God’s Faithful Word

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.              1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (WEB)

It’s been interesting to me that in times of great trial in my life when I’m ‘pressed but not crushed’ [2 Cor. 4] that I struggle to send out devotions.  I hear this ‘junk’ in my head that says “You don’t know the answers yourself — how can you suggest any truth to others?” I wish I could say that I hear that followed by a cackle of laughter easily identifying a red, fork-tailed serpent-like scumbag called satan but sometimes it’s a sweet soft voice!

Fortunately, further along in that same chapter is a word straight from God. Take some time and read on through verse 16.

God will give His wisdom without condition to those who love Him. He created me. God knows my limitations. He wants me to learn and grow.

The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God because He is God.  My spirit knows my true heart.  There is no deception in my spirit.  There is only deception in my soul — my emotions deceive me.  It is the joining of God’s spirit with mine that allows me to know the mind of Christ.  To know His plan and purpose for me.  To worship Him.

When I accepted that I needed a savior and accepted that Jesus was the only One, His Spirit came and lived in me. Since that day, His Spirit has been there to teach me, reminding me of His promises, and opening my spirit to recognize God when He speaks to me. And so the more time I spend with Him the more I will know when it is not Him.

Each devotion that I transcribe I write down for myself first. God is faithful to bring His wisdom, an unconditional gift, to me every day, many times a day when I take the time to listen. Then He says, “Pass it along” and so I do. God’s Word is for His children, wherever they may be, in whatever their circumstances. He is faithful. He is faith. Give Him the thanks and praise!

I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it, and be glad. Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let us exalt his name together. I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.      Psalm 34:1-5 (WEB)

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We are Fellow Workers

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.     2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (WEB)

Reaping and Sowing.  Now there is a “Kingdom Principle”! I’m not a theologian but a “Kingdom Principle” to me is one that God has clearly spelled out throughout His Word and it is a “if this — then that” kind of statement.

So the first question is:  How much am I sowing? Yes, that starts with tithing and being faithful to that tithe.  It is being faithful to the tithe while at the same time being faithful to our responsibilities like rent/mortgage etc.  It is faith that more than occasionally defies logic and moves into God’s principle of reaping and sowing.  Am I also sowing into other people?  Financially but also in my time.  Am I sowing into fellowship and discipleship?  If I am seeking to live a life serving God, keeping the Sabbath, studying God’s Word, and spending time in daily prayer, then I believe I should be discipling!  “Oh, but Jody, I’m not a pastor or a Sunday School teacher or leader!”  Hogwash! That’s the enemy trying to deceive you into thinking that you are the one who is going to be doing all the discipling!!!  God is the One who disciples through His Holy Spirit! I am just the messenger!  Sometimes I am the messenger and the receiver!!!  There is someone out there that God wants you to disciple — a friend, a grandchild, — someone!  Ask Him and then — be obedient!!

The second question is: Am I reaping what I have sown? Sometimes that is not a pretty picture!  If you are reaping weeds, well, it’s time to start sowing some good fruit and flowers, isn’t it?  “Oh, great!  I’ve been sowing into _____ and into ____ church and now I can sit back and just reap the rewards!”  Uh…no. There is no retirement in this world. I am working along side of Jesus. He said that He was here to glorify the Father. There is the primary fruit of what I sow. Am I sowing seeds that will glorify the Father? If I am an encourager or a teacher, it’s about building up the Body so that more people see God in everything.

Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him? I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers.     1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (WEB)

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Divine Home Design

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; …        Ephesians 3:14-17 (WEB)

When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Redeemer of my life, He came to live in me.  His Holy Spirit became a part of me. What kind of accommodations am I offering to God? What does my home look like?

How about the ‘Kitchen’?  Do I “cook up” good stuff in my spirit, my soul?  Do I mix pleasing portions of personal Bible study, private and corporate worship, and private and corporate prayer? Do I store up items in my pantry that will never spoil or am I more concerned about having ‘name brand’, religious accessories that mean nothing to God who can see the truth of my heart?

What happens in my bedroom, including the closet?  What is my relationship with God?  I can be totally honest here because this is the place where NOBODY sees — except Him.  God will help me de-clutter the closet and sweep out the dust bunnies of my life. The secret sins that I think no one else knows – God will clean that out!

