Check Heart Soon

CHECK HEART SOON
Joel 2:12-17
The Message v.12: “But there’s also this, it’s not too late—God’s personal Message!—‘Come back to Me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!’”

Liam overheard something on the playground that made him freeze:

“Ask Liam” Wanda suggested to Labron.

“Na…he’s been way too crabby lately.”

Liam looked around at his fourth-grade classmates. I’m not crabby! he protested to himself. I’m just angry that the guys don’t pick me for the recess soccer game. I’m not a great soccer player, but I’m decent. He picked up a basketball and dribbled it to the free-throw line. The last game, I DID tell Labron off after we lost. He shot the ball, and chased it after it bounced off the rim. Standing where players shoot lay-ups, he tried shooting again. A thought popped into his mind, I never apologized to Labron…Is that why he doesn’t want to play with me now?

Warning lights advise people of impending trouble. The traffic stop light’s warning color is yellow. If ignored, you’ll run a red light. The trouble could be that you run into another car, a police officer will pull you over, or perhaps you’ll escape bad consequences this time.

A car has warning messages which advise the driver that something’s not right. “Check engine” may flicker on the dashboard if coolant, steering fluid, or oil levels are low. If ignored, car trouble could cost much more to correct than if the warning was heeded quickly. Cars don’t take jokes well. If left unchecked, warning messages will result in some item shutting the car down.

God warns people when they wander into danger zones, too. Judah’s prophet, Joel, warned the Hebrews to pay attention to their spiritual dashboards. Prosperity lulled them to get smug, content, and self-righteous. While their self-sufficiency was high, their faith was simmering on low. They didn’t see the danger when simply following laws. Their hearts were empty of passion for their Lord. So God sent locusts. After their crops were ruined, they flocked back to God.

Oh! I suppose that I have been crabby! Liam admitted to himself. “Labron, wait up.” Liam called, as they returned to class. “I am sorry for blaming you after we lost the last soccer game. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Really?” Labron wondered, looking into Liam’s face. “With you on my team, we can beat them next time!”

Take Home Nugget

If people are avoiding you, try checking your heart. Flashing lights warn and demand attention soon. Repenting of sins tunes hearts into perfect working order.

Conscience’s conviction is God’s warning light
Checking heart soon will heal its blight.

J.D. Griffith

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Uh-Oh

UH-OH
Luke 22:54-62
Luke 22:33: “But he [Simon] replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death.’”

Just because a person may not have any regrets, doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s nothing that needs to be repented. (See No Regrets devotion). Simon Peter, usually referred to as Peter, was the impetuous (im-PET-u-us, meaning hasty, hotheaded, reckless) disciple. He was always over eager and spontaneous.

When you read today’s Scripture passage, you understand Peter’s, “Uh-oh”. Right after he told Jesus that he’d follow Him to prison, and to death, he told three people that he wasn’t Jesus’ disciple. We all make mistakes. Most of us can empathize (EM-pa-thize, meaning to understand) with Peter’s horror after the rooster crowed. Jesus looked straight at him (Luke 22:61).

Gulp.

Did you ever want to run away and hide?

It’s too bad that life doesn’t have a delete key, so we could erase time and return to a point before a mistake was made. When wishing to backtrack, after realizing an error, we actually DO have a reset button. Restoration happens after repentance. “If we confess our sin”, God will ‘forgive us’ and ‘cleanse us from all unrighteousness’” (1John 1:9).

Peter wept bitterly after Jesus looked at him (Luke 22:62). Shame and remorse isn’t always prompted by a simple “look”. A look can be read many ways. A person’s conscience interprets another’s look as being innocent, wondering, or accusing. Most children understand a parent’s “look” that means, “stop right now”.

What do you suppose Jesus’ look meant to Peter?

How about, “Remember our conversation?”

For sure, Jesus was saddened by Peter’s denying their relationship. Sometimes a parent says, “This hurts me more than you” when applying discipline to a child. Jesus knew that His simple look shattered Peter—to his very core.

