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NUGGET Today's Devotional
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 2 Dec 2023 - 23:59
The Encounter
By: Lynne Phipps
--------------------------------
December 2, 2023
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’" (Luke 1:26-28,31,34 NIV)
As I was going about my daily chores, God spoke the seed of an idea into my mind very clearly. What He was asking me to do, would change the course of my life, if I made the choice to trust and obey. I did, and it did.
The Bible does not tell us what Mary was doing when the angel Gabriel came to her. But there is no reason for us to believe that she was doing anything more than going about her routine chores just like the rest of us do on a daily basis.
That visitation to Mary and what she did about it however, not only changed the course of her life, but that of the whole worlds.
God had holy work for Mary to do. He also has holy work for each one of us to accomplish. Mary was just an ordinary girl. We too are just ordinary people. But when God desires to plant a seed of direction within any of us it has the power to produce extraordinary results.
The crux of the matter is, whether like Mary, we too will be open and willing servants and embrace that which He is asking us to do, believing that with Him, all things are possible.
So today as we go about our daily chores, may each us be prepared for an encounter with God for He is able to meet us at any time and in any place. And when He does may we be prepared to embrace through trust and obedience, the holy seed of the work that He desires to implant within our hearts and minds.
Prayer: Lord God, may our hearts be open to be Your willing servants, to move forward with Your holy work within this world as You encounter us amidst our daily chores and routines. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Fri 1 Dec 2023 - 22:11
Waiting
By: Kari Vo
---------------------------------
November 30, 2023
"The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear? Or cry to You 'Violence!' and You will not save? Why do You make me see iniquity, and why do You idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. ... I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the LORD answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end-it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.'" (Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 ESV)
The prophet Habakkuk says exactly the kinds of things I would like to say to God. He's upset with God; he sees that the world around him is filled with violence and evil, and he wants to know why God isn't doing anything. Habakkuk has been praying and crying out to God for help, but it looks like nothing's happening. Evil is winning, and God is silent.
Faced with that situation, many people lose their faith. But Habakkuk does something different. He's going to set himself up like a man on a watchtower and look out toward the horizon, to see if God's answer is on the way. Deep down inside, angry or not, Habakkuk still trusts that God is going to hear him.
And God does hear him! An answer is coming—an answer to all this evil. It may seem slow, but God is sending help. And in the meantime, Habakkuk will be waiting and trusting.
What answer did God send? He sent an answer nobody could have predicted—He came Himself, as a tiny human baby, born into our world to save us. Who could expect such a weak person to win the war against evil? And yet He did—not the way we might have expected, through force, but instead through His own suffering, death, and resurrection. The writer of Hebrews explains why Jesus took on our flesh and blood: "that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (Hebrews 2:14b-15).
Now, when we grieve over the violence and evil in our world, we have this comfort—that God has seen our distress and has answered us. The evils of this world will have a complete end when Jesus returns in glory. He has already won the war. And so we wait for Him with hope and trust.
Prayer: Dear Lord, come quickly and bring us Your peace, blessing, and goodness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on September 27, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Give an example of an evil that causes you to cry out to God for help.
2. How do you find help in God when you suffer?
3. When has God worked through you to help someone else suffering?
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By: Kari Vo
---------------------------------
November 30, 2023
"The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear? Or cry to You 'Violence!' and You will not save? Why do You make me see iniquity, and why do You idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. ... I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the LORD answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end-it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.'" (Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 ESV)
The prophet Habakkuk says exactly the kinds of things I would like to say to God. He's upset with God; he sees that the world around him is filled with violence and evil, and he wants to know why God isn't doing anything. Habakkuk has been praying and crying out to God for help, but it looks like nothing's happening. Evil is winning, and God is silent.
Faced with that situation, many people lose their faith. But Habakkuk does something different. He's going to set himself up like a man on a watchtower and look out toward the horizon, to see if God's answer is on the way. Deep down inside, angry or not, Habakkuk still trusts that God is going to hear him.
And God does hear him! An answer is coming—an answer to all this evil. It may seem slow, but God is sending help. And in the meantime, Habakkuk will be waiting and trusting.
What answer did God send? He sent an answer nobody could have predicted—He came Himself, as a tiny human baby, born into our world to save us. Who could expect such a weak person to win the war against evil? And yet He did—not the way we might have expected, through force, but instead through His own suffering, death, and resurrection. The writer of Hebrews explains why Jesus took on our flesh and blood: "that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (Hebrews 2:14b-15).
Now, when we grieve over the violence and evil in our world, we have this comfort—that God has seen our distress and has answered us. The evils of this world will have a complete end when Jesus returns in glory. He has already won the war. And so we wait for Him with hope and trust.
Prayer: Dear Lord, come quickly and bring us Your peace, blessing, and goodness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on September 27, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Give an example of an evil that causes you to cry out to God for help.
2. How do you find help in God when you suffer?
3. When has God worked through you to help someone else suffering?
Announcements
Does it seem like everything is in chaos? Check out Order, Order, and Order, a mini-series by Suresh Manoharan, to find out!
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Wed 29 Nov 2023 - 0:46
A Spacious Place
By: Diane Eaton
----------------------------
November 28, 2023
From the ease of my recliner, my mind wanders to my childhood farm days and that exhilarating feeling of skipping through a wide-open green pasture on a summer day. I am reminded of that endless overhead expanse of sky, where I saw eagles freely soar. It is that feeling of freedom that I think of when I read David's words:
“[The Lord] brought me out into a spacious place.” (Psalm 18:19aNIV)
Let's consider David's situation. Earlier in that same Psalm, he wrote, "The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me." (Psalm 18:4 NIV) That sounds like the Apostle Paul's situation, being "hard pressed on every side … persecuted … struck down". (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV)
Hopefully, such horrific dangers evade us. Yet stressors do press against us. It may be a draining relationship. Perhaps societal or religious protocol restrains us in a tight harness. We're familiar with the oppressive warnings of global catastrophe. I sometimes experience dark spiritual forces pressing gloomy thoughts on my mind. Of course, we can be imprisoned by the slavishness of our own sinful bent.
Such oppressive forces work on us like a boa constrictor coiling around our very soul, squeezing out our vitality. It truly makes us desperate for God's way out. And for such distress, we can praise our Lord! That's exactly what draws us into the psalmist's experience of "a spacious place". Note David's words:
"In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (Psalm 18:6a,16a,19 NIV)
Notice those last words: "because he delighted in me". That's a wonderful thought! God delights in me! So then, the "spacious place" is where I, too, can experience God's delight in me. That's not just for special saints like David. That's for you and me, too!
Jesus certainly delighted to be with those often viewed as misfits, and He happily lavished His merciful love on them. I can't begin to comprehend their unspeakable joy in discovering themselves to be so fondly loved — a delight to the Lord.
So then, the "spacious place" is Christ's freeing salvation, experienced by letting God love me. It's like skipping through the field together, with my hand in His, with a breeze of eternity blowing through my hair. It's soaring effortlessly on the air currents of His love. From here — this expansive "spacious place" — I can look back and laugh at those human follies and besetting entanglements that so easily pulled me down. I can let go of that strangling need to try harder, because it's not about my worthiness. It's about God's delight in me. Oh, what a blessed place — that "spacious place"! What a blessed promise for you and for me:
"For the Lord takes delight in his people. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 149:4a; 147:11 NIV)
Prayer: Mighty Rescuer, we have no one else in heaven or earth who takes such delight in us. Draw us into the spacious place of Your fondest love. Amen.
Copyright
2022, by Diane Eaton , first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca
Paisley, Ontario, Canada
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
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Copyright 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
By: Diane Eaton
----------------------------
November 28, 2023
From the ease of my recliner, my mind wanders to my childhood farm days and that exhilarating feeling of skipping through a wide-open green pasture on a summer day. I am reminded of that endless overhead expanse of sky, where I saw eagles freely soar. It is that feeling of freedom that I think of when I read David's words:
“[The Lord] brought me out into a spacious place.” (Psalm 18:19aNIV)
Let's consider David's situation. Earlier in that same Psalm, he wrote, "The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me." (Psalm 18:4 NIV) That sounds like the Apostle Paul's situation, being "hard pressed on every side … persecuted … struck down". (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV)
Hopefully, such horrific dangers evade us. Yet stressors do press against us. It may be a draining relationship. Perhaps societal or religious protocol restrains us in a tight harness. We're familiar with the oppressive warnings of global catastrophe. I sometimes experience dark spiritual forces pressing gloomy thoughts on my mind. Of course, we can be imprisoned by the slavishness of our own sinful bent.
Such oppressive forces work on us like a boa constrictor coiling around our very soul, squeezing out our vitality. It truly makes us desperate for God's way out. And for such distress, we can praise our Lord! That's exactly what draws us into the psalmist's experience of "a spacious place". Note David's words:
"In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." (Psalm 18:6a,16a,19 NIV)
Notice those last words: "because he delighted in me". That's a wonderful thought! God delights in me! So then, the "spacious place" is where I, too, can experience God's delight in me. That's not just for special saints like David. That's for you and me, too!
Jesus certainly delighted to be with those often viewed as misfits, and He happily lavished His merciful love on them. I can't begin to comprehend their unspeakable joy in discovering themselves to be so fondly loved — a delight to the Lord.
So then, the "spacious place" is Christ's freeing salvation, experienced by letting God love me. It's like skipping through the field together, with my hand in His, with a breeze of eternity blowing through my hair. It's soaring effortlessly on the air currents of His love. From here — this expansive "spacious place" — I can look back and laugh at those human follies and besetting entanglements that so easily pulled me down. I can let go of that strangling need to try harder, because it's not about my worthiness. It's about God's delight in me. Oh, what a blessed place — that "spacious place"! What a blessed promise for you and for me:
"For the Lord takes delight in his people. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 149:4a; 147:11 NIV)
Prayer: Mighty Rescuer, we have no one else in heaven or earth who takes such delight in us. Draw us into the spacious place of Your fondest love. Amen.
Copyright
2022, by Diane Eaton Paisley, Ontario, Canada
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
Announcements
Looking for peace but having trouble finding it? Why not check out previous devotionals on peace from the Scriptural Nuggets website? Click here!
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2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 25 Nov 2023 - 22:52
Of Promises and Trust
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 25, 2023
Promises. People make them all the time. Unfortunately for us, not everyone keeps their promises all of the time. And I would like to say that the majority of the time when people don’t keep their promises, it is usually for a very good reason.
I know that I’ve made many promises in my life, and I do my best to uphold them. True enough, I forget sometimes, but it is my intention to uphold all of my promises. Recently in fact, God has placed this heavy on my heart. If keeping promises is so important to Him that He will never let us down, and if we are called to be like Him, how can we not keep our promises?
I have made a promise several years ago, and over the years I have faithfully upheld that promise. I have never once forgotten to do what I have promised to do. However, about a week before every time I am supposed to do this certain thing, I receive a message of concern that I might forget to do what I promised to do.
I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel very bad. It makes me think that the ones I have faithfully been keeping my promise towards don't have confidence in me…
When this happened yet another time a few weeks go, I could feel my ire rising yet again as it always does. I called it out and renounced it in the name of Jesus, but once again, I was left with a feeling of deep disappointment… The ones I had faithfully been helping for the past several years still didn't trust me…
God didn’t leave me there for long, however. I instantly was reminded of all the times I’ve failed to trust Him, despite Him keeping all His promises to me, despite His repeated faithfulness, His unfailing love that I have experienced so often.
It made me wonder: How does God feel when we fail to trust … Him? I mean, as a human being, I am prone to forget… but God never forgets! “For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 1:20 NRSV). How it must hurt Him when we fail to trust Him! How His heart must ache, after all the billions of blessings He faithfully gives us every minute of every day.
Then I remembered my first reaction every time this happens…I tend to get mad…
Does our lack of faith raise God’s holy anger?
I would like to say “yes it does”. We know that it was Israel’s repeated lack of faith in their faithful God that caused them to have to wander in the wilderness for 40 years instead of entering into their Canaan rest (“none of the people who have seen my glory and the signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have tested me these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their ancestors; none of those who despised me shall see it.” Numbers 14:23 NRSV). We also know that it was Israel’s repeated lack of faith and disobedience that eventually led to the Babylonian captivity. So yes, I believe that God does get angry when we fail to trust Him!
This incident has made me come to some decisions: First of all, I will no longer get angry when my faithfulness to my promises is doubted. Secondly, I vow, by the grace of God, to try to please Him by trusting Him in all situations!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 25, 2023
Promises. People make them all the time. Unfortunately for us, not everyone keeps their promises all of the time. And I would like to say that the majority of the time when people don’t keep their promises, it is usually for a very good reason.
I know that I’ve made many promises in my life, and I do my best to uphold them. True enough, I forget sometimes, but it is my intention to uphold all of my promises. Recently in fact, God has placed this heavy on my heart. If keeping promises is so important to Him that He will never let us down, and if we are called to be like Him, how can we not keep our promises?
I have made a promise several years ago, and over the years I have faithfully upheld that promise. I have never once forgotten to do what I have promised to do. However, about a week before every time I am supposed to do this certain thing, I receive a message of concern that I might forget to do what I promised to do.
I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel very bad. It makes me think that the ones I have faithfully been keeping my promise towards don't have confidence in me…
When this happened yet another time a few weeks go, I could feel my ire rising yet again as it always does. I called it out and renounced it in the name of Jesus, but once again, I was left with a feeling of deep disappointment… The ones I had faithfully been helping for the past several years still didn't trust me…
God didn’t leave me there for long, however. I instantly was reminded of all the times I’ve failed to trust Him, despite Him keeping all His promises to me, despite His repeated faithfulness, His unfailing love that I have experienced so often.
It made me wonder: How does God feel when we fail to trust … Him? I mean, as a human being, I am prone to forget… but God never forgets! “For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 1:20 NRSV). How it must hurt Him when we fail to trust Him! How His heart must ache, after all the billions of blessings He faithfully gives us every minute of every day.
Then I remembered my first reaction every time this happens…I tend to get mad…
Does our lack of faith raise God’s holy anger?
I would like to say “yes it does”. We know that it was Israel’s repeated lack of faith in their faithful God that caused them to have to wander in the wilderness for 40 years instead of entering into their Canaan rest (“none of the people who have seen my glory and the signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have tested me these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their ancestors; none of those who despised me shall see it.” Numbers 14:23 NRSV). We also know that it was Israel’s repeated lack of faith and disobedience that eventually led to the Babylonian captivity. So yes, I believe that God does get angry when we fail to trust Him!
