Jody's Devotionals

While Joseph thought about these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”        Matthew 1:20-23 (NCV, my emphasis)

Two babies have been born in the last week in our community of family and friends. They are so beautiful and welcomed with much love. Their arrival has brought another perspective to these Scripture passages.

Joseph was given a great gift of faith and steadfastness. He chose to obey God instead of concerning himself with the traditions of his time and the gossip of his community. He took on the role of protector against the power of the Roman government and led his new family into exile. And he did it all in faith and trust in God, not seeing or understanding God’s plan that the Messiah would be born this way.

Do any of us look at our newborn child and know and understand God’s plan for their life? Do we grasp the potential of this child in God’s Kingdom? If we consider our own lives, we should bow in humble, holy fear!

I was born in a small town in the Midwest to parents who did not have an opportunity to go beyond 10^th grade in their education. I wasn’t popular or beautiful but God had a plan for me. He gave me gifts and passion for what He wanted me to do in His Kingdom. I weep and bow my head when I think back on what Jesus has allowed me to be in His plan. Me? And there is still more to come!

As I pray for my children and grandchildren (not just my biological ones), I pray that they will have ears to hear and eyes to see God using them and be willing to obey and trust Him for all the details. I pray they will desire God’s approval more than the applause of the world. I pray that their treasures are found in God’s bank where they will never be poor.

The life of a disciple of Jesus Christ is not easy. It requires intentional spiritual exercise and a healthy diet of Living Bread (the Word) and Water (the Spirit). It needs a community that will mentor and support them as they grow and take their place as workers in God’s Kingdom. And that isn’t at 18 or 21. Didn’t Jesus say that my faith should be like that of a child? So as a parent I should be watching to see what gifts God has given my children and encourage them to use those gifts to serve and magnify God to others. In my own children, my daughter has gifts of faith and joy and my son has the gifts of compassion and encouragement. They use those gifts every day as naturally as breathing. I look at these two new babies just born and wonder with expectation what God has already given to them!

God is with us. He is not a spectator in my life. He is in my life. He is my life. All that I am, all that may be seen as “good” in me, is there because of Immanuel, God with me.

Mary Did You Know written by Mark Lowery and sung by Clay Aiken

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.”     Luke 16:19-21 (NLT)

In some form I have heard the story of Lazarus since I was in elementary school. And so I was reading it again last night. No matter how familiar the passage, God always has something to show me and to teach me. There is always something new in God (Isaiah 43:19).

Lazarus, poor, homeless, sick has nothing to be counted in his “world bank.” I suspect that all who pass him on their way turn their eyes away from him. Looking at him is not pleasant. And we want to look at beautiful, pleasant things, don’t we?

The rich man has it all and continues to make deposits into his “world bank.” It wasn’t that he was rich that sent him to hell. He lived in luxury every day and did nothing to lessen the pain and suffering of someone who was just outside his door. Luke records Jesus saying that what is valued by man is detestable to God (Luke 16:15). The rich man’s lack of love and compassion is what sent him to eternal suffering while Lazarus was taken healed and whole to Abraham’s side rejoicing.

Is $5 a lot of money to you? I certainly have days when I do not have $5 but most days I do. For $5 I can buy a warm meal or even drive someone to a doctor’s appointment or a shelter so they have a warm bed for the night (Yes, use the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in whatever you do). These are things I can do any day of the week, not just when the holiday spirit touches me.

I think what many churches and groups do at Christmas is wonderful. But Jesus did not appear in Bethlehem and call it “done.” He lived here for over 30 years. He showed me how to be a disciple daily, not just when it was easy or convenient. He taught over and over that it wasn’t about loving when people were looking or applauding but when only God knew about my giving His gift of love.

The rich man was concerned that his family would suffer the same fate that he had because they had learned their way of life from his example. He wants Lazarus to go and appear to his family with a message of the truth. Abraham reminds the man that his family have heard the truth through the Scripture of their time and, like him, have chosen not to listen because obedience would require a sacrifice of their own will and way.

Most of us will never meet a person who has never heard of God or Jesus. But we meet people every day who have made a choice not to follow Him. So what can I do? Is it my job to argue or debate them into believing in Jesus? I submit that even those who do have a “call” to be apologists or debaters for the faith are asked more frequently by God to just be a witness by how they live their lives. The example of a life well-lived in Jesus speaks more clearly and true than many words. To be a pipeline for God’s love, His grace and mercy, His compassion and encouragement to flow out and over people is received and digested more readily than hours of debate over some theological point.

