Hallow Living

HALLOW LIVING
2Timothy 2:14-26
V.15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

“How are you going to dress up?” Cassie asked Brenda, walking to their school bus.

“Not telling! Mom got me a costume last week, and I love it. You’re just going to have to guess, Cassie!” Brenda giggled at Cassie’s open mouth.

The last day of October, in the United States, is a fun holiday where kids and some adults dress into costumes and party. The name of the celebration is Halloween. This is shortened from the original “All Hallow’s Eve.” We don’t use the word hallow much anymore, but in Scripture, the word hallow means sanctify. This means to make holy, make sacred, or consecrate, set apart.

The name of God is not the only thing that believers hallow. (In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us, “Hallowed be Your name”, Matthew 6:9). St. Paul urged Timothy to be a vessel sanctified and useful for the Lord. This is for us today, too. We’re to live “hallowed”, or righteous, every day.

This means that Christian believers are to be set apart from the world by pursuing righteousness, loving others peacefully by faith. With a pure heart, we are supposed to avoid foolish and stupid arguments. We’re to resist quarrelling and evil desires. Senseless fighting causes disputes.

The Lord’s disciples (you and me, all believers) must not squabble. We’re to be kind to everyone, ready to teach without offending. If anyone opposes us, we’re to gently instruct the truth. Our hope is that God will lead them to His Word. This is the only way they can escape the devil’s trap of taking people captive to his will (2Timothy 2:24-26).

“What are you guys dressing up as?” Brenda said to the kids boarding the bus.

Randy pretended to whip a sword up and down, “a pirate, matey. Dare to board my ship?” He ran onto his bus laughing.

Trevor and Jesse looked at each other, then Jesse said, “We’ll be soldiers in a foxhole, back to back.”

The kids hope to fill their bags to overflowing with sweet treats as they parade from door to door, or to parties in neighborhood centers.

Take Home Nugget

Does thinking of these sweet treats remind us to be uplifted while set apart from the world? How do I present myself to others? Is my face set in an angry frown, or does my mouth stay in a ready smile that welcomes interaction with others?”

Is our greatest satisfaction being used for God’s Kingdom?

J.D. Griffith

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Relationship Challenges

RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGES

Proverbs 12:14
“From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.”

Galatians 6:7-10
V. 7: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

The three kids (Jesse, Cassie, and Randy) fell down, laughing hysterically. (See Being Vulnerable Devotion). “I am sorry for passing this gossip around, Cassie. My bad.” Randy admitted after catching his breath.

“Mark’s a good-looking guy, Randy. If he weren’t my cousin, I would be tempted to…oh no—that’d be too weird!” Cassie exclaimed—hands clamping her mouth shut.
They all burst out laughing again.

Jesse only knew that his heart was bursting with happiness, after having resolved this gossip issue between his classmates.

The person who sows in the Spirit, reaps eternal life. Jesse’s positive actions reaped benefit to all involved. Randy’s negative actions of spreading gossip could easily have led to harm. The difference between Jesse and Randy is who, or what each boy follows. When following the flesh, instead of God’s Spirit, people sow corruption.

What do corrupt actions reap?

This sowing/reaping (Relationship Challenges) devotion is a corollary (COR-ol-lar-ee, meaning a natural accompaniment) to the Being Vulnerable devotion. As we follow Jesus’ second greatest command (to treat others as we’d like to be treated), our actions reap benefits to everyone. Sowing kindness and respect towards others reap rewards and good will.

God sees all.

Walking in God’s Spirit also rewards believers with supernatural gifts. These are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). These gifts transform believers from the inside out, and provide all that is needed to live victoriously.

The challenge is to treat mean people with undeserved love and respect. Accepting this challenge and treating everyone well is always a win-win. Believers receive God’s blessings when following Jesus in obedience to His commands.

Do we recognize that obedience makes forgiveness possible, builds good character, and develops endurance?

What does sowing harmful actions reap? God sees all.