This incident has made me come to some decisions: First of all, I will no longer get angry when my faithfulness to my promises is doubted. Secondly, I vow, by the grace of God, to try to please Him by trusting Him in all situations!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Fri 24 Nov 2023 - 1:08
Take Another Look
By: Kari Vo
----------------------------
November 23, 2023
“He [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:13-20 ESV)
For most of us, Jesus is a familiar person. We talk to Him when we are in trouble. We wear His cross around our necks, or on a ring or tie pin. We celebrate His birth at Christmas, and His resurrection at Easter.
This is fine, this is good—and yet, it happens sometimes that we forget the other side of who He is—the awesome, incredible and, let's be honest, sort of scary part. Who is Jesus? Well, first of all, He's the image of the invisible God. That means that, if you want to know what God is like, you can just look at Jesus. Whoa!
More than that, He is the One we were created through—and not just us, but all things, the highest angel to the lowliest germ. He was there before anything else was, from all eternity, and the Father created all things for Him. Even today, Jesus holds everything together and keeps it going, day by day and minute by minute. And all the fullness of God lives in Him—this Man from Nazareth, this Man hanging on a cross.
That comes down with a thud, doesn't it? The God who is everywhere and holds everything together, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful—making peace by the blood of His cross. That should jar us awake. Because it is this God, no one less, who has chosen you to be His own—who has called you to trust in Him—who has laid down His life to make you His own child. This God, nobody smaller. His blood on His cross has saved you. His resurrection from the dead gives you life.
How can we possibly take this in? I don't know that we can. But it is good for us, every so often, to remember the less familiar side of our Savior. To remember, once again, who He is—the glorious God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Prayer: Dear holy Lord, bring me to know You better and to trust You with all my heart. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on November 16, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have a friend or relative that others consider great or important?
2. If so, what are the differences in how you see this person and in how others see him or her?
3. When you think of Jesus' glory, what awes you the most?
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sun 19 Nov 2023 - 22:18
Glutton for Punishment: How to Give Correction, Part 3
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 18, 2023
Over the past two Saturdays, we have been looking to the tiny book of Philemon for Biblical instruction on how to give correction. We've seen that things go better when we first build up the one being corrected, and we saw that we must approach our request with humility, with a personal appeal rather than with a command.
There is just one more important lesson we can learn from Philemon about giving correction...
"So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I Paul write this with my own hand: I will repay it. I won't mention that you owe me your very soul!" (Philemon 1:17-19 NLT)
What? Wait. Isn't Onesimus the one who should receive correction for running away? At the very least, it is Philemon who should be corrected if he doesn't accept his slave back. Paul isn't in need of correction here! He is the one providing the correction! Why should he be the one who suffers? Why should he repay? What is he? A glutton for punishment?
No, it isn't comprehensible for our human minds to think of the one providing the correction to have to take the punishment. It doesn't make any sense to us at all from our Earthly perspective. Yet isn't this what Jesus did for us? We sinned, we should be the ones taking the consequences for our poor choices. But Jesus, in His ultimate, incomprehensible love for us, made a way by taking our punishment onto Himself! Check this out:
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin." (Romans 3:23-25a NLT). And we are told to follow His example: "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21b NLT).
It may seem strange from an earthly perspective, but the advice for giving correction here is to offer to take the punishment!
When my kids were little, they often needed correction. Once in a while, God put it on my heart to take their punishment for them. I would tell the perpetrator that his punish was _________. I would remind him of how Jesus took our punishment for us; and that to help them understand the greatness of Jesus' gift, their punishment was to administer what they should be suffering themselves -- to me. It was always with tears and humility that they half-heatedly administered their own-deserved punishment, and I found that this was an extremely most effective way of ensuring the “crime” was never repeated.
This last take-away, then, on how to give correction based on the book of Philemon, is to be willing to take the punishment they deserve ... upon ourselves! This simple act of selflessness solidifies to the one needing correction that we don't take pleasure in correcting them. Rather, it is our deep love for them, our longing desire for them to abandon the sin, whatever it may be, that motivates the correction.
The next time it is your responsibility to provide correction, be it routine correction of your children or grandchildren, or be it the correction of a brother or sister in Christ, I urge you to following the Philemon formula:
1. A spoonful of sugar: Start out by emphasizing the good that is in them;
2. Catching flies with honey: Approach the person with all humility. Make it a request, not a command, and make it from a personal level.
3. Glutton for punishment: Help the person understand that your motivation in correcting them is deeply rooted in your love for them; and remember that on occasion, the most effective way to help them understand this is to offer to take the consequences upon yourself!
May God bless each of us with wisdom and love as we seek to provide correction -- the Philemon way!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
This is the last part of the "How to Give Correction" devotional series. If you have missed any of this series, you can access the entire series here; or email me at lyn@sermonillustrator.org.
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 18, 2023
Over the past two Saturdays, we have been looking to the tiny book of Philemon for Biblical instruction on how to give correction. We've seen that things go better when we first build up the one being corrected, and we saw that we must approach our request with humility, with a personal appeal rather than with a command.
There is just one more important lesson we can learn from Philemon about giving correction...
"So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I Paul write this with my own hand: I will repay it. I won't mention that you owe me your very soul!" (Philemon 1:17-19 NLT)
What? Wait. Isn't Onesimus the one who should receive correction for running away? At the very least, it is Philemon who should be corrected if he doesn't accept his slave back. Paul isn't in need of correction here! He is the one providing the correction! Why should he be the one who suffers? Why should he repay? What is he? A glutton for punishment?
No, it isn't comprehensible for our human minds to think of the one providing the correction to have to take the punishment. It doesn't make any sense to us at all from our Earthly perspective. Yet isn't this what Jesus did for us? We sinned, we should be the ones taking the consequences for our poor choices. But Jesus, in His ultimate, incomprehensible love for us, made a way by taking our punishment onto Himself! Check this out:
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin." (Romans 3:23-25a NLT). And we are told to follow His example: "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21b NLT).
It may seem strange from an earthly perspective, but the advice for giving correction here is to offer to take the punishment!
When my kids were little, they often needed correction. Once in a while, God put it on my heart to take their punishment for them. I would tell the perpetrator that his punish was _________. I would remind him of how Jesus took our punishment for us; and that to help them understand the greatness of Jesus' gift, their punishment was to administer what they should be suffering themselves -- to me. It was always with tears and humility that they half-heatedly administered their own-deserved punishment, and I found that this was an extremely most effective way of ensuring the “crime” was never repeated.
This last take-away, then, on how to give correction based on the book of Philemon, is to be willing to take the punishment they deserve ... upon ourselves! This simple act of selflessness solidifies to the one needing correction that we don't take pleasure in correcting them. Rather, it is our deep love for them, our longing desire for them to abandon the sin, whatever it may be, that motivates the correction.
The next time it is your responsibility to provide correction, be it routine correction of your children or grandchildren, or be it the correction of a brother or sister in Christ, I urge you to following the Philemon formula:
1. A spoonful of sugar: Start out by emphasizing the good that is in them;
2. Catching flies with honey: Approach the person with all humility. Make it a request, not a command, and make it from a personal level.
3. Glutton for punishment: Help the person understand that your motivation in correcting them is deeply rooted in your love for them; and remember that on occasion, the most effective way to help them understand this is to offer to take the consequences upon yourself!
May God bless each of us with wisdom and love as we seek to provide correction -- the Philemon way!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
This is the last part of the "How to Give Correction" devotional series. If you have missed any of this series, you can access the entire series here; or email me at lyn@sermonillustrator.org.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Thu 16 Nov 2023 - 23:20
Living Stones
By: Alice Burnett
----------------------------
November 16, 2023
“Come to [the Lord], a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house. See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:4-5a,6 NRSV)
A stone wall was planned as a retaining wall above our house to keep the sandy bank from eroding. A lovely, mature cedar tree grew there, and we didn't want it to topple onto our house. My husband hired a skilled local mason and prepared for construction by gathering large boulders from a granite outcrop high on a mountain road. Since it was natural rock, the boulders came in all shapes and sizes. There was even one shaped like a fish, an ancient symbol of Christ. The mason patiently fitted each of the jagged rocks into place like a giant jigsaw puzzle. The fish rock was placed in the middle of the wall, visible to all who passed by, and a subtle reference to our Christian faith. The cedar tree remained intact and was supported by our sturdy and beautiful wall.
Just as our wall was planned for a purpose, God planned that His Son Jesus, precious in His sight, would enter into our world to become one of us. Just as our stone wall was built from many rocks gathered together, let's allow ourselves to be built together into a spiritual house. Just as the fish rock was a feature piece in our wall for all to see, so Christ is the Cornerstone of our spiritual house. As the rocks in the stone wall were chosen, we are specially chosen by God to be living stones. Each one of us — like each rock — is unique and different, but we are made to fit together to be part of His people, His functioning body.
“You are … God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NRSV)
We first have to recognize our need of God, and ask Him, through His Son, to be the centre of our lives. We become one of His people. Built together in a structure and unified, we are then instructed to show Jesus to a world that is broken and fragmented by sin. Let us combine each of our distinctive gifts and talents, and let's be effective in proclaiming His mighty acts to those who don't yet know Him. Let's be true living stones.
Prayer:Lord, thank You that You chose us to be part of Your eternal house. Help us to work together and take the initiative to reveal to the world all the wonderful things that You've done for us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2021, by Alice Burnett < terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
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Have a praise report? Why not share it? You never know when someone may be healed or brought to the Lord or empowered to take a stand in faith...because YOU gave God the praise specifically, thoroughly and publically!
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Copyright 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
By: Alice Burnett
----------------------------
November 16, 2023
“Come to [the Lord], a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house. See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:4-5a,6 NRSV)
A stone wall was planned as a retaining wall above our house to keep the sandy bank from eroding. A lovely, mature cedar tree grew there, and we didn't want it to topple onto our house. My husband hired a skilled local mason and prepared for construction by gathering large boulders from a granite outcrop high on a mountain road. Since it was natural rock, the boulders came in all shapes and sizes. There was even one shaped like a fish, an ancient symbol of Christ. The mason patiently fitted each of the jagged rocks into place like a giant jigsaw puzzle. The fish rock was placed in the middle of the wall, visible to all who passed by, and a subtle reference to our Christian faith. The cedar tree remained intact and was supported by our sturdy and beautiful wall.
Just as our wall was planned for a purpose, God planned that His Son Jesus, precious in His sight, would enter into our world to become one of us. Just as our stone wall was built from many rocks gathered together, let's allow ourselves to be built together into a spiritual house. Just as the fish rock was a feature piece in our wall for all to see, so Christ is the Cornerstone of our spiritual house. As the rocks in the stone wall were chosen, we are specially chosen by God to be living stones. Each one of us — like each rock — is unique and different, but we are made to fit together to be part of His people, His functioning body.
“You are … God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NRSV)
We first have to recognize our need of God, and ask Him, through His Son, to be the centre of our lives. We become one of His people. Built together in a structure and unified, we are then instructed to show Jesus to a world that is broken and fragmented by sin. Let us combine each of our distinctive gifts and talents, and let's be effective in proclaiming His mighty acts to those who don't yet know Him. Let's be true living stones.
Prayer:Lord, thank You that You chose us to be part of Your eternal house. Help us to work together and take the initiative to reveal to the world all the wonderful things that You've done for us. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Copyright
2021, by Alice Burnett < terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 11 Nov 2023 - 16:28
Catching Flies With Honey: How to Give Correction, Part 2
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 11, 2023
Last Saturday in the first part of this series, "A Spoonful of Sugar", we see that from the example of Paul's tiny letter to Philemon, in the Biblical book that bears this name, the Biblical first step to correction: pointing out people's positive characteristics! This goes a long way towards preparing them for the correction that may be upcoming. This isn't, however, the only lesson on how to optimally give correction that the book of Philemon has to teach us...
After his greeting and his encouraging words to the slave owner, Philemon, Paul begins his plea for Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus. As we saw in part 1 of this series, the usual treatment of runaway slaves was to punish them severely by whipping them or by branding them with hot irons. We also saw that sometimes this punishment led to death. It was a scary thing to be discovered as a fugitive slave. Paul is hoping to influence Philemon to be kind to Onesimus, and after feeding that "spoonful of sugar" for four verses -- telling Philemon how thankful Paul is for Philemon -- Paul begins to work up to his request.
We will notice, however, that Paul is not forceful about this request. Given Paul's place in the church and given the fact that Philemon is Paul's spiritual child, he could very well command Philemon to do his biding. But he doesn’t. Instead, he shows respect for Philemon's right to punish the returned fugitive: "That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you." (Philemon 1:8 NLT).
Herein lies another very important element in our quest to correct one another: It is easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude rather than with rude demands and negativity. Or as my southern-born mom used to say, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar!"
This makes sense. As humans we all bristle at being told what to do; but we are honoured when we receive a polite and kind request. But Paul doesn't stop here: "Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus." (Philemon 1:9 NLT). Besides asking instead of commanding, Paul brings this to a personal level. He makes it a personal request, reminding his friend and brother in Christ that he is old and a prisoner for the sake of the gospel. Not only are we honoured when we receive a polite and kind request rather than a command, but our hearts tend to be turned more quickly when it is a personal request from a friend!
It is only after this introduction that Paul present his request: "I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus." (Philemon 1:10a NLT). Notice again that Paul isn't commanding, but his appeal is humble in all ways.
Humility! The Biblical approach to providing correction!
Paul goes on to tell Philemon why he cares so much for the fugitive slave: "I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf." (Philemon 1:10b-13 NLT). Notice the tact Paul uses in his appeal: Onesimus is actually acting as Philemon's hands and feet, doing for Paul what Philemon couldn't personally do! But at the same time, Paul is acknowledging that Philemon would have happily served Paul if he could!
Who is it that you feel the need to correct?
I would urge you to seek the Lord and ensure that you are the one who should be administering the correction. If not, you must submit the person to the Lord for the Lord's correction. But if God is calling you to be the one to provide the correction, remember the Biblical formula: A spoonful of sugar, and you will catch more flies with honey than vinegar! Approach the person with all humility. Make it a request, not a command, and make it from a personal level; all the while acknowledging the person's good traits.
Paul's advice on how to administer correction doesn't stop here, however. In fact, it takes a radical turn: Please join us next Saturday for the final part of "How to Give Correction"!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Please join us next Satuday for the conclusion of "How to Give Correction"!