Whether I am out in the public every day working and moving about in this world or confined to home with the phone and the internet as my means of communication, God sends a willing servant an opportunity to serve. Are my eyes and ears open? Is my spirit willing? What will we do today, LORD?

Awesome God written by Rich Mullins and sung by Michael W. Smith

[reprinted from December 16, 2009]

– Henry Neufeld

13After they had left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you otherwise.” 14So he got up, took the child and his mother at night, and went to Egypt. 15And he was there until the death of Herod. This was so that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “I have called my son out of Egypt.”         Matthew 2:13-15 (HN)

Let me sound complicated for a moment. We each have some set of metaphors for our life. A metaphor is something that is carried over. It’s a way of expressing something indirectly. We use metaphors more than we believe.

For example, the psalmist says: “Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest” (Psalm 55:6). Now nobody expects us to literally fly away and get into a nest, but the imagery is very powerful. It works for many of us when we’re tired.

As a nation, we have stories. Here in the United States, one of the major defenses of our freedom is the story of how we got them, how our founding documents were written, and how our founding fathers fought and acted in order to create this nation. Yes, I know, there are the documents themselves, and there are traditions of freedom passed from generation to generation, but have you noticed that we can hardly debate politics without making reference to the story of how these people acted and what they intended? The national story becomes part of our discussion.

One of the key stories of the Bible was the story of the exodus from Egypt. It involved escape from bondage, dramatic divine action, good leadership, conflict, and finally success. It was a story that shaped Israel. The prophets of Israel could hardly talk about their country without talking about the exodus. When they were taken into exile in Babylon and then returned they interpreted that story according to the exodus. They told the stories together, and the national story grew.

Jesus came to join the national story of Israel, and as such, he adds new dimensions to the story of rescue from bondage, of trouble, hardship, oppression, and then rescue. It’s a powerful story, and Matthew wants you to tie it all together.

What’s so important about stories? I’m going to suggest that there are overriding stories of your life, and you talk about events in your life according to those stories. Some people have as their main story all the things that have gone wrong in their lives, the way they have been mistreated, and how impossible it is for anything to change. They don’t have to say, “I’m never going to amount to anything.” The story of their life does it for them. Others, even many who have had great difficulties, tell stories of hope. They tend to remember and repeat good things. They don’t have to say, “I’m going somewhere!” Their life stories do it for them.

God enacted a story of redemption in the Bible. The story is repeated over and over. When things get really bad, God is there, redeeming. Matthew tells us in our passage today that Jesus experiences that same story as one of us. Jesus repeatedly tells the story of redemption throughout his life, and his death and resurrection again repeat that story of redemption.

Jody pointed out to me the silence in church when stories are told of people coming to Christ, or of miracles that happen in people’s lives. Why is it that we treat this kind of testimony as routine. A profession of faith, a baptism, [yawn]. It’s just the routine life of the church.

I think the problem is that we don’t really take in the story. What we do is add the “church story” to all those other dead stories in our lives. We don’t really expect things to change. But when we come to Christ, and are “buried with him by baptism into his death” (Romans 6:4) we have joined the story of Jesus. We have joined the story of God’s redemption.

We’re called out of the water into a new life. Our life story should now be about getting called out. Are you entrenched in failure? You are called out! Are you burdened by sin? You are called out! Are your relationships failing? You are called out? Do you feel far from God? You are called out!

Let the fundamental story of your life change. I don’t know what it was. But in Christ, it should be this: Called out for glory!

Bethlehem Morning written by Morris Chapman and sung by Sandi Patti

[Jesus said,]“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On earth, nations will be afraid and confused because of the roar and fury of the sea. People will be so afraid they will faint, wondering what is happening to the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, look up and hold your heads high, because the time when God will free you is near!”        Luke 21:25-28 (NCV)

Lectionary texts: 1^st Sunday of Advent – Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, I Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36

Advent is the time in the Church calendar when we prepare for the coming of the Christ. We remember and read the passages in the Old Testament that remind us that the Messiah’s coming had been spoken for hundreds, no thousands, of years. Generations waited and watched for signs. And then He came in a manger, seen only by his earthly parents, a few farm animals and a handful of shepherds. I believe, my friends, that every day is Advent. Every day I am to be prepared for the Messiah to come, to return and take me home.

