Friday, January 29, 2016

Government Building Block

GOVERNMENT BULDING BLOCK

Revelation 20:12:  “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened.  Another book was opened, which is the book of life.  The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

            The reader may wonder what the title has to do with the opening Scripture.  When we think of government, we can whittle national rule down to state, county, and then city control.  Finally, the smallest—yet most numerous government building block—is people.  You and I are responsible for governing ourselves. 
            Self-government means self-control.  We’re no longer little kids who whine, kick and scream to get our own way.  Yet, don’t we want to do that sometimes?  I’m drifting off-track.  Focus, writer!  Defend your manuscript!
            That’s self-control.
            Self-control governs one’s attitude, speech and actions.  Governing ourselves properly (according to God’s rules) is the foundation of personal freedom to live how God originally created us to be.  Also, people are the building block upon which every form of government rests.  Those who cannot govern themselves correctly surely cannot govern others.  
            The bonus for living within God’s rules also frees people from sin bondage. …Just saying.

            God’s ultimate goal is for people to govern themselves under Christ’s rule.  Jesus tucked His gospel “Your kingdom come” inside the prayer He taught.  The reality of Christ’s rule is growing closer every day.  What Joy Believers experience when praying altogether God’s prayer in His house!

            Meanwhile, the opening Scripture beckons us.  Romans 14:11-12 says, “It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God [Jesus is Lord].’  So then, each of us will give account of himself to God.”
            You will stand alone before God! 
            Your mom, dad, friend or pastor won’t have your back.  They have their own cases to plead before God.  How will you account for how you’re governing your life?

Take Home Nugget

            Galatians 5:22-23a says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Whoever believes in Christ are designated “Believers” in these devotions.  Believers are God’s kids.  Believers have the Holy Spirit living within.  Believers who choose to follow Jesus hand Him reign over our lives.  Believers cooperate with God’s Spirit to transform hearts into Christlikeness.  Believers develop self-control.
            Let’s close with Romans 8:1-2:  “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
             
Holy Father, empower me to live by Your Spirit Who controls my speech, thoughts and actions.  To You be the glory!  Amen.  
Adapted from “Self-Government.” Dr. Tony Evans.  December 31, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith




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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Blood Power

BLOOD POWER

Hebrews 12:24-25:  “To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.  See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks.  If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on Earth, who much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from Heaven?”

            This devotion is separate from, but linked to the Covenantal Alignment series that just ended.  Before heading into a brand new topic, let’s appreciate the shed blood of Jesus more fully.  Why would Jesus’ blood “speak” better than Abel’s blood?
            Abel was killed by his brother Cain.  God heard Abel’s blood crying out from the ground when He confronted Cain, “What did you do?” (Genesis 8:4-10).  Abel’s blood cried out for justice and payback. 
            Jesus’ blood, on the other hand, cries out for forgiveness and reunion to the Father.  Love always speaks better than hate.  Peace better than war.
            Today, people’s blood cries out from places of worship.  Even more blood cries out from city streets—spilled by the very one’s whose job is to protect and serve.  The loudest cry haunts.  Innocent blood. 
            All of which speak to God as did Abel’s: crying out Justice!  Vengeance!
           
            Jesus’ shed blood of love, reunion and peace ushered in God’s better covenant.  Believers-in-Christ validate ownership of covenant protection and blessings by obeying God’s commands.  Believers are authorized to plead the blood of Jesus in every dire circumstance when we appoint Him Lord of our lives, ruler over our personal worlds.

            That’s how Believers stay aligned under God’s covenantal umbrella of protection and blessings.
 
            In Old Testament times, God commanded His people to paint animal blood on the doorframes of their homes.  Sacrificed animal blood sealed covenant people inside their houses.  See the lesson linked below for God’s specific command of blood covenantal alignment.


Take Home Nugget

                1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given at the proper time.” 
            Covenantal alignment under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is that big of a deal.  Covenantal alignment is the ONLY way Believers can be blessed to the extreme.  Imagine having access to God’s kingdom power, authority, provision and protective covering.  
            What Christ warns—from the opening Scripture—is preparing ourselves for the shake-up of His return.  End times. 

