The Rawest Nerve

THE RAWEST NERVE  

James 4:8-10:  “Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.”

            “Are you racist?” Ms. Busby asked her 3rd-grade class.

            “No!” Forrest answered.

            Ms. Busby said, “Please raise your hand first, Forrest.  Paula, how would you answer?”

            Paula looked up with her hand covering her mouth to hush giggling.  “What’s ‘racist?’” she asked.

            “Racist [RA-sist] means that you hate another who is a different color.” Ms. Busby answered.  “People’s skin color varies between very pale to inky black.  Often, a group of people with one skin color hate others with a different skin color.  That hate is called ‘racist’.  Diversity [di-VER-si-tee] represents people coming from lots of different races.  Skin color should never divide us.”  Ms. Busby stopped explaining when she saw the kids nodding their heads in understanding.

            Ms. Busby called Levi, who raised his hand.

            “Is this like girls and boys?  Everyone knows that girls have kooties.”

            Chuckling, Ms. Busby replied, “No,” shaking her head from side to side.  “That difference is called a different ‘sex’, not a different race, Levi.”  She continued with a   serious expression on her face.  “Hating people who wear a different skin color is racist.  No one is born hating others who look different.  That hate is learned behavior.”

            “Kooties are serious, Ms. Busby!” Levi insisted.  The rest of the class nodded their heads in agreement along with giggling and pointed fingers.

            Ms. Busby relented, “Kooties are learned behavior, too.  But Kootie hate isn’t deadly like race hate.  Let’s heal raw nerves from taking offence from other’s race.  Let’s look for ways we can all get along together instead of searching for reasons why we can’t live peaceably.”  (Check the lesson linked below).

Take Home Nugget 

            The devil is thrilled when people hate each other.  Only two out of a hundred people admit to being racist.  Yet, just as wanting what another has is a sneaky sin that nestles inside people’s hearts, racism could also find a cozy place to hide there. 

            Don’t our hearts bleed after hearing how our careless talk sounds to others?  Don’t our foreheads wrinkle after learning that our attitudes and actions hurt others?  That’s when Believers thank Jesus for forgiveness and follow His indwelling Spirit more closely.

            People feel important when acknowledging, “We’re not like them—they get on my last nerve!”  We enjoy pointing our fingers to others claiming they’re racist…or who have kooties.

Holy Father, humble me to respect others.  Enable me to accept and appreciate their differences, I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

   

Adapted from “It’s other People Who Are the Racists” by Pastor Mark Jeske.  www.TimeOfGrace.org.  September 23, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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Proclaim & Receive Help

PROCLAIM & RECEIVE HELP 

Daniel 10:12b:  “Since the first day that you have set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come to respond to them.” Angel Gabriel

            Daniel and three of his friends were deported to Babylon in Persia after Jerusalem was destroyed.  Let’s learn to proclaim God’s word aloud and receive supernatural help.  Daniel and his friends observed daily prayer.  In solitude, Daniel’s friends were found on their knees.

            Quoting Psalm 103:20, their prayers could be overheard, “‘Praise the LORD you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word’, a new decree forbids me to pray to my God!  Now I ask for your help.” 

            “Caught you!”  Provincial officials barged inside their rooms announcing, “Let’s see if you live in the fiery furnace!”

            Daniel, who was renamed Belshazzar, was sent to the royal court.  He returned this day to be with his friends.  His friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—ignored the king’s decree.  They were renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  

  

            They saw the king’s golden statue that was erected for the people to worship.  People could be seen standing and kneeling before a ninety-foot-high and nine-foot-wide statue.  “Weird-looking god!” Daniel—or Belshazzar—pointed out.  

            “You’re in big trouble,” Daniel whispered.  “Let’s pray for God to keep you safe.”

            “Okay,” they agreed. 

            Daniel began, “We dwell in the shelter of our Most High, rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  He is our refuge and fortress, our God, in whom we trust.  Surely, He will save us … Under His wings we find refuge.  Your faithfulness will be our shield and rampart, LORD Almighty!”  (Adapted from Psalm 91:1-4). 

            The provincial officials brought the men to the king charging, “These men ignored your decree that everyone must fall down and worship the statue.  They must be thrown into the fire!”

            King Nebuchadnezzar felt sorry for them.  He said, “May your God keep you safe from all harm!”

            The Jewish men responded as one, “We will never serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you set up!”

            King Nebuchadnezzar became so enraged that he ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times higher than usual.  “Tie them up and toss them inside!” he screamed.

Take Home Nugget  

The soldiers who threw the bound men into the furnace were killed themselves.  “That’s hot!” the king said, fanning his face.

            Peering into the furnace, he saw 4 men walking around, freed and unharmed. 

            Daniel teaches the spoken voice activates God’s angels.  This devotion is paraphrased from the book of Daniel 1:1, 4-6, 2:48-49, and 3:1-30.

Holy Father, we say aloud Your words when in trouble, confident that our lives are securely in Your hands.  Amen. 