Subscribe Other Devotionals Contact Us
Copyright 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 11, 2023
Last Saturday in the first part of this series, "A Spoonful of Sugar", we see that from the example of Paul's tiny letter to Philemon, in the Biblical book that bears this name, the Biblical first step to correction: pointing out people's positive characteristics! This goes a long way towards preparing them for the correction that may be upcoming. This isn't, however, the only lesson on how to optimally give correction that the book of Philemon has to teach us...
After his greeting and his encouraging words to the slave owner, Philemon, Paul begins his plea for Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus. As we saw in part 1 of this series, the usual treatment of runaway slaves was to punish them severely by whipping them or by branding them with hot irons. We also saw that sometimes this punishment led to death. It was a scary thing to be discovered as a fugitive slave. Paul is hoping to influence Philemon to be kind to Onesimus, and after feeding that "spoonful of sugar" for four verses -- telling Philemon how thankful Paul is for Philemon -- Paul begins to work up to his request.
We will notice, however, that Paul is not forceful about this request. Given Paul's place in the church and given the fact that Philemon is Paul's spiritual child, he could very well command Philemon to do his biding. But he doesn’t. Instead, he shows respect for Philemon's right to punish the returned fugitive: "That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you." (Philemon 1:8 NLT).
Herein lies another very important element in our quest to correct one another: It is easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude rather than with rude demands and negativity. Or as my southern-born mom used to say, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar!"
This makes sense. As humans we all bristle at being told what to do; but we are honoured when we receive a polite and kind request. But Paul doesn't stop here: "Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus." (Philemon 1:9 NLT). Besides asking instead of commanding, Paul brings this to a personal level. He makes it a personal request, reminding his friend and brother in Christ that he is old and a prisoner for the sake of the gospel. Not only are we honoured when we receive a polite and kind request rather than a command, but our hearts tend to be turned more quickly when it is a personal request from a friend!
It is only after this introduction that Paul present his request: "I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus." (Philemon 1:10a NLT). Notice again that Paul isn't commanding, but his appeal is humble in all ways.
Humility! The Biblical approach to providing correction!
Paul goes on to tell Philemon why he cares so much for the fugitive slave: "I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf." (Philemon 1:10b-13 NLT). Notice the tact Paul uses in his appeal: Onesimus is actually acting as Philemon's hands and feet, doing for Paul what Philemon couldn't personally do! But at the same time, Paul is acknowledging that Philemon would have happily served Paul if he could!
Who is it that you feel the need to correct?
I would urge you to seek the Lord and ensure that you are the one who should be administering the correction. If not, you must submit the person to the Lord for the Lord's correction. But if God is calling you to be the one to provide the correction, remember the Biblical formula: A spoonful of sugar, and you will catch more flies with honey than vinegar! Approach the person with all humility. Make it a request, not a command, and make it from a personal level; all the while acknowledging the person's good traits.
Paul's advice on how to administer correction doesn't stop here, however. In fact, it takes a radical turn: Please join us next Saturday for the final part of "How to Give Correction"!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Please join us next Satuday for the conclusion of "How to Give Correction"!
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2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Thu 9 Nov 2023 - 23:07
Believing and the Word
By: Kari Vo
----------------------------
November 9, 2023
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered Him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, "You will become free"?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8:31-36 ESV)
It's a strange thing that's happening here in this story. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees in the temple, and as He is talking, the Bible tells us, "many believed in Him" (John 8:30 ESV).
That's a good thing, right? And yet, right away those new believers get into an argument with Jesus. He says to them, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." But they're offended by His Word. "What do you mean, we need to be set free?" they complain. They get even more offended as the argument goes on, and finally pick up stones to kill Him. And why? "Because My Word finds no place in you," is what Jesus says (John 8:37b ESV).
Whatever the Bible means when it first says they believed in Him, clearly it's not the kind of faith they ought to have—the kind that trusts Jesus' Word, the kind that abides in Jesus' message and treasures His Gospel. We can't separate Jesus from His Word. It is not possible to love and obey Jesus faithfully and at the same time to reject His Word. As Peter puts it, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life" (John 6:68b ESV).
Instead of arguing and rejecting, Jesus calls us to abide in His Word—to make our home in it, to love it and treasure it. That is what the Greek word we translate as "keep" means—to guard something carefully, to protect it and watch over it. If we love Jesus, we will love His Word. It will become our lasting home—like light to our eyes, like honey to our lips.
After all, what does Jesus' Word tell us? It tells us that He has come to be our Savior and to set us free from sin. Jesus' Word tells us, "I am the good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15 ESV). His Word tells us, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. ... Do you believe this?" (John 11:25b, 26b ESV)
Yes. This is the Word we believe and abide in. We belong to Jesus forever.
Prayer: Lord, show me how to abide in Your Word. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on October 27, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean to abide in a home?
2. How is that different from a temporary stay?
3. How do you abide in Jesus' Word, and He in you?
Announcements
John the Baptist said, "The time has come...The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). But what exactly is the Kingdom of God? Check out "Basics of Basileia", a four-part mini-series by Brother Suresh Manoharan designed to help us have a better understanding of God's Kingdom!
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Copyright 2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
By: Kari Vo
----------------------------
November 9, 2023
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered Him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, "You will become free"?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8:31-36 ESV)
It's a strange thing that's happening here in this story. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees in the temple, and as He is talking, the Bible tells us, "many believed in Him" (John 8:30 ESV).
That's a good thing, right? And yet, right away those new believers get into an argument with Jesus. He says to them, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." But they're offended by His Word. "What do you mean, we need to be set free?" they complain. They get even more offended as the argument goes on, and finally pick up stones to kill Him. And why? "Because My Word finds no place in you," is what Jesus says (John 8:37b ESV).
Whatever the Bible means when it first says they believed in Him, clearly it's not the kind of faith they ought to have—the kind that trusts Jesus' Word, the kind that abides in Jesus' message and treasures His Gospel. We can't separate Jesus from His Word. It is not possible to love and obey Jesus faithfully and at the same time to reject His Word. As Peter puts it, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life" (John 6:68b ESV).
Instead of arguing and rejecting, Jesus calls us to abide in His Word—to make our home in it, to love it and treasure it. That is what the Greek word we translate as "keep" means—to guard something carefully, to protect it and watch over it. If we love Jesus, we will love His Word. It will become our lasting home—like light to our eyes, like honey to our lips.
After all, what does Jesus' Word tell us? It tells us that He has come to be our Savior and to set us free from sin. Jesus' Word tells us, "I am the good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15 ESV). His Word tells us, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. ... Do you believe this?" (John 11:25b, 26b ESV)
Yes. This is the Word we believe and abide in. We belong to Jesus forever.
Prayer: Lord, show me how to abide in Your Word. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on October 27, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean to abide in a home?
2. How is that different from a temporary stay?
3. How do you abide in Jesus' Word, and He in you?
Announcements
John the Baptist said, "The time has come...The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). But what exactly is the Kingdom of God? Check out "Basics of Basileia", a four-part mini-series by Brother Suresh Manoharan designed to help us have a better understanding of God's Kingdom!
Subscribe Other Devotionals Contact Us
Copyright
2020 Answers2Prayer, All rights reserved.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Tue 7 Nov 2023 - 23:04
Bosom for the Bruised and Broken
By: John Oguntoyinbo
--------------------------------
November 7, 2023
My nose was blocked with mucus, and it was so serious that I had to breathe from my mouth. I know that it sounds absurd, but I was afraid that when I would sleep at night, I might forget to breathe through my mouth, and I would die. The house seemed so claustrophobic with its little windows that I felt depressed, alone, and broken. I couldn't share my feelings with anyone. However, when I attended a midweek service, there was a change, right there in the church. I felt at peace, knowing that Christ was there and that there was enough air for me. Recounting this experience makes me realize that the best place to find comfort when we are in trouble is with Christ.
"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." (Luke 16:22-23 KJV)
"A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." (Matthew 12:20 KJV)
Abraham's bosom was the place of comfort that people in the Old Testament times thought of, which is the equivalent of Christ in paradise for us. We are bruised reeds, and Christ is interested in mending us. Make no mistake, everything about Christ is not only judgment, but love and care. He is very interested in you and me, for we are like lost sheep.
"But [Jesus] answered and said, 'I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'" (Matthew 15:24 KJV)
Most of us have faced problems, for in our lives, we are as if in our little boats on the big sea, experiencing all the storms. Have we forgotten that the Master is there with us as we cry, "Lord, don't you care if we drown?" He just wants us to ask Him faithfully, and then, He will take our hands and walk us on the waters to dry land. Faith is all that we need to have. Faith is belief, and when we believe, we know that there is a Comforter always ready to give us a hug. The feeling that Christ offers us is like when someone gives us a cloth to cover our nudity or saves us from bullies — that's Christ. And beyond this life, as Lazarus discovered, going to heaven is better than the feeling of coming in from the rain and entering a warm home with hot tea and cookies. Jesus is the person Who gives us rest — both here on earth and in heaven after our time on earth.
Are you alone? Bruised from life's challenges? Overwhelmed by despair? Brokenhearted? Have your friends, family, and confidants deserted you? Today, I can tell you that Christ is there. He is that silent friend, faithful companion, and true confidant. You are like a bruised reed, and all He is saying is, "I will bring you health and cure." Come to Him.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to believe in You, and to have a relationship with You that transcends troubled times. Amen.
Copyright 2022, by John Oguntoyinbo , first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca
Nigeria
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
Announcements
Going through a time of spiritual famine? Joseph knew exactly how you feel. Why not check out the series, "Pharoah's Dream" for practical ideas from Joseph for weathering our times of famines.
By: John Oguntoyinbo
--------------------------------
November 7, 2023
My nose was blocked with mucus, and it was so serious that I had to breathe from my mouth. I know that it sounds absurd, but I was afraid that when I would sleep at night, I might forget to breathe through my mouth, and I would die. The house seemed so claustrophobic with its little windows that I felt depressed, alone, and broken. I couldn't share my feelings with anyone. However, when I attended a midweek service, there was a change, right there in the church. I felt at peace, knowing that Christ was there and that there was enough air for me. Recounting this experience makes me realize that the best place to find comfort when we are in trouble is with Christ.
"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." (Luke 16:22-23 KJV)
"A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." (Matthew 12:20 KJV)
Abraham's bosom was the place of comfort that people in the Old Testament times thought of, which is the equivalent of Christ in paradise for us. We are bruised reeds, and Christ is interested in mending us. Make no mistake, everything about Christ is not only judgment, but love and care. He is very interested in you and me, for we are like lost sheep.
"But [Jesus] answered and said, 'I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'" (Matthew 15:24 KJV)
Most of us have faced problems, for in our lives, we are as if in our little boats on the big sea, experiencing all the storms. Have we forgotten that the Master is there with us as we cry, "Lord, don't you care if we drown?" He just wants us to ask Him faithfully, and then, He will take our hands and walk us on the waters to dry land. Faith is all that we need to have. Faith is belief, and when we believe, we know that there is a Comforter always ready to give us a hug. The feeling that Christ offers us is like when someone gives us a cloth to cover our nudity or saves us from bullies — that's Christ. And beyond this life, as Lazarus discovered, going to heaven is better than the feeling of coming in from the rain and entering a warm home with hot tea and cookies. Jesus is the person Who gives us rest — both here on earth and in heaven after our time on earth.
Are you alone? Bruised from life's challenges? Overwhelmed by despair? Brokenhearted? Have your friends, family, and confidants deserted you? Today, I can tell you that Christ is there. He is that silent friend, faithful companion, and true confidant. You are like a bruised reed, and all He is saying is, "I will bring you health and cure." Come to Him.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to believe in You, and to have a relationship with You that transcends troubled times. Amen.
Copyright
2022, by John Oguntoyinbo Nigeria
Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.
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Going through a time of spiritual famine? Joseph knew exactly how you feel. Why not check out the series, "Pharoah's Dream" for practical ideas from Joseph for weathering our times of famines.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 4 Nov 2023 - 17:22
THE NUGGET
A Spoonful of Sugar: How to Give Correction, Part 1
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 4, 2023
The Bible amazes me. Not only is it a Book of God's love and a guide for how to be accepted by Him and to live for Him, but within its ancient pages lie the solutions to all of our needs and the wisdom for how to face all of our situations.
Take, for example, the need to correct someone. We have all been the recipients of correction, and we all know what it feels like to be corrected in the way the world endorses. We know how it makes us feel worthless and inadequate, ready to quit and ready to convince ourselves that we truly cannot do anything right. Yet the Bible shows us how to correct someone without leaving behind all of those scars...
There are multiple examples of this throughout Scripture. Examples of preventative guidance, examples of love and mercy and grace when we screw up, examples of God reaching out again and again to His wayward people. Perhaps, however, the example that comes to us from the first few verses of the tiny book of Philemon are the most distinct…
If you have read this tiny book recently, you will know that its purpose is to convince Philemon, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, to take back his slave, Onesimus, who had deserted him. Now the accepted way to deal with this grave evil was to send out slave-hunters. Advertisements would be posted with precise descriptions of the escaped slaves, and rewards would be offered. If caught, the fugitive would be punished. If the slave owner had a kind heart, the slave would only be whipped. Others with not so kind owners would be burnt with iron or even killed. Paul's purpose in writing this letter was to ask Philemon to be kind to Onesimus and to take him back without punishment: "So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me." (Phil. 1:17 NLT).
The first few verses of this 1-chapter book don't appear to even be focused on this purpose, however. Rather, Paul spends the first few verses greeting and then commending his friend, Philemon, for all he has done for the Lord: "I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people." (Phil. 1:4-7 NLT).
Paul starts out by telling Philemon how grateful he is for his service to the Lord: "I always thank my God when I pray for you..."
He then goes on to commend him for his faith: "... I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people."
He acknowledges Philemon's generosity: "...I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith ..."
He then goes on to comment Philemon for his head and heart knowledge: "... as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ."
He then emphasizes the love and kindness that Philemon shows on a regular basis: "Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people."
All of this before he even introduces the topic of this letter!
Is Paul trying to butter him up?
I don't think so. Paul is simply beginning his reprimand as we all should: By contemplating and outlining all the good things in the person that is to be corrected! After all, our correction is for only one part of their lives. If we overlook the good in them, we are giving the message that the good doesn't account for anything. It gives the message that the person to be corrected is all bad! By beginning with the good, we preserve the dignity of the person we are correcting!
An old song says, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down". A line from an old movie, perhaps, but how well it illustrates the principle Paul is using here in his attempts to correct and influence the believer, Philemon! How we could all benefit from following this outline!
I would suggest that the next time you need to correct someone, try Paul's recipe. Administer that “spoonful of sugar”. Spend some time pointing out their good points first! When you do, you will have much better outcomes!
