Jody's Devotionals

Sin, Salvation, and God’s Great Love

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (CEV).

We Christians talk a lot about salvation. But do we think or meditate on the how and why of that salvation?

I am a sinner. No getting around that hard fact. I can compare myself to others and attempt a rationalization that “Well, I’m not like ______!” or “I’m so much better than I used to be.” But the fact remains that I am (present tense) a sinner. Now I have grown in the sense that I know my weaknesses and I know that I need God’s strength to get through every day. And so I pray for His help and I reach out for His hand. But the fact still remains that I am not without sin.

Without going into details, I remember reading stories of serial killers and I have read about the Nazi concentration camps. These make my stomach queasy and I am beyond disgusted and horrified. I believe God feels the same way about the sin of this world, which includes my sins. Only the perfect sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ could be enough, be perfect enough to wipe out sin. God could not overlook sin. In fact, I would ask “God, how is forgiveness even an option?”

Forgiveness, salvation is possible because of His great love. How great? When I think of the sins in my life God has forgiven – I cannot help but weep and thank my Father again and again and again for saving me.

Jesus went to the Cross and gave Himself in a perfect sacrifice for me, for you, for us all. He agonized between two thieves. One of them could not see or hear the opportunity for eternal life. But one of them did. Maybe he had heard something about this Jesus as they prepared them to walk up the hill for their crucifixion. I don’t know what theology this thief had but his request was simple, “Jesus, remember me when you get to your Kingdom.” And Jesus did not ask the man for a formal profession of faith or whether he had attended Temple school. Jesus just gave him an eternal promise, “This day you will be with Me in Paradise.”

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

Jesus did it all for me. He suffered the punishment that I deserved. And every time I think about this, I am thinking about God’s love. Before I loved Him, God loved me. And that brings me back around to sin.

God’s Laws, His commandments, His precepts, are there in His Word. How God wants me to live is there in the gospels. Jesus walks out a Spirit-filled life for my example. And more and more I find myself choosing to live Jesus’ way because I am getting a more clear picture of how much God loves me and I want to live a holy life. I want to live in close communion with my LORD. I am making my choices out of love.

Love You So Much written by Rusell Fragar & sung by Darlene Zschech & Hillsong

Posted in 2 Corinthians, Psalms | Comments Off

And His Word Goes On

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
40 I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness. Psalm 119:33-40 (NLT)

Psalm 119 isn’t read too often, except in short bursts like this. It is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. We are just too weak to read all of those in one setting! (Do you hear the challenge?) But Psalm 119 is a great chapter to read because it speaks to me about God’s commands and principles and why each one of them is important. I am encouraged to take time to meditate on God’s Word no matter how long it may be. It is a light that illuminates the path I am walking.

Spend some time today in Psalm 119. Wander its words and dig for those nuggets of gold that just may be what you are searching for.

Show Me Your Way written & sung by Hillsong United

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Real Honest-to-my-LORD Rest

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

At that moment Jesus said:

My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people.26 Yes, Father, that is what pleased you.

27 My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.

28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30 (CEV)

It is Friday and for some it is the end of a work week. For others, it is the beginning or the middle of their work schedule and Friday may even be a “hump” day. And then there are those of us who own our own business and we feel blessed when we only work 5 ½ or 6 days! Seriously, I do feel blessed to have a job and one which often does not seem like work.

This Scripture is very familiar, at least the part about coming and getting rest from Jesus. But today let’s look at the context of that familiar passage.

John the Baptist’s followers came to Jesus asking Him if He really was the Messiah. John was in jail and maybe he and his disciples needed some encouragement, to know they had done their job, proclaim the Messiah was coming! And Jesus gave them an encouraging answer to take back to John. And then let the church leaders who had “dissed” John have it! He told them it was God’s good pleasure to reveal His truth to little children and ordinary people. And His truth was His Son here on earth.

The Son came, not to be served, but to take the heavy burdens from these ordinary people. And one of their heavy burdens was their failed attempts to keep all the Law so that they were in a right relationship with God. And the Pharisees made it even more impossible with their dogma and swindling they heaped on the people. Jesus came to remove the un-Godly burdens and sins that keep us separated from God and replace them with a yoke that would bind them to God, making their life burdens light.

And Jesus is still doing that. If I am slogging through my work week like an overworked oxen, I need to toss off my way of carrying all the “stuff” and hitch myself up to Jesus. How do I do that? The same way a good pair of oxen can carry a heavy load for however long – by spending time together to learn how the lead ox pulls and following his example. In practical terms it means spending time every day praying and listening, worshiping with music, and turning our burdens and concerns over to Jesus who loves us so very much. If that seems simple, it is but it requires a commitment and desire to move closer to my LORD. Start now. It’s time to rest.

