So, What Now?

November 6

The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.

Psalm 11:4

The race was over; the election hadn’t gone their way. “So, what now?” Peter asked Nathan.

“We keep doing what God tells us,” was his brother’s simple reply. “Look, Pete, God is still on His throne, and each day when my feet hit the floor, I’m going to continue doing what God called me to.”

“How can you be so calm about this, Nate?” Peter’s frustration was obvious.

“Pete, more than ever, what we need to be right now is calm. Getting upset and frustrated will only cause confusion, which is exactly what the enemy wants. When we’re frustrated and confused, it’s harder to hear what God is saying.”

Nate’s response sounded reasonable, yet Peter was angry at the lack of group effort from the Christian community.

Nathan continued, “Do you think God fell off His throne when the winner was announced?”

“Well, no, I don’t suppose He did,” Peter admitted. “But in the same breath, I don’t think it made Him too happy that many professing Christians sat idly by and did nothing to stop this from happening.”

“Maybe, but we can’t change that. What we can do is make the best of what we have. God allowed it, Pete. I trust Him.” With that, Nathan slapped Peter on the back and went back to work.

†

In today’s text, David makes a wise observation: although his adversaries appeared to have the upper hand, God remained in control and would prevail.

Our righteous God sees His righteous people and does not forget them in their time of trouble. Jesus himself said that there will be trouble (John 16). He also said He has overcome it.

When we face adversity, we need to remember and believe that God is never taken by surprise and will always stand with us to see us through to the other side of our problems. We stand in a place of victory. The time in between now and realizing the fulfillment of that truth will be better spent listening as we ask God the question, “So, what now, Lord?”

Prayer

“Lead me on in Your strength and assurance, Lord. Help me focus on Your agenda instead of being distracted by the world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Resolved in Christ

November 5

For I resolved to know nothing … except Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:2

“Your brother never shuts up about Jesus!” Peyton complained.

“Why should that bother you?” Chase asked, wondering what brought this up.

“He embarrasses me, constantly asking people where they’re planning to spend eternity!” She was more than a little agitated.

“Nathanial is a good man, Peyton. He believes that our chances of dying are one hundred percent and that we live on spiritually in either heaven or hell. He wants to take as many people to heaven as he can. Asking people about eternity is his effort to do that.”

“Well, I don’t like it!” she stated.

Chase saw his date in a new light. It appeared she really couldn’t comprehend Nathanial’s actions. Did she really believe what she professed, salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ?

“So let me get this straight.” Chase was beginning to have his own doubts but not about Jesus. “You say you believe in Jesus, but you don’t want to be around when the good news of the gospel is being shared?”

“That’s not what I’m saying!” she responded defensively. “I just don’t believe it’s appropriate to talk about such a personal issue unless you’re asked.”

“So how does that work exactly?” Chase asked incredulously. “I mean, if we don’t talk about Jesus, how are we going to find out if they know Him?” There was an awkward moment, and Chase said, “I agree we need to reach out in love, Peyton. But we have a responsibility to reach out.”

“Well, I, for one, have no intention of offending people by badgering them about their beliefs.” The finality of her statement shocked Chase. This would be their last date.

†

There are doubtless more Peytons than Nathanials in the world. But we should not lose heart. Paul was but one man and look at the impact he is still having for the kingdom of Christ!

The truth is that in order to have any measurable impact for Jesus, we must resolve to know Him so intimately that we no longer worry about what the world thinks when we ask the question, ‘Where are you planning to spend eternity?’

Prayer

“Help me be bold, Lord. Help me care less about being embarrassed than allowing others to perish. I ask this in Your Name, Jesus, amen.”

 Age Doesn’t Matter

November 4

God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved.

1 Timothy 2:3, 4

Beth had steeled herself against a day like this. Five months pregnant and holding her three-year-old daughter’s hand, she gazed at her husband’s coffin one last time. You could almost hear her heart. You weren’t supposed to go yet!

Aaron had been thirty-one when he died tragically, leaving them to carry on alone. He’d been a good man. There had been about him a charismatic charm; his smile was disarming; his gracious attitude sincere. He was well liked and deeply loved.

Aaron just couldn’t seem to escape evil’s grip. And on that New Year’s Eve, after ringing in hope for the future, it cost him his life.

Beth had spoken at the funeral. She wanted everyone to understand the reality of not being guaranteed our next breath.

