Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
March 2003

March 2, 2003

Proverbs 2:7a says "He holds victory in store for the upright...."

The Lord does so much for us, doesn't He? There is one thing, however, which many Christians might often wish to change: His timing. For Someone to 'hold in store' that which we might feel should be given to us immediately (i.e. victory for a battle we're waging, money for something we think we really need, better health during sickness, etc., etc.) upsets most of us at one time or another, I'm guessing. But as we give thought to our ways and seek His wisdom (Proverbs 14:8), we come to understand more fully that, in His grace, "no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless". (Psalm 84:11) He doesn't say anything about the 'when'; only that He'll ultimately 'provide' as we walk in holiness. We must trust Him and His sovereign timing. He does all things well. (Psalm 144:2)

Thank You, dear Father, for knowing us and caring for us so perfectly. Forgive our rushed, 'drive-through' mentality and bless us with patience and an intense desire to learn our lessons well. Truly, "blessed are the people whose God is the Lord"! (Psalm 144:15) Amen.

March 4, 2003

Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Priority living isn't easy, that's for sure. But, when it comes to the spiritual life, none of us can get by without putting Christ first, without putting spiritual things to the forefront of our daily living. Solomon was dead serious when he counseled his sons to get wisdom and understanding "though it cost all you have"! (Proverbs 4:7) Moses spoke with the same gravity (Deuteronomy 4:9,10) when he told Israel to be cautious, to watch over themselves with the utmost (spiritual) care lest they forget or allow to merely slip from their hearts the things of God. Learning to revere Him throughout life and in every situation should be a priority for every child of God. Granted, it's difficult; it requires daily commitment and diligence. It's hard; not because God makes it so; rather because my flesh is weak (Mark 14:38).

Precious Father, I'm learning that everything that is of any importance to me or for me, flows from my heart. Discipline me that I might truly guard my heart for You. I confess my utter weakness, both in desire and diligence. Teach me priority living (Philippians 1:12). Humbly I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

March 7, 2003

Proverbs 7:1 says "My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you."

Memory is a wonderful gift from the Lord, isn't it? Personally, since my heart problems, I have a renewed appreciation for that 'gift'. The "mini-stroke" the doctors tell me I had affects my memory (on occasion, only, praise the Lord!) so that I briefly forget names of people (No, I've not yet said to Ruth, "Uh, ma'am, could you please give me a clue as to what your name is?") and streets, AND (most frustrating of all) addresses of scriptures which I have known for the past 55 of my 63 years! I think this is one way the Lord is teaching me to number my days (Psalm 90:12) and to make sure I continue to give focus to having a heart of wisdom. I'm so glad that, throughout my lifetime, I have stored up (fixed, tied, and bound up) in my heart and mind, the Word of God (Deuteronomy 11:18)! And, I still love to teach it, talk about it, and write it, as Moses says in verses 19,20 of the same passage. Let's pray for each other to never cease storing up His precious Word within us!

Oh, Giver of the gift of memory, You have told us that "wise people store up knowledge" (Proverbs 10:14). May we never cease to do so with Your Word. Because of Jesus, and for His sake, I pray. Amen.

March 9, 2003

Proverbs 9:4 says (wisdom speaking): "Let all who are simple (silly, seducible) come in here!"

In his prayer in Matthew 11:25, Jesus tells us that God has 'hidden' the profound issues of spiritual wisdom from those who are humanly 'wise' and 'learned', and has instead revealed them to little children. He also says that God took particular delight in doing it that way! No wonder He questions those who lack sense, "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?" (Proverbs 1:22) Two wonderful thoughts come to me from this thought: (1) In Christ Himself are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [Colossians 1:19; 2:3]. If I have a personal relationship with Him and walk with Him, there is absolutely no need for me to continue on in simplicity. (2) In the Bible, He has given incredible wisdom and knowledge which will make the simple wise [Proverbs 19:7]. Like hidden treasure, as I dig it out, read it, and meditate on it, the Holy Spirit says, "Come in here!" and enlightens me in the way of His wisdom and applies it to my life! [Psalm 119:130]

Precious Father, we probably won't truly and consistently cry out for wisdom until we fully see the simpleness that resides in us. In mercy continue to reveal to us the great need we all have for Your wisdom and Your ways. For the sake of the spreading of the gospel I pray this, Amen.