Come unto Me written and sung by Nicole C. Mullen

Posted in Matthew | Comments Off

Yes, I Am A Sheep

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,] “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.30 The Father and I are one.” John 10:27-30 (NLT)

Jesus is my shepherd. So that makes me one of His sheep. There was a time when that was not a comfortable label to me.

My grandfather had a farm and raised cattle and chickens. No sheep. From what I read, sheep seemed like really dumb animals who did nothing for themselves, were content to be led around, and would in fact, follow other sheep right off a cliff. Oh, wait a minute, I’m beginning to see the personal comparison here.

A shepherd sees his sheep not just as a nameless flock but recognizes the characteristics of each sheep. He knows the ones who just can’t seem to stay in the fold but keep wanting to explore and inevitably find briars and gulleys that can be dangerous. There are others who are content to just lay around and do nothing and become ill. The shepherd knows how to handle each sheep.

And my Jesus knows how to handle me. He knows how to handle you. Each of us is special and wonderful in His heart. We know His voice because it is the voice that speaks truth in love. He convicts but never condemns. His voice is the one in the darkest night says, “I love you. I am here. Come, let Me hold you.”

And look at verse 28. It may be one of the most loving and powerful verses in Jesus’ gospel. “I give you eternal life and you will not perish (cease to exist). No one can snatch you away from me!” This is a promise from God. When the world attacks me with fear or disease or unexpected trials and destruction, I can hold on to this promise and know that while I may have to engage in a few battles, I go into those with the foreknowledge that my victory is guaranteed!

I am in a great journey through this life. I have days and seasons where I run strong but there are also parts of the journey that may feel like mountain climbing. Other times my world may look like a dark, endless maze of caverns. No matter the terrain since the night I bowed my head and cried out my need for the Savior, He has been with me every step. He has given me His Spirit and His Word to guide and teach me. And when I have stumbled and fallen, my Shepherd is there to pick me up, tend my wounds and carry me back to His fold.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25 (NIV)

Have you taken time today to thank God for His many, many blessings? Maybe this day has begun badly. But I submit to you that whatever the circumstances, our Shepherd, our Savior, our LORD is still right here with us. He will hold us up, give us the strength we need, comfort us, and lead us where there is rest, like a sheep in a green pasture beside a still stream.

The LORD is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) music written & sung by Keith Green

Posted in John, Jude | Comments Off

O My LORD

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said to His disciples,] “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment…

There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” John 16:5-8, 12-15 (NLT)

I have continued to soak in John’s gospel this week. When I read the Bible for the first time, I was told to start in John. I have passed the wisdom on to many first-time Bible readers. The prose is beautiful and the pages are filled with promises from our LORD and Savior.

There is no doubt that my salvation, the promise of eternal life with God, through the perfect Blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift from my Father. There is nothing that I can do to deserve this. Father God gives it to me out of His great love. But He doesn’t stop there.

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly running out like sand through an hourglass. What He says must be important. His revelation about the Holy Spirit is definitely important!

The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person in the Trinity. Jesus says the world can’t accept him, not it (John 14:17).

The Spirit brings knowledge and truth to me from God (1 Corinthians 2:11). When I am uncertain or confused, if I call out for wisdom, the Spirit delivers.

The Spirit convicts me when I sin. That grip in my spirit, the remorse, the sadness when God steps back from whatever I have chosen over Him, is the Holy Spirit showing me the way back through repentance. He shows me path away from temptation and sin.

The Spirit comforts me. In the darkest moments of my life, I have felt the warmth of God’s Presence, the soft light of His Presence, the strength of Him surrounding and holding me ever so tenderly.

I can memorize pages of Scripture, and that is not a bad thing, unless I stop with that and believe I now have it all. That would be like having the lyrics to a beautiful song without any music. The Holy Spirit gives my faith expression and passion.

The power of the Holy Spirit brings wisdom when all the world brings is deception.
The power of the Holy Spirit brings conviction when all the world brings is condemnation.
The power of the Holy Spirit brings comfort when all the world brings is pain.

There is so much more for the Holy Spirit to bring to me if I will take the time to be still and know that God is right here, right now.