Not to be indelicate, but what about the bathroom?  Have my past sins that I have repented, and are covered by Jesus’ blood from the cross, truly been flushed away?  Or do I continue to revisit them and the stench affects every part of my home?  Nothing from this world can cover-up and set me free. Only the Blood. Nothing else is needed.

And finally, there is my front porch and yard.  Is it beautiful and fragrant with good fruit and flowers?  Or does it look deserted like no one lives there any more? Is my faith my life? Am I disciple of Jesus Christ 24/7? Do I have curb appeal that beckons people closer to ask about what makes me different? Am I prepared to share what produces the fruit in my life?

As I look around my physical dwelling place and consider how much time and effort I spend in keeping that ‘up’ and clean and repaired — how does that balance with the time and effort I put into my spiritual home where God lives!?!!

Just like any home designer, Jesus as a vision of what I can be. He wants to live inside of me and construct His home from the inside out. Jesus gives me free choice for many of the details of my life but He has also set an example of what will work well for me. He wants my life to be more extravagant (abundant) than I can imagine.

Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.               Psalm 23:6 (WEB)

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School is Always in Session!

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:36-40 (WEB)

Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 (WEB)

Jesus is real. From a child born in a manger to this moment, risen from the dead and fully God, Jesus is touchable and real. He wanted the disciples, the Twelve and others, to know that He had truly risen from the dead.  And so He showed them the ugly wounds and they knew that He was the Jesus they had known for three years and yet, God.

As I read the gospels, I search for Jesus who is real in my life.  Who has been tempted as I have been tempted.  Who gets frustrated with people as I get frustrated with people.  Who is tired and needs solitude as I need solitude.  Jesus who needs to go off and have a heart-to-heart with His heavenly Father the way I do.  It is all there.  Every word.  But there is something more.  There is Jesus setting the example, showing me the way in all those situations, reacting in the way the Father wants me to react.  It is all there.  Every word. Each day as I study and spend time listening to my Teacher, Jesus, I learn something new.

And then God tests me.  A test evaluates what I know. But it also evaluates what I don’t know.  God tests me and finds the offensive way in me (sin — that’s what offends Him!) and then proceeds to go over again what I have not yet learned!  That leads me on His path.  The True Path.

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26 – 28 (WEB)

So that Geometry test I always hated to take, because I knew it was such a S-T-R-E-T-C-H for me, is like the test I am currently going through because God has searched my heart and sees that ‘offensive’ spot and is working it to my good. I have been called for His purpose!  I am sitting in my seat with my Bible open and my ears tuned in to the Teacher. I do not want to re-take the test! Like the best of teachers, Jesus will explain the lesson in many ways.

Give to me what you will, God.
How much you will, God.
When you will, God.
Send me wherever you will, God.
And deal with me in all things — as you will, God. Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471)

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This Day

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

While this is a very familiar psalm, most of us have probably sang a song from this psalm, have you ever taken the time to read the verse in context with the rest of Psalm 118? The psalmist is speaking a paraphrase of Job’s words that though the LORD slay me – I will hope in Him (Job 13:15). It is a choice to receive what God has given for the day and be glad that He has given me the day!

It may be a difficult concept to consider that God has control over the good and the evil of this world. When I think of the events on September 11, 2001 or the death of my son on September 22, 2004, I want to say that satan caused those awful, painful things to happen. And, in truth, this is satan’s playground where he twists and spreads his evil, destructive seeds. But God is Creator of all and so has power over all, and so it must be that He does ultimately have the choke chain around satan! In Job we see that God allows satan to torment Job. God does not allow satan to kill him. God has the control. So what happened on 9/11? Did God get distracted and miss that satanic mischief and so could not stop it? Was God on vacation in the summer of 2004 and so did not get the message that James needed to be healed?

It may sound cliché to some but God’s ways (His sight, His understanding, His plans, His love, His judgment, His mercy) is not the same as mine. It may seem trite but it is true. My way of seeing events and seeing the fairness of this world cannot be compared to infinite God who holds oceans in His hand! There may have been a dozen other planes headed for other major cities that did not happen on that September 11th morning. There may be bombs, nuclear or ‘dirty’, that fail every week, because God hauls back on the choke chain and says, “No!” It may have been in satan’s mind to execute some horrible, painful, heinous death on James and God said, “No!” I don’t know.

