He Comes to…Destroy

November 4

The thief comes only to…destroy;

John 10:10

When Mark and Vanessa Rodriguez returned from vacation they weren’t prepared for what they found. Sometime during their absence there’d been a break-in. Their home was trashed. Finding no sign of forced entry, Mark asked Vanessa, “Did you forget to lock the door when we left?”

Vanessa reacted immediately, “What do you mean did ‘I’ forget to lock the door?! You were the last one out…remember?!”

They had gone on this vacation to try and relieve the stress in their marriage, to rekindle the spark that was there when they’d first met. They’d spent hours walking hand in hand on the beach, and shared time alone in the condo…just the two of them.

Alone, away from the demands of the world, they talked and assessed their life. Mark had promised to cut back on his hours at work, and had committed to really listening to Vanessa. She, in turn, promised not to take everything he said as an attack. When the week ended, they knew that the same deep love they’d had for one another still burned inside, but the old patterns had reemerged. In a moment of clarity, Mark saw what was happening, and said, “I’m so sorry, Nessa. It doesn’t matter how it happened. It’s not worth fighting over.” They both realized that reconciliation was going to take a concerted effort.

†

In the same way the Rodriguez home was ransacked, satan wants to bring ruin to our relationships. There is an unparalleled bitterness that drives him to destroy the things of God. It’s personal because he hates God…and every one of His children, so he tries to undermine our relationships.

Using the wedges of loneliness, mistrust, pride, heartache, entitlement, and many other tools, satan sets about driving us apart. Over time, we forget how it all started, but, unwilling to give in, we assert our right to hang on to our bitterness and resentment. We hold on to blame, and Satan wins.

Only by bringing our problems to Jesus can we ever hope to find healing and reconciliation. With this critical information, shouldn't we deny satan the opportunity to destroy our lives?

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I come today asking forgiveness for my stubborn heart. Heal this relationship and make it new. Show me how to surrender my will to You. Amen.”

 He Comes to…Kill

November 3

The thief comes only to…kill.

John 10:10

Noella cringed as if doing so would soften the cutting blow. “You’re so stupid! I wish I’d had an abortion!” her mother screamed. But no matter how hard she tried, Noella couldn’t stop the words from penetrating her heart. But her mother wasn’t finished, “Your father was just like you…worthless!”

All the way to school her mother’s words echoed in her mind.

Born with fetal alcohol syndrome, Noella’s first twelve years of life had been anything but pleasant. With multiple learning disabilities, and underdeveloped for her age, she found herself at a disadvantage. Her classmates shunned her. And her teachers seemed not to care that she was failing in every class. Their conditioned response each time she requested additional assistance was, “There’s just not enough time to help every individual student, Noella. Ask your mother for help.” It seemed there was no one she could turn to.

And then, the school hired Mrs. Shoemaker as the Administrator for Student Assistance. She conducted assessments of each student that fell under her authority. When she met Noella something drew her to the small sixth grader. “How would you like it if you and I became friends?” she asked.

“Ohhh!” the joy poured from Noella’s heart. “That would be wonderful!”

†

The enemy will stop at nothing to kill our spirit, and to that end, He uses discouragement, depression, slander and every other weapon in his arsenal in order to commit emotional and spiritual assassination, things such as circumstances and events, family and friends.

Sadly, many parents fall into his trap. Regardless of what we think, there is no valid excuse. Saying, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that…” may be the right thing to do afterwords, but the results are still the same…we have wounded our child’s spirit. We must refrain from saying hurtful things.

If we are to be successful in raising emotionally healthy children we must be diligent in policing our words and actions. We should pattern our parenting skills after Mrs. Shoemaker instead of Noella’s mother. Investing wisely in our children requires conscious effort. When the enemy tries to enlist your assistance, refuse to participate.

Prayer

“Father, may I always speak words of encouragement and edification to those I have influence over. Help me guard my words. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 He Comes to…Steal*

November 2

The thief comes only to steal…

John 10:10

Sitting in his tree stand for an afternoon bowhunt, the hunter watched as the squirrel scurried from one place to another, looking for acorns. Each time he found a nut the squirrel would place it in his mouth while he dug a hole, then he would bury it with the intention of digging it up when food became scarce during the late-winter months.

For hours, the squirrel diligently hunted and gathered so that he might have food stored against times of need. As sunset approached the squirrel climbed his den tree and settled into his nest for the night, no doubt satisfied with the work he’d accomplished.