Holy Father, cover me with Your protective covenantal covering through my faith in Your Son Jesus.  It is my choice to align myself underneath Your protective covering.  Thanks be to Lord Jesus as my mediator to the Father, and in whose name I pray, Amen.
           
Adapted from “The Blood of the Covenant.” Dr. Tony Evans.  December 7, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith





                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

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Friday, January 22, 2016

Fight for Continuity

FIGHT FOR CONTINUITY

Sixth of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment series

Exodus 20:5-6:  “You shall not bow down to them or worship them [Idols]; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children of the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”


            Continuity [kon-tin-U-i-tee] means to go on and on.  Because of the   opening Scripture, everything we learned about lining up within God’s covenant of obedience needs to be fought and won for our kids and grandkids…on and on.

            Because we’d rather pass on blessings than curses or punishment.

            Covenants with men are a very big deal to God.  He rules as sovereign Lord.  He administers a pyramid of authority over people.  (Family, school, work, local and national government).  His rule is ethically moral.  God binds His promises with Cause-Effect oaths.  AND He remembers our obedience or disobedience!
            In His justice, God treats our kids what our actions earned—as the continued “Effect” from our choices. 
            Fighting to remain aligned with God’s covenant passes on His blessings to our kids.  That’s their inheritance [in-HAIR-i-tence].   God’s “Free Will” gift is that big of a deal.  EVERY choice people make has either blessings or punishments attached!

            Check out the lesson linked below to see worldwide judgment from that fruit that Adam and Eve ate.  The devil tempted Eve with how she can “be like God” in Genesis 3:5.  A quick choice, Eve decided that sounded great.  So she took one bite.  She didn’t die immediately.  She handed the forbidden fruit to Adam. 
            Adam figured, What the heck?  Eve is still alive.  Adam chose to disobey God’s command not to eat fruit from that tree (Cause).  God must have been mistaken.  Eve didn’t die!  His one bite brought judgment to whole world (Effect).
            Adam deliberately chose (Free-Will Cause) to eat the fruit.  The first Effect was seeing themselves naked.  The next Effect was hearing God call.  Hide, Eve!  Adam was scared. 

Take Home Nugget

            As if banishment from the garden wasn’t enough punishment, the continued effects from their disobedient choice tumbled down hard.  We feel sorry for Abel after his brother Cain killed him (Genesis 4).  But Cain’s sin was continuing effect from his parent’s sin.  How many people today suffer a curse of God’s punishment for sins committed in previous generations?
            Believers must fight to maintain alignment with God’s covenant.  The narrow road of following Jesus isn’t easy to navigate (Matthew 7:13).  For the sake of our offspring, we must fight for blessings continuim. 

Holy Lord, please empower me to make obedient choices to stay aligned with Your covenant today so that future generations will reap Your blessings. 

Adapted from “Inheritance: Generational Impact.” Dr. Tony Evans.  December 24, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith




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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Binding Oath

BINDING OATH

Fifth of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment series

James 1:25:  “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”

           
            What is the “Perfect Law” that Believers are supposed to continue DOing after hearing?  That is the moral and ethical Christian teaching based on Old Testament Ten Commandment morality.  Jesus completely fulfilled that law.  Doing, or living in obedience to God’s law brings freedom for people to BE how God originally intended.
            This is God’s covenantal promise:  IF we live this way, (how God originally created us to be), He will bless us.  Covenants are interactive Cause-Effect oaths.  Oaths attached to interactive covenants are promises of blessings for obedience as well as promises of penalties or punishment for disobedience.
            Covenants are binding.  Both sides agree to the rules.  If one side fails to keep the oath, the covenant is broken.  The Bible includes many stories where those who keep God’s Word are blessed.  And the Bible shows God contrasting alignment to misalignment with his covenant.

            Check out Deuteronomy 28.  The Israelites were finally entering the Promised Land!  God set rules for their behavior so they wouldn’t be surprised when, (not if), they are punished for disobedience.  God knows human behavior very well. So well in fact, that he heaped ALL human sin (past present and future) onto His Son Jesus when He hung on the cross. 
            God’s all-knowing must be a heavy burden for him to carry 24/7. 
            Seriously, check out Deuteronomy 28:1-14.  God lists covenant promises for obedience.  Then, verses 15-57 list curses for disobedience.  He knows us way too well!  Then verse 58 warns people to follow God’s law—OR ELSE—verses 59-68 list scary curse penalties that follow disobedience.
            Deuteronomy 29 writes about renewing this covenant.  God discusses His covenant laws, then wants us to sign His agreement on the bottom line.  Who wouldn’t choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19)?
            Binding oath signed.  So now we definitely want to remain aligned with God’s covenant and receive blessings in all we do! 