But this is only the beginning... Join us next Saturday for "How to Give Correction, Part 2"!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Please join us next Satuday for "How to Give Correction, Part 2"!
A Spoonful of Sugar: How to Give Correction, Part 1
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
November 4, 2023
The Bible amazes me. Not only is it a Book of God's love and a guide for how to be accepted by Him and to live for Him, but within its ancient pages lie the solutions to all of our needs and the wisdom for how to face all of our situations.
Take, for example, the need to correct someone. We have all been the recipients of correction, and we all know what it feels like to be corrected in the way the world endorses. We know how it makes us feel worthless and inadequate, ready to quit and ready to convince ourselves that we truly cannot do anything right. Yet the Bible shows us how to correct someone without leaving behind all of those scars...
There are multiple examples of this throughout Scripture. Examples of preventative guidance, examples of love and mercy and grace when we screw up, examples of God reaching out again and again to His wayward people. Perhaps, however, the example that comes to us from the first few verses of the tiny book of Philemon are the most distinct…
If you have read this tiny book recently, you will know that its purpose is to convince Philemon, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, to take back his slave, Onesimus, who had deserted him. Now the accepted way to deal with this grave evil was to send out slave-hunters. Advertisements would be posted with precise descriptions of the escaped slaves, and rewards would be offered. If caught, the fugitive would be punished. If the slave owner had a kind heart, the slave would only be whipped. Others with not so kind owners would be burnt with iron or even killed. Paul's purpose in writing this letter was to ask Philemon to be kind to Onesimus and to take him back without punishment: "So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me." (Phil. 1:17 NLT).
The first few verses of this 1-chapter book don't appear to even be focused on this purpose, however. Rather, Paul spends the first few verses greeting and then commending his friend, Philemon, for all he has done for the Lord: "I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people." (Phil. 1:4-7 NLT).
Paul starts out by telling Philemon how grateful he is for his service to the Lord: "I always thank my God when I pray for you..."
He then goes on to commend him for his faith: "... I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people."
He acknowledges Philemon's generosity: "...I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith ..."
He then goes on to comment Philemon for his head and heart knowledge: "... as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ."
He then emphasizes the love and kindness that Philemon shows on a regular basis: "Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people."
All of this before he even introduces the topic of this letter!
Is Paul trying to butter him up?
I don't think so. Paul is simply beginning his reprimand as we all should: By contemplating and outlining all the good things in the person that is to be corrected! After all, our correction is for only one part of their lives. If we overlook the good in them, we are giving the message that the good doesn't account for anything. It gives the message that the person to be corrected is all bad! By beginning with the good, we preserve the dignity of the person we are correcting!
An old song says, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down". A line from an old movie, perhaps, but how well it illustrates the principle Paul is using here in his attempts to correct and influence the believer, Philemon! How we could all benefit from following this outline!
I would suggest that the next time you need to correct someone, try Paul's recipe. Administer that “spoonful of sugar”. Spend some time pointing out their good points first! When you do, you will have much better outcomes!
But this is only the beginning... Join us next Saturday for "How to Give Correction, Part 2"!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Thu 2 Nov 2023 - 18:36
Never Been Done Before
By: Shirley Moulton
--------------------------------
November 2, 2023
In grade school, I attended the Day School Gospel League (DSGL), a meeting for children held weekly after school by Christian ladies of the community to teach gospel stories, lead hymns and songs, and encourage Bible memorization. In today's secular climate, no such Christian club would be welcomed in an elementary school! In my time, though, it was well attended, and I memorized the list of Bible verses to get my diploma. Too shy to repeat my verses in the clubroom in front of my classmates, I knocked on the door of one of the DSGL teachers one day after school, and she graciously welcomed me and allowed me to recite my verses one-on-one. I had never done that before!
The book of Hebrews tells of two men who experienced things that had never been done before in their lives or in those of their people: Enoch and Noah.
"By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:5-7 NKJV)
Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, is someone of whom we know little. In Genesis 5:21-24, Enoch is described as a man of faith, in close communion with God, showing by his life and ministry the faith that pleases God and is rewarded by Him. He is described elsewhere only in Jude 1:14-15 as a prophet who warned about the coming judgment on ungodly deeds and harsh things spoken against God. To him, the Lord did what had never been done before: He took Enoch to heaven without dying first!
Noah, being warned of coming disaster, also did what had never been done before: he built a wooden boat capable of rescuing his family and pairs of all God's creatures from a coming flood. His faith was demonstrated not just by agreeing with God's instructions, but by obeying them with reverence. It is not recorded that Noah ever preached a sermon; his actions showed his faith, and his conduct made him an heir of righteousness.
In a quickly changing world, we may not believe that things that have never been done before can truly happen, but they do. Each time a new believer takes that step of faith towards God, believing in Him and His rewards for those who follow Him, there is a new creation! Will you pray for those whose hearts have been prepared to meet our Lord God in faith, that they might accept His forgiveness of sin and promise of eternal life? Will you let your life be a testimony to miracles that have never been done before?
Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for the faith in our hearts that pleases You, because we believe in the great "I AM". We trust in Jesus' promise of eternal life for all who diligently follow You. Amen.
Copyright 2022, by Shirley Moulton , first published on the PresbyCan Daily
By: Shirley Moulton
--------------------------------
November 2, 2023
In grade school, I attended the Day School Gospel League (DSGL), a meeting for children held weekly after school by Christian ladies of the community to teach gospel stories, lead hymns and songs, and encourage Bible memorization. In today's secular climate, no such Christian club would be welcomed in an elementary school! In my time, though, it was well attended, and I memorized the list of Bible verses to get my diploma. Too shy to repeat my verses in the clubroom in front of my classmates, I knocked on the door of one of the DSGL teachers one day after school, and she graciously welcomed me and allowed me to recite my verses one-on-one. I had never done that before!
The book of Hebrews tells of two men who experienced things that had never been done before in their lives or in those of their people: Enoch and Noah.
"By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:5-7 NKJV)
Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, is someone of whom we know little. In Genesis 5:21-24, Enoch is described as a man of faith, in close communion with God, showing by his life and ministry the faith that pleases God and is rewarded by Him. He is described elsewhere only in Jude 1:14-15 as a prophet who warned about the coming judgment on ungodly deeds and harsh things spoken against God. To him, the Lord did what had never been done before: He took Enoch to heaven without dying first!
Noah, being warned of coming disaster, also did what had never been done before: he built a wooden boat capable of rescuing his family and pairs of all God's creatures from a coming flood. His faith was demonstrated not just by agreeing with God's instructions, but by obeying them with reverence. It is not recorded that Noah ever preached a sermon; his actions showed his faith, and his conduct made him an heir of righteousness.
In a quickly changing world, we may not believe that things that have never been done before can truly happen, but they do. Each time a new believer takes that step of faith towards God, believing in Him and His rewards for those who follow Him, there is a new creation! Will you pray for those whose hearts have been prepared to meet our Lord God in faith, that they might accept His forgiveness of sin and promise of eternal life? Will you let your life be a testimony to miracles that have never been done before?
Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for the faith in our hearts that pleases You, because we believe in the great "I AM". We trust in Jesus' promise of eternal life for all who diligently follow You. Amen.
Copyright
2022, by Shirley Moulton
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 28 Oct 2023 - 23:13
Backwards Prayers
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
October 28, 2023
I think that most of us, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, would have to say that our prayers consist mainly of prayer requests, usually for our own needs.
Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. The Bible tells us to ask! James says, "Yet you do not have because you do not ask." (James 4:2b NKJV), and Jesus Himself says, "Ask, and it will be given to you.." (Matthew 7:7a NKJV), etc. Does this mean, however, that our prayers should primarily consist of our prayer requests?
For the answer to this question, we must look no further than the Lord's Prayer. And yes, asking God for our needs is part of this prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11 NKJV). But as our pastor pointed out this past Sunday, it isn't the only part of Jesus' sample prayer. In fact, it is only one line out of about 11. And what is very interesting is this line's place in the prayer. Just prior to this part of the prayer, Jesus says to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 NKJV).
I don't know about you, but this is kind of backwards to how I normally prayer! I ask for my needs and for the needs of others, and then I tend to tag on, "If it is Your will!" But Jesus' sample prayer tells us that before presenting our own needs, we should acknowledge that God's will is perfect, that His Kingdom is perfect, and that His perfect Kingdom be manifested on Earth! Only when we have established these more important things should we begin asking for our own needs!
Why is this the specified order?
Because it helps us to acknowledge that perhaps we don't know best; but we trust that God does, and we put our faith in His perfect love for us.
It is also quite revealing to realize that our physical needs are only a tiny part of what we should be asking from God. The next four lines of the prayer (vs. 12 & 13) are also requests, but for spiritual help: "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." (NKJV). In other words, we should ask God for our physical needs, yes; but even more importantly, we should pary for our spiritual needs of forgiveness, of the ability to forgive, of strength to overcome temptation, and of deliverance!
Do you, like me, pray backwards? I challenge each of you to examine the order of your prayers. Remember to ask for God's Kingdom to be manifested on Earth, to ask for His will to be done, before listing out your needs and the needs of others. And then, spend at least four times as long asking God to help with your spiritual needs! I can tell you from personal experience that changing the priority and the order of my prayers has radically changed my life and has helped me to begin, in the simplest of manners, to look more like Jesus.
in His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Author, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
By: Lyn Chaffart
----------------------------
October 28, 2023
I think that most of us, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, would have to say that our prayers consist mainly of prayer requests, usually for our own needs.
Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. The Bible tells us to ask! James says, "Yet you do not have because you do not ask." (James 4:2b NKJV), and Jesus Himself says, "Ask, and it will be given to you.." (Matthew 7:7a NKJV), etc. Does this mean, however, that our prayers should primarily consist of our prayer requests?
For the answer to this question, we must look no further than the Lord's Prayer. And yes, asking God for our needs is part of this prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11 NKJV). But as our pastor pointed out this past Sunday, it isn't the only part of Jesus' sample prayer. In fact, it is only one line out of about 11. And what is very interesting is this line's place in the prayer. Just prior to this part of the prayer, Jesus says to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 NKJV).
I don't know about you, but this is kind of backwards to how I normally prayer! I ask for my needs and for the needs of others, and then I tend to tag on, "If it is Your will!" But Jesus' sample prayer tells us that before presenting our own needs, we should acknowledge that God's will is perfect, that His Kingdom is perfect, and that His perfect Kingdom be manifested on Earth! Only when we have established these more important things should we begin asking for our own needs!
Why is this the specified order?
Because it helps us to acknowledge that perhaps we don't know best; but we trust that God does, and we put our faith in His perfect love for us.
It is also quite revealing to realize that our physical needs are only a tiny part of what we should be asking from God. The next four lines of the prayer (vs. 12 & 13) are also requests, but for spiritual help: "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." (NKJV). In other words, we should ask God for our physical needs, yes; but even more importantly, we should pary for our spiritual needs of forgiveness, of the ability to forgive, of strength to overcome temptation, and of deliverance!
Do you, like me, pray backwards? I challenge each of you to examine the order of your prayers. Remember to ask for God's Kingdom to be manifested on Earth, to ask for His will to be done, before listing out your needs and the needs of others. And then, spend at least four times as long asking God to help with your spiritual needs! I can tell you from personal experience that changing the priority and the order of my prayers has radically changed my life and has helped me to begin, in the simplest of manners, to look more like Jesus.
in His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Author, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Tue 24 Oct 2023 - 22:40
What to Do While We Wait for the Answer
By: Janet P. Eckles
--------------------------------
October 24, 2023
Have you been there? Waiting on answers from God? Unanswered prayers bring on doubt. Doubt turns to fear. And then opens the door to anxiety. Before we know it, we join the rest of the world in their gloom and complaining.
We’re not alone; the Israelites join us in that grumbling.
"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, "Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?" It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!' Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'” (Exodus 14: 10-14 NIV)
Have you ever complained like that?
I have. And that’s because we’re deep into our own struggles. We end up terrified like the Israelites. We grumble in the hot desert of frustration. And as we trudge through the dry land of conflict, of uncertainty and nervousness, we desperately look for God’s answer, a clear path, a solution; we look to be rescued now.
But no one is there. And we have our own Egyptians called stress and anxiety that chase us, threatening to ruin our day.
But if Moses were alive today, he might post a message to all of us, “Do not fret, God will fight your battles. His answer is already here. You need only to be still.”
While we wait for the answer, that reassuring peace is what we invite into our sleepless nights. The battle doesn’t belong to us. The outcome is already in His hands. And the promise of a brighter tomorrow is what fill His promises. That’s because it’s in the still of His presence that His peace can fill our nights. In the still of our heart is when His whisper brushes through. And in the still of the moment is when we see His promises come alive.
Prayer: Father, calm my heart, whisper your peace into my longing. Silence the voices of fear so I can be secure as I wait for your answers. In Jesus name. Amen.
In the midst of your hectic life, what keeps you from being still enough while you wait for God’s answers?
Janet P. Eckles
By: Janet P. Eckles
--------------------------------
October 24, 2023
Have you been there? Waiting on answers from God? Unanswered prayers bring on doubt. Doubt turns to fear. And then opens the door to anxiety. Before we know it, we join the rest of the world in their gloom and complaining.
We’re not alone; the Israelites join us in that grumbling.
"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, "Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?" It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!' Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'” (Exodus 14: 10-14 NIV)
Have you ever complained like that?
I have. And that’s because we’re deep into our own struggles. We end up terrified like the Israelites. We grumble in the hot desert of frustration. And as we trudge through the dry land of conflict, of uncertainty and nervousness, we desperately look for God’s answer, a clear path, a solution; we look to be rescued now.
But no one is there. And we have our own Egyptians called stress and anxiety that chase us, threatening to ruin our day.
But if Moses were alive today, he might post a message to all of us, “Do not fret, God will fight your battles. His answer is already here. You need only to be still.”
While we wait for the answer, that reassuring peace is what we invite into our sleepless nights. The battle doesn’t belong to us. The outcome is already in His hands. And the promise of a brighter tomorrow is what fill His promises. That’s because it’s in the still of His presence that His peace can fill our nights. In the still of our heart is when His whisper brushes through. And in the still of the moment is when we see His promises come alive.
Prayer: Father, calm my heart, whisper your peace into my longing. Silence the voices of fear so I can be secure as I wait for your answers. In Jesus name. Amen.
In the midst of your hectic life, what keeps you from being still enough while you wait for God’s answers?
