Category: Devotional

“The Greatest Story Ever Told”Luke 1:18 – 20  “And Zacharias said unto the angel, how will I know this? For I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years… And the angel answered….I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God,…And, behold thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until my words shall be fulfilled (the birth of John the Baptist)…. Because thou believest not my words.”Luke 1:35   “….., and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee (speaking to Mary): therefore also the holy ‘child’ which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”Luke 1: 37 & 38  “For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of  the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. ”

Luke 1:45  ” And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from The Lord (Elizabeth, Zacharias wife).”

The story of Christmas is beautiful, but lengthy for a short devotional. So in selecting these last verses to complete our Christmas week, I want us to understand the differences of these two responses. The first response comes from Zacharias, a priest in Israel, as he was ministering unto the Lord in the Temple.
The next response comes from Mary, which we believe was around 16 yrs. of age. Both individuals were “challenged” in their faith. Zacharias and his wife were old, way beyond the childbearing age. Mary was not married yet, and God was not going to wait until she was. It needed to be clear that Christ’s birth was super natural. And for Mary, engaged to be married to Joseph, to come back from visiting Elizabeth ( vs. 39 -45) Zacharias wife, pregnant, was punishable by stoning.

Yet Mary’s response was, ” Behold the handmaid of The Lord…” There was a willingness in her, and a belief, whereas with Zacharias, Gabriel’s  words were met with doubt. Even though Abraham the “Father of the Jewish Faith” wife Sarah conceived also very late in age, and Zacharias knew the testimony. So Zacharias had history in his favor, yet he still did not believe. Why?

What causes two people hearing from the same messenger to respond differently? There are probably a couple of reasons, but ultimately it is the condition of our heart. A willingness to believe given the evidence (the angel Gabriel) despite the obstacles, or like Zacharias, a lack of willingness to believe despite the same evidence because of the obstacles… Some of us chose not to believe because it means we would have to change the way we want to live, and we are not willing to change our lifestyle. At times it can seem a little daunting to fully trust God with our lives. So we “believe” but not fully surrendering the control of our lives. Yet Jesus said ” what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world (all that we value here), yet lose his own soul?” So our choice to abide “in the love of God,” being in relationship with Him, like Mary, or religious and living life on our terms like Zacharias….., which do we value more?

And can anything be done if I find in me a hard heart, a lack of faith? The Bible teaches that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (the Bible), both audibly and in study. If I am struggling in trusting God overall, or in a certain area of my life, I need to read and study the scriptures. Either scriptures about the faithfulness of God towards me ( e.g., Psalm 119) or specific scriptures that pertain to my struggle ( Matthew 5,6 &7 deals with many). As I do, my faith grows and doubt lessens and or leaves. Lack of faith simply points to a lack of relationship. It is hard to believe and trust someone if you don’t know them. So doubt is not so much the problem, it can be dealt with, but it is more the LACK OF WILLINGNESS to know The Lord.  Being “self fulfilled” and not seeing my need of Him is the concern. Zacharias life is such a life, and his lack of trust given history speaks of a religious man who really didn’t know the God he claimed to serve. Where as with Mary, it is apparent that she had a meaningful relationship with The Lord. Though giving birth to God in the flesh was quite a “jump of faith,” it was faith that had been nurtured in her since her childhood.

In conclusion, as you look at your own life, do you relate more to Mary, willing to trust God, or do you find a Zacharias close at heart? Your decision matters.

Father God,
May all doubts and fears be answered as I consider the love with which You came. Living a life among us, giving your life for us, may this loudly speak to me of a love that is un- dieing. And when questions arise and hard times be on my path, may I know that You are fitting me for a different life, a life that leans on You and seeks to embrace eternal values.  Thank you and Amen.

I trust everyone’s Christmas went well :)
Dios lo Bendiga

“The Greatest Story Ever Told”Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS (Jehovah is help, or Savior) for he shall save his people from their sins (in the verses that precede this it is clear that Mary was virgin).

Isaiah 7:14 “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.

The fullness of these verses cannot be appreciated without reading the story in its full context. I would encourage you to read Matthew 1:18 to 1:25, it will put my words in context. I am only highlighting one verse.