Take Home Nugget

When God’s children lead Spirit-filled lives, relationship challenges showcase God’s love in every circumstance. Living in the Spirit sows seeds of love, joy, and peace. This reaps rewards in our own lives, as well as in the lives of others (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Living a Spirit-filled life overcomes self-destructive needs to harbor bitterness and anger.

Love looks beyond what people are to how God intended them to be.

J.D. Griffith

“Lord, help us to believe in people
And all that in them You can do,
So we can say we’ve loved too many,
Rather than too few.”

Sper

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Being Vulnerable

BEING VUNERABLE
Matthew 22:36-40
V. 39: “And the second [greatest commandment] is like it [the first]: ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”.

“Wait here” Jesse told Randy, and ran to the soccer field where the girls were playing at recess. (See Juicy Gossip Devotion).

“Hey Cassie, can you come with me for a minute?

“What’s this about, Jess?” Cassie asked, walking along side, slightly out of breath.

“Randy said something that I hope you can straighten out.”

“What did he say?”

“He said you went parking with Mark Johnson after the football game last Friday.” Cassie laughed out loud. “You’re gonna live this, Jesse!”

“Hey Randy!” Cassie demanded. “What’s this I hear?”

“What’s going on with you and Mark Johnson?” Randy asked, his face a smirk.

“I love Mark, Randy. But I doubt that you’d understand.”

Sometimes, following Jesus makes ourselves vulnerable (VUL-ner-ab-le, meaning exposed, at risk). Cassie may or may not have a valid reason for exposing her love for Mark, but she proclaimed her love without excuse.

Jesse did what he thought was right—exposing Randy’s gossip to the light. He trusted God to handle the consequences.

Relationships can be complicated. Jesus wants us to treat others as we’d like to be treated. This Golden Rule, Matthew 22:39, is often difficult when we feel helpless—exposed in the light of truth. Regardless of our circumstances, God’s rule always applies.

What if kindness, or a loving attitude opens the door to additional hurt? Obedience is challenging, isn’t it? Even the youngest kids seem to know better than to open themselves up to pain and ridicule. In defense of our actions, we often weave a tangled web of lies. This always leads us to treat another badly, and is disobedient to Jesus’ command.

Human nature wants to avenge wrong. In fact, we cannot do otherwise on our own strength.

Thankfully, God provides us help. The hidden secret in treating others the way we’d like to be treated comes from our friend, the Holy Spirit. Believers’ indwelt guide steers God’s kids to be obedient in every situation.

The Holy Spirit also protects us from risk of getting hurt when obeying God. He soothes pain, provides strength, and inspires us to forgive.

Treating others the way we’d like to be treated, regardless of what the world proclaims, is a win-win every time.

Take Home Nugget

When Jesse exposed Randy’s claim to Cassie, a door opened for an opportunity where everyone could save face (keeping everyone’s dignity intact).

“So, you love Mark?” Randy sounded sarcastic.

“Yes, silly, he’s my cousin!” Cassie finally admitted.

Obedience doesn’t always seem to make sense, but trusting God always makes sense.

J.D. Griffith

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Juicy Gossip

JUICY GOSSIP
Matthew 20:20-28
V. 26: “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…”

“Did you hear what Cassie did last week after the football game?” Randy asked Jesse as they passed football during recess.

Jesse looked over to see the girls’ soccer game. Finding Cassie, he said, “No, what did she do?”

“I heard that she went with Mark Johnson in his car—you know that he’s a Junior—and they went parking in a deserted lot on the outskirts of town.”

Jesse’s heart sank. “Who says?”

“Well, um, it’s common knowledge. The guys in high school are passing it around…She’s become a hot ticket.”

Jesse shrugged his shoulders, and replied, “Well, if she did, that’s her business…didn’t you sign the “Honest Dealing” poster yesterday?” (See Honest Dealing devotion ).

“Yeah, Jesse, we all did. Didn’t you feel pressured to sign it?”