Janet P. Eckles
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 21 Oct 2023 - 20:54
The Job Discription
By: Lyn Chaffart
--------------------------------
October 21, 2023
Have you ever noticed how job descriptions always glorify the actual responsibilities of the job?
I mean, the job description of a doctor never includes the long hours, the lack of sleep, the time stolen from family to care for patients. It never includes being splattered with blood or having to witness the trauma that they come in contact with daily, and I've never, ever read a doctor's job description that included increased risk of contracting communicable diseases.
There are plenty of other examples. The job description of a cook doesn't include the potential for being burned or sued because someone got sick after eating at your establishment; and the job description of a prayer warrior doesn't include the fervent unrest in the heart whenever there is a prayer need.
There is one job description, however, that does include all the negative things to be encountered, and it is the one job that we are all called to do: Witnessing!
We've all read the texts, and they don't leave good feelings of warm fuzzies!
Here is one example, written to what sounds like a rather discouraged preacher: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2-5 NKJV).
This next example comes from Jesus Himself in His description of end times: "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake...And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold...And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9,12,14 NKJV).
No, it isn't a job description that many would jump upon. So why isn't it written with all the glory that you find in most job descriptions? Why didn't the Bible just leave out the bad stuff?
Because in His love, God wants us to know exactly what we are up against when we preach the gospel. He wants us to be prepared. He wants us to rely on Him 100% of the time.
Of course the great commission isn't without reward: "But he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Mathew 24:13 NKJV). Paul goes on to tell Timothy the benefits of his faithful service to the Lord: "...there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV). And check out this admonition from Paul to the church at Galatia: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9 NKJV). Remember: God will never ask us to do something He isn't prepared to help us through: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13 NKJV)
I am so happy to serve a God who tells us up front what is ahead of me, both the good and the bad, and then promises to give me the strength to endure!
Prayer: Lord, help us to not be afraid of the Great Commission! Give us the desire in our hearts, the love that comes from You, to want to spread the gospel, at any cost. For just as You have defined for us the problems we will encounter, You have also clearly spelled out the priceless reward!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart
Moderator, Author, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
By: Lyn Chaffart
--------------------------------
October 21, 2023
Have you ever noticed how job descriptions always glorify the actual responsibilities of the job?
I mean, the job description of a doctor never includes the long hours, the lack of sleep, the time stolen from family to care for patients. It never includes being splattered with blood or having to witness the trauma that they come in contact with daily, and I've never, ever read a doctor's job description that included increased risk of contracting communicable diseases.
There are plenty of other examples. The job description of a cook doesn't include the potential for being burned or sued because someone got sick after eating at your establishment; and the job description of a prayer warrior doesn't include the fervent unrest in the heart whenever there is a prayer need.
There is one job description, however, that does include all the negative things to be encountered, and it is the one job that we are all called to do: Witnessing!
We've all read the texts, and they don't leave good feelings of warm fuzzies!
Here is one example, written to what sounds like a rather discouraged preacher: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2-5 NKJV).
This next example comes from Jesus Himself in His description of end times: "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake...And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold...And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9,12,14 NKJV).
No, it isn't a job description that many would jump upon. So why isn't it written with all the glory that you find in most job descriptions? Why didn't the Bible just leave out the bad stuff?
Because in His love, God wants us to know exactly what we are up against when we preach the gospel. He wants us to be prepared. He wants us to rely on Him 100% of the time.
Of course the great commission isn't without reward: "But he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Mathew 24:13 NKJV). Paul goes on to tell Timothy the benefits of his faithful service to the Lord: "...there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV). And check out this admonition from Paul to the church at Galatia: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9 NKJV). Remember: God will never ask us to do something He isn't prepared to help us through: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13 NKJV)
I am so happy to serve a God who tells us up front what is ahead of me, both the good and the bad, and then promises to give me the strength to endure!
Prayer: Lord, help us to not be afraid of the Great Commission! Give us the desire in our hearts, the love that comes from You, to want to spread the gospel, at any cost. For just as You have defined for us the problems we will encounter, You have also clearly spelled out the priceless reward!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart
Moderator, Author, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Tue 17 Oct 2023 - 22:29
The Reward
By: Joel Jongkind
----------------------------
October 17, 2023
It was 74 years ago last September 6th that I won a race. It was at a church picnic. All the members of the church were recent immigrants from the Netherlands, and there was a great number of children, so those in charge decided that it would be a good idea to have games for them. I was put in with the 12-to-15-year age group. I was shy and not very competitive, but I was more or less forced to take part. We all had to take off our shoes and put them in a big heap some 30 feet (ten metres) away. Some of the adults mixed them all up so that it would be hard to find our own shoes. The idea was that we were to run over, find our shoes, put them on, and run back to the starting point. Some of the parents urged on their children, giving them advice as to what to do and how to win.
When the word was given, the group of kids charged for the pile of shoes. The more fanatic ones dived in with reckless abandon. I was wearing a pair of running shoes that were well worn, not too clean, and easy to recognize. When I got to the pile of shoes, one of mine was lying outside the area where the others were madly searching. While I put it on, the other shoe came flying out, so I put it on, walked back to where we started, and I won. My reward was a chocolate bar.
Paul considered himself to be in a kind of race as well, not a foot race as I was in, but the marathon task of spreading the gospel. He travelled to many places and met all kinds of people: ordinary, well-educated, and royalty, too. He endured many difficult experiences — shipwreck, house arrest, stoning, and jail — but he never gave up, and expected a reward. He told Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness". (2 Timothy 4:7-8a NKJV)
He also told Timothy that he should always be ready to preach the word in season and out of season — in other words, all the time! "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV)
It seems like this prophecy is being fulfilled at the present time. For those of us who are involved in spreading the gospel, each of us in our own way, we, too, must fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race, and then, we, too, will receive our reward.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we do admit that there are times when we are burdened down with the cares of the world. We pray for strength to finish the race to Your glory. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2021, by Joel Jongkind , first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Reprinted with author's permission
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By: Joel Jongkind
----------------------------
October 17, 2023
It was 74 years ago last September 6th that I won a race. It was at a church picnic. All the members of the church were recent immigrants from the Netherlands, and there was a great number of children, so those in charge decided that it would be a good idea to have games for them. I was put in with the 12-to-15-year age group. I was shy and not very competitive, but I was more or less forced to take part. We all had to take off our shoes and put them in a big heap some 30 feet (ten metres) away. Some of the adults mixed them all up so that it would be hard to find our own shoes. The idea was that we were to run over, find our shoes, put them on, and run back to the starting point. Some of the parents urged on their children, giving them advice as to what to do and how to win.
When the word was given, the group of kids charged for the pile of shoes. The more fanatic ones dived in with reckless abandon. I was wearing a pair of running shoes that were well worn, not too clean, and easy to recognize. When I got to the pile of shoes, one of mine was lying outside the area where the others were madly searching. While I put it on, the other shoe came flying out, so I put it on, walked back to where we started, and I won. My reward was a chocolate bar.
Paul considered himself to be in a kind of race as well, not a foot race as I was in, but the marathon task of spreading the gospel. He travelled to many places and met all kinds of people: ordinary, well-educated, and royalty, too. He endured many difficult experiences — shipwreck, house arrest, stoning, and jail — but he never gave up, and expected a reward. He told Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness". (2 Timothy 4:7-8a NKJV)
He also told Timothy that he should always be ready to preach the word in season and out of season — in other words, all the time! "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV)
It seems like this prophecy is being fulfilled at the present time. For those of us who are involved in spreading the gospel, each of us in our own way, we, too, must fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race, and then, we, too, will receive our reward.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we do admit that there are times when we are burdened down with the cares of the world. We pray for strength to finish the race to Your glory. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright
2021, by Joel Jongkind Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Reprinted with author's permission
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 14 Oct 2023 - 21:04
Deterring the Bunnies
By: Lyn Chaffart
---------------------------------
October 14, 2023
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18a NASB)
As we get to the end of another growing season and begin clearing out the garden, I can't help but notice a few sad things...
Take the melon, for example. We planted melon for the first time this year. Imagine our disappointment when after two months in the ground, all the plants had to show were a couple of leaves... Not now, however! Now the melon bed was covered in melon vines. Unfortunately, by the time they began to grow, the season was over, and any tiny fruit that were finally trying to grow had been taken out by the frost...
My eyes then go to the beans. Again it was the first time to plant beans, and it was the exact same story as the melon. Only a couple of leaves after two months. And though they had finally started to grow, the beans came ripe while we were away and no one ate them.
Then there were the Kohlrabi. Same story. First time to plant them, but they never grew up at all. Now, as I clear the garden plot, I see one tiny plant trying its best to grow a Kohlrabi. Unfortunately, it is still too tiny to eat...
The question of course, is why didn't the plants grow?
The answer can be found in the fuzzy-tailed, long-eared, nose-twitching creatures that love to bounce across the lawn: The rabbits! It's difficult to believe that I once encouraged them to be in the yard, not now that I see how destructive they can be in a garden!
Why, then, did the plants eventually take off?
That all started the day I bought an animal deterrent: A solar-powered motion detector that emits a high frequency sound the moment it is triggered... The day that little guy went in marked the day my plants began to grow! I had read reviews that these devices didn't work for a lot of people. It would appear, however, that our resident bunnies didn't appreciate the supersonic sounds, and the little device successfully repelled all of them.
1 John 4:18 is a passage often recited in moments of fear. If you are like me, however, you might sometimes scratch your head when you read this verse. I mean, of course it is clear that loves drives out fear; but does this mean that if I love enough I will no longer be afraid? You know, if I love God enough, I'll somehow trust Him with my fears?
I'm afraid this is how I've always taken this verse. But somehow this leaves me kind of frustrated. Of course I love God. But I'm still afraid. Does my fear indicate that my love for God isn't pure? Isn't perfect? Well if this is the reason, I'll be waiting a very long time to do away with fear because as much as I try to love God perfectly, I'll never arrive there this side of Heaven.
So is the verse promising something that can't be attained on Earth? Where's the fairness in that!
I was struggling with this recently, and God put on my mind to spend a few days meditating on 1 John 4. I was a bit surprised to read the verse in context: "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. By this, love is perfected with us..." (Vs. 16-17a NASB). Wait. Does this mean, then, that my own imperfect efforts at love aren't what matters here? When God remains in me, His love is perfected with me?
The second half of verse 17 is also revealing: "...so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world." (1 John 4:17b NASB). This means that God's love is perfected in us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment! When the Bible tells us that there is no fear in perfect love (vs. 18), God is specifically speaking to us about the upcoming judgment! On that day, the devil will try to overcome us with fear: Fear that we are not saved, fear that we haven't done enough, fear that our lives haven't yet reached that certain level of perfection that God -- really does not require! On that day, we have no reason to fear. Not because of our perfect love, which doesn't exist, but because of God's perfect love that is perfected within us!
Still a bit murky? It's like this: Remember that the animal deterrent device in my garden emits a high frequency sound that chases the animals away. In the same way, God is love, perfect love. And on the day of judgment, fear cannot get into the bubble of love God has built around us. It has to flee.
Is this verse, then, so often quoted, only to be used in the context of the judgment?
Well this is the Biblical context for the verse, and that cannot be denied. However, I believe that it gives us some basic truths that are applicable to any situation. You see, God's love isn't only for the judgment. God is love. Therefore, wherever He is, there is love. It stands to reason, then, that perfect love (His, not our imperfect version), will repel fear no matter what the source. Our job when fear confronts us is to bring God into the situation. When we do, His unfailing, everlasting, never-ending, perfect love is brought in as well; that same love that drives out fear.
Stated a bit more simply, when we fear, it is simply because we have not brought God into the situation! The moment I do, the fear must flee, for, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18a NASB)
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Just what does Jesus have to say about His own divinity? Check out "At the Pool of Bethesda"!
By: Lyn Chaffart
---------------------------------
October 14, 2023
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18a NASB)
As we get to the end of another growing season and begin clearing out the garden, I can't help but notice a few sad things...
Take the melon, for example. We planted melon for the first time this year. Imagine our disappointment when after two months in the ground, all the plants had to show were a couple of leaves... Not now, however! Now the melon bed was covered in melon vines. Unfortunately, by the time they began to grow, the season was over, and any tiny fruit that were finally trying to grow had been taken out by the frost...
My eyes then go to the beans. Again it was the first time to plant beans, and it was the exact same story as the melon. Only a couple of leaves after two months. And though they had finally started to grow, the beans came ripe while we were away and no one ate them.
Then there were the Kohlrabi. Same story. First time to plant them, but they never grew up at all. Now, as I clear the garden plot, I see one tiny plant trying its best to grow a Kohlrabi. Unfortunately, it is still too tiny to eat...
The question of course, is why didn't the plants grow?
The answer can be found in the fuzzy-tailed, long-eared, nose-twitching creatures that love to bounce across the lawn: The rabbits! It's difficult to believe that I once encouraged them to be in the yard, not now that I see how destructive they can be in a garden!
Why, then, did the plants eventually take off?
That all started the day I bought an animal deterrent: A solar-powered motion detector that emits a high frequency sound the moment it is triggered... The day that little guy went in marked the day my plants began to grow! I had read reviews that these devices didn't work for a lot of people. It would appear, however, that our resident bunnies didn't appreciate the supersonic sounds, and the little device successfully repelled all of them.
1 John 4:18 is a passage often recited in moments of fear. If you are like me, however, you might sometimes scratch your head when you read this verse. I mean, of course it is clear that loves drives out fear; but does this mean that if I love enough I will no longer be afraid? You know, if I love God enough, I'll somehow trust Him with my fears?
I'm afraid this is how I've always taken this verse. But somehow this leaves me kind of frustrated. Of course I love God. But I'm still afraid. Does my fear indicate that my love for God isn't pure? Isn't perfect? Well if this is the reason, I'll be waiting a very long time to do away with fear because as much as I try to love God perfectly, I'll never arrive there this side of Heaven.
So is the verse promising something that can't be attained on Earth? Where's the fairness in that!
I was struggling with this recently, and God put on my mind to spend a few days meditating on 1 John 4. I was a bit surprised to read the verse in context: "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. By this, love is perfected with us..." (Vs. 16-17a NASB). Wait. Does this mean, then, that my own imperfect efforts at love aren't what matters here? When God remains in me, His love is perfected with me?
The second half of verse 17 is also revealing: "...so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world." (1 John 4:17b NASB). This means that God's love is perfected in us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment! When the Bible tells us that there is no fear in perfect love (vs. 18), God is specifically speaking to us about the upcoming judgment! On that day, the devil will try to overcome us with fear: Fear that we are not saved, fear that we haven't done enough, fear that our lives haven't yet reached that certain level of perfection that God -- really does not require! On that day, we have no reason to fear. Not because of our perfect love, which doesn't exist, but because of God's perfect love that is perfected within us!