Draw Me Close to You written by Kelly Carpenter & sung by Michael W Smith

Posted in John | Comments Off

The Truth About Going Home

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,]“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3 (NLT)

There is rarely a week goes by when I do not receive a call or email from someone who is caring for their loved one who is ill or who has been recently diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or relapse. It is usually a parent that they care for but too often it is a spouse, sibling, and even their child. It brings up a subject we often do not want to think about or we believe we have plenty of time to think about it later. The phone calls or emails have questions that include what I may know based on my experience as a hospice nurse but the questions are also about what I believe after attending many deaths including my parents and my son. I am willing to listen and share with anyone who calls but more important than what I believe – is what God promises.

John Chapters 14-17 have so much in them. It could be said that they are Jesus’ eulogy as He speaks these last intense words to the disciples who will carry on the Father’s plan. And so Jesus begins with the truth about what we and the disciples might think is the end. Death.

Trust the Father and trust Me with your death. Last week, my daughter and her family came to visit. It is a 12-hour drive and by the time they arrived, the children were asleep in the car. I had the beds made up and turned down and Janet carried the two youngest in and laid them down, softly covering them up. Ahhhhhh. They slept sitting up but they rested when they had a place of comfort. That’s what a parent does. That is what our Heavenly Father promises. When He knows it is time, He will come and take me home to the place of comfort and rest that He has prepared for me.

The prepared place is perfect for me. I have traveled a fair amount and been in many hotel rooms. Most were one-size-fits-nobody forgettable and a very few were memorable because I actually slept with little effort. My Heavenly Father knows me better than I know myself. He is preparing a place that will be more comfortable than any place I have ever lived. He knows and desires to take me to that perfect home. This world is not a perfect fit. The home I live in now will more than do, for now (after all, it too was a gift from Him!) but He has so much more planned in my forever home.

I have often thought about how many sick people Jesus healed and how many thousands He fed but the gospels relate He raised only three from the dead (Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son, and Lazarus). Is there something significant about that? Could it Jesus knew He wasn’t doing them any favor? Could it be once someone is with the Father, the last thing they want to do is leave?

Trust God not only for our daily bread and what is best for us but also for what is ahead that we do not see or know.

Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time.
But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Isaiah 57:1-2 (NLT)

Hmmmm. I never gave these verses much thought. The timing of going home to the Father is a point I would quickly admit I do not understand and would want the Father to make the decision because it is “’way above my pay scale.” As I grow older and consider I am closer now to going home, I rest in the assurance of my Father’s love. I have been given opportunities to work in His Kingdom here on earth and He has gifted me to serve Him through others. So I will continue to follow His plan and trust Him for everything that is to come. It makes for an un-troubled heart.

How Great Thou Art written by Carl Gustav Boberg & sung by Carrie Underwood

Posted in Isaiah, John | Comments Off

Choose

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[The LORD says,] “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life,and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)

Joshua told the Israelites (Joshua 24:15) that they should choose whom they would serve, God or the gods of their ancestors or the gods of their current location. There was no “Option D” like none of the above.

Every move we make, every thought we decide to keep reflects the ruler of our life. Over and over in God’s Word we see people making choices that reflect the will and plan of the one that they serve.

Words and actions. How do I speak? How do I behave in public and in private? What exists deep in my heart and spirit? Paul described this as “fruit” and specifically named love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5). I choose life with God and my life produces fruit from God.

Life mission. God created me for a purpose. He gifted me for His purpose. I have talents for the mission I’ve been given. It is the passion inside me that sings when I am doing what God has called me to do.

End goal. I long to be with my Father and my Savior for all time. It is God’s greatest gift to me that only requires my choice on whom I serve.

It may seem like a no-brainer decision, serve God or not serve God but the choice, while simple, does not come with the word “easy.” We are in a war of good vs evil. There are no bystanders or neutral parties. It requires faith in God to follow His commands and plan when often we do not know the “why” of it. Has God asked you to trust Him through difficult paths? Remember Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22)? On that night and in that garden, Jesus showed me how hard it could get. Jesus asked His Father to allow a different way. The Father said, “No.” The Father, however, did send an angel to minister strength to His Son, and He will do the same for all His children.

In January 2004, my son James received word that a football-size tumor was growing in his chest. After five years, the cancer was back. We stopped at the local Walmart one day and he asked for money to buy a CD. We got back in the car and he cued up the song that I share with you today in a link. This song spoke what was in his heart. My friends, God is faithful. We can trust Him to walk with us and even carry us when we just do not have the strength to keep going. All we have to do is reach out and His hand will be there. I choose to serve God. I choose to walk with Jesus no matter where His plan leads me. Are you going through a rough time? Is there pain with every step? Then put your hand in Jesus’ hand because He has been down that road and knows the way.

