Pity Party

PITY PARTY

 

First of five devotions in Intimate Whisper series

1 Kings 16:28-32, 19:1-13 

1 Kings 19:3-5:  “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die.  ‘I have had enough, Lord.’ he said.  ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’  Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.”

 

            The prophet Elijah is a Biblical giant.  But Elijah was also flawed.  His strength was understanding that God is a person with whom he could relate.  The opening Scripture shows Elijah wanting to die.  See the lesson linked below for Elijah leading for God’s great victory over the idol Baal.  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob proved sovereign.    

            Israel’s King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, led him and Israel to idol worship of her god Baal—whose prophets Elijah slaughtered in 1 Kings 18:40.  Incensed Jezebel threatened Elijah in 1 Kings 19:20, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by tomorrow I do not make our life like one of them.” 

            Elijah ran away. 

            His forty day-and-night-journey ended at Mount Horeb (alternate name for Mount Sinai).  There, he spent the night in a cave.  God found Elijah there, and inquired, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  (1 Kings 19:8-9).  The point was that God didn’t send Elijah to Mount Sinai.  Elijah went there on his own misguided reasoning.

            The reference to Moses’ 40-day stay on Sinai when the Israelites broke God’s Sinai covenant—having constructed and worshipped a golden calf during Moses’ extended absence (Exodus 43:11-13)—is intended. 

            Elijah was angry because the Israelites broke God’s covenant by worshipping Baal…pouted that he was fruitless in interceding for the Israelites covenant-breaking, where Moses succeeded…and whined that he was the only one of God’s prophets left alive (1 Kings 18:22).  In the opening Scripture, Elijah says that he “is no better than his ancestors.”  He admits feeling ineffective compared to Moses’ successful interceding for the Israelites.               

Take Home Nugget

            Have you ever been where Elijah is—scared, angry, pouting, whining?  Believer’s faith enables us to pile up on God’s lap and receive comfort when life is tough.  This short series intends to show God’s mercy and compassion during trying times. 

            1 Kings 19:11a,b:  “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’”  Once there, “a powerful wind tore the mountain apart, and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.”

  Where are You, Lord?

J.D. Griffith

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Four Calls

                                                        

FOUR CALLS

1 Samuel 3:1-21

1 Samuel 3:1:  “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.  In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”

            Samuel heard God’s calling as a small boy serving Eli the priest.  A grown-up prophet, Samuel admits that “in those days the word of the Lord was rare.”  (See lesson linked below to learn God’s message to Samuel, and much more). 

            It’s cool to hear from God.  “How may I serve You today, Lord?” will definitely elicit a spiritual—or a Scriptural response.  But what every believer should know is that God calls people four specific ways.  First, God calls people to salvation. 

            “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16).  God’s first call is to invite people into His family.  People were created in God’s image in order for Him to enjoy relationship with us.  Jesus died so that people’s sins could be forgiven and reconcile us to our heavenly Father.  Belief in Jesus offers believers salvation—or eternal life.

            Believers are adopted sons and daughters of God.  His gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit goes to work immediately.  This brings God’s second call to sanctification.  The Spirit’s work transforms believers into a close resemblance to Jesus.  Minds and hearts are softened, tweaked and pruned into Christlikeness.  We’re set apart from the world.  God’s kids are special.  Holy. 

            The first two of God’s calling to believers are entwined.  Saved people are set apart from the world for God’s third calling of service.  Kngdom work includes spreading the good news of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:10 spells out believer’s service:  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” 

            God has specific and important tasks for His kids to complete.  His Spirit supplies everything we need—including supernatural strength.  If you don’t know what task you’re assigned, ask God. 
 

Take Home Nugget

            God’s fourth call is to each person—believers and unbelievers—that we all must stand before God and give account for our lives.  Words and deeds will be judged.  Some people will be rewarded.  (Matthew 12:36, 16:27).  Romans 8:1 promises, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

            BUT:

            “He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.” …“Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”  (Matthew 25:33, 41).

Hear, O hear, for the Lord your God is calling.

J.D. Griffith

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Vroom!

Vroom!                                             

Luke 24:49 

“I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

 

            Supernatural power and authority from almighty God enables believers to serve Him.  Through the Holy Spirit, God empowers people to complete tasks on His, never on their own strength.  But, there is a difference between God’s Spirit indwelling believers and His releasing supernatural power.  The car that indwells believers isn’t a sedan.  It’s a racecar.       

            Believer’s racecar is parked as we sleep.  Waking up, we smile.  Then we pray, “Good morning, Lord.  What’s Your agenda for me today?”  We sing God praises as we stir into full consciousness.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 reminds us:  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

            The racecar starts up.

            The unknown day ahead is uncertain.  We feel inadequate.  No way can we expect to complete God’s tasks on our own strength!  Believer’s racecar isn’t “The Little Engine That Could” car story we learned in kindergarten.  Kingdom work is not for those who only “think they can.”  

            Believers admit needing God’s Supernatural power to accomplish the work He’s given us to do.  Climbing out of bed, we say, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength,” from Philippians 4:13.