There are many religious books, many “good words of encouragement, and wise sayings” all helpful in living this life, yet the Bible is unrivaled, for it is not only a book of encouragement and wise sayings, but a book of profound prophecies, many having been fulfilled. The two verses listed are one of many examples of this. The book of Isaiah was penned by the prophet Isaiah in 739-686 B.C and whose name means ” The LORD is salvation.” Isaiah prophesied of Christ virgin birth some 500 years prior. And the “life” that we know as Jesus Christ breastfeed, crawled, walked, ran, worked with his father as a carpenter, then at the appointed time appeared on the stage of humanity performing miracles, healing, teaching and ultimately surrendering his life to the cruelty of the cross.

In this story we have miracle after miracle. We have prophecy being fulfilled, we have a virgin conceiving the Christ child by the Holy Spirit ( vs.20), we have a God fearing man being obedient and protecting his wife from great shame and death (vs. 24) we have the miracle of the ages, as Jesus Christ the second person of the Trinity took on the great limitations of human flesh, and he who made breast for babes to suck, became the receipt of his own creation, and on it goes as he who made legs to walk and run had to learn how to use his. It is a story so incredible that it is either completely made up, or completely true and worthy of all attention. But the story doesn’t stop with Jesus maturing, the story just begins, as he helps fishermen to catch so much fish after a night of wasted effort, to the point that their boats start to sink, heals a leper so that he can once again find acceptance in society, brings joy to the broken heart of a widow by raising her only son from death and teaching truths that the people “marveled”  at.
And this is where the story turns, pointing to the hardness of man’s heart. For the people “marveled” at Christ, following him because he healed and fed them, but they did not receive his words. For all the miracles Jesus did they could not get ” their head around” his teaching that he was God in the flesh. And they stumbled at his teaching, which in turn lead to his crucifixion. And to this day we stumble at his teaching, finding it inconceivable that Creator God could ever be one of us. Yet from prophecies to reality we find that truth lived out in the person of Jesus Christ.
Does not love do great things? Would you not give your life for your child. Would not one of those parents not have given their life, placing themselves in front of the shooters bullet to save their child, the teachers did. Would you or I not do the same? So why is it so inconceivable that God would take the bullet of damning sin on the cross, so that we could live. Why is that so hard to believe? Do we too have harden hearts? Did He who made the ocean vast, can His love not be the same in greatness, or He who made the sun to warm us, not warm our souls with His love? We must not allow doubt or disbelief to stumble us, but believe that God’s compassion is seen in the humility of His birth, and its love fulfilled  at that cross as Creator God willingly spread his arms so that his hands would receive the nails of rejecting man, his most precious creation.

This Christmas, believe… Believe that it was more than a babe, but our Savior.

Father God,
Take the blindness from my eyes and the hardness from my heart. Help me to more fully understand that it is more than just “the story” that I’ve heard my whole life, but it is the message of Hope and Love that shouts from eternity to earth. Grant me a heart that seeks your love, and a willingness to die to self to follow you. Thank you…and Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga, and have a blessed Christmas,

Colossians 1:16   “The Greatest Gift”

” For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created by him and for him.”

This study may seem a little “out there” as we look at the phase “…whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers.” These words seem to have dual meanings referring to rulerships, authorities and hierarchy of powers, both in the seen and in the unseen world of angelic and demonic hosts. As a modern day army is divided by ranks, paltones and divisions, the implication is that the spiritual world is likewise. There are many stories in the Bible of both angelic and demonic intervention. For some of us we readily believe in these unseen forces, working on behalf of man’s good or to his demise, for others this is just strange. In either case the spiritual world is real, and there is an unseen battle that occurs over the lives of men and women; with the heart, mind and soul of man being the prize to be won.

It can be a scary thought, for what can mortal man do against these unseen forces? Yet we can find comfort in the verse itself in that “all things being created by him” are also under him, and that all things are “for him.”  Several studies back we discussed the topic of “permissible evil.” The question was, why does God allow evil if it’s intent is to destroy and damn man, as John 10:10 says….” the evil one comes only to steal, kill and destroy.”  The stakes are really high!

Questions such as these have profound answers that books have been written on, not answered in brief devotionals. However in a super nutshell answer, “where evil abounds, God’s grace abounds the more” (Romans 5:20) and ” a light on the hill the darkness cannot put out, so let your light so shine before men that all will see and praise your Father in Heaven” ( Matthew 5:14 -16 paraphrased ).  In other words, a candle in a dark room lights up the room, not the reverse. Darkness does not win over light. The stars shine the brightest in the darkness night, and the glory and need for God’s grace is more greatly seen and desired when darkness exist in the world and in the heart of man. When all is perfect, who needs a Savior?