“Not really, Randy. I like the pact for all students to do their best…Is gossiping your best, Randy?”

“It’s not gossip is it’s true.” Randy alleged. “It could be true! You know how Cassie flaunts herself…She’s a “ho”, Jesse, admit it! Didn’t you strip her of her bathing suit top at the pool?”

“That was wrong, Randy, and I’m sorry for having disrespected Cassie like that…I’m calling you out to stop spreading this lie.”

“Oh please, Jesse! I refuse to be called out by you—of all people!”

Peer-level bullying, back stabbing, innuendo (IN-NU-en-do means suggestion), infighting, sabotage (SAB-o-taj means to interfere with, disrupt, or harm), infringing on someone’s privacy, and many other offenses—like gossiping—are all labeled lateral hostility. Lateral, because it occurs among same level people, or peers. The attack always intends harm. Usually, because of a power imbalance, people threaten lateral aggression towards others.

This destructive behavior wounds and intimidates. It is found within all vocations and walks of life: churches, government, schools, even within families. Kids are most vulnerable, because they’re at the bottom rung of the power ladder.

Even Jesus’ disciples jockeyed for position in God’s kingdom. The mother of James and John, Zebedee’s sons, asked Jesus for a favor. Could her two sons be seated at His right and left hand in His kingdom? (Matthew 4:21). Jesus’ answer appears at the beginning of this devotion.

Take Home Nugget

Randy tried spicing up recess with this juicy gossip, but Jesse stopped it cold. At least some of the sixth graders took "Honest Dealing" seriously. Following Jesus is important to Jesse, and spreading vicious gossip had to end. He served his classmates, especially Cassie, by nipping Randy’s gossip in the bud.

Only those who serve are qualified to lead.

J.D. Griffith

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Honest Dealing

HONEST DEALING
Acts 5:1-11
V. 3: “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?’”

Mr. Graham, Jesse and Trevor’s 6th grade teacher, stood before the class. As the students filed in for a new day, emptying backpacks, and chatting with classmates, he watched silently.

“Mr. G. what’s up?” Jesse asked, raising his hand as he sat down.

The class froze—hearing Jesse speak, and looked at their teacher—curious for his answer.

“I’m waiting for your full attention, class.”

With everyone seated quietly, he began. Peering intently into thirty pair of wondering eyes, Mr. Graham offered, “I’ve got a proposition for you. What do you say to our forming a pact? If you trust me to teach and lead you honestly, will you agree to be honest students…no cheating on tests? No stealing things from another’s desk, no telling lies, no swearing?” clearing his throat, he allowed that to sink in. Tacking a large poster on the bulletin board entitled, HONEST DEALING, he turned around and offered a marker to Adam, sitting in the isle seat—the first of five rows. “Adam, will you sign your name anywhere on the poster?”

Adam took the marker and stood up smiling at his classmates.

“Before you sign it, Adam,” Mr. Graham warned, “remember there are sixty-two eyes watching you agree to our HONEST DEALING pact.” Adam hesitated, looking around. Biting his lower lip, he prepared to sign the poster. Reaching high, Adam signed his name in the upper right hand corner. Mr. Graham continued, “Class, each of you are to hold Adam accountable for agreeing to our Honest Dealing pact. If any of you catch Adam cheating, lying, stealing, or swearing, he must answer to you. That’s holding him responsible for his actions…Same thing for everyone who signs this poster.”

Adam walked haltingly towards his desk, and handed the marker to Brittany.

All thirty kids signed the poster.

Do you agree that Mr. Graham’s pact acted as moral guidance, keeping the kids honest? (See Moral Guidance devotion).

Take Home Nugget

In today’s Scripture passage, Ananias and Sapphira thought that they could get away with lying. They quickly and fatally discovered differently. They didn’t even have time to repent (vv.5,10).
The power we have to deal honestly comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. Righteous living is His will for believers, so that our lives show testimony to others. Proverbs 12:22 encourages believers to deal truthfully.