Adapted from “Speak God’s Word and Activate His Angels” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  www.josephprince.org.  September 22, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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Perfect--Feast of Trumpets

PERFECT—FEAST OF TRUMPETS  

1 Thessalonians 4:16:  “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Hebrews 10:12,14:  “But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. … ,because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

            People often defend human flaws with, “No one’s perfect!”

            “Excuse me,” someone objects with a raised hand. 

            “While normally a modest person, I stand on Jesus’ finished work.  Seated at the Father’s right hand, Jesus claims His rightful place.  His job on earth was finished AFTER completely wiping out sin for His brothers and sisters who’re being made holy.”  (John 17:4).

            Sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon] means to be made holy. 

            This work belongs to the Holy Spirit—who takes up residence inside everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord.  His success depends on cooperation with His important work transforming Believers into Christ-likeness. 

  

            Because Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God, they don’t stop altering Believers at only “holy”.  Did you catch the ending of the passage from Hebrews?  He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 

            “I never think of myself as a sinner—although I still sin, living in a fallen world.  My sins have all been forgiven.”

            Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”  Jesus has also made His Believers perfect.  When the Father looks at His kids, He sees Jesus: holy, righteous, and perfect. 

 

            The first Scripture passage is the bomb.  Death is hard for people to understand.  Because of sin, all things—including people—die.  Those who believe in Jesus as Savior will live again after death, just as Jesus rose from the dead. 

            This sounds like a celebration.  Sound the trumpet…or Shofar, the ram’s horn!

            The exception is those who are still alive at Jesus’ second coming.  They will meet Jesus in the clouds! 

                                                          

Take Home Nugget 

            Our father commanded 7 feasts for the Jews to celebrate each year.  Check out the lesson linked below for the first four, which have already been fulfilled by Jesus.  The next one is called “Feast of Trumpets”.

            This exciting feast is what Believers have been waiting for!  Those who rise to meet Jesus will be instantly changed like Jesus’ glorious body!  Crying, sickness or death will end in heaven!  

No one knows Your kingdom calendar, Father.  But we eagerly await watching Jesus’ return to earth from heaven soon!  Amen.

Adapted from “You Are Perfect in God’s Eyes” and “A Brand New Body at the Blast of a Trumpet” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  www.josephprince.org.  September 17, and 20, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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Hate to Bother You

HATE TO BOTHER YOU  

John 2:1-11

            Jesus arrived with his disciples to a wedding reception overflowing with celebrating friends and family.

            The lively music enticed Peter to the dancefloor.  Laughing, he teased Andrew, James, and John to join in the fun.  As the bride and groom greeted people, Mary approached Jesus.

            “Hi Jesus!  Isn’t this reception fabulous” Mary began. 

            “Yes Mom, it IS fabulous!”  Jesus agreed.

            Mary hesitated, biting her lip.

            “What is it?” Jesus asked.

            “Well…I hate to bother you…” Mary said.

            Jesus offered, “Mom, I always want to be ‘bothered’ when you’re unhappy.”

            Mary cupped her hand behind her mouth to Jesus’ ear.  She whispered, “The hosts just discovered that the wine is gone!  I feel so badly for them to be embarrassed like this.”

            Jesus listened before responding, “Dear woman, why involve Me in this?”

            Mary’s worry lines formed.  “I hate that this awful oversight will ruin their daughter’s wedding reception.  What can be done, Jesus?”

            Jesus sighed, admitting, “You’re pushing me, Mom…”

            Mary acknowledged, “You ALWAYS fixed what was broken at home. … I just figured … well … running out of wine is very embarrassing to the hosts!

            “Very well,” Jesus said. 

            Mary said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you!”

            Jesus pointed to six jars and said, “Fill those jars with water.”

            One servant said, “Each jar holds between twenty to thirty gallons!”

            Jesus nodded His head, “I know they hold water for ceremonial washing.  Fill each to the brim!”

            The servants did as they were told.

            Jesus said, “Now draw out some and present it to the ‘Master of Ceremonies’.”

            “Yum!” the Master of Ceremonies said, “I congratulate the host!  Most people pour the best wine at first, and after the guests have had their fill, bring out cheap wine.  But you sir, have saved the best wine until now!”   

                                                

Take Home Nugget 

            Do you hate to ‘bother’ God with trivial details of your life?

 

            God doesn’t care what I want, people often think.  What do the balance in my bank account or sports’ scores have anything to do with God’s ultimate plan for the universe? 

            Jesus had just begun His ministry.  He never cared to ‘show off’ for the crowd.  Performing miracles amounts to bringing God’s will from heaven to earth.  What was important to Mary (sparing the hosts’ embarrassment), was central to Jesus and vital to the Father.  ‘Now’ was the moment Jesus humbled Himself before the Father to please Mary,—the host, the bridal couple, and the wedding guests—with fabulous wine.