I presume that every one of us can identify with Peter’s heartache. But even this sorrow has a reset button. It works for us today, just as it had for Peter. Repentance totally restores us, repairing all the damage caused by sin. Afterwards, the peace that washes over one's heart affirms that all is well.

Peter became the rock, upon which Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:18).

Take Home Nugget

Peter wasn’t left in his misery. Often, we wonder if a person forgives our offence. Jesus made sure that Peter had a chance to reaffirm his love after His resurrection (John 21:15-17).

When we fall, we’re thankful that we can begin anew.
Dear Jesus, broken hearts are repaired when following You.

J.D. Griffith

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No Regrets

NO REGRETS
2Samuel 18:31-19:4
V. 19:2: “And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, ‘The king is grieving for his son.’”

Often, a person’s age is dwarfed by the mountain of his regrets. We move into and out of each other’s lives daily; some intentionally, others unavoidably. Separations can be temporary or permanent. When people don’t stay connected with each other, their departure’s silence translates into missed love. People grieve lost opportunities by not loving others during their “living years”.

Instinctively, Salami understood this.

When Salami’s Dad got transferred to another state, Salami grew frantic as their moving day approached. Negotiating her way through a maze of packed moving boxes, Salami’s eyes welled up with tears. “Mom, what about Jordan and Tricia?”

“Maybe you could become pen-pals?” Salami’s Mom replied. “You’re good friends with many of the kids in 3rd grade.”

“What’s a pen-pal?”

Salami’s Mom dug out writing paper, a pen, and notebook from a still-open box. She explained, handing the objects to her daughter, “Pen-pals are friends who write to each other when they’re apart. Why don’t write down the address of everyone you want to stay close to in the notebook? When we get settled, you can write letters to them. They can write you back creating a pen-pal club. Whoever wants to stay in your circle will continue writing.”

Salami’s eyes danced, her smile ear-to-ear. “Good idea, Mom!”

Salami went further than just getting her friend’s addresses. She reclaimed stuffed animals, toys, and games from packed boxes and divided them up as farewell gifts to them. When her moving van hauled her belongings to her new home, Salami hauled her friends along in her notebook.

Salami’s love poured out to friends who remained close throughout many years. She lost track of those who never responded to her letters. But all the others grew old together with her through college, marriage, child raising, and retirement. Salami’s notebook became the symbol for no regrets throughout her lifetime.

Broken relationships create more regrets than stupidity. Losing someone, or disappointing someone carries a heavy burden of, “What ifs?” One’s unspoken, “sorry” can never be reclaimed after the moment’s gone.

Let’s live generously, and love abundantly enough so that our lives have no regrets. Form relationships with others during your and their living years.

Take Home Nugget

King David was heartbroken for never having repaired the relationship with his son, Absalom. He learned too late that death slams the door shut.

I pray that your life has no regrets.

The risk of making up after disputes cannot match the heartache of never trying.

Dedicated to June Rose Nicholson who loved so many others abundantly throughout her living years.

J.D. Griffith

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Light in Dysfunction

LIGHT IN DYSFUNCTION
2Timothy 3:1-5, 10-17
Vv. 12-14a: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of…”

Dysfunction (dis-FUNK-shon, meaning wrong, not right, amiss) describes the world today. According to Scripture, terrible times are coming that sound eerily familiar. Ungodliness will increase, and God’s light (of truth) will decrease.

Survival for God’s kids will become increasingly difficult in the years leading up to Christ’s return (1Thessalonians 4:16-18). In every culture, rebellion against God’s ways grows stronger. Things that were formerly condemned are gaining acceptance now. Many people continue to swallow Satan’s lies that we can live free outside God’s will.

“God’s ten commandments are too restrictive.”

“Separation of church and state means removing all evidence of God in the public forum.”

“Everyone has a right to express himself!”

