Sheep & Goats

In the 25th chapter of Matthew, Jesus shares a passage concerning "Judgment" and it is a familiar passage. Most of us have heard part or all of it either in a sermon or song. The entire subject passage was also made famous by a 1970's contemporary Christian artist by the name of Keith Greene and he called it "The Sheep & Goats".

I want to focus on a couple of verses here and they are verses 34 - 36 and it says, "Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me."

These would be considered the "Sheep" in Keith's song. Those who continually ministered as they went through life. There are those who's heart it is, to try to ease the burden of others who are experiencing pain and suffering in life. We have tried to offer that ministry to others and there are those who have "bathed" us in this ministry throughout my illness over the last four years. Jesus looks at these people with very high regard for these are the kingdom of God.

Great reward lay ahead for those who fall into this category for their ministering hearts for it is Jesus Himself who says in verse 40, "And the King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

Jesus is preparing a place for those who's heart it is to minister the love of Christ to his fellow man. In this chapter Jesus offers His Judgment of the Nations and this is very different from the "Great White Throne Judgment" as the "Son of Man comes in His glory...verse 31!

1. At this judgment, He will judge the living nations (Joel 3:11-16) - At the white throne judgment, He will judge the wicked dead.
2. At this judgment, there will be no resurrection of the dead - At the great white throne all the wicked dead are raised (Rev. 20:13)
3. At this judgment, the judge is God "the King" judging the living nations in His earthly kingdom - At the great white throne, the judge is God, judging only the wicked dead.
4. At this judgment, there are no books opened - At the great white throne, the "books were opened."
5. At this judgment, there are three classes judged: "sheep", the elect of Israel (Rev. 7:9-17); "goats", the unsaved (2 Thess. 1:7-10); "tribes", the elect of Israel (Rev. 7:1-8 & Rom. 11:25-28; - At the great white throne, there is only one class; "the dead."
6. At this judgment, the King gives the kingdom to those who have eternal life - At the great white throne, there are no saved and no kingdom; they are all "thrown into the lake of fire."

There is so much more that could be discussed in this passage of scripture but never is there the room. The entire passage concerning this judgment is Matt. 25:31-46 and it would be good to review this message from the Lord frequently.

The point I am trying to make is that the Lord is looking to us to do His "bidding" daily as we walk this earth, just as He did when He was here Himself. We have a job to do and this is to show our love and compassion to those "hard hit" and suffering physical and emotional difficulties. We continue to try to reach out as much as possible to those in need and people have certainly been there to help me when needed. I guess I can say that I have had the opportunity to meet quite a few "Sheep & Goats"!

Dave

Men's Hearts Failing Them for Fear

I found this article from Eternal Life Ministries and find it to be very "timely". I have verified the authenticy and received permission from the author to post is "as written". It is a lengthy article but very worth the time needed to read it. It was requested that I not change a word of the article, which I am honoring, so before you get to the article, I have place a scripture verse that very vividly represents the worthiness of it and current events. The scripture verse is "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:26 KJV)

People get ready! There is "Pain" coming!

Dave

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Men's Hearts Failing Them for Fear

"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (I Timothy 6:19).

The Cost Involved in Preparing for the Storm

I believe God's people are being prepared for what is coming. Dark days are upon the land and only the strong in Christ will remain standing. The sun may be shining, all things may be as normal, but if we could see the things which are unseen, we would be startled to see the things that are taking place in the heavenlies. Wars are taking place in the heavenlies as Michael, the archangel, and the heavenly host are doing battle against satan and his hordes of Hell. We may not be able to see this in the natural, but the level of the fight that is intensifying in the spirit on a daily basis, let's us know that the war is on! Satan is fighting with great wrath at this very hour to destroy anyone that has set their heart to serve The Living God. He knows that his time is short and he is fighting with great intensity. However, we have been given a strong consolation in the hope we have in Jesus Our Lord. He, JESUS, has ALREADY won the victory for us! It is simply our job to hold on to Him, cling to Him, trust Him, obey Him, and wait for the final redemption which is soon to take place at His appearing!
The false prophets and teachers are here just as Jesus said they would be, proclaiming, "peace and safety," deluding the Christian masses into deep, deep sleep. False prophets and twisted teachers continue to pervert the message of the gospel by spouting messages of prosperity, wealth, and doctrines of devils! They enjoy poking fun at True believers that realize that, "...................we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). They twist just enough scripture to convince their audiences that they are telling the truth. The masses--blind, ignorant, and with little knowledge of The Word of God--follow, without questioning a word.

