Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
April 2003
April 2, 2003
Proverbs 2:3 says "....and if you call out for insight and cry aloud
for understanding"
The idea of desiring insight and understanding implies that a person doesn't
necessarily want an answer or easy solution just simply given to them.
The implication seems to be that while one may not necessarily appreciate
a particular situation, and they may not understand the lessons which
God has built into the experience they may be going through, they nonetheless
don't ask for escape or solicit a 'quick fix'. Rather, they are submitted
to the Spirit of God and wish to glean all they can from their gracious
Father. God gave Solomon an open door to ask 'whatever' he wanted. Because
he
didn't ask for long life and wealth (apparently, from God's point of view,
the 'norm' for most people having a difficult time or entering a circumstance
way beyond their abilities to cope), God gave him wisdom, insight, and
understanding (I Kings 3:9-12). Isn't it awesome that God basically opens
the same door of opportunity to us when He says, "those who seek
me find me" (Proverbs 8:17)? He delights in opening the windows and
liberally blessing us with His wisdom! (James 1:5)
Gracious, giving Father, grant to us spiritual wisdom and understanding
so that we might grow in our knowledge of You. Flood our hearts with light
so that we might understand the incredible future You have promised to
those You've called. Amen (Ephesians 1:17,18 NLT)
April 6, 2003
Proverbs 6:25 says "Do not lust in your heart after her beauty (immoral
woman) or let her captivate you with her eyes...."
Jezebel "painted her eyes" (II Kings 9:30) hoping to get the
right kind of attention she lusted for from Jehu. The Lord spoke of the
women of Zion "flirting with their eyes" (Isaiah 3:16). And,
of course, James reminds us that the real issue is not those who paint
their eyes or flirt with us; it is our own hearts. "Each one of us
is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."
(James 1:14,15) We might lust for power, attention, acceptance, money,
alcohol, drugs, prestige, authority, free time, or a gazillion other things.
The problem is that once captivated by anything other than Jesus Christ
and His holy purposes for our lives, careers have been destroyed, significant
life positions lost, families decimated, businesses bankrupted, relationships
devastated, cities annihilated, etc. We must not let other 'beauties'
capture our hearts lest we pay a dear price: "he who scorns instruction
will pay for it". (Proverbs 13:13a) "In the end it bites like
a snake and poisons like a viper" (Proverbs 23:32).
Glorious Father, let us be captivated only by your love and grace
and be brought to see the foolishness of all else! For Jesus' sake I pray,
Amen.
April 8, 2003
Proverbs 8:14 says "Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding
and power."
Wisdom is the subject here. This Wisdom is substantive and totally worth
'holding on to'. It (He) 'works' for you and me regardless of the circumstance
or situation in life we may be going through! It's (He's) efficient and
produces lasting success. This wisdom is personified in Christ Jesus.
He is our wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). He is the true light that
gives light to every man, woman, or child coming into the world (John
1:9). In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians
2:3). He - His wisdom - makes one more powerful than ten rulers in a city
(Ecclesiastes 7:19)! Because of His presence within us through the Holy
Spirit, we have understanding and power. There is a valor, a bravery,
a force within us with which the world around us cannot reckon. No wonder
we cry out with Paul, "Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great
are his riches and wisdom and knowledge!" (Romans 11:33 NLT)
Wise, powerful Father in heaven, for all You mean to us and actually
are for us and in us, we offer unending thanks. We can only imagine what
we might be constantly falling into without Your counsel and sound judgment.
Truly, in You and because of You, we are strong in the right sort of way!
We love You. Amen.
April 10, 2003
Proverbs 10:7 says "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot."
If I were to mention certain names from out of history, some would conjure
up negative emotions in us all; others would bring a smile and a sweet
response of awe or even gratitude. God's value system is something else!
Those who are righteous are who He wants to be remembered (Psalm 112:6).
The wicked, if at all remembered (Deut. 9:14) or reflected on, should
have no more impact on our spiritual lives except to remind us of His
sovereign authority over all things and to produce growth in our understanding
of His mercy and grace. The enemies of God - the wicked - have one thing
in mind for His people: that they die and the memory of their name perish
forever! (Psalm 41:5) But in Psalm 109:15, David presents a fascinating
word picture to the Lord when he basically prays regarding the wicked,
In heaven, Lord, always remember their sins so that they might be forgotten
from human memory.