As the hunter continued to watch, he noticed an animal slinking along in the gathering darkness. As it drew closer he realized it was an opossum. He watched as the scavenger went from one cache to another, digging up the squirrel’s acorns and eating them. In less than half the time it had taken the squirrel to find and bury the nuts the opossum had found and eaten every one. And then off he plodded…his belly full of someone else’s provisions.

†

The opossum is a natural-born thief. He, like Satan, steals what rightfully belongs to others. The big difference is Satan knows better, and does it anyway. As a matter of fact, scripture says he looks for opportunities to steal everything we have. He is especially keen on stealing the promises of God.

One example would be when he sends the spirit of confusion to steal God’s word as we read our Bible, attempting to keep us from gaining strength through understanding. In this we must be deliberate, asking God to open the scriptures to us, and then planting it deep in our heart by meditating on what He shows us.

We must be tenacious in hanging on to the things God gives us. Knowing the enemy is coming to steal gives us power. With such knowledge we can take action.

Prayer

“Holy Spirit, Help me remain vigilant. Please alert me when the enemy is attempting to steal something from me so I can be ready to take authority over his actions, in Jesus’ Name. Show me how to derail his attempts. Amen!”

*Today’s devotion was inspired by Dan & Nancy Dick, authors of Wisdom From The Bible, ©1986 Barbour and Company, Inc.

Sewing Good Seeds

November 1

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

I watched as my son-in-law, Corey, and my son, Eric, walked my parent's rural property with my granddaughter, Jozlyn, following Easter dinner. The 62 degree day was a welcomed change from the grip of a winter that had been both cold and snowy, and up until three weeks ago seemed it would never release it's death-grip.

Watching succeeding generations follow in our footsteps brought a smile to my face. We had invested both time and love in our children, praying they would become good examples for their peers, and role models for their children. They had, indeed, become individuals of integrity and wisdom.

I watched as Corey swept brush out of Jozlyn's way with his foot, mindful that her little feet and legs might easily become entangled in the prickly weeds of winter. My smile widened as the height of imitation played out before me.

Like a track sprinter backing into the starting blocks, seventeen-month-old Jozlyn, bent down, placed her hands on her daddy's shoe, and with one foot, shoved at the weeds she had just witnessed Daddy brush out of the way. Stretching her little body, Jozlyn continued pushing at the one single weed that refused to yield.

“Keep pushing, Little J,” Daddy encouraged.

Resetting herself, she stretched as far as her little body could reach. The defiant weed moved! She stood, looking up...

“That's my big girl!” came the response she had worked so hard for.

And with that, they continued their stroll.

†

What do we look like to our children? What do their innocent little eyes see when we're not paying attention? Do we want them to imitate those actions? Do we exhibit good moral character, or inadvertently teach them things we'd rather they not witness?

In the same way today's text suggests that parents teach their children the right way to live so they won't forget went they get older, our actions can just as easily give them a heritage of destruction to fall back on.

Everything we do and every step we take is an example of how we view life, and what we are teaching the next generation to emulate.

It requires mindful investment to raise good kids, intentionally showing them how to be honest and trustworthy. We will reap what we have sown.

What kind of adults do you want your to children to become?

Prayer

“Help me be the right example for my children and the world, Lord. Amen.”

 Running With Jesus

October 31

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…

Romans 12:1

Rebecca had come to ‘The Awakening Conference’ to give the Lord everything, every burden, every care, every want and desire, and replace them with the joy life had slowly and methodically robbed her of. With that one goal in mind, she meditated.

She had no idea how long she’d been meditating when, in the blink of an eye, she was standing hand-in-hand with Jesus! She felt the need to ask, “What do You want me to do, Lord?”

With the tenderness of a father with his daughter, Jesus took Rebecca by the hand and began running at a lady-like pace. Smiling at her look of astonishment Jesus responded, “Have you not come to recapture My joy? That requires no work. Rather, My joy is founded in My love for you!” He laughed, “What could bring more joy than to run with me as you used to?” His love washed over her, and in that moment Rebecca realized her surroundings; so beautiful she could hardly take it in!

In the physical world the worship music changed to an upbeat tempo. Rebecca’s face flashed with mischief, and with one quick stride behind her, she hollered, “Let’s race!” Feeling the wind in her face, Rebecca raced with Jesus through fields of lush grass and beautiful wildflowers. As you would surmise, He let her win…showing her that His greatest joy was in seeing her shed every inhibition to achieve this goal.

