September 20 god with us

God with us. Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, had a dream that greatly troubled him. Then he forgot the dream. He called for the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers to show him his dream and its interpretation. They assured him they could interpret the dream, just tell it to them. He couldn’t. He demanded they tell him the dream and the interpretation, or they would be executed. Their answer: Daniel 2:11-12  And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. 12  For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. “None other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” These “wise” men said our gods do not dwell on earth. Included on death row was Daniel a captive Jew from Jerusalem. Daniel asked the king for time for him and his three friends to pray to the God of heaven concerning the secret. God revealed the dream and the interpretation to Daniel. Daniel spoke to the king. Daniel 2:27-28   But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;  The dream was about the king’s power and the kingdoms that would follow his reign. The king was pleased. The wise men were taken off of death row and Daniel was promoted to be ruler over the whole province of Babylon under the king. His three prayer partners were granted to be administrators under Daniel. I want to zero in on the phrase , except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. The world was created by Jesus. Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth… Then Jesus decided to leave Heaven and become a man. John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us… Imagine God dwelling in human flesh and living among us. About 700 B.C. Isaiah was inspired to write: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. About the year 85 A.D. Matthew quoted Isaiah saying Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy.  Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. God with us. How wonderful. Jesus allowed our sins to kill Him so He could be the final sacrificial lamb. He arose on Sunday. If you repent and ask Jesus to save you, He will live in your heart. Then you can truly say, “I know that God is with us.”

September 21   Do you vote? In yesterday’s devotion (September 20) we discussed King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream from God which he forgot and threatened to kill all the wise men in Babylon if they could not tell him the dream and the interpretation. Daniel and his three Jewish friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, prayed to the God in heaven and He gave Daniel the dream and the interpretation. Daniel and all the wise men were spared being executed. Daniel 2:20-23 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. I want to pay particular attention to the words: : he removeth kings, and setteth up kings. Sometimes the world seems out of control but actually God oversees and governs all things. People accuse Him of being asleep or not caring when children starve, or are aborted, or disease and famine destroy lives. Or when oppressive corrupt governments cruelly rule the land. Man seems to forget that man shot himself in the foot when he disobeyed God and brought the curse upon this earth. God can and does intervene, however He also reigns. He empowered Israels enemies to destroy them to make them repent from worshipping other gods which are no gods at all. Every father who loves his children disciplines them. Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Jesus also chastens nations today. As Americans we have the right to vote. We have a responsibility to vote. If you vote for baby butchers that is between you and God but someday you will give an account to Him. Ultimately God decides who becomes president. Do we deserve someone who upholds Biblical standards, or do we deserve leaders who deny God and make fun of us for clinging to our guns or religion? If you can vote, please vote. Then sit back and let God take control. What He gives us, we deserve. Do your part to make our elections fair and honest. But don’t lose sleep or hurt your body with high blood pressure if the candidates you vote for do not win. “ he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” Please cast your vote and cast your cares on Jesus for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

September 22   The forgotten child. A mother in the town which we lived in years ago left her infant in the car after grocery shopping and returning home. She thought her other children brought the infant in, but she was wrong. The baby died from the heat. She was charged with manslaughter. Can you imagine accidentally leaving your baby in the car? Actually, we should be careful about how severely we judge others. Please never say “never.” Many times, that phrase comes back to bite us. How horrible would it be to have it dawn on you the baby is not in its baby bed? Where is it? Oh no. We couldn’t have left it in the car. But you run out to the car, and it is too late. The baby is dead. How cruel life can be. And then on top of that horrible grief being charged with manslaughter or negligent death of a child or something similar. And going to jail? Locked up for up to 10 years for neglect? And the responsibility of being a mother to the rest of her children and the wife of her husband trashed behind bars? How horrible life can be. Sometimes we get in trouble without even trying. Would God forgive this mother for being neglectful if she cried out in anguish for Him to forgive her? Of course. Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. This mother did not intentionally kill her baby. Should she go to prison? It would be up to a jury to decide that. Should she be treated like a criminal? Like a mother who became angry and beat her infant against the wall killing it? You and I are blessed that we have not unintentionally committed a crime. Have you ever dozed for a moment while driving? If you caused a wreck, you could be guilty of manslaughter. Has reckless driving ever caused your car to momentarily go out of your control? Have you ever reached down to the floor of your car while driving to get something and almost lost control? I suppose some of you think you are perfect and are completely in control of your life. I hope nothing serious ever happens to show you how fragile you really are. What about the man that kept beating the crying infant to make it stop and killed it? Does God care about him? Yes. Do you? Should you? None of us deserve mercy. Jesus gave His life for sinners. For all of us. Romans 3:23   For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. God does forgive if we repent. Nahum 1:3  The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: He will not acquit the wicked, but He will forgive those who repent and ask Him to. 