Jesus also said that we would not know the day or the hour that He would return, not even He knew that at the time He said it but only the Father knew (Acts 1:7). So why did He talk about “signs” if we would be unable to pinpoint the day and hour?

Nations and people are afraid now, even as I am writing this. Devastating acts of nature, wars, horrific acts of random violence, and our own choices to put ourselves and our own wants before our obedience to God make for a world that is a playground for its ruler, the Accuser, Satan. He attempts to influence us and drag us deeper into his world with this fear. We must keep ourselves focused, not on the “giants” of this world, but on The One who is our Creator, Savior, Father, and Friend who loves us beyond our understanding. David defeated Goliath because he kept his focus on the living God (I Samuel 17). Elisha did not panic when faced with the vast Aramean army but kept his eyes on the chariots of fire that was with him in the LORD’s Army (II Kings 6). Job, described as righteous by God, was struck down with grief and disease. Even his wife counseled him to “curse God and die” as that would be easier than going on living. But Job did not. He repented of trying to figure God out and humbled himself before God – and God did not leave him but poured out His blessings on him (Job). Stephen was not frightened by those who threw stones to kill him but smiled into the face of Jesus and His Glory that beckoned him home (Acts 7). John was exiled on the island of Patmos but John wasn’t alone. Jesus was vividly with him. So vivid was Jesus that words failed John. He tried to tell us what he saw and heard but his words frequently included “it was like …” (Revelation). John saw all of his fellow disciples murdered – but he kept on the race he had been given.

Jesus is coming. The baby who came 2000 years ago is also the King who will return with His sword to separate good from evil. The next 4 weeks is an opportunity for me to establish a spiritual exercise routine that will build my spiritual muscles that will be needed in the coming days, weeks, or years – however long until the Messiah returns or calls me home.

Daily reading in His Word and listening to His teaching.
Daily prayer of pouring out my heart and listening to His wise counsel.
Daily musical worship that is my personal type of intimate worship from my heart to His heart.
Daily encouragement to others as indicated by my LORD.
Daily rest, quiet, silence to hear and see my LORD.

People Get Ready written and sung by Crystal Lewis (1996)

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.                    Luke 1:5-7 (NLT)

Here in the United States we will celebrate Thanksgiving this week. Families will come together and load a large table down with dishes of food. Many will gather in front of the TV to watch football or go out in the yard and participate in their own hilarious games. Some may even go to their local soup kitchens and serve the homeless and poor a hot meal before returning to their own homes for the aforementioned meal. But not everyone will fall in these groups.

I know several people who will have chemotherapy treatments this week. One is going to have the week “off” but will go to the hospital on Monday for yet another treatment. I know one family that is waiting for a phone call from a major treatment center to know what the plan will be to treat their loved one’s cancer. They are hoping there will be a treatment. Many will plan their day around a phone call or a Skype call from a loved one in Afghanistan or some other “can’t tell you” location as they serve and protect.

Some people will have an abbreviated dinner because they are police or first responders or nurses or waitresses in a local diner and they do not have the day off. They are dedicated. They need a job.

And then there are some who have no family near enough to come together. They will try to make a meal for one or two or maybe peanut butter sandwiches because that is all they have. They aren’t homeless and even volunteer at a soup kitchen to feed others but have little for themselves. They are the unknown ones in our midst that I need to be most aware to hear God, I think.

Zechariah and Elizabeth did all that God asked of them and yet God did not answer their prayer for a child. They had asked for many, many years. Now they were old and still they faithfully worshiped and loved their LORD. They were faithful even when they could not hear or see from God. They were faithful. God was faithful too. And that is what I am thankful for this year.

I am thankful that God has kept me faithful. I am thankful when I don’t have answers to what has come into my life, He has brought me the truth that Jesus is there. In ways that I cannot see or hear, God has lifted me and held me on His path. Even when I stumble and step away, He is right there and grasps my hand with His love and brings me back. And because I am so grateful, I want to reach out to others and encourage them that whatever is in their lives, they can give thanks to the One who is right there with them through their hardships. He is there. My heart is so very grateful for God’s presence today.