As I was reading Psalm 118 (please take the time to do so today!), I was slipping some notes of my own life into the verses of the psalm. It is so easy to list the many difficulties and situations that cause worry. What if instead I got up in the morning and said, “Today is the day You created, Lord. I know You are here with me now. Walk with me through the day, Lord, and direct my steps, my words, and my thoughts.” And every night when I lay down I say, “Thank You, Lord, for the day” and list the blessings and, yes, the difficulties of the day, putting them in God’s hand (there’s room even with the oceans!) for His care and plan.

Peter said to give all my cares to God because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). He also said that God isn’t slow to keep His promises (2 Peter 3:9). But Peter said a lot more. He said that there would be suffering in my life just as Jesus suffered but there is also the promise of glory just as Jesus is glorified (1 Peter 4). He said that God is patient because He doesn’t want anyone to perish but to repent and receive His promise of eternal life (2 Peter 3).

Our LORD has our days in that hand of His. It is our choice on what we do with it. God gave us choice. I will rejoice and I will be glad in this day!

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The Question and God’s Answer

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself.      Matthew 27:5 (WEB)

This week God has been speaking to me about death and dying. The subject could not be covered without including suicide. Too often Christian grief support groups/programs ignore or attempt to carefully step around the difficulties of this subject. Jesus did not avoid hard subjects so why should we if we are His ambassadors?

C. Michael Patton, theologian, recently wrote “Do People Who Commit Suicide Go To Hell?” on his blog. He expressed my views much better than I could repeat. I hope you will take a few minutes and read his blog that was done in answer to a question from a hurting soul. I smiled in agreement and with a lump in my throat as I read:

“Christ’s death is a once for all remedy to our damnation. Because of this grace and forgiveness we should live a life that is pleasing to him, but some of us won’t do so well. That is what makes grace so wonderful and radical—indeed, beyond belief.”

Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 2) that the Father desires that all should come to know Him. His love and passion to have His children live forever and ever with Him is truly beyond our comprehension. Jesus died once for all. All of God’s children. All of the children’s sins. ALL. No sin too big. No forgotten sin too small. Jesus took them all and washed us with His blood so that we would have an eternal relationship with our Father and Creator. Whether I come to this saving knowledge early in my life or at the last moment, Jesus is Savior and has done it for me. Whether I have lived a good and moral life or led a most heinous life, I need Jesus to save me and He has done it!

Parents, siblings, friends, the ripple effect of suicide is devastating and can affect generations. We are God’s ambassadors and should be ready “in season and out” (2 Timothy 4) to give testimony to the extravagant love of God. Judgment is in His hands and there it must remain.

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The Conduit of God’s Comfort

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.      Psalm 48:14 (NIV)

Shortly after midnight last night, my friend, Barnabas, met Jesus and James again in heaven. An hour before, I had stroked his head and told him to “Go on home” and once again, he obeyed.

I have been taught that as a disciple of Jesus that I can count on that Jesus has always been before me on the path I walk. Jesus knew about grief. Yes, He is God. He was also fully man. Matthew 14 says that after Jesus was told of John the Baptist’s death, He withdrew to a private place. He stepped away to grieve. John 11 tells us that Jesus wept outside Lazarus’ tomb. Jesus had the heart of a man. He knew the pain of grief. He also knew about hope – no, He is the Hope of our lives but He also recognizes and validates the pain that we feel in the context of our finite lives.

Grief has as many facets as there are many humans. Each of us grieves in a different way, for a different amount of time, and testify to God’s healing comfort as we continue to walk forward through the grief. Paul told the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 1) that we are given comfort so that we may give that same comfort to others. He also said that we share the sufferings of Jesus just as others do. Suffering will be a part of this world but God doesn’t leave us in the suffering. He gives us the promise of His comfort.

We must be a conduit of God’s comfort. We must be alert to another’s grief. The comfort of God flows through a personal note that gives the message that we see and care. Comfort is found in a phone call or a quiet visit that doesn’t bring answers but more importantly brings a listening ear. Comfort is in a casserole or a plate of brownies. It is in a remembered laugh; a shared tear.

