Devotionals @ The Mount Church

Looking through my family’s vacation albums, one will find a picture of my younger sister, probably around the age of four, standing in a sea of tourists on Main Street, Disney World. Despite the excitement of rides, snacks, and shops around her, she wears a look of loneliness and desperation, the look of a lost child. Obviously, to my parents, she wasn’t actually lost; they knew she was safe enough to snap a quick photo, but to my sister, who wasn’t sure where her family had disappeared to in this strange place, was completely alone, possibly even feeling abandoned.

Do you have moments like that? Despite the world’s busyness going on around you and the many people surrounding you, do you ever feel lonely and desperate? I think at some point in our lives, while we deal with serious illness or broken relationships or stressful jobs or depressing circumstances, we’ve all felt abandoned to some degree. Even though we realize that we have family support, or special friendships, or a prayerful church, sometimes we feel like we are standing in an amusement park and we’re the only ones not having any fun; we’re the only ones who feel out of place.

It always amazes me that God understands so clearly our everyday fears and needs and has already made promises and given us hope in the face of such moments in our lives. Throughout the Old and New Testament, God constantly reminds us of his loving and unfailing presence.

As Jacob left the familiarity of his home at the request of Isaac, God uses a dream to remind him that he was not alone on his life’s journey: “And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” Genesis: 28:15.

As Moses aged and was no longer able to physically lead the Israelites, he encourages them with this reminder: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6.

At Saul’s coronation, Samuel recognizes the sinful pasts of the Israelites, but reassures them of God’s love for His people: “ For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.” 1 Samuel 12:22

As a dedicated servant of the Lord, though often frustrated with the lack of acceptance of his message, Isaiah shares in a poem the faithfulness of God’s presence: “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Isaiah 49: 13-15

As Paul affirms the efforts of the early churches and sympathizes with their struggles, he also understands that they too need reminding of God’s closeness: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

God feels no different toward us than he did toward Isaac, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, or Paul. He created us in his image and desires an intimacy with us regardless of our faults and failures. The most literal example of God being present with his creation occurs in Genesis, as He walks through the Garden with Adam and Eve before their sinful fall. I am often envious of such an experience, and then I remember that God did not abandon us, even after our sins; he still draws near to us.

I’m not sure how my sister got “lost” in that aforementioned picture. Maybe she simply walked in the wrong direction, let go of her parent’s hand, or wandered aimlessly paying little attention the world around her. Don’t we do the same? Those are the times when we too feel far away from God. . . because we moved. God is like my parents. He is still here. He is still protecting us. He is simply waiting for us to look back up and make eye contact, then we’ll be lost no more.

One of my friends began walking with the Lord about a year ago, and was sharing with me all that He had done in her life over the summer and what she was looking to do in the future.  As she shared, she admitted to feeling a little overwhelmed at the weight of the choices that lie ahead, and at her amazement that the Lord had used her as such a young Christian.  She felt as if she were entrusted with much, but may not be as qualified as others who have walked with the Lord longer.  As she shared with me her fears, I smiled softly and very gently told her that, as long as she is walking continually with the Lord, she is just as qualified as any pastor, or seminary PhD, or foreign missionary.  It does not take special training to do what the Lord has called you to do, even to teach, should He so call you, as long as you are walking with the Spirit.  And while this news may grate on the ears of the pridefully religious, it is in fact very true, for nothing that we do or say, if done in the Spirit, comes from us at all, and if it does come from within ourselves, of what value is it?

on understanding

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:26

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:13-14

In many ways the seeker-friendly movement has transformed the church, and few changes, I would argue, have been truly beneficial.  Specifically in teaching, there is a failure to recognize that it is the Holy Spirit that gives understanding.  Because of this, many churches have ceased teaching through scripture (for that is much too deep for a young Christian!) and instead entertain the congregation weekly with milky truths.  This type of teaching, while well intentioned, is a faithless process based on the false belief that young Christians cannot grasp deep truth and that those seeking God would be turned away by a deeper teaching through scripture (and I might question, does anyone truly seek God?  Or is God drawing them to Himself?  And if He is, will your teaching help or deter God?)  You may listen to the most eloquent, challenging, and deep teachings and come away with nothing.  Or you may listen to a very basic teaching and come away challenged and convicted.  It is the Holy Spirit alone who opens eyes, and gives understanding to the believer.  And in this we rejoice, for each one of us has access to the Holy Spirit and so each of us can glean truth from the word, can have our eyes open to His truth, and can be transformed, not because of our great knowledge, but because of God’s work within each of us.  And in this He is made great.