Still a bit murky? It's like this: Remember that the animal deterrent device in my garden emits a high frequency sound that chases the animals away. In the same way, God is love, perfect love. And on the day of judgment, fear cannot get into the bubble of love God has built around us. It has to flee.
Is this verse, then, so often quoted, only to be used in the context of the judgment?
Well this is the Biblical context for the verse, and that cannot be denied. However, I believe that it gives us some basic truths that are applicable to any situation. You see, God's love isn't only for the judgment. God is love. Therefore, wherever He is, there is love. It stands to reason, then, that perfect love (His, not our imperfect version), will repel fear no matter what the source. Our job when fear confronts us is to bring God into the situation. When we do, His unfailing, everlasting, never-ending, perfect love is brought in as well; that same love that drives out fear.
Stated a bit more simply, when we fear, it is simply because we have not brought God into the situation! The moment I do, the fear must flee, for, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18a NASB)
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Just what does Jesus have to say about His own divinity? Check out "At the Pool of Bethesda"!
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Fri 13 Oct 2023 - 0:09
Playng By the Rules
By: Kari Vo
---------------------------------
October 12, 2023
"'On the way to Jerusalem He [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When He saw them He said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' And He said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'" (Luke 17:11-19 ESV)
I really like this guy—the tenth man with leprosy, the one who came back to say "thank You" to Jesus. I think maybe it's because I have a sneaking suspicion it wouldn't have been me. What I mean is this: if Jesus told me, "Go and show yourself to the priests," I would be so terrified of doing something wrong and somehow losing my healing, that I would try to do everything exactly perfectly right, to the letter of the law, and I don't think I would dare come back and say "thank you" first! My heart would be wrapped up in legalism.
But this man doesn't think that way. He sees that he is healed, and his heart is overflowing with joy and thankfulness. He doesn't imagine that God is the kind of person who would steal away a blessing just because someone with good intentions made a mistake. This man is not worrying at all! He's living in the freedom and joy of someone who has received God's blessing. His heart is set free, and he behaves like a child of God.
I'm sure the other nine people went to the priests and got certified healthy and went on with their lives in peace. But they missed out on something wonderful. They missed out on the up-close-and-personal interaction that the Samaritan man had with Jesus. They never heard those words of honor, "Your faith has made you well." And they certainly didn't get used as a good example of thankfulness for the next 2,000 years!
They were thinking about themselves. If I had been there, I would've been thinking about myself—my healing, and how to keep it. I would have been worrying about the rules.
But there is more to life than the rules. There is love, and joy, and peace, and thankfulness. These are the gifts of God to His children—to all of those who understand that He loves us freely, that He has given us everything we need—even His only Son Jesus Christ, to live and to die and to rise again for our sake. Now we are not slaves, afraid of breaking all the rules. Now, because we belong to Jesus, we are free children of God. And that's something to be thankful for!
Prayer: Dear Lord, let my heart respond to Your heart with love and thankfulness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on October 6, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you worry about following rules exactly?
2. If so, does that have an effect on your joy?
3. When have you felt most thankful and joyful to God?
By: Kari Vo
---------------------------------
October 12, 2023
"'On the way to Jerusalem He [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When He saw them He said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' And He said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'" (Luke 17:11-19 ESV)
I really like this guy—the tenth man with leprosy, the one who came back to say "thank You" to Jesus. I think maybe it's because I have a sneaking suspicion it wouldn't have been me. What I mean is this: if Jesus told me, "Go and show yourself to the priests," I would be so terrified of doing something wrong and somehow losing my healing, that I would try to do everything exactly perfectly right, to the letter of the law, and I don't think I would dare come back and say "thank you" first! My heart would be wrapped up in legalism.
But this man doesn't think that way. He sees that he is healed, and his heart is overflowing with joy and thankfulness. He doesn't imagine that God is the kind of person who would steal away a blessing just because someone with good intentions made a mistake. This man is not worrying at all! He's living in the freedom and joy of someone who has received God's blessing. His heart is set free, and he behaves like a child of God.
I'm sure the other nine people went to the priests and got certified healthy and went on with their lives in peace. But they missed out on something wonderful. They missed out on the up-close-and-personal interaction that the Samaritan man had with Jesus. They never heard those words of honor, "Your faith has made you well." And they certainly didn't get used as a good example of thankfulness for the next 2,000 years!
They were thinking about themselves. If I had been there, I would've been thinking about myself—my healing, and how to keep it. I would have been worrying about the rules.
But there is more to life than the rules. There is love, and joy, and peace, and thankfulness. These are the gifts of God to His children—to all of those who understand that He loves us freely, that He has given us everything we need—even His only Son Jesus Christ, to live and to die and to rise again for our sake. Now we are not slaves, afraid of breaking all the rules. Now, because we belong to Jesus, we are free children of God. And that's something to be thankful for!
Prayer: Dear Lord, let my heart respond to Your heart with love and thankfulness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on October 6, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you worry about following rules exactly?
2. If so, does that have an effect on your joy?
3. When have you felt most thankful and joyful to God?
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Wed 11 Oct 2023 - 22:08
That Old Lock
By: Shirley Moulton
----------------------------
October 10, 2023
I have an old black and silver combination lock, used so often that the black paint on the dial is chipped and worn. My dad used it on his tool box for years, and I used it on my high school and university lockers. Now, I keep it in my gym bag for use at the local club locker room. It was made in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, by Dudley Lock, and was patented in 1931. I know the combination by heart, so often have I dialed the old but faithful tumblers. It has endured!
I need endurance, too, not only in exercising, but also in faith to receive God's promises.
"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 'For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:36-39 NKJV)
The writer of Hebrews wrote to a discouraged group of Christians. They had endured trials for a time, but it appeared that they were falling away from their faith.
Did you know that the Lord repeats the words of Habakkuk 2:4, "the just shall live by faith", three times in the New Testament — Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and here in verse 38 of Hebrews 10 — in order to drive it home for us?
The roughest and most discouraging trials that we go through happen when we are doing God's will to the best of our ability, but the fulfillment of the promises seems so far off in the distance. He allows this to test our obedience and to help us to grow up spiritually. But He has also given us a gallery of faithful believers in Scripture to inspire us. The emphasis here is on living by faith, just as our Bible heroes lived by faith and endured.
Many people start exercising at the gym with great resolutions at the New Year, but drop away after just a few visits. Will we be tempted and be dragged back into old traditions and a mindset that leads nowhere? Or will we be among those believers who last and endure to the end, to receive the promise of God? Let's choose this enduring relationship with God, and let there be no other replacement for Jesus and His saving our souls.
Prayer: We pray today, dear Lord, because we need endurance to do Your will. Keep our eyes on Your promise, because we know that You will come just at the right time for us. May we live by faith, each and every day. Amen.
Copyright
2021, by Shirley Moulton Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Reprinted with author's permission
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 7 Oct 2023 - 23:09
The Cyprus Jubilee
By: Lyn Chaffart
---------------------------------
October 7, 2023
I have a glorious vision for one corner of my yard.
It's a fairly big spot and would have been perfect for a wide-spreading tree. Someone before us, however, put in an ornamental pear. It's pretty when it has flowers in the spring, but otherwise, it's pretty ordinary. And perhaps its most disappointing feature is that it isn't big enough to fill the space. Over the four years that we've lived here, I have developed a vision: A grouping of three trees, with the ornamental pear in the middle.
Off to the left, I want to plant a Ruby Falls Redbud tree, a 3-4 metre weeping tree that has gorgeous purple flowers in the spring and red foliage the rest of the season.
The tree to the right would be a weeping evergreen of some kind. My husband and I had fallen in love with the weeping Nootka Cyprus; but anyone who is familiar with that tree knows it becomes huge at the bottom. It would have been a great "single" tree for the space, but with the ornamental pear already there, it would be too big. So the hunt for the perfect evergreen began. It had to be tall and stately, but no more than 1.5-2 metres wide. It needed to be a tree that would continue to grow upwards without needing to be staked, something that apparently most weeping evergreens require. And then one day we found it: The perfect tree, a weeping Jubilee Cyprus. It was just like its cousin that we had fallen in love with; but would only grow to be about 2 metres wide. As our search to date had been fruitless, we immediately bought the tree and brought it home.
Next came planting the tree, but as I stood back to admire this part of my glorious vision, I couldn't help but be a little taken back... In my vision, the Cyprus towered above the existing ornamental pear. Reality... Well let's say it looked kind of like a little dwarf twig that you barely noticed against its mature brother...
I wasn't disappointed however. I knew my Cyprus Jubilee would grow, and with proper care it would one day surpass the pear tree and climb steadily and stately into the sky where it would provide the perfect balance to my grouping of three trees.
I have been in a bit of a spiritual struggle of late. I read verses like Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (NASB). This is beautiful and soo comforting when I look back at all the times I've failed to meet God's standards.
How, then, can this wonderful verse be reconciled with verses such as these: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Some versions translate "handiwork" as "masterpiece". Now I've been a Christian for over 25 years, but when I look at myself, I certainly don't see any masterpiece. I know I'm created to do good works, but where is the fruit? On many days, I just don't see it. And I'm not being hard on myself, because God doesn't see the good works either!
And then there are the verses from 1 John 1: "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth" (Vs. 5,6 NASB); and 1 John 2:3-6: "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked." (NASB).
I know the answer to this dilemma, I've preached it for years, but I was at a low point in my life when I last read 1 John, and, well, let's just say that my lack of fruit and my lack of ability to keep His commandments made me feel like I was "a liar" and the truth was not in me. I knew this was wrong, but I couldn't come to terms with the fact that my life wasn't reflecting Jesus, that I wasn't walking as He walked.
Oh, I was trying, but it seemed that the harder I prayed for God to help me stay out of the devil's traps, the more I fell into them. I prayed about this for several days. Was I really saved when my life didn't reflect Jesus, no matter how hard I tried? On the one hand I knew I was, but on the other hand I couldn't reconcile it all together. I asked God to please give me an illustration, a modern-day parable, that would help me to understand how these verses fit together. And He did. As I went out for my walk that morning, I looked over to admire my Cyprus Jubilee. That's when God spoke to me...
You see, as I mentioned above, the Cyprus doesn't look like much, it is far from the grandiose vision I had in my mind when I bought it; but somehow I couldn't see this. Instead, all I saw was the towering, flowing branches reaching far above the ornamental pear into the sky. All I saw was what the tree would someday be.
Then it hit me: that's how God sees me! He has a grandiose vision for me. I am truly His handiwork, His masterpiece. It doesn't matter to Him that at the moment I am kind of like that Cyprus Jubilee... I am far from the vision He has for me. He knows that with the proper care, I will grow into His vision, His creation, made to do good works, made to walk as Jesus walked.
Now in order for my tree to grow, I have a few responsibilities, but so does the tree. I have to water the tree, stake it, and shield it from the brutal winds of winter for the first two years. After that, it will be strong enough to grow on its own. The tree, on the other hand, has to put out roots. It has to collect the water and nutrients. It has to become strong so that in two years, when the pampering is over, it will be strong enough to handle our fierce winds. When I stop pampering it, however, I know there will be a bit of a "shock" period for that tree as it learns to rely on its maturity rather than my pampering.
The book of Hebrews hints that there is a time for spiritual pampering; but that we should eventually arrive at the point where we are more spiritually mature: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant." (Hebrews 5:12-14 NASB).
In other words, we are just like that tree. For the first few years, God pampers us. He shields us from temptation, He gives us spiritual water and food, He provides us with the support we need. But during this time, our responsibility is to get into the Word of God and drink long droughts of Living Water. We are to spend time with God, learning of His love, learning to rely on His faithfulness. And when the time comes for Him to step back a little, we will be strong. But there will be a "shock" period as we learn to rely on Him, even when He isn't so visibly pampering us.
I feel like I'm in that "shock" period of my life right now. The first major trials have come after He removed the stake and the wind breaks. Will those same storms rock me? Absolutely, and this is what I've been experiencing. Will the storms of life blow me over? Not if I've deeply rooted myself in Him.
So what do we do when we feel we are being overwhelmed with temptation and God isn't helping us out? We need to press in to Him. We need to spend time in His presence, drinking from the Living Water, reading the Bible, claiming its promises as our own, etc. This will ensure that we grow into mature Christians.
I take great comfort in the fact that God sees me as His handiwork, even when I fail so often. However, I must remember my part of the deal: I need to dig in and draw closer to Him, no matter what!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Does it seem like everything is in chaos? Check out Order, Order, and Order, a mini-series by Suresh Manoharan, to find out!
By: Lyn Chaffart
---------------------------------
October 7, 2023
I have a glorious vision for one corner of my yard.
It's a fairly big spot and would have been perfect for a wide-spreading tree. Someone before us, however, put in an ornamental pear. It's pretty when it has flowers in the spring, but otherwise, it's pretty ordinary. And perhaps its most disappointing feature is that it isn't big enough to fill the space. Over the four years that we've lived here, I have developed a vision: A grouping of three trees, with the ornamental pear in the middle.
Off to the left, I want to plant a Ruby Falls Redbud tree, a 3-4 metre weeping tree that has gorgeous purple flowers in the spring and red foliage the rest of the season.
The tree to the right would be a weeping evergreen of some kind. My husband and I had fallen in love with the weeping Nootka Cyprus; but anyone who is familiar with that tree knows it becomes huge at the bottom. It would have been a great "single" tree for the space, but with the ornamental pear already there, it would be too big. So the hunt for the perfect evergreen began. It had to be tall and stately, but no more than 1.5-2 metres wide. It needed to be a tree that would continue to grow upwards without needing to be staked, something that apparently most weeping evergreens require. And then one day we found it: The perfect tree, a weeping Jubilee Cyprus. It was just like its cousin that we had fallen in love with; but would only grow to be about 2 metres wide. As our search to date had been fruitless, we immediately bought the tree and brought it home.
Next came planting the tree, but as I stood back to admire this part of my glorious vision, I couldn't help but be a little taken back... In my vision, the Cyprus towered above the existing ornamental pear. Reality... Well let's say it looked kind of like a little dwarf twig that you barely noticed against its mature brother...
I wasn't disappointed however. I knew my Cyprus Jubilee would grow, and with proper care it would one day surpass the pear tree and climb steadily and stately into the sky where it would provide the perfect balance to my grouping of three trees.
I have been in a bit of a spiritual struggle of late. I read verses like Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (NASB). This is beautiful and soo comforting when I look back at all the times I've failed to meet God's standards.
