A Shaking from God

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Arrow

During my college years in California, I experienced an earthquake while living in an apartment. I was very thankful the building stood the test!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Today I’d like to look at the book of Haggai again. (Check out last week’s devotion from Haggai if you missed it.) The people of Haggai’s time were not going to experience an earthquake per se, but God did promise to shake things up.

After God’s people rebuilt the temple, they were discouraged because it paled in comparison to the previous one. Haggai encouraged them with, “‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:7).

Things would not always remain as they were. God promised that one day He would shake up the powers that reign and do a little rearranging. Not only would the wealth of the nations bring splendor to God’s temple, but Jesus, “the desired of all nations,” would be in that temple numerous times.

Twice in Haggai 2, God promises to “shake the heavens and the earth.” Powers and kingdoms would be overthrown and God’s day of judgment would come. (Persia would fall to Alexander the Great.)

The writer of Hebrews uses the same description for the future coming of Christ, indicating that whatever can be shaken will be shaken “so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:26-27).

The question is, when our life gets shaken, will we collapse or stand firm? Will our faith and relationship with Jesus remain? Is our life built on a foundation that won’t give way?

James encourages us with this. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

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Bring God Pleasure

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Arrow

I’m wondering, does my work bring God pleasure? Do my current projects or the things I’m spending my time, effort, and energy on actually please the Lord?

Let’s hear from Haggai, a prophet to the Jews who returned to Jerusalem after being exiled. The year was 520 BC and Haggai delivered four short sermons.

In his first sermon, Haggai scolds the Israelites. “Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways’” (Haggai 1:5). Nothing the people were doing was turning out right. They were short on food, clothes, wages, etc.

Then God told them precisely what to do. “‘Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,’ says the LORD” (Haggai 1:8).

Then we hear why God had not been blessing their work. “‘You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?’ declares the LORD Almighty. ‘Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house’” (Haggai 1:9).

The Lord’s house, the temple, was still lying in ruins. The foundation had been completed 16 years earlier but neighbors began to intimidate God’s people so they turned to work on their own houses instead.

What did God say would please and honor Him? It wasn’t a secret. God gave clear instructions: Go, bring, and build.

Today, we are God’s temple. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says, “For we are the temple of the living God.” God lives in the hearts of believers.

So, let’s consider the work we are doing. Is our goal to bring God pleasure or are we focusing on our own desires?

When Israel had a change of heart, the LORD “stirred up the spirit of the whole remnant” and the work on the Lord’s house began.

May we also be stirred to do the work God has for us to do.

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Another Door Closer

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Arrow

Closed doors are typically viewed as disappointments. Whether it’s a house you were dreaming of purchasing, the job you longed for, or a witnessing opportunity that didn’t end as you hoped, closed doors happen.

So, is there a way to look at closed doors as something positive?

Let’s follow Paul on his second missionary journey. Paul and Silas headed out from Jerusalem. They traveled north through Syria and Cilicia stopping to strengthen the churches and picking up Timothy along the way.

Then, “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas” (Acts 16:6-8).

Talk about closed doors! I wonder how Paul felt about that? Was he discouraged, confused, angry, or doubting his purpose or mission?

Whatever he felt, God soon gave clarity. Paul received a vision at night in which a man from Macedonia begged Paul to come and help.

Look what God had done. Paul and his team just “happened” to be in the port city of Troas, where they soon put out to sea headed northwest for Macedonia. Paul knew exactly where he was to preach the gospel next, and the gospel would eventually spread to Europe.

Of course, it’s a lot easier to praise God after we experience open doors. But maybe we can learn to thank Him for the closed doors as well, especially if we remember that He is working behind the scenes on our behalf. We can trust that He knows best and is working for our good. And besides, it means we are another closed door closer to the one He will open!

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At Jesus’ Feet

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Arrow

As an elementary school teacher, children sat at my feet regularly, especially for story time. A good book could always capture their attention.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

In Scripture, we find that a number of people also sat at the feet of Jesus. In Luke 8, we find three different characters at Jesus’ feet. Let see who and why.