            What’s that?  The racecar revves up its motor behind closed doors. 

     

            Oops.  We just remembered having cursed yesterday.  Believers confess sin immediately, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned against You.  I harbor no ill will against anyone.”  1 John 1:9 guarantees that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  Emphasis mine.  Now our hearts are pure.  Our relationship with God is tight.

            Garage doors open as believers shower.  Drying off, we consider the day ahead.  Pulling on clothes, we check the mirror.  We mentally tick off praying for guidance, admit needing supernatural strength, confessing sin and clothed with power from our “start day” list—that’s now complete.

            How do believer’s appear in the mirror when clothed with power?

            Our racecar’s transmission shifts into drive.

Take Home Nugget

            Breakfast feeds believers’ confidence.  Now we’re ready to win the day. 

The racecar pulls onto the driveway.  Idling. 

The horn honks 

            When believers trust God to provide everything required to complete tasks He sets before us, we depend on His supernatural power. 

            Strapping on driver’s goggles, we climb behind the wheel.   

            Buckling our seat belt, we pull onto the freeway

Vroom!  We’re off!

Human strength cannot achieve the daily win,

Human strength cannot secure the race;

Empowered believers are purified from sin.

Victory is only promised through grace.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Holiness

HOLINESS                     

Ephesians 5 

            Ephesians 5:3:  “But among you there must not be a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

             Ten year old Brad admitted to his Sunday school class, “I am a long way from holy!”    

            The other fifth graders snickered nervously.  Age ten is just the beginning of human’s raging hormones.  Discussing sexual immorality was a hot topic.  Teacher Mr. Robbins expected lively discussion.  He said, “God is clear: sex is reserved for after marriage between a man and woman in Ephesians 5:22-33.”

            Phillip blurted out, “but girls are everywhere, looking directly at classmates Melanie and Darby.” 

            Mr. Robbins nodded his head and said, “You aren’t the first kids going through puberty.  Prevailing through bodily changes is challenging—I remember well.  But you’re in my classroom, so I know that ‘you are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.’  That’s from Colossians 3:12.”

            “Phillip, please read Ephesians 5:4-5.”

            “Okay.  ‘Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather of thanksgiving.  For of this you can be sure:  No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’” 

            Mr. Robbins said, “Thanks.  Remember that ‘the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.’ from 1 John 1:7.  Now turn to 1 Peter 2:11.  What wars against our souls?”

            Melanie answered, “Sinful desires?” 

            “Right, Melanie.”

            Accepting Jesus as Savior starts believers’ amassing spiritual gifts as they grow in Christ.  Salvation, adoption into God’s family and indwelling Holy Spirit are immediate.  But what people usually ignore is that accepting Jesus as Savior ALSO accepts him as Lord of their lives.  Creds devotion showed how God master’s people’s lives for their good "who are called according to His purpose." 

            Wills yielded to God is the only way that believers are perceived as holy to the watching world.  God must be in charge.  Believers are taught to live our lives by faith (not by sight), led by God’s Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5&7). 

            Mr. Robbins continued, “being holy is also a command.  1 Peter 1:14-16 says, ‘As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 

Take Home Nugget

            Believers devotion taught:  Children of God are not called “sinners,” but “saints.”  Saints are holy people saved by grace and set apart from the world for God’s purposes. 

Help me to yield my will to you, Oh Lord.  Develop holiness in me, Jesus.  Amen.

 

                                                                                                                        J.D. Griffith

 

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Believers

          BELIEVERS       

 

John 16:1-5 

John 16:2:  “They will put you out of the Synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”

 

            Ten year old Jeremy joined fifth grade classmates Brad and Cassie at recess.  “Did you hear what ISIS did?” he asked.

            Cassie exclaimed, “Yes!  ISIL, or ISIS beheaded Christians!”   

            “How many?” Brad wondered.

            “21.” Jeremy answered.

            “What is the world coming to?” Brad asked, shaking his head.

            Wow, ten year old kids wonder what the world’s coming to!  But these aren’t regular kids.  They’re God’s kids.  They’re believers.   

            What’s special about believers?

            Believers-in-Christ are children of God.  God’s kids know that prayer accesses God’s throne room.  Prayer is Christians’ “911” emergency call to all-powerful, sovereign God of the universe.   We’re sure of God’s everlasting faithfulness.  He hears prayers.  His promises are guaranteed. 

            Children of God are not called “sinners,” but “saints.”  Saints are holy people saved by grace and set apart from the world for God’s purposes.  Saints still sin while on earth.  But saints confess and turn away from sin quickly.  Saints are forgiven.  Saints never lose their identity as God’s kids.

            Sinners are everyone who does not trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

            Believers are positioned in Christ.   John 15:1-2, 5-6 shows believers’ exact position in Jesus’ own words:  “I am the true vine, and My father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful.”

            “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

            The Father’s purpose is for believers to show Christ to the world.   The fruit believers bear is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control, from Galatians 5:22-23.  This attracts people to believers.  Others see Jesus’ nature and the beauty of a relationship with the Lord. 