Sweet Father, just as You 'remembered' and took note of the humble
state of Mary (Luke 1:48); and, just as the act of the woman who bathed
Your feet in very expensive perfume will be remembered wherever the gospel
is preached (Mark 14:9), let us so live that the memories of us may be
a blessing - not a curse - to those who may mention our name. Amen.
April 14, 2003
Proverbs 14:21b says ".....blessed is he who is kind to the needy."
When He told the story of only one grateful leper returning to give thanks
(only 10% of the total number of those healed, by the way), Jesus wasn't
necessarily giving us concrete statistics by which we should judge whether
or not to offer assistance to the poor. [He is unbelievably kind to the
ungrateful, isn't He....and I'M so grateful....since I'm often among those
ingrates! Luke 6:35,36)] In today's world the church is accustomed to
looking at demographics and numbers before committing ourselves to something
which may not 'render great numerical benefits'. "It is important",
we might hear, "that we not waste our time and energy, and certainly
not the Lord's money! The task is too great to be too narrow in our ministry
outreach!" The biggest possible response becomes the ultimate criterion
in decision-making, and we miss 'the little guy', the lone man or woman,
or the child who would give anything to receive a little attention, a
hug, a meal, or a word of encouragement. Check out the following scriptures
for a neat list of 'benefits' for simply and consistently being kind to
the needy: Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:5-9.
Generous Father, to You I express my deepest gratitude for having
given attention to this poor, needy soul. Reveal any stinginess in my
spirit, and in Your great mercy, grant me obedience to the opportunities
to show any kindness at all to those who are needy....especially the spiritually
needy and oppressed (Daniel 4:27)! Amen.
April 16, 2003
Proverbs 16:22 says "Understanding is a fountain of life to those
who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools."
Years ago I asked my 'boss' for permission to do something. His answer
was something like, "Well, I don't know that you need to do that...."
In my youthful enthusiasm, I took that as ambivalence (not a clear 'no!')
and went ahead to do what I was asking to do. When I returned, he said
in no uncertain terms, "I TOLD you NOT to do that!" My understanding
of his intention was obviously very different from his, and my 'folly'
received the frontal force of his rebuke. From then on, I made sure that
I understood very clearly what his instructions were. Understanding of
the Lord God, His intentions, His ways, His principles, and His Word is
like a fountain of life, a constant healthy stream of spiritual nourishment
. So is the use of right words (Proverbs 10:11); so is the teaching of
wisdom (Proverbs 13:14); and, of course, so is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs
14:27). Bottom line: a man of understanding maintains a steady and straight
course in life! (Proverbs 15:21)
Holy Father, thank You for sharing with us from Your limitless understanding
(Psalm 147:5). Give us the courage to ask for and to receive from You
and Your Word all the wisdom, discipline, and understanding we can possibly
get! (Proverbs 23:23). Amen.
Good Friday, April 18, 2003
Proverbs 18:14 says "A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but
a crushed spirit who can bear?"
Spiritually speaking, we are gloriously shielded by God's great power
(I Peter 1:6) to the extent that we are "more than conquerors"
(Romans 8:35-37), regardless of what may come our way. To know this and
to keep cashing 'faith checks' from that account can sustain us in sickness,
difficulty, death, or whatever, by God's grace! A crushed spirit is always
a possibility for us humans. Problems can appear to be like arrows, poison,
or just plain terrors (Job 6:4). We can be so downcast as to be in mortal
agony (Psalm 42:10,11). Aching bones and other physical symptoms can overwhelm
us (Psalm 32:3,4). We can be so overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (II Cor.
2:7) that Satan might take advantage of the situation. Thankfully, Jesus
modeled for us the sort of spiritual sustenance that can take us through
such seemingly impossible times (Mark 14:33,34). When His soul was "overwhelmed
with sorrow" , he prayed.