Christ’s second coming will realign things to light and right. In the meantime, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus protects us from discouragement. Jesus’ return will rescue believers from this darkness, and deliver promised hope (2Timothy 2:10-13). Salvation is granted to those who believe in Jesus, and their transformation into Christ-likeness progresses one day at a time. Knowing that we’re saved, forgiven, and justified before God gives us strength to persevere through every day with joy.

What else provides us a head’s-up in this dysfunctional world?

Notice the foolishness of those living apart from Christ: they are typically the most popular and the richest people in our communities. We’re wise to avoid their influence, resist their attraction—because—their actions and choices reflect their priorities, not the Lord’s. Refrain from being sucked into their ways, for they remain outside God’s family.

Daily devotions and Bible study guide our way. God’s Word was written for ordinary people—like you and me—by ordinary people. Their pens scribed God-inspired words chosen specifically to teach, correct, and show righteous living. Problems fade when we take His Word to heart. As thoughts guide minds and hearts, Christ-saturated minds rule believers’ hearts. His light beams from our faces. Everything we say is uplifting and encouraging. Everything we do benefits others; we sow seeds of goodness.

Do you dare to be light in today’s dysfunctional world?

Take Home Nugget

2Timothy 3 lists traits that are obvious today. People are becoming increasingly more selfish, greedy, proud, and unforgiving. This yields more lying, cheating, abuse, stealing, and self-indulgence. When you see these things, remember that you represent Jesus’ light.

Boldly lead this dark world, following your beam of light that is Christ.

J.D. Griffith

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Passing Grace to the Undeserved

PASSING GRACE TO THE UNDESERVED
Acts 7:54-60
V. 60: [While they were stoning him, Stephen] “… fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

In this Scripture, “he fell asleep” means that he died. Whoa--what happened?

Elders and people from the Synagogue, with the Sanhedrin’s (san-HEED-rin, meaning Jewish religious council) approval, argued heatedly with Stephen. Stephen just counter-charged their blasphemy (BLAS-fem-ee, meaning disrespectful irreverence) accusations against him by charging them with murdering their Messiah! (Acts 6:8-14). Before he could assure them of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven, they stopped listening. Instead, they hurled stones at the man.

Free will is a curious thing, isn’t it? Coming to Jesus wasn’t our choice, but accepting Jesus and believing that He’s God’s Son IS our choice. (See Father-Initiator devotion).

We chose to believe that Jesus died for our sins, including God’s gift of salvation. Immediately, we also received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Then we learned how another gift—Grace—covers our current sins so that we’re able to approach the father. We didn’t earn any of these gifts, and are totally undeserving of them. We receive these unrequested, but necessary gifts, because God loves us enough to give us a second chance.

Free will allowed a mob to stone Stephen to death. In turn, Stephen—a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:5)—extended God’s grace to them. He asked the Lord to not hold them responsible for their actions. As Stephen lay dying, evil free will stared into God’s free will love.

Did the mob deserve Stephen’s forgiveness?

No one deserves grace. Because we continue to sin, we remain liable for eternal death. But grace halts that condemnation. When Jesus died for our sins, (including all past, present, and future sins), our salvation is guaranteed. It is grace that preserves our acceptance to the Father.

Realizing how mind-blowing grace is, we’re amazed that we can pass it on to others. All kids enjoy sharing gladness. We can literally share our grace, by forgiving others when they hurt us. Grace can spread through us to others—as undeserving as we!

When cruelty meets forgiveness face-to-face, your enemies will wonder what you’re up to.

Take Home Nugget

Forgiving the undeserved is impossible to do on our own strength. It can only be accomplished by yielding to the Holy Spirit. His work draws out the poison of hurt, betrayal, and anger, replacing it with mercy.

Spreading grace to others also spreads God’s second chance.

J.D. Griffith

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Rock, Paper, Scissors

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS
Romans 5:1-17
V.16b: “…but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.”

When you want to have your own way, sometimes a peaceful resolution is found by playing childhood game with your opponent: Rock, Paper, Scissors. A balled fist represents the rock. An open palm signifies paper. Two fingers symbolize scissors. On the count of three, opponents simultaneously display their choice. The winner between rock and paper is paper, because it covers rock. Between rock and scissors, rock wins by crushing scissors. Between paper and scissors, scissors wins because it cuts paper. The outcome is unquestionable, and final.