The ways of the evil one are not a threat to the children of God, forgiven and filled with His spirit. His ways are not a threat to the unsaved that see the effects of sin in the world and in their own lives, for now change is possible. He is only a threat to those of us who believe all is well. That our goodness is sufficient, and that we are so well supplied by our own means, that we cannot see the love of God for us, or our need of it. For you there is concern; and even given that as a concern, there is still granted to us the freedom to believe as we chose. With that freedom comes responsibility, and when the stakes are for the souls of men and women, the stakes could not be higher.

Last comment. The verse ends with three simple yet profound words, ” and for Him.” All things, including ourselves, were and are created to be in relationship with God through faith in Christ. As an example, when occupationally we are doing what we were made for, there is a sense of fulfillment;  even deeper still is the sense of being found, being home, having the deepest part of us made right, being at peace. Interestingly enough peace in the Greek means to restore that which has been broken e.g., to set a broken arm, or it can also mean to be “set at one with God.” Have you found peace?

We travel great distances within relatively few hours with jets, however the greatest distance travelled only requires going 18″ inches, the distance between one’s knees and the floor, and Eternity is reached.

Father God,
I give you permission to search me and reveal to me the foundation i have built my life on. If I cannot see my need of You, reveal to me my need. There may be some fear in me to know the truth, but the greater danger is to believe that all is right, only to  discover later my blindness. That by far is the greater fear. So show me and reveal to me what it means to “be created for you.”  Thank you and Amen

Dios lo Bendiga and Merry Christmas – Arthur

We are now starting another series of teachings dealing with the person and character of Christ. It seems that all religions acknowledge Jesus Christ. Their belief acknowledges him as a prophet, a great teacher, a peacemaker – some even recognize his supernatural healing abilities. And there are also a few religions that disregard him completely. Christianity, from which derives its name from Christ, acknowledges him to be the God/Man Savior. Throughout religious history there has not been a more controversial person than Jesus Christ .
To understand more clearly his identity we will explore the Greek verbiage of the apostle Paul. Paul at first was an enemy of Christ and the early Christian church, persecuting and killing believers, until he had a supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ himself. After his encounter, his conversion was so radical that those who supported his agenda of exterminating the Christian faith began to persecute Paul. So based on Paul’s own experiences, and the testimonies of the eye witness accounts of the other apostles, Paul penned the verse we are to study, ” Who is the image of the invisible God….,” (the balance of this verse we will study next week). The  ” Who is the” is accurate in its translation,  however the word “image” is a critical word and needs to be explained. There are at least four Greek words for image, but only two are close to the meaning of this verse – yet their distinctions are telling. “Eikon,”  the word that is used, always assumes an “essence” that is derived from the main object. A great example of this word is our children. They are “eikon” of us. Their very D.N.A., the essence of their being comes from us. Hence the reason why they resemble and act like us, such is this word. The other word is ” homoina.” A good example of this word is the Lincoln memorial. It resembles President Lincoln, but it shares nothing of his being or essence, being carved from stone. Another example, two men can look alike, but in no way are they related.

So the word used to describe Jesus Christ would cause the verse to read. “Who is the image of the invisible God ‘sharing in the very self existent essence of His eternal nature.’ ”
With this as the accurate explanation of the word “image,” the person of Christ then becomes more than a great prophet, healer or peace maker. It implies that Christ was and is Divinity, processing the same D.N.A as God himself while being “wrapped in a garment of flesh.” Surely a profound mystery to say the least.

The word “invisible” is accurate. The Greek definition and our definition agree, which is good because it would be hard to describe more accurately something that can’t be seen

Lastly why is this so important? The nature and person of Christ is critical. If he was just a good man, then a Savior he could not be. For a Savior has to be without any fault of his own, perfect in every sense of the word. If he was just human and was able through good works attain god like status, than those who could harness themselves enough, discipline themselves enough, maybe could do the same. But if he was truly God, as we see the scripture claims him to be, then he was and is without any sin whatsoever, making him a viable sacrifice for us. And his actions then were more than what a good man could attain too. For not only did he live a sinless life, but he ever lived in the spirit of communion with the Father – something that is humanly impossible for us to do.

