prosperity
which only You can give! Amen.
September 18, 2002
Proverbs 18:10 (NLT) says, "The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe."
Ruth and I have an acquaintance whose daughter and her girlfriend were
kidnapped by a man who took them to a secluded area and bound them to
two different trees, intending to molest and then kill them. At the time,
this teenager was not walking with Christ; as a matter of fact, she was
far from Him. But, in the moment of despair and hopelessness, as she had
been taught by her Pastor father, she began to pray and cry out the name
of "Jesus, Jesus....". The name of the Lord IS a strong fortress.
She was 'godly' in the sense that she had received Christ as Savior at
a younger age; but at the time of their abduction, she was not living
a 'godly' lifestyle. The one thing she knew to do was to run to HIM....and
she did. She had learned as a child that God answers the pleas of His
children because He is faithful and righteous. (Psalm 143:1) Inexplicably,
the man suddenly became nervous and frustrated. Without saying a word,
he turned around, went to his car and left them....unharmed and alive!
Oh that we would truly realize and practice the reality of Your name,
Precious Father. (I Chronicles 29:11-13) You are indeed our strong fortress.
Teach us to run in the right direction; to run to You more quickly in
times of need. Let us seek true safety in You, not in anyone or anything
else. Amen.
September 20, 2002
Proverbs 20:3 (NLT) says, "Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only
fools insist on quarreling."
A "fool" is defined as "one deficient in good sense or
judgment". If more married couples, employees, drivers, athletes,
pastors, patients, parishioners, people on the street, and citizens in
general could read this verse AND put it into practice, it seems that
there might be less divorces (I suspect many lawyers would have to find
other work!), less injuries, less loss of jobs, less accidents, less murders,
less church divisions, etc. I think you catch my drift. One powerful evidence
of the Holy Spirit's presence in the Christian's life is self-control
(Galatians 5:22,23). Only by submission to the Spirit's power within us
can we be truly and biblically honorable, avoiding the sins and pitfalls
that fools insist on pursuing. Hmmmmm....judging from the evidence, perhaps
many of us professing Christians need to take a moment to consider whether
or not we are more 'foolish' than we ever realized!
Father in heaven, we long to walk honorably before You and the watching,
listening world. But, so much of our thinking process, our attitudes,
and our actions seem to be 'foolish', compared to the Biblical standard.
Help us to grieve in our hearts over those sins, confess them to you,
and submit to the new way of life in Christ Jesus. Amen.
September 22, 2002
Proverbs 22:15 (NLT) says "A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness,
but discipline will drive it away."
[Biblical Discipline = Primary: Chastisement; Secondary: reproof, warning,
instruction, restraint.] If you have children in your home, or are a teacher,
or observe children at all, you are aware of the 'foolishness problem'
in children. If you were raised without biblical discipline because you
demanded your own way (Proverbs 5:23; 10:17), you also most likely know
the sadness brought about by an unbridled tongue and undisciplined life.
(See Proverbs 5:21-23; 13:18; 15:32) Simple obedience to the Lord's ways,
which include discipline, is imperative (Proverbs 12:1; 13:18; 23:13);
it is not an issue of whether or not you personally believe in the idea.
Merciful Father, convict us of any selfishness which keeps us from
that kind of biblical love for our children which includes discipline
and humble adherence to Your ways. Also, undisciplined as many of us adults
are, help us to learn discipline, self-control, and obedience to Your
ways from the sad and difficult consequences of so much of our own foolishness.
Show us that we can't fool our kids by pretending that we don't really
'believe' in discipline. We ALL need it, because You have told us through
Solomon, "the correction of discipline is the way to life".(Proverbs
6:23) Through Jesus our Savior, we pray. Amen.
September 24, 2002
Proverbs 24:17,18 (New Living Translation) says "Do not rejoice when
your enemies fall into trouble. Don't be happy when they stumble. For
the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from
them."
As a child I recall going to the State building in Springfield on Saturday
mornings to watch movies. When the bad guys where "getting it",
I remember all us kids screaming, shouting, and clapping! It was a natural
thing for us to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In real life,
however, and in my walk in the Spirit, I see that God desires a more developed
maturity in me. Why? Because He wants the righteous to impact the unrighteous,
not through laughing and scoffing at their misfortune, but to reflect
His ultimate desire for their salvation by demonstrating godly love and
genuine hope for an ultimate turn-around in their lives. As a matter of
fact, so concerned is He for them that if I violate this significant principle,
it is not beyond Him to turn His wrath away from the unrighteous...and
be righteously displeased with me. (See Proverbs 17:5 and Romans 12:15)
Father of infinite mercy and grace to ME, let me not abuse that kindness
and love by not desiring the same for my 'enemies', whoever they be, whatever
they've done. By nature, which does not have the ability to please you,
I would laugh and rejoice at their misfortune. Grow me up, Father, so
that as You, I too would not want anyone "to perish, but everyone
to come to repentance". (II Peter 3:9) That I too would have such
a merciful attitude I humbly pray....in Jesus' name. Amen.