Take Home Nugget

            Baptism—what every Believer is commanded to do—is a binding oath.  One decides to publically announce following Jesus.  Water is the outward sign of the person’s careful inner decision, signaling agreement with the oath:  Sinful self is buried under water with Christ.  A new creation rises out of the water to follow Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).          

Upon my oath, Father, may good come to me as I follow Your Son.  I expect evil to come upon me if I reject Him.  Jesus, by your strength, and in Your name, lead me to be obedient.  Amen.

Adapted from “Sanctions: Provisions that Make a Law Binding.” Dr. Tony Evans.  December 23, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith





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Friday, January 15, 2016

Free Will Cause-Effect

FREE WILL CAUSE-EFFECT

Fourth of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment series

Genesis 2:16-17:  “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat of any tree in the garden; but you must not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’”

            Free will at work:  Sammy’s mommy warns, “Sammy, take your hands off that cloth.  Play with your trucks on the floor.  If you pull the cloth, everything on the table will crash down on you.”
            Sammy smiled at his mom as he chose to pull the cloth.  As the books on the table crashed down on his head, Sammy fell down crying.  Free will cause-effect.  Sammy was warned what would happen if he pulled the cloth (cause).  He pulled the cloth—and books fell on his head (effect).

            We should never be surprised when we get exactly what we were warned would happen beforehand.  God wasn’t playing when He warned not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  What did He say would happen should Adam disobey eating from that ONE tree in the entire garden?
            You will surely die!
            Cause-effect is God’s Kingdom rule of ethics [ETH-iks].  Ethics describes moral code-of-conduct.  Morally ethical people act upright.  Moral people never lie.  Moral people can be trusted.  They display high integrity [in-TEG-ri-tee], meaning total honesty.  Moral people can be depended upon to do the right thing all the time.  Ethically moral people live with a clean conscience. 
            People’s free will chooses actions that are either ethically moral—or not.  And that is precisely why God designed covenantal guidelines like cause-effect to rule our relationship. 
            The opening Scripture quotes God’s specific cause-effect rule.  IF you eat from that tree, you will SURELY die.  Our Father is clear about Kingdom rules, so we need to listen up.
            This IS God’s Kingdom, not ours!
            Rebels lose. 
            IF we are going to rule under Jesus in His millennial reign, we MUST obey the rules our Father sets, OR there will be consequences (Revelation 20:4-6).  Consequences [KON-se-quen-sez] are penalties resulting from disobedience.  Consequences are the “effect” of disobeying God’s rules, the “cause.”

            No one should be surprised with cause-effect consequences. 

Take Home Nugget

            People who’re aligned with (obedient to) God’s covenant rules are blessed.  Disobedience brings punishment.     
            The lesson that’s linked below contrasts Joshua’s blessings when entering the Promised Land to punishment when people disobeyed God.  This is important because individuals are either aligned or misaligned with God’s covenant—and are blessed or punished accordingly.

Holy Father, help me to choose living aligned with Your covenant, like Joshua. I want Your grace like He had with you!  Help me to choose correctly, in Jesus’ name, Amen.            
Adapted from “Ethics: The Rules of God’s Kingdom.”  Dr. Tony Evans.  December 22, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith




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Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Pyramid Order

PYRAMID ORDER

Third of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment series

John 14:15-17, 24: “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth.  The world cannot accept Him, for it neither sees Him nor knows Him.  But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. …He who does not love Me will not keep My teaching.  These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the Father who sent Me.”

           
            Seventh grade biology teacher Ms. Lester learned firsthand that the only place where she’s in charge is her classroom.  From her parents, to her teachers, school principal, Ms. Lester is under someone’s authority. 
            She obeys traffic laws, pays taxes, votes in every election, and minds her manners.  She reads her Bible, considering herself an ambassador to Christ and servant to God Almighty.