on speaking

for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

Luke 12:12

Acts 4:1-22 is one of several trials depicted in the New Testament (please read Acts 4:1-22).  Here we see Peter and John, fishermen by trade, boldly come before the same court where only a short time before, Christ had been sentenced to death.  They do not cower.  Instead, Peter, filled with the Spirit (v.8), lays out one of many eloquent defenses, stripping their accusers of all power to condemn.  And God is greatly glorified–”Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.  And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (v.13).  Unlike Paul, these men had no religious training, they simply had been with Jesus, and now were filled with the Spirit.  And it is not to say that training is of no benefit, the Lord used Paul greatly to reach the specific people he was called to reach, and his religious background was of great value in his ministry.  It was also nothing which he relied on or boasted in whatsoever (Phil. 3:4-11).  I find that more often than not, the Lord will put each of us in situations where we feel unqualified, intimidated or overwhelmed by the weight of the task before us.  He does that on purpose.  That we might know, experience, and rely on the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit who gives understanding, who speaks through us.  It is God who is glorified.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

And there are many other functions of the Holy Spirit–to cause growth (1 Corinthians 3:6), to give you power to accomplish God’s will (Acts 1:8), to call and to make known God’s will (Acts 8:29,13:2), to convict (John 16:8), to intercede (Romans 8:26), to sanctify (2 Thessalonians 2:13).  The gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have (Ephesians 4:1-6).

going deeper

Being filled with the Spirit can simply be defined as being directed and empowered by the Spirit (see Acts passages above).

• How are you filled with the Spirit? (Matt. 7:7-11, John 7:37-39)
• How do you walk in the Spirit consistently? (1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:14-15)
• Why is it important to walk in the Spirit?  (Acts 1:8, John 15:5)

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.

Psalm 103:17-18 (NAS)

Did you know that as a child of God, your inheritance in His kingdom is secure? As this verse says, “the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.”

For those who have entrusted their lives with Jesus and sharpened their focus on living for Him, questions of eternity have already been answered. While the world flounders in spiritual uncertainty, the Bible says you no longer have to. Living for Jesus means one no longer has to wonder, “Am I going to heaven,” or “Will I ever attain peace, hope, and love?” Right now, wherever you are, at work, at home or at school,  those elements, through the Holy Spirit living through you, are at your grasp. In fact, the entire gamut of Christ-centered traits found in Galatians 5:22 are freely available and should be displayed through you as you walk with Christ.

As Galatians 5:24 says:

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)

Thus, not only is your eternal destiny secure, but as a believer, you have been infused with a set of Christ-like qualities that provide a benchmark to knowing that you truly belong. For, not only does the fruit of the Spirit displayed in you show the world that you are a child of God, but those nine traits provide more fulfillment and happiness than anything the world claims will bring peace and contentment.

We know, however, that despite the presence of the qualities, this life is far from being a cakewalk. Trials, temptations, sickness and heartache are natural parts of our human existence. For non-believers, that’s where it stops. But for Christians, the hope we find in Christ transcends our own carnality.

Early Christians, as well as anyone, understood this truth and gave us remarkable examples of how to steadfastly keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of, and in spite of, persecution, trials, and personal tragedy. Peter, speaking on this kind of hope in Christ, tells us this in 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NAS)

“In the Bible, hope is not wishful thinking,” according to a scriptural note in the NIV Study Bible, “but a firm conviction, much like faith, that is directed toward the future.”

application

Whereever you are today, there are your office desk or reading at home, take a minute of silence with God and be encouraged that your eternal security is firmly in his hands. Thank Him today for his gift of grace and salvation and for the hope in Christ to endure in the face of trials, throwing off our earthly passions and desires, deeply fixated on his peace, hope, and love.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

The dictionary defines “comfort” as “strengthening aid: assistance, support, solace; consolation in time of trouble or worry.”  The Bible is full of God’s assurance of comfort in our lives, which leads us to deduce that life is inherently full of trials and trouble.  In fact, scripture also confirms that in John 16:33 when Christ tells us to take heart, for even though we will have trouble in this world, he has overcome the world.  So, if trouble is a given, and comfort is also promised, where do we look for the comfort?

his presence

Christ told his disciples when he was about to leave them for his heavenly home that he would leave them “another comforter” to be with them always.  The Greek word for “another” means not just another one of similar type, but one exactly like the first.  The Holy Spirit given to us is, in fact, one with Christ and equal to him in every way.  Therefore he is able to comfort us just as Christ would.  And we are never away from him presence, since he lives within us.  We carry about in our bodies the spirit of Christ that imparts to us his peace and comfort in our every care.  We do not have to go to a special place, or wait for a special time.  His comfort is available to us at all times, since he is ever present.  And the fruit of his spirit within us includes peace, joy, patience, and gentleness.  He uses these qualities of his presence to comfort us.