Sweet Source of comfort and sustenance in times of difficulty, may
we learn to lean on you and to persevere under trial - to stand the test
- knowing that we will receive the crown of life which You have promised
to those who love You (James 1:12). Amen.
April 20, 2003 - Have a blessed Day of Resurrection!
Proverbs 20:5 says "The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out."
The wicked, under their Ruler, with a wicked, coy smile, say, "We
have devised a perfect plan!" (Psalm 64:6) That plan, however, is
not for salvation but for further enslavement and involvement in sin.
And, that plan which ultimately nailed the Savior to a cruel cross, was
thought to put an end to all the 'fuss' about Jesus, sin, and salvation,
too. But, it wasn't, was it! The resurrection proved them all wrong! When
you give thought to the divine plan (life through death!) 'used' throughout
history to draw yourself and tens of millions of other sinners to salvation
and forgiveness of sins, are you as taken back as I am? How would you
or I have counseled the Lord God in terms of some kind of way to deliver
mankind from slavery to sin? Who knew His mind? How true that the purposes
of a man's heart (in this case, God's) are deep waters. When we look at
the cross and the empty tomb, we realize (Romans 11:33-36) how unsearchable
his judgments are! His paths are beyond tracing out! And yet - fasten
your seat belt! - He has given us sufficient understanding (faith- Colossians
3:26) to receive His precious gift of eternal life....and the privilege
to spread that gift to the ends of the earth! (Romans 15:20; 1:16)
Eternal Designer of the unbelievable plan to save mankind, Oh the
depth of the riches of Your wisdom and knowledge! On this day of resurrection,
we magnify Your name! May it be glorified throughout all the earth! Through
Jesus Christ our risen Lord, we pray. Amen.
April 22, 2003
Proverbs 22:4 says "Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth
and honor and life."
The writer of Hebrews says that God, glorious and bountiful Father that
He is, rewards
those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Those who
do so lack nothing in terms of required needs (Psalm 34:9,10) and find
themselves 'too blessed to be stressed', as a dear friend frequently says.
Of course, we do not simply fear Him for what we can 'get', but for who
He is. To truly fear the Lord, to give Him preeminence in life, brings
not only prosperity and honor, but the richest life possible(Proverbs
21:21). The fear of the Lord within us impacts our children and the generation
of which we are a part. The fear of the Lord in us is the surety of His
sufficiency for every need. Even in dark times, authentic fear of the
Lord will bring needed enlightenment .....all because the righteous person
is accustomed to listening (Psalm 112:1-4). In both the Old Testament
and the New Testament, godliness (spiritual exercise, fear of the Lord)
has immeasurable value, because it promises great reward in both this
life and the next (I Timothy 4:8)!
Holy Father, You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble (James
4:6,10). We bow low in Your presence, very needy, and hungry for Your
touch. Grant us the dignity, honor, and happiness You have promised ['he
will lift you up'] so that Christ in us may be more fully seen by those
around us. Amen.
April 24, 2003
Proverbs 24:9,10 says "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious
of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the
wicked will be snuffed out."
I can be a pretty nasty 'fretter' in my mind and heart. It's so easy to
be incensed or to blaze up with anger when an evil (good for nothing,
socially or morally bad) or wicked (actively bad, ungodly) person around
me opposes God, or righteousness, or the church, or badmouths God in me
or in my fellow Christians. But, since Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's insolent
opposition to Moses brought about God's unique punishment (Numbers 16:26),
I must continually be learning to leave the evil and wicked in the sovereign
God's hands. His judgment is that they have no future hope. They will
be paid back (Isaiah 3:11) by Him in whose hand alone is the responsibility
to avenge (Romans 12:19). Their end will not be 'pretty', as we say (Matthew
8:12). For them, the blackest darkness has been reserved forever (Jude
1:13). No wonder I shouldn't fret or be emotionally stirred up in my heart
over them!
Father of justice, Upholder of all that is right and fair, I confess
that my fretting heart has often cried for immediate retribution upon
the wicked and evil. Teach me the deeper truth of Your ultimate day for
'payback' and let me learn to trust Your sovereign timing in all things!
Amen.
April 26, 2003
Proverbs 26:3 says "A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!"