How many times have I turned away
The number is the same as the sand on the shore
But every time You’ve taken me back
And now I pray You do it once more.

[Chorus:]
Please take from me my life
When I don’t have the strength
to give it away to You Jesus. (repeat)
How many times have I turned away
The number is the same as the stars in the sky
But every time You’ve taken me back
And now I pray You do it tonight.

Take My Life written & sung by Third Day

Posted in Deuteronomy | Comments Off

Something to Ponder

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21 (NIV)

God loves me. God loves you. Soon – that’s when He says He is coming. What does “soon” mean when the timeline that you live in is eternal? Am I living like I am loved by my Father and Creator and my Savior? Am I living an ‘expectant life’? Let’s give that some thought this weekend.

BLESSINGS! – Jody

Posted in Revelation | Comments Off

Fear of the LORD

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from July 9, 2012]

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world. That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him. Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him, and it brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves. In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God’s grace, which he has given to us so fully and freely. Ephesians 1:3-8 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19, Psalm 24, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29

I hope that we will take time to read these passages this week. They aren’t easy passages to read.

2 Samuel 6 is about David bringing the ark back to Jerusalem. The part of the passage that I often refer is David worshiping God with all his heart and not concerned whether someone (like his wife!) thinks he isn’t behaving “kingly” enough. I love the reminder that my worship of God isn’t about me. But the lectionary text people are like me and leave out the part about Uzzah dying because he reached out to steady the ark when the ox stumbled. Heartfelt worship of God will bring me closer to God. Coming close to the Holy One can be dangerous.

Psalm 24 “Who is able to to stand in God’s Holy Place?” The psalmist writes like he knows how dangerous it is to come close to God. He verbalizes that he has seen the holiness, the mightiness of God. He has a ‘holy fear’ of God. The psalmist knows who he is next to God.

Mark 6 passage tells me about the beheading of John the Baptist. It would seem on the surface that evil ‘wins’. Nothing redeeming can be said about King Herod and the perverted Herodias and her daughter. They get what they want – the death of John. But you and I both know that they do not really win. God has the final word in this story. God promised that vengeance would belong to Him (Isaiah 34:8 to name just one).

And so all these passages strike a chord, a true chord, of holy fear inside me. I am reminded of the power and justness of my LORD. I am reminded that God does not lower His standard, His holiness. I cannot stand in His Holy Place in myself. I am too un-holy. I am a sinner.

But my Father had a plan from the beginning. The Father loves so completely that He would provide the sacrifice, the atonement, to make it possible for me to come into His presence. Paul lets the revelation of that love just flow from him in this Ephesians 1 passage. Before I can exclaim that “All is lost! I am a sinner!” I am wrapped in the perfect, all-consuming love of the Father and given an eternal life with Him. And so His Spirit provides the balance of truth about the love and power of God.

Please join me this week in reading these passages. Let us meditate on our LORD and allow Him to speak to each of us, spend time with His child like He wants to do so very much.

Holy, Holy, Holy medley sung by Steven Curtis Chapman, original written by Reginald Heber (1826)

Posted in Devotional, Ephesians | Comments Off

Strength for Today – Hope for Tomorrow

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.
10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated.
They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. Psalm 112 (NLT, my emphasis)

Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 (HCSB, my emphasis)

My daughter and her family have been visiting for a few days. Having them here brings many conversations about our family, stories from the past that always bring much laughter and a few tears. Our family has been through a lot that might be seen as tremendous trials and I wouldn’t disagree with that perspective but the words of Psalm 112 give me a different view. I believe it is God’s view, given by His Spirit.

Some days I struggle with physical pain and the limitations it seems to place on me. My prayers are often for loved ones who are fighting cancer and other tremendous battles of body and mind. But when the enemy attempts to place burdens too heavy to bear, I remember that my husband, children and grandchildren all love the LORD and have a promise of Hope that lifts every burden. There is no weapon that can overcome us because we are in God’s Army and we already know how the war ends.

I do not have all the answers nor do I understand all the ways and timing of the LORD. I just know that with the Hope given to me by His Spirit to my spirit, I am able to walk through another day and have His Hope for tomorrow.

I am so very grateful for the comfort and power of God’s promises in these passages today. I pray that they have also lifted and strengthened you. I’m going to put a note in my Bible because Psalm 112 and 1 Corinthians 2 are two chapters that when the road gets long and my steps become difficult, I am going to turn and read these Words of Life again.

Wonderful Words of Life written by Philip P Bliss & presented by Fountainview Academy Music Dept

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Psalms | Comments Off