There are no degrees of honesty.

J.D. Griffith

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Moral Guidance

MORAL GUIDANCE
Psalm 119:129-136
V. 133: “Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me.”

At a teacher’s conference, the moderator posed this question to middle school teachers: “What is the frequency and number of classroom disturbances, like cheating? Speak up, folks.”

Teachers squirmed, some chuckling. Mr. Graham, Jesse and Trevor’s 6th grade teacher, replied, “Ever since we removed ‘The Ten Commandments’ from the class room, cheating has increased.”

All the teachers nodded their heads in agreement.

“Why is this so?” the moderator quizzed.

“Removing all visible signs of God makes it harder to maintain order. Cheating is just one example” one teacher observed.

“Unruliness, respect for the teacher’s demands is another” a different teacher offered.

“Kind treatment toward other kids has also declined” a third said.

“Some cliques have sprung up that praise kids when they make fun of, put down, or embarrass other kids” another shot out.

“Human behavior is declining into amoral conduct” the moderator mused aloud. “Our jobs have become harder to inspire an atmosphere of morality. Separation of church and state was never intended to keep God out of school classrooms.”

“The original intent was to prevent government from dictating religion to the people” one teacher shared, shaking her head. “We’ve distorted the meaning of our founding fathers’ objective. If you ask me, our entire civilization has been in moral decline—beginning the mid twentieth century.”

“Everything is decaying in our fallen world” the moderator announced. “I think things will continue to get worse, folks, instead of getting better.”

Do you agree?

Centuries ago, the Psalmist understood a need for a moral benchmark. People need divine aid to follow God’s plan for living. The Ten Commandments are our moral guidance of right and wrong. They are the mirror that we have to compare our actions against perfection. They reflect our sin back to us, exhibiting our need to repent.

While the Ten Commandments aren’t a cheat test, they do remind people how God expects righteous living from His children. We can’t see them posted anymore in public, but God wrote them into our hearts (Hebrews 8:10). That’s one cheat test we cannot escape.

Take Home Nugget

Dan Ariely, an economics professor at the Massachusetts’s Institute of Technology, conducted tests on human behavior. He discovered that people who were offered money for correct answers, cheated. But when tested to write down the Ten Commandments, no one cheated.
How’s that for proof of moral guidance?

J.D. Griffith

“How precious is the Book divine
By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heaven.”

Fawcett

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Let's Talk

LET’S TALK
Hebrews 4:12-13
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

At the moment of salvation, when the Holy Spirit indwells the soul, lines of communication open wide. The One Who spoke the universe into existence, and you connect on the same plane. The very Bible you hold in your hands is the phone that transmits His Word for your heart and spiritual “ears” to receive. He wants to talk.

Are you ready to listen?

The Bible is the most amazing book ever written. Humans recorded God’s thoughts and deeds onto paper so that we could know Him (2Peter 1:20-21). The Spirit empowers God’s children to “hear” His voice. The Spirit also provides understanding to them who seek knowledge, wisdom, and discernment (knowing good from bad).

God’s Word is so powerful that it always accomplishes what is intended (Isaiah 55:10-11). God’s Word is so active and alive, that studying the Bible performs its work in those who believe (1Thessalonians 2:13).

WOW! No dodging that!

Our faith, also a gift from the Father, enables His children to believe what the Bible says. God’s Word has the power to change lives when we do what it says. The Bible shows believers Who God is—and who we are—by comparison. The more we study His Word, the greater our transformation. From the inside out. Our transformation is invisible to everyone else--unless others notice increased patience, self-control, gentleness, love, joy, peace, faithfulness, and kindness. These are all gifts of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

As followers of Jesus, we don’t have the luxury of just talking a believer’s life. We must live up to the faith we profess. The Word of God is razor sharp and will cut like a sword into our hearts, revealing our innermost thoughts. Exposing wrong thoughts and wants to His truth modifies the believer’s walk. Cleansed and purified hearts are the extra bonus to Bible study.