Father God,
A great mystery is found in Jesus Christ. To consider that in the person of Jesus Christ your Divinity walked and ate among us, tells of your approachability and tenderness towards us. You are not a God that is distant, but approachable in every sense of the word.  Thank you, and help me to understand more fully what this means. Amen

Colossians 1:14  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”Thank you so much for hanging in there with me in this series of teaching’s. They are pretty direct, especially if its your first exposure to Biblical teaching. However a “watered down” gospel message is like a drinking glass filled with holes; that when filled cannot hold water, much less quench one’s thirst. I promise you that I will not do that to you, or to the gospel that  has given me such hope.Next, as true with anything in print, we cannot hear the voice or feel the heart of the one saying it. So in answering these remaining questions, the voice I want you to hear is that of a parent calling their child out of a busy street. I want you to hear the urgency in the parents voice and to feel the emotion of wanting to save the child from danger. I also want you to picture the resistance on the child’s face as he/she continues to play in the street blinded to the dangers. With that said, let’s answer our first question.”What is my indebtedness?” As we all know debt is a liability, and the “playing field” is not even until I pay my debt. But what is this debt? It is unlike any debt we know, but before I can explain it, I must cause you to understand God’s holiness, at least as best as is humanly possible.

When our girls were young we enjoyed taking them camping. As with all camping trips, there are campfires. Towards the  evening hours as the camp fire was burning down I would notice that there was little to no smoke coming from the fire. All that could be burned had been burned, remaining only the hot embers. Between them existed a glow that was more intense, purer and hotter than the fire had been with the wood. If I threw any pine needles or twigs on the fire at this point, they would burst into flames and be gone within moments. Such is the Holiness of God. It is pure, hot and consuming towards anything that is less than holy. Not because God is mean, but the nature of Holiness is as the nature of those coals. Anything that is not as pure or as intense  cannot exist or stand in His presence. That is the best picture of Holiness I know. Now contrast that against our humanness, our failings, even our best attempts cannot measures up. As those pine needles or twigs burst into flames before the intensity of the embers. We before such holiness would be utterly consumed.

So now God has a problem. His love for us seeks to bring us near, close to his heart, but then his holiness would consume us. So as God allowed for a sacrifice of substitution in the Old Testament, so we need a sacrifice. An atonement, an ” innocent lamb” that by confession, repentance and placing my faith in him would bare my sins and receive my punishment. My indebtedness is my sins, past, present and future. In all areas of my life I fall short of living a holy life. I need a Savior to redeem me and transform my life. On my own merits I could never stand before the presence of The Lord Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Christ is that, the go between God and me. Being fully God, fully man and the Holy Spirit, a mystery to say the least. He was and is the perfect sacrifice. In my repentance his death atones for my sin and forgiveness is granted. In accepting his sacrifice for me, coming into agreement with him, I am given a new nature. Spiritually becoming indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which allows me to live a different life and ultimately come before a Holy God.

I know In these  last two paragraphs I have said a lot. Volumes of books are written about these topics, being inexhaustible. But pause now, hear the voice of the Father calling us to leave the streets of this world and come to Him. See Jesus crucified… and I understand that this is somewhat morbid, but there is no greater testimony of God’s love for us. Understand that by his death our debts have been paid, “leveling the playing field,” canceling my debt of sin and enabling me to come into the extended arms of the Father. Who is ever seeking to save those outside His presence and make us His children. Amen

Father God,
I have never understood salvation, the need for a sacrifice, repentance or the problem that exists between my sinful nature and your holy nature. I am not sure that I completely understand it now or will ever fully understand. But what I do understand is your love for me, your commitment to save me and because of that I accept you into my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and allow me to walk a life that now seeks to please you, not me. Thank you and Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga,

Colossians 1:14 ” even the forgiveness of sins.”To answer the questions from last week I need to start with some history. Since man’s existence he has had a need to worship God. Though that “god” has taken many forms. Statues of animals, worshipping of the stars, or imagined  deities formed by man’s own hand. Made from stone, timber or gold, representative of fertility, power, or good harvest. Coupled with rituals that were very pagan in nature, including animal and human sacrafice. As recent as the Mayan and Inca cultures,  human sacrifice was still practiced. All for the purpose of appeasing the “god’s.”

In this general societal enviroment the Jewish culture was established with directives from God. From diet, to proper relationships, to worship and more. Human sacrifice was strictly forbidden, but the “law of substitution” which involved animal sacrafice was established. It was given by God for man to reestablish his relation to God after violating a command. It involved taking a male lamb of one year to the priest, placing one’s hands on the lamb, which was symbolic of transferring the sin unto the lamb. Acknowledgement of sin(s) was made followed by the priest sacrificing  the lamb. This was the means of having one’s sins atoned for, meaning ” to cover over,” different from forgiveness. This was a very strong visual that sin equaled death, and that the guiltless paid for the guilty. Though Atonement through animal sacrifice was only a “covering over” of man’s sin, it was the provision God gave whereby man (woman) could restore their relationship back to a Holy God. I know you animal lovers find this cruel, however without the law of substitution man would have to bare the consequences of his own sin, something that God could not bare.