March 11, 2003

Proverbs 11:4 says "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."

When one has accepted the truth of the total depravity of man, it's hard to believe that there would be those who one day will toot their own horns and actually present
arguments to oppose the legitimacy of God's wrath on them (Ezekiel 7:13,14)! Or, that
someone might even dare to think that silver or gold are viable means to escape or buy out of God's wrath (Zephaniah 1:18). After all, what could a person possibly give God in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)? Through faith in His precious Son, we have been bought, not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood (I Peter 1:18,19), and have been declared righteous just as was Noah (Genesis 7:1) and every other man,
woman, or child of faith (Romans 3:22). So, how much more will those who receive (versus "paid for"!) God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ....AND be delivered from the death of ultimate and eternal separation from the God of grace because of that righteousness(Romans 5:17)!

Holy Father of mercy and grace, help us to hold firmly to the faith we profess while we still live and minister on earth. Help us to always approach the throne of grace with the greatest of confidence [Hebrews 4:14,16] so that (1) we might unceasingly receive the mercy we need, (2) we might find grace to help us live in righteousness until Jesus comes, and, because of His righteousness, (3) we might stand before You on the day of judgment without one plea but that His blood was shed for us. Amen.

March 13, 2003

Proverbs 13:3 says "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."

It's been 48 years, and I'll never forget. I was a teenage Christian, but caught up in testing worldly things for a period of time. I was working with a survey crew of nonbelievers. To be accepted, I said something vile and was immediately rebuked by a ungodly fellow worker whose mouth minutes before had been spewing out filth. I was trapped by evil talk (Proverbs 12:13). In the presence of those who made no attempt to pretend that they were anything other than ungodly men, I had momentarily taken the Spirit's muzzle off my mouth (see Psalm 39:1), spoke rashly, and, full of shame (James 3:10,11), became accountable to God for another careless word (Matthew 12:36)! The tongue truly is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body (James 3:6), corrupting the whole person. For me, that day was a warning from God that, unless my heart and tongue are bridled by the Holy Spirit, the whole course of my life could be set on fire!

Father, may You graciously place a live, burning coal on our hearts and on our lips(Isaiah 6:6,7), that we may speak in holiness and purity and bring honor to Your name, especially in the presence of those who know You not. For Jesus' sake I pray. Amen.

March 15, 2003

Proverbs 15:29 says "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." Last evening, Ruth and I had the great privilege to join some 55 other people in having dinner at the very place where the first Awana Clubs were held on Fullerton Avenue in Chicago some 60 years ago. It is now a restaurant, owned by a Cuban man who recently received Christ as Savior through the Awana founder's review of Awana's historic roots. What impressed Ruth and me so profoundly was to hear, once again, that because of one sold-out-Christian here in Chicago, Paul Rader, Awana and some 30 other Christian organizations were begun and have flourished through the years, to say nothing of the many, many thousands of more individuals who came to faith in Christ and went on to live for Him! The Point: the Lord hears the prayer of the righteous. When what He sees pleases Him, He listens to their prayers and delights in answering (Psalm 145:19). He listens to the godly man who does His will (John 9:31). Oh, that a growing number of His people today would so love life and desire to see good days (I Peter 3:10-12) that we would increasingly take small or giant steps of faith to see more people come to faith in Christ!

Father, we long for our world to see, once again, what You can do through one man, one woman, or one child who is completely dedicated to You. We truly believe that the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective (James 5:16). So, stir our hearts to godliness. And, give us faith to truly believe that You hear the prayer of the righteous. For Jesus' sake, Amen.

March 17, 2003

Proverbs 17:12 says "Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly."