How, then, can this wonderful verse be reconciled with verses such as these: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Some versions translate "handiwork" as "masterpiece". Now I've been a Christian for over 25 years, but when I look at myself, I certainly don't see any masterpiece. I know I'm created to do good works, but where is the fruit? On many days, I just don't see it. And I'm not being hard on myself, because God doesn't see the good works either!
And then there are the verses from 1 John 1: "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth" (Vs. 5,6 NASB); and 1 John 2:3-6: "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked." (NASB).
I know the answer to this dilemma, I've preached it for years, but I was at a low point in my life when I last read 1 John, and, well, let's just say that my lack of fruit and my lack of ability to keep His commandments made me feel like I was "a liar" and the truth was not in me. I knew this was wrong, but I couldn't come to terms with the fact that my life wasn't reflecting Jesus, that I wasn't walking as He walked.
Oh, I was trying, but it seemed that the harder I prayed for God to help me stay out of the devil's traps, the more I fell into them. I prayed about this for several days. Was I really saved when my life didn't reflect Jesus, no matter how hard I tried? On the one hand I knew I was, but on the other hand I couldn't reconcile it all together. I asked God to please give me an illustration, a modern-day parable, that would help me to understand how these verses fit together. And He did. As I went out for my walk that morning, I looked over to admire my Cyprus Jubilee. That's when God spoke to me...
You see, as I mentioned above, the Cyprus doesn't look like much, it is far from the grandiose vision I had in my mind when I bought it; but somehow I couldn't see this. Instead, all I saw was the towering, flowing branches reaching far above the ornamental pear into the sky. All I saw was what the tree would someday be.
Then it hit me: that's how God sees me! He has a grandiose vision for me. I am truly His handiwork, His masterpiece. It doesn't matter to Him that at the moment I am kind of like that Cyprus Jubilee... I am far from the vision He has for me. He knows that with the proper care, I will grow into His vision, His creation, made to do good works, made to walk as Jesus walked.
Now in order for my tree to grow, I have a few responsibilities, but so does the tree. I have to water the tree, stake it, and shield it from the brutal winds of winter for the first two years. After that, it will be strong enough to grow on its own. The tree, on the other hand, has to put out roots. It has to collect the water and nutrients. It has to become strong so that in two years, when the pampering is over, it will be strong enough to handle our fierce winds. When I stop pampering it, however, I know there will be a bit of a "shock" period for that tree as it learns to rely on its maturity rather than my pampering.
The book of Hebrews hints that there is a time for spiritual pampering; but that we should eventually arrive at the point where we are more spiritually mature: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant." (Hebrews 5:12-14 NASB).
In other words, we are just like that tree. For the first few years, God pampers us. He shields us from temptation, He gives us spiritual water and food, He provides us with the support we need. But during this time, our responsibility is to get into the Word of God and drink long droughts of Living Water. We are to spend time with God, learning of His love, learning to rely on His faithfulness. And when the time comes for Him to step back a little, we will be strong. But there will be a "shock" period as we learn to rely on Him, even when He isn't so visibly pampering us.
I feel like I'm in that "shock" period of my life right now. The first major trials have come after He removed the stake and the wind breaks. Will those same storms rock me? Absolutely, and this is what I've been experiencing. Will the storms of life blow me over? Not if I've deeply rooted myself in Him.
So what do we do when we feel we are being overwhelmed with temptation and God isn't helping us out? We need to press in to Him. We need to spend time in His presence, drinking from the Living Water, reading the Bible, claiming its promises as our own, etc. This will ensure that we grow into mature Christians.
I take great comfort in the fact that God sees me as His handiwork, even when I fail so often. However, I must remember my part of the deal: I need to dig in and draw closer to Him, no matter what!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
Does it seem like everything is in chaos? Check out Order, Order, and Order, a mini-series by Suresh Manoharan, to find out!
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Thu 5 Oct 2023 - 23:45
Too Much of a Sinner
By: Gail Lundquist
---------------------------------
October 5, 2023
The Bible is a library, an inspired collection of 66 books written by different people over thousands of years, in a wide range of literary styles. One of my favourite biblical literary genres is that of the simple narrative, with stories of real people facing real-life predicaments. All too often, I personally identify with their foibles! One such story highlights Peter in a predicament that he faced when Jesus was in his fishing boat. Jesus told Peter to let down his net for a catch. Skeptical Peter, replying that their hard efforts of fishing all night had brought no results, nonetheless obeyed Jesus. Immediately, his net was so full of fish that it began to break. Peter, realizing Who was controlling this fishing expedition, was immediately contrite. In addition to feeling remorse, he was filled with doubt as to his worthiness to be a follower of Jesus.
"When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, sir, please leave us — I'm too much of a sinner for you to have around." (Luke 5:8 TLB).
We may sometimes identify with impetuous Peter who — well-meaning though he was — often seemed to dash and crash his way through life. We, too, may find ourselves totally baffled, wondering how it is possible to comply with everything that God requires. Do we echo Peter's feeling of being "too much of a sinner" for Him to have us around? How can God tolerate any of us in our sinful condition, when His penalty for our sin is death?
How grateful we can be that God freely provided the solution by sending Jesus to be our substitute. Jesus' death in our place justifies us with God when we believe and accept His gift of forgiveness.
But what about everyday living after we have entered this life of faith? How can we make our decisions and live a life that pleases God each day? The Bible is not simply a rule book to be read for instruction in how to play the game of life. It is not just a policy manual to keep everyone in line. Nonetheless, we can be assured that though there may not be crystal-clear directives for each instance that we may face, many of God's commands encompass a wide range of life's circumstances. We can be encouraged that we are never "too much of a sinner" to earnestly follow His ways.
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right." (James 2:8 NIV)
Thought to ponder: Do I live a life pleasing God by exhibiting love for others that equals my love for myself?
Pray with me: O Lord, You know my heart, and You know my ways. I desire to please and serve You, but so often, I fail. Help me to learn to love others as myself, thus showing a heart of obedience. Amen.
Copyright 2022, by Gail Lundquist , first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Reprinted from PresbyCan with author's permission
Announcements
Looking for tips on how to witness to your non-christian friends and family? Check out "Fishers of men!" a two-part mini-series by Suresh Manoharan.
By: Gail Lundquist
---------------------------------
October 5, 2023
The Bible is a library, an inspired collection of 66 books written by different people over thousands of years, in a wide range of literary styles. One of my favourite biblical literary genres is that of the simple narrative, with stories of real people facing real-life predicaments. All too often, I personally identify with their foibles! One such story highlights Peter in a predicament that he faced when Jesus was in his fishing boat. Jesus told Peter to let down his net for a catch. Skeptical Peter, replying that their hard efforts of fishing all night had brought no results, nonetheless obeyed Jesus. Immediately, his net was so full of fish that it began to break. Peter, realizing Who was controlling this fishing expedition, was immediately contrite. In addition to feeling remorse, he was filled with doubt as to his worthiness to be a follower of Jesus.
"When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, sir, please leave us — I'm too much of a sinner for you to have around." (Luke 5:8 TLB).
We may sometimes identify with impetuous Peter who — well-meaning though he was — often seemed to dash and crash his way through life. We, too, may find ourselves totally baffled, wondering how it is possible to comply with everything that God requires. Do we echo Peter's feeling of being "too much of a sinner" for Him to have us around? How can God tolerate any of us in our sinful condition, when His penalty for our sin is death?
How grateful we can be that God freely provided the solution by sending Jesus to be our substitute. Jesus' death in our place justifies us with God when we believe and accept His gift of forgiveness.
But what about everyday living after we have entered this life of faith? How can we make our decisions and live a life that pleases God each day? The Bible is not simply a rule book to be read for instruction in how to play the game of life. It is not just a policy manual to keep everyone in line. Nonetheless, we can be assured that though there may not be crystal-clear directives for each instance that we may face, many of God's commands encompass a wide range of life's circumstances. We can be encouraged that we are never "too much of a sinner" to earnestly follow His ways.
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right." (James 2:8 NIV)
Thought to ponder: Do I live a life pleasing God by exhibiting love for others that equals my love for myself?
Pray with me: O Lord, You know my heart, and You know my ways. I desire to please and serve You, but so often, I fail. Help me to learn to love others as myself, thus showing a heart of obedience. Amen.
Copyright
2022, by Gail Lundquist Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Reprinted from PresbyCan with author's permission
Announcements
Looking for tips on how to witness to your non-christian friends and family? Check out "Fishers of men!" a two-part mini-series by Suresh Manoharan.
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Tue 3 Oct 2023 - 22:15
Not Ashamed
By: Kari vo
---------------------------------
October 2, 2023
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:8-14 ESV)
Have you ever been ashamed of being a Christian? That might sound like a strange question, so let me ask in a different way. Chances are that being a Christian has created differences in your life that other people notice and wonder about. For example, you may live on a lower income, because out of love for Jesus you are giving part of your money to support somebody in need. But that can result in raised eyebrows when you have the oldest car in the neighborhood, or when your child doesn't have the same electronic gadgets that everyone else in school has. That can cause a real temptation to feel ashamed.
Or take another scenario. You may find yourself the only person at your work or in your group of friends who is not getting involved in some popular sin. Maybe you aren't gossiping about the office grouch, or maybe you're dating someone but not sleeping with them. And the people around you stare and think you're weird! That can certainly lead to feelings of shame, even though you've done nothing wrong.
And then there's the shame of being associated with what looks like the losing side! In Paul's case, he was actually in prison for the sake of Christ. He had good reason to be concerned that Timothy might be ashamed of that.
But Paul is not ashamed, and he wants us to be free from shame also. Why? Because in spite of what the world thinks, we know what is actually good and important and true—and wonderful. We know that God has sent His only Son into the world to be our Savior, to live and to die and to rise again so that everyone who trusts in Him may become a child of God. We know that God gives His Holy Spirit to us, transforming us to be more and more like Jesus. As the psalmist says, we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! (See Psalm 34:8.)
When we keep our eyes on the Lord and on how much He loves us, it stops bothering us when other people mock or ask questions or treat us like weirdos. Yes, we will stick out, and other people will wonder why we do what we do. But our eyes are on Jesus, and He is our joy and our hope. And who knows? In time, some of those who laugh at us now may begin to ask us about the hope and joy we have. Then they, too, might come to believe in Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, when I am tempted to feel ashamed or awkward about You, help me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on September 28, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Tell about a time when your faith made you feel out of place.
2. How do you deal with those feelings?
3. What advice would you give a child who felt embarrassed or out of place as a Christian?
Announcements
Just how does the Bible suggest that we manage argument? Check out Managing Argument and discover some practical tips from the book of Job!
By: Kari vo
---------------------------------
October 2, 2023
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:8-14 ESV)
Have you ever been ashamed of being a Christian? That might sound like a strange question, so let me ask in a different way. Chances are that being a Christian has created differences in your life that other people notice and wonder about. For example, you may live on a lower income, because out of love for Jesus you are giving part of your money to support somebody in need. But that can result in raised eyebrows when you have the oldest car in the neighborhood, or when your child doesn't have the same electronic gadgets that everyone else in school has. That can cause a real temptation to feel ashamed.
Or take another scenario. You may find yourself the only person at your work or in your group of friends who is not getting involved in some popular sin. Maybe you aren't gossiping about the office grouch, or maybe you're dating someone but not sleeping with them. And the people around you stare and think you're weird! That can certainly lead to feelings of shame, even though you've done nothing wrong.
And then there's the shame of being associated with what looks like the losing side! In Paul's case, he was actually in prison for the sake of Christ. He had good reason to be concerned that Timothy might be ashamed of that.
But Paul is not ashamed, and he wants us to be free from shame also. Why? Because in spite of what the world thinks, we know what is actually good and important and true—and wonderful. We know that God has sent His only Son into the world to be our Savior, to live and to die and to rise again so that everyone who trusts in Him may become a child of God. We know that God gives His Holy Spirit to us, transforming us to be more and more like Jesus. As the psalmist says, we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! (See Psalm 34:8.)
When we keep our eyes on the Lord and on how much He loves us, it stops bothering us when other people mock or ask questions or treat us like weirdos. Yes, we will stick out, and other people will wonder why we do what we do. But our eyes are on Jesus, and He is our joy and our hope. And who knows? In time, some of those who laugh at us now may begin to ask us about the hope and joy we have. Then they, too, might come to believe in Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, when I am tempted to feel ashamed or awkward about You, help me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on September 28, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. Tell about a time when your faith made you feel out of place.
2. How do you deal with those feelings?
3. What advice would you give a child who felt embarrassed or out of place as a Christian?
Announcements
Just how does the Bible suggest that we manage argument? Check out Managing Argument and discover some practical tips from the book of Job!
Admin- Admin
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sat 30 Sep 2023 - 21:12
Justice
By: Kari Vo
---------------------------------
September 30, 2023#
"Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, 'When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?' The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: 'Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.'" (Amos 8:4-7 ESV)
We live in a world that is very much like the one the prophet Amos describes—a world full of injustice. We also know people who "trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end." Our news media are full of stories about rich people and companies who cheat the poor and harm the people who already don't have enough to live on. It looks like nothing's changed.
And when we see this, we cry out inside. We groan as we pray: "How long, O Lord? How long until these evils come to an end? Do something, Lord!"
God tells us in this passage that He is doing something. He says, "The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: 'Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.'" God is watching, and He is not ignoring the evil He sees. He is taking action.
But what is He doing, then? The answer may lie in those words: "the pride of Jacob." As their ancestor, Jacob stands for the whole people of Israel. And what is their greatest pride, the thing they are most highly honored in?
That would be Jesus. That would be Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, the gift of Israel who has become a blessing to the whole human race.
Jesus is God's answer to exploitation and oppression, just as He is to every other. He is the One who saw us groaning under the power of evil, helpless and exploited. He did not leave us that way—He came to us. He shared our life, being born into a world full of hardship and injustice and downright wickedness. He took all of that into His own life, into His own body, being tortured and killed on a cross for us—the innocent for the not-so-innocent, the harmless One for those who harm and those who are harmed alike.
And then Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the power of sin, death, and the devil over the whole human race. He has put the powers of evil on notice—things will not stay that way forever. They will not win. He has already struck the decisive blow against all evil powers, and He will bring them all to a complete end when He returns on the Last Day. That goes for human evil and for supernatural evil. God does notice—and He is taking action.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us against the injustice and oppression of this world. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on September 13, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you suffered from injustice? Did you find any good resolution to it?