Luke 8:26-39 tells the story of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. When town folk came to see what happened, it says, “[T]hey found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35b). Whether the newly healed man was expressing his gratitude or listening to Jesus teach, he humbly placed himself at his Healer’s feet.

Next, back on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, we find Jairus, a synagogue ruler falling at Jesus’ feet, pleading for Him to come heal his dying daughter.

Then, while Jesus was on His way to Jairus’ home, a woman with a bleeding issue came up behind Jesus and touched His clothing in hopes of healing. When Jesus realized what happened, we read, “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet” (Luke 8:47a).

Finally, in Luke 10:39, we find Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, sitting at the Lord’s feet. She was not there to show gratitude, request healing, or as one who needed special attention. Martha sat as a student of the Rabbi.

In Jesus’ day, a rabbi’s students or disciples would sit at their rabbi’s feet to listen and learn. Then, they would do all they could to become like their rabbi.

May Jesus be our Rabbi, our Teacher, and may we regularly “sit at His feet” to listen and learn from Him.

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One Incredible Visit

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Arrow

As a child, my best memories were road trips to South Dakota to stay with my grandparents and visit aunts, uncles, and cousins.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Most of us at one time or another have visited the home of family or friends, perhaps for a meal and other times for an extended stay. When we do, we experience change. Others have different schedules, different foods and flavors, and a different way of doing things.

During the time Jesus ministered on earth, I wonder how much of His heavenly home He remembered. Imagine His plan and decision to leave the glory of heaven, its sights, sounds, and beauty, to come down to not only visit, but live on a planet He created with people He created who turned sinful, hateful, and rebellious.

Pause, consider, and be awed at His sacrifice. He surrendered Himself to be born a babe to poor parents. He grew up in a town where He may have been considered an illegitimate child. He experienced every temptation known to mankind and confronted Satan face to face. He was wrongly accused, judged, and crucified because of His great love for us.

Paul describes Jesus’ visit this way: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).

May we give thanks and praise for the Son’s visit, for giving His all so we can eternally “stay” with Him.

And may we be willing to step out of our comfort zone of “home” to visit and share with those who have not made a decision to follow Jesus. It’s the least we can do.

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Much More

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Arrow

Imagine yourself imprisoned in a room with one closed window. All you know is what you see. A patch of sky, a few tree branches, and some birds whose songs you barely hear. That sums up your knowledge of the outside world.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

I’m afraid this may compare to how well we “see” or understand God. We base our view of Him on our limited experience. We draw conclusions from what we feel, hear, and see, not realizing we are squeezing the Almighty God into our homemade box.

I think Jesus was trying to make a similar point when He taught about prayer. Jesus said, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13).

God is longing for us to experience the “much more.” Perhaps we are too busy and too distracted by other things while God is just waiting for us to ask. Or we doubt or diminish His immeasurable love for us.

Previously, in the same chapter, Jesus preached about praying with boldness and perseverance. He summarized His teaching with, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).

Come on, knock on that door, pray with faith and see what God has in store. Trust that our Father has “much more” for us than we can imagine.

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What Are We Spreading?

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Arrow

Some things in life we wish were never shared. A cold. Covid. Bed bugs. Classroom teachers always dread the call from the school nurse requesting the class be brought in for head checks. Lice is another bug that quickly spreads.

Other times, sharing and multiplying is a life-changing experience. Recall Jesus’ “Parable of the Sower” in Luke 8. When the seed or God’s Word was spread on good soil or to those with a noble or good heart, the outcome was spectacular. “It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8).

Jesus follows up with another parable, “A Lamp on a Stand.” Again, sharing the light or God’s truth with others is the work of all believers. The purpose being, “so that those who come in can see the light” (Luke 8:16).

Hear this from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. “You are the light of the world. . .  [L]et your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14a, 16).

Kristi McLelland, a Bible study teacher, encourages believers to be a river, not a lake. A lake simply holds the water it receives, whereas a river receives and gives. Its water flows through and nourishes other places.