Both in the New and Old Testament Jesus is known by several names, all speaking to his purpose or function.  However, there is not a name that best describes the purpose for which he came into the world than this one ” Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” This was Christ’s purpose, to be the final lamb, the ultimate atonement and sacrifice for man’s wayward ways, and the means of forgiveness. So we have “redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins.” The guiltless for the guilty, so that in having forgiveness we may have a relationship with God and the hope of eternal life. Who qualifies? No one. Then who can receive this? Only the broken. The repentant. When the man or the woman in the mirror stops looking so sharp, so smart and reality hits of my insufficiency to handle life, then and only then do I make a good candidate for God’s plan of salvation.

Again I pause at this point. This teaching is strong. It is the central core of all the Bible, Old and New Testament. As stated in prior devotionals, salvation is by accepting God’s invitation, not by mans works. No one is forced. God extends his hands, and we decide whether to take them or not. God respects one’s free will to chose, something he gifted to all man.

Some questions still remain that we will answer next week. What  is my indebtedness, and how is “salvation” gained.

Father God,

In understanding more clearly the Gospel, I can see the difference between religion where we try to appease you by our efforts, and in relationship where you removed the offense of my sin so that I could come to you. Thank you dearly for this, though I have yet much to
understand. Amen

As a side note, I am grateful for the positive comments that I have read, and if any of the studies raises questions that I did not answer please email me separately at arthur@vida4u.com.

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

Colossians 1.14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”In the Charlie Brown adventures Pigpen was always getting dirty, and it was self appointed Lucy’s job to tell him so. No matter how hard Pigpen tried to keep clean, he was like a magnite to dirt. This verse is the hope for the “Pigpen” inside of us that just can’t seem to walk the line straight enough. The power of this verse is found in understanding the selection of the words. In Greek there are minute differences among a “family” of words. The words that are not selected are almost as telling as the words used.

Let’s start with the word “In.” There are three “In’s” in Greek, “eis” meaning into or unto, “ek” meaning out of or from, and “en,” which is the one used, meaning to remain in place with the primary idea of rest. Which the implication of that is freeing. How many of us strive and give effort to show God, or prove to Him that we are good enough, worthy of His attention? I know I did in my early years of faith. There is a major difference in “working out” your salvation, verses “working for” your salvation. According to this verse and several like it, the working for has been done for me, now I practice my faith to “work out” what has been put in.

The next word “have.” Our general use of the word would be ” do you have…, I have it, or do I have your attention, would be common examples.  This “have,” implies a continued possession, e.g., “to have and to hold.” A phase we often hear at weddings. In context it refers to the assured ness of God ‘s salvation for us. The “earning of salvation” as mentioned is not for us to do, it is not dependent upon us, “… it is through his blood,” something that I will explain next week.

The word ” redemption ” is one of the “million dollar”  words in this verse. The picture dates back to ancient civilizations when men, women and children were sold as slaves. Often in debt to a rich ruler who could sell them to recoup his debt. Auctioned off just as cattle or livestock. As a slave you had no rights. If your master was less than sympathetic, life was hard. Therefore redemption, or to be redeemed implies that the debt you owed and could not pay, was paid for you. That you were once in bondage having no rights, but now have the legal right to live as a free man or woman.

We don’t have time this week to develop this thought further, but I will leave you with questions to consider. We should ask, what was paid, what is my bondage or indebted ness, and what freedom have I to gain ? These are all critical questions to ask, and there answers even more important to understand. Next week we will discuss them and the following week make application. I may run a bit long as we discuss these questions, but to grasp and understand the answers is the foundation of Christianity, and freedoms door.

Prayer
Father God,
Freedom and bondage while living in a ” free” country is a little hard to understand. Yet I understand the struggle to do right. The good that I want to do but don’t, as frustrations and misunderstandings get in the way, cause me only regret and grief afterwards. This much I understand. If through your ” redemption” I can find a better way, help me to open up my heart and mind.  Thank you and Amen.

Until next week – Dios lo bendiga (may God bless you)