The false teachers and prophets are very good at what they do. They use smooth, convincing words. They take an audience, get them on their side, and then seduce them with, "...................great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantoness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error" (II Peter 2: 18). Jude says it this way, "...................and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage (Jude 16). Listen to what Jude says these false deceivers would be doing, "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts (Jude 17-18). What would they be mocking? Jude was referring to the words of the Apostle Peter, "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming.................?" (II Peter 3: 1-4). They would be mocking the return of The Lord Jesus Christ! They would not say this in words. That's why they are deceivers. But, in works, teaching a gospel of laying up for themselves treasures IN THIS LIFE, they would be denying the promise of the hope of His coming and minimizing the longing for eternal life! The early servants of God were so concerned with this falling away from the truth that they passed it on from the days of the holy prophets, to the days of the apostles, and onward. Today, it is our responsibility to know this same Truth.

The deceivers would be preaching their own deluded gospel of self and prosperity. Instead of proclaiming, ".................seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6: 33), they would be preaching, ".................another Jesus and another gospel..............." (II Cor. 11: 4). They are in our midst today, "Seek your own desires, seek wealth, seek money, seek prosperity, seek to maximize your potential, seek your dreams, live life to the fullest, God wants you to have it all, seek to have it all now!" Many would say, "What's wrong with this? Doesn't God want you to have nice things?" The answer to that is what it says in the Holy scriptures, "....................my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 4: 19). God will more than abundantly provide and supply, yet, Jesus DID NOT come into this world and suffer so that His people could have an earthly kingdom. Jesus told Pilate, "...................My kingdom is not of this world.................." (John 18: 36). Rather, Jesus says to us, "......................If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16: 24). He tells us, "...................lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matthew 6: 20). With the exception of a few faithful ministers, these words are rarely taught. The majority of Christian television or contemporary church programs rarely teach the actual words of Jesus Christ.

The deceivers in the latter days will be preaching the exact opposite of what the True Gospel instructs. While the gospel of wealth and prosperity shouts, "Have it all. You deserve it. God wants you to have it all now. You're a king's kid!" The Voice of Jesus thunders, "Lay NOT up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal....................For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6: 19 and 21). The false teachers and prophets make light of these words by diverting attention to the carnal senses and causing their captives to think with the sensual mind of man. They are good at ignoring or twisting the words of scripture and causing their congregations to receive a message that appeals to the flesh. They poke fun at words like this and arrogantly say, "Well, if you want to be poor, beat up, and have nothing, go ahead. But, I serve a god that wants me to prosper." This is what Peter meant when he stated, "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantoness................." (II Peter 2: 18). Their congregations, immediately, without thought, soak up the error they are being taught, and the prophesied scripture of old becomes more readily apparent as we draw closer to the return of Our Lord Jesus Christ, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Timothy 4: 1).

The truth is, Saints of God, that we must know and understand both, "....................the goodness and severity of God..................." (Romans 11: 22). We must know that, "...................our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12: 29). We must receive the fact and understand, ".......................therefore the terror of the Lord..................." (II Corinthians 5: 11). We must be thankful that God will bless us beyond compare, but know and understand that we must, "..................endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Timothy 2: 3).