Likewise, we should take what we are receiving in our knowledge of the Scriptures and share it with others.

Be a farmer; plant seeds of truth. Be a lamp; give light to those in spiritual darkness. Be a river; let God’s Word overflow to others, offering living water and eternal life.

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What Amazed Jesus?

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Arrow

What do you love to find? Editors search for typos. Friends hunt for antiques. My uncle is hooked by an estate sale. And people still mine for gold in streams!

I love treasures in Scripture. Here’s my recent find. In the entire Bible, there are only two times where Jesus is recorded as being “amazed.”

In Luke 7, we hear the story of a Centurion (Roman soldier) sending highly respected Jews to Jesus. Their mission was to persuade Jesus to come to the Centurion’s home to heal his servant.

Jesus agreed and was on His way when He received another message. The Centurion had a change of heart! Grasping the scope of inviting the Messiah into his home, here is part of the message the Centurion sent with friends: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6b-7).

“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel’” (Luke 7:9; italics added).

This is incredible and sad at the same time. The faith of a humble Gentile amazed Jesus.

The other recorded instance of Jesus being “amazed” is more somber. Jesus was in His hometown, Nazareth. The residents were impressed with Jesus’ teaching yet perplexed that one of their own, a commoner, could be different from them. Jesus’ reaction? “And he was amazed at their lack of faith” (Mark 6:6; italics added).

Both times Jesus was “amazed,” it was by a person’s faith. A generous portrayal of faith and a painful lack thereof.

May our lives demonstrate amazing faith!

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Trust in the Midst of the Unknown

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Arrow

Ever not know where you are headed? Have you experienced putting your trust in the Lord, not knowing what the future held?

Moses led the nation of Israel out of Egypt. Their future was full of unknowns as they crossed the desert on their way to the Promised Land. When they grumbled about food, God provided quail and something they named “manhue” or manna which literally translates, “What is it?”

This “What is it?” was a blessing of bread rained down from heaven. God told Moses, “… in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God” (Exodus 16:12b).

The manna came with special instructions and would be a test for God’s people. They were told how much to gather and when. Their daily nourishment required depending on God. If they doubted what He said and gathered manna their own way, the result was stinking maggots. Whoops!

I love that no matter how much they gathered, they all had the right amount. No one had too little or too much. One day at a time, Israel would depend on God to provide and so should we.

God wants us to know that He will provide for us. When we trust and live in obedience, He will fill us and we will have what we need.

The wisdom of Proverbs says, “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD” (Proverbs 16:20).

Let’s replace our worry and striving with walking in obedience and trusting the One who knows all.

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Surprised by Jesus

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Arrow

People surprise us all the time. Our police officer friend has a passion for riding horses. A teacher friend enjoys refurbishing furniture. We were surprised to learn that of our various pastors, one played in the NFL, one was an excellent soccer player, and one competed in ice hockey in Canada.

The more time you spend with someone, the more you learn about them and get to know them.

In the gospels, I find that the disciples were regularly surprised by Jesus. Let’s jump into the story where Jesus and His disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus was sound asleep while His disciples were frantically trying to save the boat from being swamped! They actually feared they might drown so they cried out to Jesus. As Jesus rebuked the wind and water, all calmed down and Jesus asked the men, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25).

Now that had to hurt! But basically, Jesus was wondering: Why are you panicking? Don’t you know Who I am? Don’t you understand what I can do? Don’t you grasp how much I love you? Don’t you know that I have a purpose and plan for your life?

The disciples clearly did not know that when Jesus said, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” (Lk 8:22) that they would actually arrive on the other side of the lake.

We learn more about the disciples when we hear their response, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Lk. 8:25b). Even though the disciples had witnessed numerous miracles, Jesus continued to surprise them.

And He will do the same for us. As we spend time with Him, we get to know Him better. But there will always be more to learn. Knowing Jesus is a life-long pursuit.

Spend time with Him and be surprised!

Be encouraged, my friends!

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