The persons of the Triune God never have to play this game to decide Who’ll come to a child’s rescue. Their roles are complementary, supportive, and in total agreement. God loves to surprise His children and offers us a surprise free gift. While every person deserves eternal death, (due to sin), God extends Jesus’ sacrificial death beyond forgiveness of sins, to what we don’t deserve: a second chance.

This second chance is the gift of grace. Grace (unconditional love) covers all repented sin. Grace maintains our justification (not-guilty) and reconciliation (reunion) status with the Father. Grace upholds the unity between the Triune Wonder-God and His wayward kids. Grace is the paper to our rock, the rock to our scissors, and the scissors to our paper. Whatever we throw at the Lord, He’s got all things under control. We cannot lose with grace covering our mistakes, goofs, misjudgments, blunders.

Although we do not deserve second chances, grace is a gift we all desperately need. We cannot rescue ourselves, and we all sin (repeatedly)—which is a death sentence. Grace is the gift that announces that our adoption into God’s family is forever (Romans 8:15).

The apostle Paul wants us to get how amazing grace is. Our belief in Jesus brings incomparable riches in grace: a new heart (2Corinthians 5:15), sufficiency, or enough (2Corinthians 12:9), new citizenship (Philippians 3:20), and much kindness (Ephesians 2:7-8). Jesus encourages us to rely on, and obey Him in total confidence (Hebrews 11:6). Obedience is how we can show Him our gratitude and reciprocate (re-SIP-ro-kate, meaning to give back) love.

Grace is the most powerful life-changing gift in the world. We’re totally secure in the immovable rock of Christ (1Corinthians 10:4).

Take Home Nugget

The sovereign Triune Wonder-God always has His way, and your paper cannot cover the rock of Christ. Believing in that rock opens up a whole new life—an abundant life that lasts forever.

Life’s trials may sometimes be too hard to face.
God’s second chance gives us power though grace.

J.D. Griffith

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Father--Initiator

FATHER-INITIATOR
John 6:44
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The Father is father to all believers (Romans 4:11). We have the right to call Him Abba (Romans 8:15-16). We belong to God, as part of His family, (Ephesians 1:5). What confidence believers have when facing the world with this assurance! Can we do anything apart from the Father’s will?

Each person is individually and lovingly created for a specific purpose. (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 4:12). The Father distinguished you from all His other kids by making you unique (u-NEEK, meaning one of a kind). Jesus says that His chosen children are drawn by the Father—the initiator—to Him (John 15:19). Because the Father gave people free will, every person must decide whether to follow Him, or the world. Deciding to believe in and follow Jesus, as the Father’s Son, is our choice. The Holy Spirit then indwells us, setting us apart from the ones who choose to follow the world. Do people have control over anything?

Is having control an illusion?

Not having control of your life isn’t as scary, or outrageous, as you might wonder. Not even Jesus—as a person of the Triune Wonder—was in control. When James’ and John’s Mom wanted her sons to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom, Jesus explained, “These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by My Father”. (Matthew 20:20-23).

When Jesus’ disciples wanted to know the signs of the end of this present age, Jesus answered, “No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36).

Did Jesus even have control over His own death (Matthew 26:39)? “I have come to do Your will, O God” (Psalm 40:6-8, Hebrews 10:7).

Not being in control has advantages. We always have somewhere to go when seeking help. God provides everything we need, directs us to the right path, and opens doors that we’re to enter. If we mess up, He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Could victorious living be any easier?

Take Home Nugget

The Triune-Wonder, (Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit), wants His children to be champions. Yielding to Him empowers us, guides us, and molds us into replicas of Jesus. Could we do any better than that on our own?

J.D. Griffith

Cast your futile efforts down,
Down at Jesus’ feet;
Stand in Him, in Him alone,
Gloriously complete.

Proctor

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