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
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
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
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
Thursday, June 18, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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
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
Saturday, June 6, 2009
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
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
Monday, June 1, 2009
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.
Thanks for your patience.
Dave & Barb
Still travelin' down the coast...in Coos Bay, Oregon today.
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