            This relationship is what attracts other people to Christ.

Take Home Nugget

            ISIL murders and kidnaps people who profess faith in minor religions in the Middle East.  Craving world headlines, ISIL preys on women, children and the elderly.  Outraged nations condemn ISIL—what the Islamic State calls itself.  They do not represent Islam.  They’re fanatic lunatics that beg for world validation.

            Jesus warned that these times were coming over 2,000 years ago.  See the lesson linked below.             

Believers are like pollen to a bee attracting others to Jesus.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Credentials (Creds)

CREDENTIALS (CREDS)

James 4:7-10

 

James 4:10:  “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

            The book of James is like a lecture.  So, many people don’t bother reading it.  Check out the lesson linked below, to learn a little of his teaching.  James has the creds.  He led the church of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. 

            Sick people enter a hospital for diagnoses and healing.  Sinners attend a church seeking spiritual health and growth.  James confronted, diagnosed and corrected mistaken behavior and beliefs in the early church.  He offers rare wisdom, necessary for Christian growth.  He urges us to live God’s truths.

            One truth James tutors is humility.

            People are too proud to admit their pride!  Romans 6:16 teaches that we’re slaves to whomever we obey.  Humans naturally want to be in control, and controlling our lives sounds the opposite of submitting one’s self to God!  So we resist that with all our might.

            But controlling our own lives equals being enslaved to sin .

            And this leads to totally messed-up lives.  When believers realize that they’re in trouble, they cry out to God.  Perhaps God answers in James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

            Oh.

            Listed here are contrasting creds to help us determine whose control is better: 

PEOPLE                                             
                                                                         GOD                                          

 Character:

Selfish, greedy, self-absorbed,            Holy and sinless, infinite wisdom, perfect limited intelligence and sight,                            knowledge, eternal perspective

Temperament:

Calm when life’s good,                       Consistent, all powerful, peerles

unstable during trials                           patient, kind, good  

Motive:

Wants wealth, fun, easy life,              Love, wants people to love Him in return,

popular, powerful, prestige                 works everything out for believer’s good

Life’s Goal:

Safety, security, assurance                Salvation, mature into Christlikeness

            Whose creds do you reason can manage your life better?

            If we’re wise, God is master of our lives.  All rivals must go.  We grieve God’s Spirit when we say, “Yes!” to sin.  We restrain Him when we say, “No.” to God’s commands.  Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophesies with contempt.”

                                                       

Take Home Nugget

            Yielding one’s life to the Lord’s control doesn’t destroy lives.  Quite the opposite is true.  It may seem edgy at first, even slightly scary.  But we’ll never fall to earth from the tree limb that feels like we’re dangling from.  When God is master, people are lifted up.  Free.  At peace.  We’ll never regret God’s control because He rewards obedience.  Sin’s hold on us lessons, then disappears entirely. 
 

            Can your creds measure up?

 

Freedom from enslavement comes from the best master—ever!

J.D. Griffith

 

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End Game

END GAME                    

Hebrews 12:1-5, Revelation 21:10-27 

Hebrews 12:2:  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

            Revelation 21:27:  “Nothing impure will ever enter it, [heaven], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” 

 

             Ten year old Cassie lives her end game.  After she made friends with an eight year old outcast, she had to secure friends for her at school.  Kodie has very dark skin (which classmates hate), and wears a cross.  When Cassie introduced herself, Kodie noticed that she also wore a cross.

            The cross—which both girls wear on a necklace—announces faith in Jesus silently, at a glance.  Immediately, both girls felt that she could trust the other.  Cassie lassoed her third grade cousin Shakira and classmate Violet to play four square with Kodie.  Relationships were born.

 

            That’s how believers obey Jesus’ command to “make disciples.”  (Matthew 28:19).  We do the right thing in every situation.  We never need to preach the Gospel of Christ.  We LIVE it.  We strive to obey God’s commands (doing good works, for example).  Because we’re in love with His Son Jesus.

 

            But not everyone is in love with Jesus.  That’s tragic.  Because the end (death) is not a game.  And because God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).  God wants to find your name written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

           

            To get one’s name in that decisive book isn’t complicated.  First, people confess sin.  Then comes yielding one’s life to the Lordship of Jesus.  Immediately, God’s Holy Spirit indwells the person’s heart sealing him or her forever as a child of God.  (Ephesians 1:14).

            Good works won’t get one’s name written in the Lamb’s book of life; only faith in Jesus as God’s Son—who died to purchase forgiveness for people’s sins, offers whoever believes in Him salvation.  Direct access to the Father’s throne room urges believers into a new relationship with God through prayer.

            Believers can celebrate their end game on earth right now!

            The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 14:17).   

Take Home Nugget

            Fall in love with Jesus:  Remember all that He endured in order to atone for your sins?  Half-naked humiliation.  Being mocked.  Severe whipping.  Torturous death.  

            The appropriate response:  Gratitude.  Love.  Giving back by doing good deeds.  What a perfect end game to our earthly lives!       

Does your game (life) end with your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?

J.D. Griffith

 

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