September 23    The turtle nose. In 2015 a PhD student on a fishing boat off of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast examined an Olive Ridley turtle. Something strange was coming out of its nostril. It was a plastic straw. A video of the straw being removed went viral with over 110 million views on YouTube. Worldwide many turtles starve as their stomachs fill with plastic. People around the world began protesting plastic straws and any one-time use plastic item. It is estimated more than 7,874 tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. In America it is estimated only 4% of our plastic is recycled. This devotion is not intended to express an opinion on waste disposal; however it is intended to express horrific dismay at the disposal of baby humans. Either the fetus is a mass of tissue, or it is a beginning living human. God says He knows the baby before it is conceived. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. God sees the baby as it is being formed within its mother. Psalm 139:13-16  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Elizabeth tells us John the Baptist was only 6 months conceived (still in his mother) when he leaped for joy when Mary who was pregnant with Jesus walked into the house. Luke 1:44  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. This 6-month-old baby leaped for joy when he heard Mary’s voice. They hear more than you realize. I have felt our children move within their mother, but I suspect if the baby would leap that would be quite a surprise. An unpleasant one. Many doctors and nurses have changed to prolife because of the things they experienced in the abortion operating room. Ultrasound showing the baby pull back in pain as the knife cut into his little body. Bothced aborted babies put in a bucket to die while they scream and kick. One nurse wrapped the baby in a blanket and rocked it and sang to it till it died. How sad. How pagan we have become. Pleasure above responsibility. Yes, it is ok to be concerned for the turtles. But it is far more important we be concerned for the precious unborn babies. 

September 24  Spell that. “Railroad crossing, look out for the cars. Can you spell that without any r s?" Now let’s see. There are 2 r s in railroad. One r in crossing. One r in cars. So, there are four r s. Can I spell that without any “r”s? Of course not. Wait. Yes I can. T-H-A-T. The question was “Can you spell “that” without any r s?” Don’t feel bad if you got that one wrong. That was just a riddle. But a serious question is, “What must I do to be saved?” That is the most serious question ever asked. We have to do something. Contrary to a church sign that says, “You are forgiven”. There is something you have to do in order to be forgiven. Romans 10:9-10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  You have to confess. Confess- to admit, to agree with. What must we agree with? Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: We must confess that we have sinned. We must realize that our unholiness has separated us from The Holy One. Do you agree that you have done and thought things that you shouldn’t have? Are you sorry you have sinned? thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Pray to Jesus. Agree with Him you have sinned. Ask Him to forgive you. Humble yourself and ask for mercy. shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead. It does no good to talk to a dead person. Jesus arose. You must believe He is alive before He will hear you. 10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; If your heart is broken because you have sinned you will regret being a sinner and you can cry out for mercy. and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation Jesus knows your heart. You are not forgiven because Jesus died and rose again. That paid the price for our salvation. I can pay for your airline ticket, but it is of no benefit to you until you receive it. We must repent and ask Jesus for salvation. Not with an indifferent attitude. With a broken heart that is down in a pit helplessly lost and crying out for a deliverer. Jesus can and will deliver you if you seek Him with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.Will you call out to Him today?