Thank You for being an awesome God, Father.  You’re not human.  You have infinite interest in our lives, infinite power and love for Your kids.  Thank You for infinite care!  Amen, in Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

   

Adapted from “Small Prayers” by Pastor Mark Jeske.  www.TimeOfGrace.org.  August 16, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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Stand on Victory Ground

STAND ON VICTORY GROUND

Ephesians 6:11:  “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Colossians 2:15:  “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Romans 8:37:  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

            The thing is…God does not need you to defeat the devil.  Our LORD King Jesus already defeated the devil by rising back to life!  Believers-in-Christ are already victors.   But Believers do have jobs.

 

            Our job is to stand.  We’re to stand on victory ground!  We fight from victory, not for victory. 

  

            Our battle is not with flesh and blood.  “Our struggle is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  (Ephesians 6:12). 

            We never boast because human wisdom is foolishness to Almighty God.  Nevertheless, 1 Corinthians 1:21 and 23 say: 1.) that those who are in Christ (Believers)—and 2.) Christ is of God—3.) have all things! 

            Believers are already blessed with “every spiritual blessing in Christ.”   Ephesians 1:3-14 breaks down that verses 3-6 come from the Father, verses 7-12 come from the Son, and verses 13-14 come from the Holy Spirit. 

            We stand on victory ground because “God chose us to be in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”  Because God loves unconditionally, He decided to adopt us as His kids through our faith in Jesus.  

  

            Because Jesus bled and died, God’s grace restores all Believers to Himself.  Our sin is forgiven.  Because God is all wise, the mystery that those who are in His Son will attain Christ-like magnitude when the Holy Spirit’s work is complete.  Because God is faithful to His Word, Believers are offered eternal salvation.  Because of Believers’ belief, we are sealed with His Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance. 

    

            This is why the devil is so mad!  Those who’re sealed with God’s Spirit expects to be under his attack.  Wearing battle armor like the lesson below teaches, we know how to fight from victory ground.  The word “stand” appears four times, while the word “struggle” only once.  

       

Take Home Nugget 

            The devil attacks Believers by whispering lies.  This is why so many Christians wrestle their way to victory.  They stress out while working harder.  If they only knew that they’re already standing on victory ground, they’d rest on God’s promises instead. 

Holy Father, thank You for all the blessings I receive through Christ’s finished work on the cross!  Thank You—all three of the Godhead—for every spiritual blessing.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. 

   

Adapted from “Stand From Victory, Not For Victory” by Joseph Prince.  www.josephprince.org.  August 15, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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Get Serious

GET SERIOUS

Genesis 32:24:  “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.”

            Jacob was deadly serious.

            Sweating tomorrow when he was due to meet his twin older brother, Jacob was remembering. … The house smelled like stew simmering in a pot.  Esau stormed inside sniffing the air and demanded, “Give me some food, I’m about to die!”  

  

             “There’s some lentil stew,” Jacob said.   Thinking quickly, he filled a bowl with stew from the pot and held it out.  “Sell me your birthright for this stew.”

            “Sold!” Esau said, reaching for the bowl.

      

            “Swear to me, first!” Jacob added, pulling the bowl away.

            “I swear to you that I sell my birthright for this stew!” Esau said while licking his lips.  “What good is a birthright to me, anyway, when I’m about to die?” 

            Gulping down his food, Esau finished, then left the house. 

            Jacob smiled.  That worked out well! he thought.  Then he remembered another time:  Dad called for Esau, who had gone out hunting. 

   

            Jacob answered, “Here I am!”

            Dad was old.  Almost blind, he was near the end of his life.  He said, “Get your quiver and bow and hunt some wild game for me to eat.  Prepare tasty food that I like and bring it to me.  I want to bless you before I die.”

            Mom planned the deception and took full responsibility for tricking her husband.  “Here Jacob, take this goat that I prepared for your dad.  I want you to receive Esau’s blessing!”

            “But Mom, Esau is hairier than me and smells outdoorsy,” Jacob pointed out.  Rebekah brought Jacob Esau’s clothes to change into and covered his hands with goatskin.  She brought food prepared exactly the way that Isaac enjoyed.

            Jacob approached Isaac ready to lie, “Father, here’s your food.”

            Isaac sat up.  “That was fast!” he said.

            “God gave me fast success!” Jacob replied.

            “Come closer, son.  Your voice sounds like Jacob.”  He touched Jacob’s hand.  “These are hairy, like Esau’s!  Are you really Esau?”

            “I am,” Jacob crossed his fingers.

            “Good!  Now I’m ready for some of your game.  Afterwards, I’ll give you my blessing.” Isaac said.

            When Jacob brought dad food and wine, Isaac smelled him.  “Humph.  You smell like Esau.”  Isaac ate leisurely, savoring the taste.  “Now son, receive my blessing!”

            Esau returned home and wanted dad’s blessing.  Isaac told him what happened.  Esau became enraged, yelling, “The days for mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”                                                                         

  

Genesis 25:23-26, 29-34, 27:1-29, 30-41.

           

Take Home Nugget 

            When life gets deadly, people’s faith in God gets serious.  Check out the lesson linked below to see God’s admiration for Jacob’s determination.

Jacob schemed for Esau’s blessing, but resolved himself to obtain God’s too.

Adapted from “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman.  www.Christianity.com   August 20, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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