Saints of God, these are perilous days for the children of God. There is so much false doctrine floating around that it will be only the very elect that will not be deceived, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24: 24). Be forewarned, contrary to the false gospel that teaches otherwise, this journey is NOT easy! It is a fight to the end, a fight to remain sober, a fight to stand ready, a fight to keep wearing the armor of God, a constant fight with the enemy that only intensifies as we draw closer and closer to the return of The Lord Jesus Christ!

We are soon to see the hopes dashed to pieces of all that have put their trust in the gospel of prosperity. We are soon to see a great falling away, as all that have trusted in climbing the christian ladder to success will be devastated and sell out to the beast when his mark is given in exchange for the wealth and riches that they have become so accustomed to clamoring for, "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (II Thessalonians 2: 1-3).

The days ahead will not be like a "Left Behind" book! They are going to be REAL! You will not be able to sit back and watch your favorite prophecy movie! Friends of God, someday soon the movie screen is going to be REAL and we better get ready for it! We better stop standing idle, enjoying the latest drama, and get ourselves down to prayer! People are going to have to live through it! They're going to have to stand strong! They're going to have to choose this day whom they will serve!

God is preparing His people to go through the fire! He is preparing us to stand strong as the world around us and the church itself begins to shake, ".......................Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain" (Hebrews 12: 26-27). Translated? Everything that can be shaken will be shaken! Every preacher, teacher, prophet, priest, evangelist, pew sitter, everybody, will be shaken! And, if we are shakeable--if we are moveable--we will be shaken out!

It is not that God wants us to be shaken. On the contrary, He wants us to be part of His Glorious Bride! But, in the same way that He came down to the children of Israel to prove them, He will also do the same with us. In the same way that He warned Peter, "..................Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22: 31), He is warning us also to be on the alert! Sobering? Yes! But, in the same way that He prayed for Peter, we can know that He will pray for us as well, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not...................." (vs. 32).

We are going to be tried on every side, yet we must prepare ourselves to stand strong! We do not trust in ourselves, our strengths, our own merits, "......................but in God which raiseth the dead" (II Corinthians 1: 9)! We trust in the faith we have in God! We trust in Him to bring us through! There have been times when I have been almost apprehensive to ask for a closer walk because, over time, I have learned what it will cost. I have learned that we do not just receive strength and patience without also being taught the proper lesson and the tried and chosen way to get us there. I have learned to say, "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing" (Jeremiah 10: 24). It is not an easy thing to learn righteousness. It does not come naturally, nor does it come easily, "...................we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Jesus is our example in all things, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5: 7-8), ".......................who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12: 2). The underlying fact is that it will be worth it all when we step onto the streets and glories of eternal Heaven!

Until we get to our final destination and inherit the mansion that has been built for us, we must have our eyes set upon getting there. In the coming days, the hearts of men are going to be tried, "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21: 25-26). Reports are of record weather extremes being reported everywhere. Everywhere you look, the abnormal is becoming the normal and vice versa. The United States just finished seeing the worst month of tornadoes ever on record. Heat waves are beating down upon several areas of the world, while records lows are reported in others. Storms and excessive rainfalls are occurring, causing flooding. The frequency and intensity of these extremes are increasing and becoming more and more unstable all of the time.

We must prepare ourselves TODAY to stand strong in the midst of an unstable world reeling, "....................to and fro like a drunkard..................." (Isaiah 24: 20). We must allow God to strengthen our hearts so that when these things come, the door of our hearts will be locked in with Christ, "Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3: 13-19). This is what we need for the days that are coming! We must allow God to strengthen our hearts! The world is going to be overtaken and some men's hearts will fail them for fear! But, we must stand strong in faith, IN Christ, being rooted and grounded in Him!

This warning goes out to ALL! Passively sitting in church will not prepare you for what is coming in the days ahead! Following world events for entertainment value ONLY will not save or strengthen you for the days that are coming! We must know and understand TODAY that hard times are coming and prepare ourselves to stand! Our strength is NOT in ourselves, it is IN Christ ALONE! But, we must be IN HIM! We must be strengthened with might by HIS Spirit! Fearful sights shall be coming upon the face of the earth and we must prepare ourselves today!