            Ms. Lester recognizes covenantal alignment.   She imagines being the point of the pyramid.  Like the whole Christmas tree perched upside down to rest on the star,
she feels bossed by the whole world. 

           
            But that’s okay with Ms. Lester.  She understands her rightful place in the universe under God’s protective covenant of grace.  She understands that God’s covenants—including inside her own private world—function best under God’s divine order. 
            Only one can be at the top. (And Ms. Lester is sure that’s not herself!) When “the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” the Father, Ms. Lester’s world spins level like a top.  (1 Corinthians 11:3).  When her world begins wobbling out of control, Ms. Lester quickly re- aligns her thoughts, words and actions through prayer.
            Sometimes she cringes when hearing a student say, “I can do whatever I want!”
            No, no, no! her mind screams in protest.  You’re not the boss of your life!  Covenantal alignment is foremost in her mind.

Take Home Nugget

            Each person of the Trinity (Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) maintain divine order.  Check out the lesson linked below to observe God’s divine order.  Jesus always obeys the Father.  We, who were purchased by Jesus’ shed blood, are under His authority.
            Things work best when following God’s pyramid order—even within himself—so to accomplish His plan and program.  Whoever rebels against God breaks out of His covenantal alignment.  The result is losing His blessings AND protection.
            Believers like Ms. Lester make sure we maintain covenantal alignment.   
           
Lord, I stand in awe of Your divine order.  I am awed at the wonder of nature. Observing pyramid order within everything—even Yourself—helps me to honor the position You gave me.
           
Adapted from “Hierarchy: God’s Chain of Command.” Dr. Tony Evans.  December 21, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith




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Friday, January 8, 2016

God Rules

GOD RULES

Second of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment series

Job 26:7:  “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing.”

            “Jeremy and Cassie, please stay a couple minutes after class today,” their seventh grade biology teacher Ms. Lester said.  When the bell rang and kids filed out, she handed them written permission slips when they approached her desk.  “This is to explain why you’re late to your next class.”
            “What’s up, Ms. Lester?” Jeremy asked.
            “Are you nervous, Cassie?” Ms. Lester wondered, noticing Cassie shaking.
            Cassie smiled, admitting, “Why do you want to see me?  Are my grades slipping?”
            Ms. Lester laughed out loud, laying a hand on Cassie’s arm.  She said, “Quite the opposite!  Guys, I chose you two to help me out.  Next week, a fifth grade class is going to visit a real science class, and I hoped that I could count on you.”
            “When?” Cassie asked.
            “Next Friday,” she answered.  “From 1-3, after lunch.  I’ll get you excused from class the rest of the day.  I’d like to repeat the ‘bug study’ using microscopes.  You both did exceptionally well.  Maybe you could share your enthusiasm about science?”
            Jeremy and Cassie grinned at each other, obviously delighted.  “Sure thing!” they agreed.
            “Great!” Ms. Lester exclaimed, clearly relieved.  “You know my rules well.  You always wear goggles and never horse around.  Rules are the key to SAFE science fun,” she reminded them.
            Ms. Lester is in charge of the seventh grade biology class.  But she learned early the many ways that she’s not in charge.  It seems to Ms. Lester that everyone has rules to follow.  She is correct.
           
Take Home Nugget

            God is distinct.  God is separate.  God is sovereign. God is Creator.  God is above.  We, as mere created humans, should be humbled and awed when God reaches out to design and run a covenant of grace specifically for our benefit.  This covenant won’t fail, because it doesn’t depend on human obedience. 
            This covenant of grace is extraordinary.  Grace is never earned.  Grace displays God’s love.  God’s kids are love’s object.  Flip side: When we come under God’s rule, we serve Him.  When we are blessed as part of God’s kingdom, we must accept the reality of God being in charge. 
            Remember God’s gift of free will?  The choice is yours not to live independently of God’s “in-charge-ness.”  If you can’t, you are in rebellion against this covenant of grace.  Rebellion means that you’re outside of God’s will, outside of His blessings, outside of His protection. 
            What’s your choice?
             
Holy Father, thank You for including me in Your covenant of grace!  Please keep me aligned with Your will inside Your covering of love, blessings and protection.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Adapted from “Transcendence: God is in Charge.” Dr. Tony Evans.  December 18, 2015.  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/  
J.D. Griffith





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