That sounds pretty dramatic, almost exaggerated, doesn't it? That is, until you read what the Bible says about the fool. Fasten your seat belts! It starts with the fact that the fool says, "There isn't any God!" (Psalm 14:1). It gets worse... He finds pleasure in evil conduct (Proverbs 10:23); spreads slander (Proverbs 10:19); continually spews careless words out of his mouth (Proverbs 10:14;15:2,14); brings trouble and disrepute to his family (Proverbs 11:29); is quickly angered (Proverbs 12:16); is obviously unwise in daily activities (Proverbs 13:16); is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16); is rebellious and disrespectful (Proverbs 15:5); is conceited and egotistical (Proverbs 17:7); wastes money (Proverbs 17:16); is utterly selfish (Proverbs 18:2); is quarrelsome, always looking for an argument (Proverbs 20:3); brings sadness and grief to his parents (Proverbs 17:21,25). The list goes on, but the point is well taken! At least with the bear protecting her cubs, it's over with quickly!! Not so with the fool!

Dear Father, the worst part of this incomplete list of evidences of a foolish person is that I see that I myself have occasionally been there. That saddens me. May I and my Christian family seek to be wise - body, soul, and spirit - because of Your matchless grace, lest we cause needless pain and misery to those around us and bring undeserved disrepute to Your sweet name! Amen.

March 19, 2003

Proverbs 19:16 says "He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die."

Obedience has never been a minor issue with God, or with godly parents. I recall saying more than once to our small children something like this: "If you don't obey me as a child, then when you get older you'll want to disobey other authorities and even God in bigger decisions that may really hurt you." It wasn't just a ploy to 'force' them into obedience; it was pleading with them on a very biblical basis (Proverbs 3:1; 15:32; Jeremiah 7:23; John 15:10-14, just to name a few). You see, 'love' without obedience is not true love at all (I John 5:3). Biblical love is revealed through willing, humble obedience to the Lover of our souls (John 14:15). Genuine love for Him (i.e. obedience to Him) will not only affect your prayer life now (I John 3:22), but will also assure that future generations of your family will be powerfully impacted by His love and righteousness (Ps.103:17,18)!

O Father, I have learned that contempt for Your ways is natural to me (Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 2:1,2). Obedience becomes more 'understandable' when I allow myself to truly see You as You are - holy, righteous, pure - and to love and worship You for who You really are - gracious, compassionate, full of blessing. Grant that I and my friends might so guard our spiritual lives, that we will truly be used for Your holy purposes. Amen.

March 21, 2003

Proverbs 21:29 says "A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways."

I can recall times in my life when I've boldly lied and said "Oh, yeah, I already knew that!" to cover up my ignorance or failure to be on top of things. Then, after some thought, I've had to go back and confess that I had lied; that I am (by nature) a liar. In today's world such 'boldness' (really, though, isn't it prideful insolence or impudence?) is approved by a majority who says that it is more important for you to project yourself boldly and positively (though falsely) because, at that point, you, not truth or morality, are the most important issue. What a shame! We don't realize how much trouble one falls into because of that false premise (Proverbs 28:14). Hardness of heart and lack of repentance is dangerous; it's a shame to observe the consequences of the unrepentant (Proverbs 29:1; Jeremiah 44:16,17). How much better to give careful thought to our ways and ask our self, "Why do I refuse to blush with shame when I see what I've become and where I am, because I've resisted God's Grace?" (Jeremiah 3:2,3).

Father of mercy, we confess that we too love praise from men more than praise from God (John 12:43). Forgive our frequent impudence and 'boldness' which only hurts us and impedes our spiritual growth (Galatians 5:17). Grant that today each of us might give constant, careful thought to our ways and quickly align them to You and Your ways! Through Christ we boldly pray, Amen.

March 23, 2003

Proverbs 23:24 says "The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him."

Among the children in a family, there may be sibling rivalries (I Kings 1). But the
Christian parents' hearts are always praying for their children to be obedient to the ways of the Lord so that they might experience the spiritual 'prosperity' the Lord has planned for them (I Kings 2:1-3). To see His people with singleness of heart and action, fearing Him, brings delight to the Lord's heart. His goodness to them will never stop, and He'll inspire them to continue fearing Him. He does not want His people to turn away from Him (Jeremiah 32:39-41). And guess what: His delight in them will be noticeable. They will have a peaceful bearing about them, and be greatly blessed by His presence (Zephaniah 3:17). Even Jesus' desire for the early believers was that they have great joy through knowing His love (John 15:11), His eternal Word (Psalm 19:8), and His unchanging will (Psalm 19:11). Can you think of a more 'complete' joy than that for a parent?