She spoke openly about Aaron’s faith in God; his asking Jesus into his heart, and his love of family. “Although we may believe we have all the time in the world, it’s a fleeting hope. You see,” she pleaded, “age doesn’t matter. At thirty-one, Aaron thought he would live forever. But death respects no one, regardless of age or station in life. When we die, our eternity is set in stone.”

She challenged those in attendance to “make a choice for Jesus today, before that choice is revoked in death. I am compelled to ask; if you die today, where will you spend your eternity?” And with that, she took her seat.

†

Studies show that in the short time it takes to read today’s devotion, some twelve hundred people have died. Most, if not all, had no idea death was coming. Sadly, only an approximate seven percent of them went to heaven.

That means if these statistics are correct, 1,116 deaths unnecessarily ended in the penalty of eternal separation from God in hell.

God wants none to perish. Sadly, a great many do. So knowing how unforeseen death can be, can we elect to put off a choice so critical?

Poor choices can hasten preventable death. If you have never made Jesus Lord and Savior, please take this moment to assure yourself eternal life.

Prayer

“Forgive the sin in my life, Jesus. Please come into my heart and lead me into a loving relationship with You. Amen.”

 Defending the Weak

November 3

Defend the cause of the weak … and oppressed.

Psalm 82:3

Marla sat in the corner of the lunchroom, away from the other kids. She was unpopular and constantly reviled by her peers.

Teresa hated the insensitivity of her classmates. Angered by their actions, she began sitting with Marla, which in turn, caused them to turn on her, too.

During an exceptionally unpleasant day, Marla asked her, “Why do you stick up for me? Now they make fun of you as much as they do me.”

“For a couple reasons,” Teresa said. “One: what they’re doing is wrong. Two: they’re ganging up on you. I refuse to let you stand against them alone. As far as I know, you’ve never done anything to deserve their ridicule. Besides”—she leaned closer—”something inside me burns when bullies attack in groups.”

“But don’t they hurt? You know, the words and gestures?” Marla asked. “Aren’t you afraid?”

Teresa said, “Sure, it hurts when they call us names and make those vile gestures. But I’m not afraid.” She saw Marla’s eyebrows rise. “Marla, don’t get me wrong, I don’t like it. They’re cowards masquerading as thugs. But I don’t get my affirmation from them. I get it from God. I’m not afraid because God has given me peace about it. Yes, the words hurt. But I’m not who they say I am and neither are you. I know that because of God’s loving encouragement. He protects my heart from their insensitivity. God loves them too and wants them to change. Until they do, He’s asked me to take a stand against small-minded people.”

†

Without exception, we have all been bullies and been bullied. Someone or something has paid the price of our insecurity, receiving undue ridicule, or we ourselves have been on the receiving end.

Defending the rights of the weak is everyone’s responsibility. Yet fear of man prevents many of us from taking the necessary action. It can be uncomfortable, unpleasant work standing up for someone not directly involved in our life.

When faced with injustice, ask yourself: “If this were my sister, my brother, or my child, would I stand aside and do nothing?”

Prayer

“Lord, may I never again be the oppressor. Help me to always defend the rights of those who are weak and oppressed. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Absolute Rebellion

November 2

The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.

Numbers 14:18

Joe was still fuming about what just happened when Kathy, his girlfriend, climbed in the car. “I’m done with them,” he asserted, “and their closed-minded religion. It’s old school with obsolete morals. This is the twentieth century for God’s sake!” He slammed his fist against the steering wheel.

Kathy tried to assuage his smoldering anger. “But it’s what they believe, Joe. You may not adhere to their faith anymore, but surely you can understand why they said no. I do.” Kathy was speaking to the point of Joe’s contention. Joe’s parents believed sleeping together outside of marriage was a sin and had just refused to allow Joe and Kathy to stay the night sleeping together under their roof. The night had immediately deteriorated as Joe had stormed from the house with Kathy apologizing before catching up.

Joe said, “No! I don’t understand! Christianity is archaic! Times have changed! Can’t they see that?”

Kathy was concerned this fallout might place a wedge between Joe and his parents if he couldn’t come to grips with this.

As it turned out, Kathy’s concerns were well founded. They broke up shortly thereafter, and it took seventeen years before Joe darkened the door of his childhood home. Even then, his visits were overshadowed by an awkward civility. Joe held himself at arm’s length while his parents continued praying for him, hoping the Light of Life would pierce the darkness their son was walking in.