Intimate conversations between our heavenly Father and us are like family talks around the dinner table. Family members learn each other’s wants and needs, while His Word nourishes our souls.

Take Home Nugget

Praying for Scripture understanding heightens Spiritual “hearing.” The more we believe and obey what the Bible says, the more intimate our conversation.

By the very way we act
At home, school, or play--
With God we make a pact
To live for Him each day.

J.D. Griffith

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Jesus' Mission

JESUS’ MISSION
John 14:6
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

What did Jesus know at His birth in human form?

We learned that Jesus always was, and will always be. (See God’s Biography devotion, John 1, 14). Awaking as a human baby, what were His first thoughts?

God sent His Son to mankind in human form so that Jesus would know first-hand what it’s like to be human. And God’s children would never be able to accuse the Almighty, ”You don’t know what it’s like being human!” The point was for Jesus to show us how to live a sinless life. Only then would Jesus be an acceptable sacrifice to reconcile sinful man to Holy God.

Jesus agreed to be born in human form, surrendering His divinity as God. He did this out of love for us—knowing that His mission was two-fold. 1.) Coming to earth as a baby meant that He’d live exactly what we experience—from birth through death. Would He have to learn everything we humans learn—from His first human breath?

As an infant, did He realize that He could call down Angels to escape His mortal body? What were His first words, and how long before He said them? Was He quicker than a normal baby to do anything?

He certainly showed mankind a tangible image of Almighty God—one whom we can touch and see.

2.) After living a sinless life, His second mission was to die. For us.

When did He remember that? How depressing would it be if we’d know at birth that we’d have to die? But did Jesus rebel? He knew, at age twelve, to remain in His Father’s house. (Is this where He felt most at home?) Mary discovered Him missing on the return home to Nazareth from Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50).

Jesus must have known far more than He let on to His earthly parents. He may have grown into Kingdom knowledge as He grew physically and emotionally. He lived in perfect obedience to His earthly parents and to His heavenly Father. He left home at age 30—when most Hebrew guys got married—to begin His ministry.

The Bible’s New Testament study shows believers how to imitate Master Jesus.

Take Home Nugget

God-in-human-flesh is the bridge that we cross to the Father. It is impossible to earn salvation; it is the awesome gift from God--only through Jesus. Believe in Jesus, and be saved.

Christ is the path, and Christ is the prize!

Dedicated to Marvin and Berry Dries, who led me to Christ as an infant.

J.D. Griffith

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God's Biography

GOD’S BIOGRAPHY
Romans 1:16-20
V. 20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Mr. Graham, Jesse and Trevor’s six grade teacher, announced, “Your biography report is due one week from today. Here is the format, everyone: Choose a famous person and write a biography about him or her. Three questions you must address: 1. What did the person say about himself? 2. What did others say about the person? 3. What did the person do?”

“Do your research, and in two pages, double-spaced, report on these three topics. The person’s name and the birth and death dates will be your title. Spelling counts!”

Trevor’s report: Jesus Christ. No beginning, and no end. Revelation 22:13. We celebrate His birth (as a human in year A.D. 0), and Easter—when He rose from the dead—Jesus is timeless.

1. (What Jesus says about Himself) “And God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image…’” Genesis 1:26. (Jesus was with God from the beginning.) “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27. “No one has ever gone into heaven except the One who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” John 3:13. “God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in spirit and truth.” Jesus said.

The woman said, “I know that the Messiah” (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything.”

Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:24-26.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2. (What others say about Jesus) “In the beginning was the Word, [Jesus] and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God from the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3. “Now the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” John 1:14. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3. (What Jesus did) “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty; darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness…” Genesis 1:1.

“Wow!” Jesse exclaimed, “I chose the wrong subject for my biography!”

Take Home Nugget

The God who created the universe is the same God you can know!

J.D. Griffith

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