People who grieve do not always seek out healing. Many times we try to keep the lid on our pot of grief so that we don’t have to acknowledge it. We shut the door on the pain and firmly lock the door. Grief is a living emotion. It grows as an infection grows in a wound. It needs the healing power of God’s comfort and truth. It must be ‘treated’. It cannot be ignored…for long.

Another conduit of God’s comfort is in small groups. To ignore the ‘difficult’ Scriptures and discussions is to doubt the power of God’s Spirit to illuminate and reveal His truths and promises. Every fellowship should be offering small groups that are willing to address subjects like grief, war, suffering, God’s sovereignty, and other points that are rarely addressed from the pulpit. They are subjects that cannot be covered in a 20 minute oration. The small groups also have the opportunity to pray for individuals. It is a time to meet the needs of the one through the collected gifts of the several.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort.     2 Corinthians 1:1-7 (WEB)

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Friends

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

A friend loves at all times; Proverbs 17:17 (WEB)

I am sad this week because I am saying good-by to a friend. He is dying. I will miss him. He has loved our family since the first day he came through our door. He was a very special friend to my son, James. When James was so sick from chemo, his buddy would sit quietly, knowing that James had no strength to say or do anything. Then as James felt better the next day and the next, his buddy was ready to play and make him laugh. I cried on his shoulder many times. He was an encouragement to all of us in so many ways. His name is Barnabas and he is our dog.

God made all the creatures. It is amazing to go to a zoo or look at a National Geographic magazine; visit Sea World and see the many wonders God has made. Each one has a function in God’s plan. We might call it “the Circle of Life” but it is God’s circle! He created the laws of nature. It is in the domestic animals that I see another facet of God’s love for us. Dogs and cats (yes, there are other ‘kinds’ of pets!) can become an important member of a family. I remember as a little girl, learning how to take the responsibility of feeding my cat every day and cleaning his litter box. I didn’t have a younger sibling so the cat taught me about caring for something helpless and in need of my care.

I know there are some people that do not believe that our pets will be in heaven with us. I believe they will be. My Father brought these pets into my life and has blessed me with their presence. He knows my heart and how much I want Barnabas to be a part of the glorious eternal life that is to come. And if it ends up that it isn’t God’s plan for me to see Barnabas again, I will be so happy in heaven with Him that I will not be upset about that detail.

Friends are a gift from God. I must be wise to discern the people who come into my life that He wants to be truly my friend. Not everyone who comes into my life is to be that close to me. After I committed my life to Jesus, one of the hardest changes in my life was to disassociate myself from a close relationship (friendship) with people who were not good for me. God is not telling me to be an isolationist but I am also not to give myself in friendship to everyone I meet. Jesus had only 12 close disciples. He only took three to key events in his ministry. And only the Father knew everything.

“Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold.” (a traditional Girl Scout lyric of unknown origin) I will celebrate my friend’s short but meaningful life this week. I thank God that He brought this friend to our family. Take time today to thank God for friends.

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No Devotional Today

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Henry Neufeld

There will be no devotional on Monday, August 16, or Tuesday, August 17, 2010.  See you back here on Wednesday, August 18, 2010.

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Now Thank We All Our God

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Text: Martin Rinkart (1663); Trans. by Catherine Winkworth
Music: Johann Cruger(1647); Harm. by Felix Mendelssohn

Now thank we all our God,with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Scripture reference: Psalm 100,    Hebrews 12:28

As I was reminded early in this series (8/4/10, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God), God is worthy of my praise and thanksgiving.

Paul reminds the the Church (2 Corinthians 9:12-15) that as we serve others, we serve not to receive thanks ourselves but so thanks and praise will be given to God. And that is the goal of my life: that I would not be remembered but that Jesus would be all that is seen and so God is glorified.

Paul also said that I should give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). He said to pray continuously just before that. There’s a connection there for me. When pray – talk with God – continuously, then I stay in the “God Zone” and the thanks come easily. Despite whatever my circumstances, God is there and I know that with Him all things are possible and together we will come through.

I pray this series has blessed you as it has me. I have been reminded how God continues to speak and inspire His people because He desires to live inside His children.

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