†

Although of great benefit, this isn’t something reserved for weekend conferences. Rebecca experienced her run with Jesus because she was willing to throw off everything that stood between her and the joy she had experienced before life had stripped it away piece by piece. Seeking Jesus can be done in the privacy of your home, or anywhere you can get quiet before the Lord.

Today’s text urges us to be honest, to lay everything on the table when we approach the throne of grace. But the choice is ours. Jesus will not force us to share and shed our burdens.

But be honest with yourself, wouldn’t you like to see what it feels like to run with Jesus?

Prayer

“Help me lay it all down, Lord, everything that stands between You and me. Amen.”

 Properly Motivated

October 30

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Psalm 139:23

Arriving at the airport, Don swiped his card at the kiosk, got his boarding pass, and headed for a seat, intending to wait peacefully until he boarded the plane.

“Excuse me?” the attendant summoned him. “I’m afraid you’ll have to check your bag,” she said, pointing at his carry-on. “The plane you’re flying on is too small for carry-ons.”

Frustrated, he placed the bag on the scales.

“That’ll be twenty-five dollars.”

“What?! Why should I have to pay for a carry-on because the plane’s too small?” he argued.

“I’m sorry, sir. Those are the rules.”

He wanted to say Your rules stink! but remembered he was wearing his organization’s tee shirt, their insignia embroidered on the pocket. Keep your cool he told himself, not wanting to give the well-known organization a bad name. Reaching in his wallet, he paid the fee and had a seat.

Fifteen minutes later his name was called over the intercom. When he got to the counter an apologetic attendant said, “I’m sorry, sir, but you’ve been bumped from the flight.” Before he could respond in frustration she continued, “But we have these two three hundred dollar vouchers to make up for the inconvenience.”

Returning to his seat, he thanked God for the off-handed blessing. However, his troubles weren’t over because when he arrived home, following an unexpected detour, including an extra plane-change in Philadelphia, his bag had not made the trip! Once again, he battled for composure. In that moment, he heard God say, “I am pleased you held your tongue each time. But…you should not need a logo on a shirt to remind you to act in a godly manner.” OUCH! Feeling fairly chastised he gave the clerk his address so his bag could be delivered to his home when it eventually arrived.

†

David, in today’s text, knew he wasn’t capable of an honest assessment of himself, so he asked God to do the searching. We too, need God’s assistance in rooting out improper motivation.

Many of us do the right thing for the wrong reason. Although it’s a start, we need to examine our motives for living a godly and obedient life, because why we do something is as important as doing it.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be properly motivated in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Unfailing Love Shares Everything

October 29

“Love never fails.”

1Corinthians 13:8

He’d been to many Contemporary Christian concerts, but this was one he would not soon forget. Not because these were two of his favorite artists, but because by the end of the evening he would view unfailing love in a different light.

Sitting behind two women, the man was curious when he saw them signing. Shortly, he established that only one was deaf, and wondered about the implications: Why would you come to a concert if you can’t hear the music?

Looking closer he smiled; they appeared to be a thirty-something “Mom” with her teenage daughter; one was sharing the other’s experience and joy. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t hear; just sharing the event was enough.

As the night progressed, one would tap the other on the arm and a series of signs and gestures would rapidly occur, followed by nods and smiles. Several times he thought of interrupting their conversation to tell them how it blessed him that one of them would endure the frustration of not being able to hear the music in order to build memories with the other, but he refrained.

What he would never forget was the look of joy on their faces, one saying “Thanks for sharing this with me!” The other assuring, “What brings you joy matters to me!”

Watching this display, he realized; unfailing love shares everything.

†

One woman’s deafness didn’t mean she couldn’t feel the music, but would that have been enough to entice her to attend the event alone? Sensual experience aside, she probably could have found something more meaningful to her to do with her time. But because of her love for the other, she was at that concert.

Unfailing love transcends all boundaries. It is selfless in origin and nature, looking past and moving beyond perceived barriers. It places others ahead of itself without limitation.

We have a Savior Who taught us to love in such a way. His Name is Jesus, and everything we do matters to Him.

Prayer

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, for setting the example of what unfailing love looks like. Teach us to love others in such a way that they might experience the depth of that kind of love. Amen.”