September 25   It feels right. The song, “You light up my life” has a verse that says, “It can’t be wrong. When it feels so right. ‘Cause you … You light up my life.” Feelings. Can we trust them? It’s so sad that about 50% of American marriages end up in divorce. Even among church members. We meet. We date. We “fall” in love. We marry. As the years go by differences which attracted us to each other begin to irritate. We tend to become impatient. The honeymoon is over and real day to day life sometimes is not so very pleasant. Perhaps the intimacy dwindles. I believe intimacy is one of the most important factors in a happy marriage. Steps can be taken to save a marriage but both partners must be willing to confess their faults and get back on track without letting emotions cause more damage. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” NOT! While dating we would never consider being ugly and hurling hateful words at the one we are trying to impress. Arranged marriages in other countries such as India are 1%. One out of 100 marriages end in divorce. These couples are married because of the parents choice or the hiring of a professional matchmaker. Sometimes the bride meets her husband on the day of their wedding. Do you realize that over 50% of all marriages throughout the world today are arranged? There is no heart emotion here. They have been taught their entire life “someday we will arrange your marriage, and you will live happily ever after.” With determination and the right attitude most marriages can become happy again. Our heart led us to “fall” in love. The heart deceives us. Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Your mouth reveals that which is in your heart. Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. When dating it felt right. Now perhaps it doesn’t. Feelings can be changed. Attitudes can be changed. God created us male and female. Genesis 5:2  Male and female created he them; and blessed them. Even common things such as plumbing fittings are labeled “male” and “female.” God knew what He was doing when He created Adam and Eve. Your marriage can be a little bit of Heaven on earth, or it can become a torture chamber. If both partners will let Jesus be Lord, your “feelings” can be rekindled. 

September 26   Visiting a stranger. Let’s consider a cruel reality. Alzheimer’s Disease. The most common type of dementia. It begins with mild memory loss leading to the loss of the ability too carry on a conversation and living a normal life. In 2020 it was estimated that 5.8 million Americans had Alzheimer’s. This number is expected to increase each year. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death among US adults. Many people have loved ones who no longer know who they are. It is like visiting a stranger. How cruel. Perhaps the demented person longs to see her/his son or daughter and there they are sitting next to them. So sad. Many residents of nursing homes are neglected by their family. Perhaps even more residents who don’t know when loved ones visit are neglected. After all, why spend time with someone who doesn’t know who I am? Many others faithfully visit and listen to the same stories day after day. Patience. Love. Respect. Duty. Honor. Loyalty. It is not the demented persons fault they have become that way. Or is it? We really don’t have all of the answers. The reality is should we visit a stranger even if it is our mother? You have to decide that for yourself. Ask the Lord, “What would you have me do?” Personally, I think I would prefer my family live a normal life without bothering to spend time to visit me if I don’t know who they are. Perhaps I am wrong and will change my mind on that. Christians try to live a life dedicated to Jesus. He has bought us off the slave auction block and serving Him is our reasonable service. Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. We should care for our loved ones. I realize I am talking double tongued. Visit those loved ones and friends even if they don’t know you. But don’t visit me because I don’t want to be a burden. All sickness and death are the result of sin. Adam and Eve brought the curse to the earth when they sinned. Genesis 3:17-19  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. One of the joys of Heaven will be no more death or sickness or tears. Please love those needing love even if they have become a stranger. 

September 27   Wheelchair races. As a student in college, I was active in the Baptist Student Union. Two of our fellow students were wheelchair bound. Lawton and Sonny. We enjoyed including them in our activities and trips out of town. We had wheelchair races on the parking lot. What fun. Smiles and laughs. Wind in the face. Adrenalin flowing. Excitement. But then loss of control. The wheelchair turned over spilling Lawton to the concrete. Horror! Shame on us. We should have known better. But to our surprise he was laughing. He didn’t feel the tumble because of his previous spinal cord injury and even though his hands had scratches the joy of the ride was worth the price. Same with Sonny. From time to time, we still had races and eventually Sonny landed on the concrete too. Again, smiles and laughter. They were one of the “guys.” There is joy in bringing joy into the lives of others. Jesus has brought the greatest of joy into the heart of His children. Now we have the privilege of bringing joy to others. The more you give, the more you receive. Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. The Golden Rule. Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you. Do you try to live by the Golden Rule? Our nature causes us to be selfish. Putting number one first. Selfish people miss the joy of ministering to others. Leaving groceries for the elderly or Christmas presents for children of a poor family without them knowing who left them. There is joy is secret giving. God sees that which we do in secret. Matthew 6:4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Many people give that they may be seen. If so, they have their reward. Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Luke 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. I normally associate this verse to secret sin, but it can also refer to secret blessings you give to others shall come back to reward you. That should not be the reason we secretly bless others, but kindness does have its rewards. Like helping the poor. That is like lending to the Lord. Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Our motive in having pity on the poor is not for reward; However, the Lord does reward the merciful. Matthew 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