The false teachers and false prophets will not tell you these things. They will not tell you to prepare, for they are totally dull of hearing themselves. They will not tell you to prepare for tribulation and enlarge your bank accounts at the same time. They will not tell you to cling to the eternal riches of God when they, themselves, are telling you that God wants you to have it all now! They will not tell you to deny yourself when they, themselves, are telling you to maximize your potential. They will not focus on things of the eternal, when they, themselves, are focusing on things of the natural. They will not tell you, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him...................... (II Timothy 2: 12), when they are telling you that God wants you to prosper! They will not tell you, "Lay NOT up for yourselves treasures upon earth...................... (Matthew 6: 19), when they, themselves, are actually telling you to do just that! "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh" (James 3: 11-12).

Some may not actually hear this word. But, the message has been brought forth just the same. Hold on, brethren, until the time of the very end! We do not have much time to wait! Look up, your redemption draweth nigh! In God you will find peace, and the answers to all of life's problems that you will ever face!

Be strong and encouraged in The Lord and in the power of His might! Rest in Him until the day of His coming!

Praises be to the Name of Our God! Amen and Amen! The just shall live by faith. Amen!

Rich Fyke
Eternal Life Ministries
etrnlife@midwest.net
http://home.midwest.net/~etrnlife/
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Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Country

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

Please share this with someone, possibly someone you love. We who believe this way may very well be the last chance for the world to recover! One Nation Under God.

Dave

Home Again

Sorry for the blank devotion days. I've been out seein' the countryside with my wife and dog in our travel trailer. Spent most of this week at the Colorado River and had a great time. I promise I'll get back on it right away.

God is still on His throne.

Dave

Get Outta Here, Satan!

Did you read my devotion from yesterday? About the tongue? Well I continued in the book of James and I'll be darned if I didn't find the perfect answer for yesterday's devotion.

You can find it in James 4:7 which says, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Absolutely unbelievable! I was just talking about the tongue yesterday and today God takes me to this verse of scripture.

Of course it doesn't only apply to the tongue. Submission is the key. We, as men, always look at that word and apply it to our wives because naturally, they are supposed to be submissive to we men. Well, according to this passage of scripture, we ALL are supposed to be submissive to God. That's what it says!

Of course there is a benefit to being obedient to God (submissive). It says that as we "resist the devil, he will flee from us" and I need more of his fleeing in my life, what about you?

Dave

Cut My Tongue Out, Please!

Ever make a statement and then just as soon as you said it, wish you could "drag it back in your mouth?" James makes a very profound comment about this in his book and the passage is in James 3:7 and says, "...no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." OUCH! A pretty brazen statement. But it is true.

We walk around this earth all the time, flapping our tongues and most of the time, never giving any regard to what or to whom we are "flapping"! I've said things a thousand times that I wish I could drag back into my mouth. Even in the state of "spiritual" sincerity we find ourselves in, our tongues always find a way to get us into trouble.

And now, not only our tongues, but we have the Internet and emails and texts and cell phones that only ADD to our ability to have a "slip of the tongue."

I remember when I first received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I was working at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California as an overhead crane operator. I hung with a pretty "messy" crowd and most of them could cuss the wallpaper off the wall, on cue.

When I returned to work after my salvation experience, I knew that it would be difficult so I convinced myself to turn my speech down, like an old record player. I slowed down my speech from 45 rpms to 33 1/3 rpms so I could actually think about what I was going to say before I said it. Can you believe that that method works? I wish I could think up something like that to help smokers to stop smoking. I'd be rich!

Anyway, since it is not beneficial for you to "cut out" your tongue, if you are having a problem (even if it does not concern foul language) try to slow down your speaking just a little bit, remember that Jesus Christ is with you everywhere, and then perhaps you can have a little better control.