†

In a world where increasingly liberal philosophy has no patience for, understanding of, or care to know why moral absolutes matter, we find rebellion against God on the increase.

Satan and his angels devise schemes to advance his kingdom through moral corruption, sexual perversion, deception, and a myriad of other forms of evil. Still in possession of their power, malevolent angels attempt to destroy God’s creation (Romans 11:29; Ephesians 6:12).

As slow as God is to anger, He will be swift to judge those who die in their rebellion! There are absolutes. We will all be judged accordingly.

Prayer

“Lord, in this ever darkening world, help me live a life of righteousness. Give me courage to stand against those who rebel against Your decrees. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Rehashing the Past

November 1

I … am he who blots out your transgressions … and remembers your sins no more.

Isaiah 43:25

“But you don’t know what I’ve done!” Cassandra asserted, sobs wracking her body.

“And I don’t need to,” Julie said. “God isn’t as concerned with your past as He is with your today, Cassie. He loves you so much that He’s willing to forgive you of anything if you’ll just bring it to Him. Repentance brings forgiveness. And once God forgives, that sin is gone forever; He refuses to hold it against us.”

“But it can’t be that easy,” she argued. “Not after what I’ve done.”

As sure as Julie was of the truth, she knew Cassandra couldn’t fathom the depth of God’s grace right now. So she said, “The Bible assures us of God’s complete forgiveness, Cassie—an everlasting, unconditional forgiveness that, although we may not understand, is perfect in every way. I’ve experienced it myself.” And Julie had! 

What Cassie didn’t know was that Julie had once been a working girl. “If I were to let my past rule my today, I’d be telling God He’s incapable of forgiving sin. And that’s not what the Bible says. If we allow Satan and his followers to sell us the lie of unforgiveness, we are walking without faith and hope.”

“But I don’t feel forgiven,” she said.

“Forgiveness isn’t about feelings, Cassie. It’s about God redeeming things that are lost: parts of our soul. And it requires taking God at His word.”

“I’d like to do that,” Cassandra said. And with hope in her heart, she confessed her sins, asking God to forgive them.

†

God wants us in the present, ready to do His good will. But if we continue rehashing our past, we can’t join Him, thereby destroying our ability to effectively work in the present for His kingdom.

In Isaiah 43:18 God tells us to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” We do well to heed His words.

Forgiveness covers every part of our past; not part, but all. He wants to bring us into the present with that forgiveness. Would you come join Him?

Prayer

“Lord, help me believe that my sins are forgiven. Speak to me in ways I can understand. And help me forgive myself that I might join You in the present. Amen.”

 In Light of the Truth

October 31

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

John 16:13

Out of the blue, Mark said, “You know, Britt, some of the things I learned growing up don’t serve me well today.”

“What do you mean?” Britt asked.

“Well, some of what I learned was actually counterproductive and discriminatory in nature. Some of the things I did were unsavory. They were done in ignorance.”

“So how did you figure out what things no longer, as you put it, serve you well?” Britt asked.

“Well, through studying the Bible and spending time in prayer, God has opened my eyes by showing me that some things I once believed to be harmless were actually extremely destructive. He made me aware of the negative influence they had in my life and those around me.”

Britt was intrigued. “So what kind of things are you talking about?”

“Well, one example would be my habitual use of foul language. I could, as they say, swear like a sailor. But then I realized how terrible a witness profanity is and how it offends God when those words are spoken.”

Britt smiled and asked, “So how’d you stop swearing?”

“I no longer justified the behavior in light of the truth. I disciplined myself to preappraise my speech. It’s a retraining process that’s not always easy. But I’ve found that if I’m willing to change, God will equip me for the challenge.”

†

With few exceptions, our parents did the best they knew how when it came to raising us. In truth, many things we picked up on our own, without our parents’ knowledge. Had they known, they would have blistered our behinds!

As we mature, we come under new influence; our perceptions change. And although profanity is used in today’s scenario, the list of sin’s exposure to truth is broad-based. When we do things we shouldn’t, we notice a catch in our spirit, a Holy Spirit alert.

Heeding God’s Spirit is always the correct course of action. However, we don’t always take the road less traveled. Just remember: the more we seek the truth, the more we discover.

Prayer

“Help me sort through what I believe and why I believe it. Show me what needs to go, and renew my mind to Your precepts. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”