  September 28   The blue bead. As a Boy Scout I enjoyed summer camp. The swimming pool was always a favorite place to be. We were divided into 3 groups. White bead, red bead and blue bead. The bead was on a string tied around our neck. A white bead was a beginner. He had to stay in the shallow end. A red bead could swim some but could not swim in the deep end. The blue bead was an excellent swimmer and could freely swim anywhere he wanted. I worked hard to be a blue bead. It was a privilege to wear a blue bead. In the Army I did not qualify as an “expert”  on the firing range so I was not awarded the honor to wear that pin. Excelling. There are some things we can all do well. There are some things we must accept as unattainable, at least at this time. Now let’s talk about excelling as a Christian. All true believers are gifted and talented. We receive gifts from the Holy Spirit when we are saved. 1 Corinthians 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. All Christians do not receive the same gift. Each gift is to be used to be a blessing to the rest of the church. No Christian receives all of the gifts of the Spirit. Some are an eye, some a foot, some an ear but no one Christian receives all of the gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:14-17  For the body is not one member, but many. 15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  Discover what gift or gifts you have received and then excel in giving the body of Christ your ability. Strive for excellence. Work hard for the blue bead. Practice much to earn the “Expert” badge. You can polish your gifts. Also, the more you give of your gift the more of the gift you will have. Use it or lose it. Fight the fight. Finish the course. Strive till the last breath. Then perhaps you can say with Paul: 2 Timothy 4:6-8  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.Do you love the fact Jesus is coming again? Are you ready?

September 29    Twisted sisters. There are three roads in West Texas that referred to as the “Twisted Sisters.” They are Texas Road 335, TX 336 and TX 337. Texas Road 337 begins at Medina, Texas, goes through Leakey, Texas and meets TX 335 at Camp Wood, Texas. Going north to Hwy 41 and then going East to TX 336. Turn right on TX 336 and go back to Leakey, Texas. To many of us who love riding motorcycles this is a wonderful trip. One hundred miles following canyons and climbing jagged, steep hills, tight twisty curves with shear drop offs beyond the guard rails. One stretch of 15 miles has about 65 curves and the entire route has over 200 curves. Signs warn motorcyclists that 16 people have died riding this route.  Drivers are warned to keep their eyes on the road, not on the beautiful scenery. God talks about two twisted sisters in the Bible. Ezekiel 23:2-4  Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother: 3  And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity. 4  And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah. God gave birth to the Jewish nation. Abraham at 100 became the father of Issac and the race was on. Issac had 12 sons and over time the nation of Israel became as the number of stars in the sky or the sand at the sea. Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; The Jews today do not possess the gate of their enemies. But God is faithful and true. They will never be destroyed as a nation. Someday King Jesus will rule from Jerusalem. How exciting to read the Bible and see all that God will do. Back to the twisted sisters. Aholah (Samaria) and Aholibah (Jerusalem) were like daughters to Jehovah. How disappointed He was when they turned their backs on Him and worshiped gods which are no gods at all. Perhaps you have children who have rebelled and left the God of their youth. God knows how you hurt. His twisted daughters flirted with every false god imaginable. Yet He loved her. God had Hosea marry a prostitute who continued in prostitution so Hosea would understand how God hurt for His people. God hurts for you. For me. Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Our sins nailed Jesus to the cross. He arose to save us. We can continue living twisted lives, or we can repent and be blessed forever. Which do you choose?