A person deficient of good sense or judgment (i.e. a fool) is no different
than the horse, the donkey, or a dog, all of whom need the whip, the halter,
or the leash for understanding exactly what it is the owner wishes of
them. Then, they need subsequent significant training to obey - to do
- what is supposedly understood. Those tools of training are imperative,
or they won't come to you (Psalm 32:9). They need to be repeatedly instructed
(the whip used, the halter pulled on, the leash tightened) so as to be
conditioned for proper behavior and performance. For the fool, though
sometimes it seems an impossible task to correct and bring into line,
the rod (discipline) is nonetheless imperative (Proverbs 27:22) for both
restraint and guidance. And, when you find a discerning person, you've
probably found someone who, by God's grace, has humbly responded to the
whip, who now neck-reins real well (Proverbs 17:10). May we be reminded
today of how mandatory discipline, repentance, and restoration are for
us, in order to fulfill the holy purposes of the living God for us (Jeremiah
31:18).
Gentle, persevering Father, thank you for Your patience in training
me (disciplining, occasional whipping, gently pulling on the reins, and
keeping the leash taut). I love you for it, because I long to be all you
intended me to be. I love you. Amen.
April 28, 2003
Proverbs 28:2 says "When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order."
For years, Saddam Hussein has indicated that the millions of people under
his tight rule were 'happy' or 'content'. And, with people in the streets
burning American flags, it would appear to have been so. But, when a ruling,
murderous tyrant is out of the picture, what happens in a country? The
rebellion that is under the surface in every human heart eventually comes
out. Pulling the man's statue down, the Iraqis did the one cultural thing
which reveals how despicably they felt against him: taking a shoe off
and beating the head and body of the statue. Then the looting began. Agitators,
rabble-rousers, dissidents, and troublemakers burst onto the scene. Then
a self-proclaimed 'Mayor' and others deciding they should be officials
of a new regime, come forth. Finding the right man of understanding and
knowledge who can maintain order and form a government which will be "of
the people, by the people, and for the people" is not as easy as
it would appear, from our Western, 'democratic' point of view. We must
pray that the gospel of grace will be able to be taken there and to the
farthest corners of the earth to be preached (Psalm 96:3); and that the
One Man of understanding and knowledge Who can truly maintain order in
a life, will be embraced and received as Savior (Ezekiel 36:23)!
Father of mercy, prompt us Christians to so let our light shine before
men - to so intentionally spread the gospel of Christ - that people all
over the world might see our good works and praise our Father in heaven
(Matthew 5:16)! We pray this through Jesus Christ, Your deliberately planned
Savior for all mankind. Amen.
April 30, 2003
Proverbs 30:11 says "There are those who curse their fathers and
do not bless their mothers....."
The word 'curse' here implies treating them as insignificant, of little
importance. The word 'bless' refers to saluting them or thanking them.
Just tonight I spoke to a stepfather of three sons. I showed the boys
my Bible. They wanted to know what some of the markings were that I had
made on almost every page. I had great opportunity to speak with them
of the importance of the Lord, church, the Bible, and Sunday School. I
challenged the father, who admitted that they are unchurched, to give
importance to the spiritual needs of his growing family. Today's verse
is one reason why. There are kids who steal from their parents (Proverbs
19:26). There are kids who kill their parents (I Timothy 1:9). There are
kids who attack their parents (Exodus 21:15). There are kids who outright
curse their mom and dad (Exodus 21:17). I could go on. The Bible holds
parental authority in high regard (Deuteronomy 21:20,21; 27:26). With
God, it is a serious thing to disregard or treat lightly loving mothers
and fathers ( Proverbs 20:20; 30:17). The honor and respect for parents
of which Matthew speaks (15:4-6) is partly cultivated by a father and
mother whose love for their children includes modeling right living (righteous
words, thoughts, actions, attitudes), giving moral and spiritual (biblical)
instruction, and involvement within the church, with church family.
Precious Father, water the Good Seed sown in the hearts of this father
and his three stepsons. Through divine intervention (salvation), may he
be spared the cursing and indifference of unloving sons! Through Christ
Jesus I pray. Amen.
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