his faithfulness

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, Joshua ordered that 12 stones be piled on the other side of the river to serve as a sign among them.  “In the future when your children ask you ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that…these stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever”.(Joshua 4:6-7)  Joshua wanted the people to be reminded that God was faithful to them and had brought them out of the desert wandering and into the land he had promised them.  Whether we actually build a pile of stones or not, each of us should have a “memorial” that represents to those around us (and reminds ourselves of) God’s faithfulness.  When we have such evidence in our lives, it is easy to bring it to mind and enjoy the comfort that God provides with his track record.  We do not have to look far for examples in our lives.  God is faithful to provide our every need, when we simply trust him for it.  And the evidence mounts as we walk with him and see him meet our needs.  Each of us has plenty of stones to remind us of just what he has done in our lives.  And others can share in the joy and comfort he provides for us as they look at our “pile of stones” and praise God for his wondrous works.

his word

We really have been given much comfort in God’s written word to us.  Its pages hold truth that can change our lives and the world around us.  It gives us direction when we are confused.  It gives us instruction when we are uninformed.  It gives us absolute truth that we can build our lives on.  It is all there for us in his word, and it is up to us to go to it both in time of plenty and in time of need. In his word is the real comfort that we need in our lives.  Anything else that we turn to will leave us lacking, but his word is complete.  It is truth (John 17:17) and it contains everything we need.  The Psalmist wrote “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.  My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119:49-50)  Allow God to comfort you through his word.  Allow him to speak to your heart and give solace to your soul.  Let his word minister to your heart in a way that nothing else can, and come away from your time in the word with a strength and understanding that only he can provide.  Then in turn, strengthen your brothers and sisters in Christ.  After all, his comfort is meant to be shared.

Then we, like Jeremiah, can testify regardless of our circumstances: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:21-23

points to ponder

1. When life gets rough and your problems seem big, who do you go to for comfort?
2. Can you point to a “pile of stones” that testify to God’s faithfulness in your life?
3. Do you trust God’s word to bring you the comfort that you need in life or do you look to other sources for help?

prayer

Lord Jesus, surely you have placed us in this world to live for you.  But that road often holds hard times and difficult circumstances that we have to face.  Comfort us, Lord with your perfect peace and your sweet presence.  Show us truth in your word that will draw us to your side and fill us with your understanding.  Strengthen us as we trust you with our tests and trials, and fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may be more like you.  Use us in the lives of those around us to minister your comfort in their lives as we have received it in ours.  We look to you alone.  Amen.

God’s nature is often a mystery. He is compassionate and tender and yet shows His power and might through everything He does. There is one aspect of His character that always seems to shine through in the Bible. God is capable. When you look up capable in the dictionary you will find a definition stating; having power and ability. I believe this is the truest essence of who God is – He is all power and all ability.

So why is it so easy to doubt God and why do we question His power and ability? Perhaps because just as being capable is a part of God’s nature, doubt and unbelief are a part of ours and we feel compelled to test God to see His capabilities overcome our failings. If you look through the Bible you will see wonderful examples of men and women who doubted that God was capable of taking care of their every need, wish, desire or request. David doubted God’s power and feigned being insane. Sarah doubted God was capable of giving her a child and helped to create a nation that would always be at odds with God’s people. Thomas doubted that Jesus was capable of rising from the dead after he had been told in person what would happen after the crucifixion. My favorite picture of God showing just how capable He is in the midst of unbelievable circumstances happens in the life of Moses and the people of Israel.

Think about the story of Moses. Here is a guy who God appears to in a burning bush (Exodus 3) and Moses’ first reaction is to say to him “Who? Me?” As if God was not capable of taking a sheep herder who had once lived with the family of the Pharaoh and helping him to speak and persuade the Pharaoh to let God’s people go.  After all He had saved Moses from dying as a child, He allowed him to escape Egypt after committing murder, He had led him to a family in the desert who took him in and gave him wise council. Is this not a perfect picture of how blind we are to God’s capabilities because of our nature of distrust?  Moses continued to doubt and God had to prove to him over and over again His power and abilities. Then Moses finally trusts God and seeks out the Pharaoh.  Moses has overcome his doubt at least for the moment.  Then he is leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and lo and behold they become the doubters.

Then they said to Moses; “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Exodus 14:11-12

God once again shows how capable He is in the face of great doubt. Moses tells the people “the Lord will fight for you while you are silent.” (Ex. 14:14) While the people of Israel are in the middle of their doubt, Moses asks them to be quiet and trust. God in the meantime is preparing His plan by hardening the hearts of the Egyptians and making them blind to the trouble in front of them. Moses leads his people into the Red Sea where it parts for their passing through God’s power and ability and then closes the Sea behind them to get rid of their enemies.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Seeing God’s capabilities versus man’s shortcomings is easy when we read about it or hear it in a sermon. How does this play out in our real life. We have to trust that our God is a capable God. One who has the power and ability to do His will. The key is to remember that just because He has the capabilities to do amazing miracles and works does not mean that He always will. Sometimes we need to learn the greater lessons that come from suffering and struggling. This is how God builds us up for greatness and helps us become a greater testimony for His love and grace in the world. He is teaching us to learn that while we are not capable we have a “God who is capable of doing immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)