2. How does the Lord help you when you suffer?
3. Have you ever harmed others, knowingly or unknowingly? How has the Lord worked to fix this in your life?
Announcements
Where is the "prosperity" that is the Christian's due? The answer can be found in the book of Job. Check out "The Prosperity Doctrine Exposed," a mini-series by Lyn Chaffart
By: Kari Vo
---------------------------------
September 30, 2023#
"Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, 'When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?' The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: 'Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.'" (Amos 8:4-7 ESV)
We live in a world that is very much like the one the prophet Amos describes—a world full of injustice. We also know people who "trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end." Our news media are full of stories about rich people and companies who cheat the poor and harm the people who already don't have enough to live on. It looks like nothing's changed.
And when we see this, we cry out inside. We groan as we pray: "How long, O Lord? How long until these evils come to an end? Do something, Lord!"
God tells us in this passage that He is doing something. He says, "The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: 'Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.'" God is watching, and He is not ignoring the evil He sees. He is taking action.
But what is He doing, then? The answer may lie in those words: "the pride of Jacob." As their ancestor, Jacob stands for the whole people of Israel. And what is their greatest pride, the thing they are most highly honored in?
That would be Jesus. That would be Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, the gift of Israel who has become a blessing to the whole human race.
Jesus is God's answer to exploitation and oppression, just as He is to every other. He is the One who saw us groaning under the power of evil, helpless and exploited. He did not leave us that way—He came to us. He shared our life, being born into a world full of hardship and injustice and downright wickedness. He took all of that into His own life, into His own body, being tortured and killed on a cross for us—the innocent for the not-so-innocent, the harmless One for those who harm and those who are harmed alike.
And then Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the power of sin, death, and the devil over the whole human race. He has put the powers of evil on notice—things will not stay that way forever. They will not win. He has already struck the decisive blow against all evil powers, and He will bring them all to a complete end when He returns on the Last Day. That goes for human evil and for supernatural evil. God does notice—and He is taking action.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us against the injustice and oppression of this world. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on September 13, 2022
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights reserved
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you suffered from injustice? Did you find any good resolution to it?
2. How does the Lord help you when you suffer?
3. Have you ever harmed others, knowingly or unknowingly? How has the Lord worked to fix this in your life?
Announcements
Where is the "prosperity" that is the Christian's due? The answer can be found in the book of Job. Check out "The Prosperity Doctrine Exposed," a mini-series by Lyn Chaffart
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Thu 28 Sep 2023 - 21:34
The Unfolding
By: Lynne Phipps
---------------------------------
September 28, 2023
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130 NIV)
I have several beautiful cutwork tablecloths. When they are folded up in the drawer, they don't look much different than any of the other clothes. The edges have some scalloping on them, but other than that they appear quite ordinary. But as one unfolds them, the intricate beauty of the cutwork and colours becomes more and more apparent, transforming the clothe from something not worth taking a second look at, to a marvelous work of skill and art.
Likewise, the Psalmist tells us today: The unfolding of your words gives light.
I know, for myself, as I read an appointed passage or verse of Scripture each day, at first glance it often seems quite ordinary, not very different from other verses I have read. And yet, when I make myself take the time to prayerfully consider what I have just read, asking the Holy Spirit, questions such as: what does this verse have to do with me and my life, I often end up quite amazed at the intricacies of a particle verse or reading. When I allow the Spirit to unfold the meaning of the Word, suddenly it is very applicable to my life and or our world situation.
Through the guiding of the Spirit, into the truth of Scripture, I discover a deeper understanding of simple words, because I am seeing them not only through my own eyes and understanding, but through the eyes of the One of whom Jesus said: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. John 16:13-14 NIV
So, today, as we make and take some time to read the Scriptures, may we also make a point of asking the Holy Spirit, to guide us into deeper truths by unfolding God's word. That we might have the kind of light which gives understanding to the simple….us, who might otherwise walk away simply wondering: what does this passage have to do with me?
Prayer: Thank You Lord, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who is able to guide us into all truth by bringing You glory by taking what is Yours and making it known to us. May we grow in wisdom and truth daily, as we ask for His guidance in helping us to unfold the deeper meanings of Scripture. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, BC, Canada
Announcements
You don't care for punishment? What if you knew it was for your own good? Check out "No Pain, No Gain!", a mini-series designed to help us see why correction is not only permitted but encouraged!
By: Lynne Phipps
---------------------------------
September 28, 2023
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130 NIV)
I have several beautiful cutwork tablecloths. When they are folded up in the drawer, they don't look much different than any of the other clothes. The edges have some scalloping on them, but other than that they appear quite ordinary. But as one unfolds them, the intricate beauty of the cutwork and colours becomes more and more apparent, transforming the clothe from something not worth taking a second look at, to a marvelous work of skill and art.
Likewise, the Psalmist tells us today: The unfolding of your words gives light.
I know, for myself, as I read an appointed passage or verse of Scripture each day, at first glance it often seems quite ordinary, not very different from other verses I have read. And yet, when I make myself take the time to prayerfully consider what I have just read, asking the Holy Spirit, questions such as: what does this verse have to do with me and my life, I often end up quite amazed at the intricacies of a particle verse or reading. When I allow the Spirit to unfold the meaning of the Word, suddenly it is very applicable to my life and or our world situation.
Through the guiding of the Spirit, into the truth of Scripture, I discover a deeper understanding of simple words, because I am seeing them not only through my own eyes and understanding, but through the eyes of the One of whom Jesus said: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. John 16:13-14 NIV
So, today, as we make and take some time to read the Scriptures, may we also make a point of asking the Holy Spirit, to guide us into deeper truths by unfolding God's word. That we might have the kind of light which gives understanding to the simple….us, who might otherwise walk away simply wondering: what does this passage have to do with me?
Prayer: Thank You Lord, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who is able to guide us into all truth by bringing You glory by taking what is Yours and making it known to us. May we grow in wisdom and truth daily, as we ask for His guidance in helping us to unfold the deeper meanings of Scripture. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, BC, Canada
Announcements
You don't care for punishment? What if you knew it was for your own good? Check out "No Pain, No Gain!", a mini-series designed to help us see why correction is not only permitted but encouraged!
Admin- Admin
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Re: NUGGET Today's Devotional
Admin Sun 24 Sep 2023 - 22:10
The Doing: Working Out Our Salvation, Part 4
By: Lyn Chaffart
---------------------------------
September 23, 2023
I accomplished a huge job, one that I had been putting it off: Winterizing our trailer for the season.
Part of the reason I was putting it off is because winterizing the trailer means no more fun outings until next summer. It also means that the colds of winter are on the way.
Another reason I had been putting it off is that I don't really know what I’m doing. I had done it two years ago, using a youtube video as my guide; but last year, since the trailer was going in for service anyway, I had it professionally done. So whatever learning curve there might have been from year one was completely forgotten by this, our third season with this particular trailer.
Other reasons I was putting it off included the fact that I had neither the antifreeze nor the time to devote to such a large project.
But the time had come. I had an entire day without any other projects, and so I gulped back my regret for yet another camping season coming to an end, went out and purchased the antifreeze, and got a youtube "how-to" video loaded on my phone. I was set.
I admit, it took most of the day, and there was a lot of trial and error; but the water lines are now empty of water and full of antifreeze, the exterior has been washed and waxed, and the cover is firmly in place. A job well done!
Over the past three Nuggets, we have been looking at the powerful passage in Philippians 2:12a-13: "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." (NASB). Initially we came to understand that this text is talking about our new life in Christ, and the admonition to become more Christ-like in character is to be made a number one priority in our lives. Last Thursday, in "Working Out Our Salvation", part 3, we saw that the first step to becoming more Jesus-like is to desire to be like Him, and when the desire is lacking, we can rely on Him to empower us.
But the verse doesn't end there. It goes on to say, "for it is God who is at work in you...to work for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13b NASB) What does it mean, exactly, to "work for His good pleasure", and how do we go about accomplishing this? Where do we start? There doesn't seem to be a youtube how-to guide video for this!
No, we have something much better than youtube: God's Spirit! It is His responsibility to show us how to rid ourselves of the old habits: "And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment..." (John 16:8 NASB). Therefore, the place to start is where God's Spirit tells you to start. Our only responsibility is to be open to His Spirit! He will begin to bring something to your attention, and generally He'll do so in multiple ways. For example, God may be speaking to you about forgiving your neighbour. Your Bible readings for the past three days have all focused on that, and the sermon on Sunday was on the same topic. They say that when God repeats Himself, He is trying to get your attention!
God then works on our spirits in order for us to come to the place where we desire to work on this area in our lives (See Working Out Our Salvation, Part 3), and He will motivate us to keep on pushing onward to the end.
Up until now, we will notice that we haven't had any responsibility at all other than to be open to His Spirit. But just like I eventually had to put my how-to video aside and actually do a few things in my trailer, we do eventually have to put some effort into this cleansing process. And it isn't always easy. There may even be a lot of trial and error. We will fail from time to time. And sometimes we fail each and every time. Nonetheless, even when we fail, we are still following the advice of Philippians 2:12-13: We are working out our Salvation! And when we are serious about making it our #1 priority, we are doing so with fear and trembling. That is our part. The rest is God's. And not only has He promised to help us want to become more Christ-like; but He also promises to help us, "...work for His good pleasure": "...for it is GOD who is at work in you..."!
No, the process of adopting the new life in Christ, the process of becoming more Christ-like isn't an easy one; but God will never ask us to do anything except that He is willing and able to help us achieve that goal. Our only responsibilities are:
a) to be open to God's Spirit to guide us;
b) to make our new life in Christ our number one responsibility;
c) to be willing to ask God to put the desire in our hearts to be more Christ-like; and
d) to be willing to stick to it until the end!
We can expect God to do the rest, for He has promised to "...work in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." (NASB).
This is the last part to the "Working Out Our Salvation" mini-series. If you have missed any parts, you can access them here, or by emailing me. God bless you all as you strive to "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..."!
Oh, and I think I had better add cleaning out my crawl space to my list of "must do"s this fall... I think I'll ask God to help me by putting the desire to do so in my heart!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
The book of John takes us through many deep discussions that Jesus gave at various times in His ministry. Please click here for Study #1 -- JESUS AND NICODEMUS; Study #2 -- THE WOMAN AT THE WELL; Study #3 -- AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA; Study #4 -- THE BREAD OF LIFE; Study #5 -- The Shepherd and His Flock; and Study #6 -- The Vine and the Branches.
By: Lyn Chaffart
---------------------------------
September 23, 2023
I accomplished a huge job, one that I had been putting it off: Winterizing our trailer for the season.
Part of the reason I was putting it off is because winterizing the trailer means no more fun outings until next summer. It also means that the colds of winter are on the way.
Another reason I had been putting it off is that I don't really know what I’m doing. I had done it two years ago, using a youtube video as my guide; but last year, since the trailer was going in for service anyway, I had it professionally done. So whatever learning curve there might have been from year one was completely forgotten by this, our third season with this particular trailer.
Other reasons I was putting it off included the fact that I had neither the antifreeze nor the time to devote to such a large project.
But the time had come. I had an entire day without any other projects, and so I gulped back my regret for yet another camping season coming to an end, went out and purchased the antifreeze, and got a youtube "how-to" video loaded on my phone. I was set.
I admit, it took most of the day, and there was a lot of trial and error; but the water lines are now empty of water and full of antifreeze, the exterior has been washed and waxed, and the cover is firmly in place. A job well done!
Over the past three Nuggets, we have been looking at the powerful passage in Philippians 2:12a-13: "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." (NASB). Initially we came to understand that this text is talking about our new life in Christ, and the admonition to become more Christ-like in character is to be made a number one priority in our lives. Last Thursday, in "Working Out Our Salvation", part 3, we saw that the first step to becoming more Jesus-like is to desire to be like Him, and when the desire is lacking, we can rely on Him to empower us.
But the verse doesn't end there. It goes on to say, "for it is God who is at work in you...to work for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13b NASB) What does it mean, exactly, to "work for His good pleasure", and how do we go about accomplishing this? Where do we start? There doesn't seem to be a youtube how-to guide video for this!
No, we have something much better than youtube: God's Spirit! It is His responsibility to show us how to rid ourselves of the old habits: "And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment..." (John 16:8 NASB). Therefore, the place to start is where God's Spirit tells you to start. Our only responsibility is to be open to His Spirit! He will begin to bring something to your attention, and generally He'll do so in multiple ways. For example, God may be speaking to you about forgiving your neighbour. Your Bible readings for the past three days have all focused on that, and the sermon on Sunday was on the same topic. They say that when God repeats Himself, He is trying to get your attention!
God then works on our spirits in order for us to come to the place where we desire to work on this area in our lives (See Working Out Our Salvation, Part 3), and He will motivate us to keep on pushing onward to the end.
Up until now, we will notice that we haven't had any responsibility at all other than to be open to His Spirit. But just like I eventually had to put my how-to video aside and actually do a few things in my trailer, we do eventually have to put some effort into this cleansing process. And it isn't always easy. There may even be a lot of trial and error. We will fail from time to time. And sometimes we fail each and every time. Nonetheless, even when we fail, we are still following the advice of Philippians 2:12-13: We are working out our Salvation! And when we are serious about making it our #1 priority, we are doing so with fear and trembling. That is our part. The rest is God's. And not only has He promised to help us want to become more Christ-like; but He also promises to help us, "...work for His good pleasure": "...for it is GOD who is at work in you..."!
No, the process of adopting the new life in Christ, the process of becoming more Christ-like isn't an easy one; but God will never ask us to do anything except that He is willing and able to help us achieve that goal. Our only responsibilities are:
a) to be open to God's Spirit to guide us;
b) to make our new life in Christ our number one responsibility;
c) to be willing to ask God to put the desire in our hearts to be more Christ-like; and
d) to be willing to stick to it until the end!
We can expect God to do the rest, for He has promised to "...work in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." (NASB).
This is the last part to the "Working Out Our Salvation" mini-series. If you have missed any parts, you can access them here, or by emailing me. God bless you all as you strive to "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..."!
Oh, and I think I had better add cleaning out my crawl space to my list of "must do"s this fall... I think I'll ask God to help me by putting the desire to do so in my heart!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
Announcements
The book of John takes us through many deep discussions that Jesus gave at various times in His ministry. Please click here for Study #1 -- JESUS AND NICODEMUS; Study #2 -- THE WOMAN AT THE WELL; Study #3 -- AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA; Study #4 -- THE BREAD OF LIFE; Study #5 -- The Shepherd and His Flock; and Study #6 -- The Vine and the Branches.
Admin- Admin
- Posts : 81609
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Age : 78
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