The Bible declares it, so it's a fact. "No one can tame the tongue..." but you can slow it down just a little and teach it a few new tricks. What an applicable passage for us today. Something as little as our speech to one another needs to be filtered through Jesus Christ. That must mean we need Him in every aspect of our lives.

Happy "flapping"!

Dave

Oops! I Did It Again!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthans 15:58 NASB).

How many of you believe that statement? How many are there of us who refer to ourselves as "Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ" and still allow Satan to heap coals over our heads when we have misbehaved or fallen short with God? How many times do you hang your head every day because you failed to reach "your own" potential? That's right, "your own"! Not God's potential in you!

Paul tells the church at Corinth to be steadfast and immovable. He didn't say, "You are sinless and you cannot fall"! He wanted us to understand that even though we still "walk with a limp" that we can continue to be "steadfast and immovable" for Jesus Christ our Lord. Take notice that in the same sentence he reminds us of our "toils" and that they are "not in vain in the Lord."

As you serve the Lord each day, you are going to get your hands dirty. You are going to trip and fall, sometimes scraping your knee. But all the while your heart is "steadfast and immovable" toward the Lord Jesus Christ and your ministry for Him.

I've usually committed some kind of sin before I finish my coffee in the morning. It doesn't take from me, the ability that God has given to me through His Son.

So while you are down there on your knees anyway, just confess to God (He already knows you are not perfect), and get back to the task at hand: Telling the world about Jesus. We are NOT "wimpy" saints of God. We are His children, saved by His grace, heading toward His throne. So get up and act like it.

Don't let Satan win anymore battles in your life. He is NOT as strong as Jesus Christ in you.

Dave

Father, Who Is Greater?

"Contrary to popular opinion, the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" (Mark Twain). Yes, I am back. Trying to get back to writing after our trip. Had so many things to do. Always something getting in the way. But my commitment remains. By the end of 2009, I plan to have 365 devotions ready for publication; just in case they are worth it. Continuing on...

Over the last several weeks I have been thinking of my own service to Christ and those who follow Him. We try and think that we are serving Him and plenty of things always get in our way. It was never that way with Jesus Christ. He focused His eyes on the Cross and never turned to the left or to the right, but rather became a servant unto death for the Father.

Then this passage of scripture came to mind. "Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. And so He came to Simon Peter. Peter said to Him, Never shall You wash my feet! Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you" (John 13:5-10 NASB).

I see the Lord teaching a lesson here in servant hood. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and so we always look to Him as the Savior of the world; that His job is completed through the salvation of many. His job was complete by the shedding of His precious blood. His task complete upon, not only His death on an old rugged cross, but also His miraculous resurrection from the dead. But Jesus came to show us what it is to be a servant.

As the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, the Son of God knelt down to His knees and began washing the feet of the disciples. In their culture, this was a job usually reserved for a slave of the home, a servant. But Jesus was painting a picture for His disciples so they would understand His message. Several times in the New Testament Jesus made reference to servant hood. In Luke 22: 23ff it says, "And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors. But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant."

God made flesh, kneeled down to wash the disciples feet. An act of servant hood that would mark history.

I believe that the second lesson that Jesus was trying to explain was that of salvation. Again in verse 10 He said, He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean..." Translation: he who has been saved does not need to be saved again, only forgiven. Here is a classic passage of scripture that verifies that age old argument "Once saved, always saved".

Beyond sacrificing Himself on the cross of Calvary, the most sincere effort that I can see Jesus doing in the New Testament is being portrayed as a "servant" to His disciples. Finally, in verse 12 He says, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

In the history of the church we have never witnessed more "self-proclamation" than that which we see today. People speak today with so many "I's" in their speaking that you have to wonder if they believe that anything they are saying is validated other than themselves. As "servants" of Jesus Christ, we ought to be "servants" of one another and if that were the case, one would not have time to "puff" himself up.

Have you washed anyone's feet lately? Jesus, your Lord and Savior did! And He did it to show you humility and servant hood. Someone near you desperately needs your services. If your conversation is always centered around you, then perhaps it is time to pour some water into the basin.