Father, daily we bathe in the olympic-sized pool of Your love and wallow in the realization of Your delight in us. But that speaks more about your mercy and grace than it does about us, because we know our proneness to sin. Thank You that through faith in Christ's shed blood on the cross, we are declared righteous. May we walk in that righteous-ness, that You might always delight in us! Amen.

March 25, 2003

Proverbs 25:3 says "As the heavens are high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable."

Ever had the thought: "Boy! I wish I knew what he/she is thinking!"? The previous verse, 25:2, reveals that it's the glory of God to conceal something. Advantage: God. It is the glory of kings to search out and discover a matter. Advantage: still God! You know why? God knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:20). The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked, but God knows (Jeremiah 17:9,10). Nothing in all of creation is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13), not even the 'unsearchable' hearts of kings. They're really only 'unsearchable' to us humans. God has no need for a cadre of advisors to come fill Him in on what kind of person people are or what thought or life patterns they have, etc. (John 2:25; Acts 15:8), or if they've spoken words or had secret thoughts of arrogance (I Samuel 2:3). He constantly examines hearts .... and guess what: He is perfectly delighted when He finds integrity of thought and life there (I Chronicles 29:17).

O Lord, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength!
(I Chronicles 29:11,12). We thank and praise your glorious name! Amen.

March 29, 2003

Proverbs 29:8 says "Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger."

Mockers are a dime a dozen. They're always ready to stir up a city, a nation, a government, a church, or a family. Their hearts are a world of evil, set on fire by hell itself, and their tongues express it everywhere they go and in every situation in which they find themselves (James 3:5,6). Praise God for the examples of godly men and women whose wisdom God has used to turn away His wrath. During a time of punishment upon His own people, in which at least 70,000 people died, the Lord Himself modeled such wisdom, mercy, and grace, withdrawing the hand of His angel, lest more should die (II Samuel 24:16,17). Moses sought the favor of the Lord on behalf of Israel (Exodus 32:10-14). Aaron stood "between the living and the dead" and stopped a deadly plague (Numbers 16:48). Phineas turned God's wrath away from the Israelites because he was wisely zealous for the honor of God (Numbers 25:11). And, I am profoundly impressed that today, in 2003, the Lord is still looking for people to stand in the gap on behalf of the city, the nation, the government, the church, the family - to turn away his fierce wrath and not destroy them (see Ezekiel 22:30, 31). Will He find sufficient 'wise' men, women, and children, or will He find 'none'?

Precious Father in heaven, forgive our proneness to negativity, scorn, ridicule, and indifference to the plight of the church, the world, and others around us. Make us wise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

March 31, 2003

Proverbs 31:10 says, "A wife of noble (virtuous) character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."

The question, "Who can find?", implies rarity. It also implies that godly men are looking for that kind of 'special' woman. And, from the divine perspective, she must be 'uncommon' when compared to the multitudes of other women in the world. Praise God for those godly women of virtue who humbly represent Jesus Christ and His principles of Christian womanhood, at home, at church, and in the workplace! The nobility of which Solomon speaks refers to strength of character, physical and mental ability, and efficiency related to time, home, and family management. Such a wife is more precious than a hand full of rubies, and incomparable when observed from the divine or biblical point of view (Proverbs 3:15). Her lips speak wisely, because she speaks from a heart that is focused on the living God (Proverbs 20:15). Her husband has no problem finding absolute delight in her because she has totally captured his heart with her inner beauty and the outward expression of her godly character. He's proud of her (Proverbs 12:4)! He has no doubt that she is a gift from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14) and is more than happy to love her lavishly, to care and provide for her, and to do whatever he can to keep his relationship with her fresh and exciting (Ephesians 5:25-33).

Dear Father, every good and perfect gift is from you (James 1:17). For us husbands, of all the earthly gifts You have poured out on us, nothing compares with the wife you have graciously provided for us. Teach our stubborn, foolish male hearts to love our wife, to honor her, and to cherish her like we promised we would the day we married her! (Ecclesiastes 5:4,5). Amen.

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