When Answers Aren’t Enough written and sung by Scott Wesley Brown

I will see you all back here next Monday. I pray that your week is all about being thankful that Jesus is in your life and God’s love is sufficient for the journey that you walk.

At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. Jesus answered, “Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were!”     Luke 13:1-3 (NLT)

This week I am reading Luke 13. It begins with the horrific story of some Galileans being murdered by the Roman authority while they were in the temple worshiping. Jesus quickly dispels the often believed theology that terrible things happen to people to punish them for their sins. Jesus admonishes the crowd to pay attention to their own sinful state!

In Chapter 1 of Mark’s gospel, Jesus begins His ministry by taking up John’s message to “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near.” Jesus validates John’s ministry and continues to call the people to be ready for the Kingdom that is God’s.

Am I ready for God’s Kingdom? Are you? What part does repentance play in my spiritual life? Repentance is about asking God for forgiveness. And that involves some key actions on my part.

Willingness to take the time. I hear other Christians talk about their prayer time but I haven’t heard them talk about time with the Holy Spirit so He can examine them. But then the Holy Spirit hasn’t been invited into my prayer life for examination as much as He should have been either. Until I remembered how I felt the night I was baptized. I remember coming up out of the water feeling so clean and new! I had invited the Holy Spirit to come and shine His light into every corner and closet of my life. And the baptism was the outward sign of my inward change!

Humility. I do not like discipline! But humbling myself with God is safe. God has only my best interests in His plan. He wants me to be better. And He already knows all about me and loves me any way! But for God’s Spirit to come and convict (not condemn – meaning humiliate) me I have to lower the gates that are locked in with my pride. God tells me that He hates pride (Proverbs 8:13, 16:18). He will not tolerate any “god” (including myself) to be more in importance, love, priority than Himself (Exodus 20:4-6). Pride keeps God at a distance from me. And so to bow and invite the Holy Spirit to come in and convict me of my sin is the beginning of the restoration of my relationship with God that is clean and new!

Turning. And here is the third important step. It is a step that I take in my flesh and in my spirit. In my spirit I say, “Yes, LORD, I am a sinner in need of Your forgiveness. Please forgive me.” and I open my heart and arms and embrace my Savior and Father who loves and forgives without conditions. I don’t want to rush this part and that is easy for me to do. It is a life-long issue with me that I am grateful that God has patiently brought me to this place. I stop now and just allow God to pour out His love on me. I picture in my mind God holding me and the smile on His face – that content smile that I have when I hold my children and grandchildren with a heart that is overflowing with love. God feels that way about me! It’s taken me a long time to know that and I still have to intentionally spend time in that sweet place.

In my flesh I turn away from the path that I have been walking that led me to that sin. If it is TV or a book, I make the choice not to watch or read that “stuff”. If it’s a person who delivers “trash” into my life, then I talk that over with God and maybe I need to take a vacation from them for a time. A wise man once asked the question, “How do you avoid looking with lust at someone? Turn your head!” I Corinthians 10:13 says that God will always provide a way out of a temptation so I can stand up and overcome. It will not defeat me unless I give it permission! This is also the place where I must heed Jesus’ warning to fill my clean house with good things – or the enemy will come back in with a vengeance for having kicked him out before! Spending time in the Word, being a part of a small group, spending time with Believers in social situations, offering my life in ministry to others – these must be a priority in my life or the enemy will sneak in and I will be back in the slime of sin again!

In my own life and in the lives of so many that I have prayed with and prayed for, it is this final step of turning in a new direction, accepting the need for new priorities in life where we have not grasped how vital it is. We arrogantly believe that “I’ve got this. I’m better now. I love going to church now and that’s enough. I don’t have to get crazy and give up _____. I’m too busy to commit to that group. I need that relaxed extra hour on Sunday.” When I keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome … what’s that called again? How has that been working for me? Soooooo, maybe I should try it God’s way. Make a change in my heart and life – today.

The song today is the song from yesterday, Mercy Seat. I listened to that song 4-5 nights/week for almost 4 years and I always heard God’s love and His conviction. It has become a love song to me.

Mercy Seat written by Nick Cave (1988) & sung by Vicki Yohe