Dave

Devotion Updates From Fresno, California

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Blessing Come In Times Of Trouble

We live our lives in such a chaotic state that sometimes we don't even know in which direction we are going. Ever feel that way? It happens to all of us. Something in our lives disturbs the "natural flow" of life and we get "wigged out" over it and cannot seem to get back on track. A tornado or hurricane of massive proportion shows up and our legs come out from under us.

Proverbs 10:25 says, "When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation." What about Proverbs 12:3: "A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved."

At what level does the wind disturb your relationship with God? Is there a level? There was a man named Job in the Old Testament who's life was perfect, until the wind began to blow. His response in Job 13:15 was "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him..."

As long as I live in this world, I will never forget a lady named Sandy. She was a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy at the same time as me. She was very afraid and it showed. We sat in the same room together, both receiving the poison in our veins that was supposed to kill the cancer and save our lives. She was short on confidence and she overheard my discussion with the patient next to me and she began to ask questions. She wanted to know more about the peace I spoke of and before that conversation ended, I found myself on my knees, with an IV sticking out of my chest, in front of her chair praying a prayer of faith and listening to her ask Jesus to give her this peace.

Without a doubt, I DO NOT LIKE THIS CANCER however, if I had not acquired this illness, it is likely that I would never have been in the same room with Sandy, EVER!
The wind blows. Hurricanes happen. Tragedy strikes whomever it feels like striking. Look again at the last part of Proverbs 10:25. It says, "...the righteous has an everlasting foundation." What is your foundation made of? You may never experience anything as difficult as cancer or perhaps the death of a loved one but don't you think that your foundation deserves to be rooted in Jesus Christ...just in case?

Dave

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" (Matthew 5:7). The one thing that we need most of in this life is mercy. There are so many ways to "screw something up" that mercy is the only real way out. Some things get messed up in life and we just cannot fix them, no matter how hard we try. But Jesus, as He preached through the beatitudes, explained that mercy is the key.

Have you ever held a grudge against someone? Now be honest! Ever go back to the situation and think about how you would love to "get them back"? Do you realize that any time you have more than one person in a room, you have more than one opinion? We are all made different, we think differently, we live differently, have different ideas and different ways of doing things. But here is what the Son of God suggested to us. In the face of adversity, we should show "mercy". In Matthew 6:14 He said, "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

Is there someone or something in your life that you harbor anger against? Are you holding on to that desire to "slap the hand that slapped you"? You cannot bring a merciless lifestyle into God's arena and expect to be blessed. You've heard the saying, "Let go and let God"! Well here's your wake-up call. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy". There is no "Grudge" department in heaven so you might as well let it go now.

Dave


Monday, June 1, 2009

This Is My High Priest

"...He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

"those who draw near to God..." is a very intimate part of this scripture. He loves us so and wants us to bring our whole lives to Him for His care and consideration. God made two covenants with man. The first was an unconditional covenant (like His covenant with Israel in Isaiah 59:21) which He will never repent of as seen in Psalm 110:4 and the second one was conditional when He said that "My spirit shall not strive with man forever..." (Genesis 6:3).

These covenants better help us to understand the power with which "...He always lives to make intercession for them." So let's continue the writer's thoughts here: "For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself" (Hebrews 7:26&27).

For all of us, it is very hard to fully comprehend God, but it is not too difficult to see how much He cares for us. When I read scripture like this, I feel like I could just melt from the abundance of love He shows. Just yesterday I wrote about how much my wife and kids love me. I am overwhelmed at the love, so much love, that He has provided for me, and for them, and for you.
Can you feel His love today? I sure hope so!

Dave

Email Fixed

Our email addresses have been fixed. Long story but you can contact us again at papadave2@cox.net or grammybarb2@cox.net.

Thanks for your patience.

Dave & Barb

Still travelin' down the coast...in Coos Bay, Oregon today.