September 26, 2002
Proverbs 26:1 (NLT) says, "Honor doesn't go with fools any more than
snow with summer or rain with harvest."
If you're basking in the sun on a far, tropical island during your summer
vacation months, and it starts to snow, you'd immediately say, "Something's
wrong here! This is totally out of place!" If you're trying to harvest
your grain and storm clouds roll in and it starts to pour down rain, you're
thinking, "What's wrong with this picture? Rain is ok; but, please,
not now! This is the only day I have to harvest. This is a LOUSY time
to be raining!!" Both of those situations would raise more questions
and cause more frustration than any of us would care to deal with. Likewise,
a fool (one who is consistently deficient in good sense or judgment, earthly
or spiritual; but especially the spiritual!) who is doted on and given
honor (Huh?? Why, tell me? Honor for what? You gotta be kidding! No Way!)
is just out of place. Like oil and water, it's not an appropriate mix.
Like love and hate, it's the one or the other. Like..... never mind; I
think you get the idea.
Father in heaven, the fool is everywhere, and is more obvious than
we realize. Give us the discernment to 'see' him/her, the ability to say
'no!' to the fool's sometimes appealing (sometimes threatening) ways and
words, and the courage to build our lives on Your revealing, unchanging
wisdom. Amen.
September 28, 2002
Proverbs 28:11 (NLT) says "Rich people picture themselves as wise,
but their real poverty is evident to the poor."
Have you listened to or watched interviews with rich celebrities? They're
catapulted to fame and glory and immediately they're sought after to pronounce
'words of wisdom' about everything from love to family to success to business
to morals to cars and everything else under the sun. I guess I blame the
interviewers for much of it. America is so taken up with wealth and renown
that we create an aura of public esteem for celebrities, many whose only
claim to anything is that they have more money and nicer clothes and bigger
cars and practice immorality with more people than most of their fellow
citizens, which doesn't make anyone 'wise'. If you listen carefully to
them, they have precious little of lasting value to say. Jesus once said,
"blessed are the poor in spirit". Those 'poor' children of the
Living God are among the few today who are able to see through most of
the 'rich and famous'. Those 'poor' are able to 'see' and biblically evaluate
the real poverty beneath the surface. *** If you were suddenly propelled
to fame and public review, would what you have to say reveal your true
(biblical) 'poverty' or would you try to act 'rich'?
Father, teach us to evaluate from a biblical point of view. Let us
see the 'froth' and vanity that is so often connected with wealth and
fame. Teach us to relax and be comfortable in that 'poverty' in which
You become greater and greater, and we become less and less. (John 3:30).
For Jesus' sake we pray. Amen.
September 30, 2002
Proverbs 30:15,16 (NLT) says "The leech has two suckers that cry
out, 'More, more!' There are three other things - no four! - that are
never satisfied: the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing
fire."
If the leech and the three other things were bad habits or destructive
patterns of life and practice, what legitimate questions might be asked
in each of our hearts? What is it that is sucking the spiritual life out
of me? What fears keep me from whole-hearted confidence in God's care
and keeping? What longing within me, supposedly unfulfilled, drains my
emotion in such a way that my focus is constantly diverted from the Joy-Giver
to discouragement and morbid depression? What perceived need within me
is so great that my cravings nullify the presence and power of the true
Need-Fulfiller Who lives in me? What burning issue within me is so important
that I would allow it to destroy my personal walk with Christ or ruin
relationships with those loved ones and friends around me? The leeches
in our lives must be taken to the Cross and crucified. If not, the world
around us will not see Christ "who fills everything everywhere with
his presence". (Eph. 1:23)
Holy Father, reveal to each of us the leeches in our lives. This dying,
self-consumed world doesn't need more lifeless people walking around proclaiming
something they know nothing about. May we be delivered from life-sapping
habits, cravings, and fears. For that to happen, You must become greater
and greater in me, and I must become less and less. (John 3:30) Amen.
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