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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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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                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  

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New Covenant of Grace

NEW COVENANT OF GRACE

First of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment series

Hebrews 9:15:  “For this reason [our serving the living God], Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

            Epiphany [e-PIF-fan-ee] is a sudden understanding.  It’s like “DUH” to “I GET IT!”  It’s like seeing the spelling of epiphany, sounding it out—then realizing that you did hear that word before.  A sudden intense understanding.

            Gentile [JEN-tile], as opposed to Jewish, Wise Men searched for “he who is born king of the Jews.”  That baby—whose arrival was announced by a new star in the sky—was Jesus.  January 6 celebrates Epiphany on the church calendar, when the wise men found Jesus with Mary and Joseph.  (Matthew 2:1-11).

            Do you see how God weaved non-Jews into His Son’s birth recorded in Earth history?  God’s chosen people are the Jews.  Jesus is a Jew.  Yet, Jesus came for both Jew’ AND Gentile’ salvation.  Gentile Magi, or Wise Men journeyed a long way to find Jesus. 

            Jesus’ coming for everyone on Earth was brand-new intense understanding.

            Epiphany! 

            2016 is our New Year promising hope.  If you resolved to Walk Wisely by Faith—previous devotion—2016 promises exciting adventure.  None of this adventure is announced beforehand.  But as you peel away the wrapping around 2016 day by day, you’re guaranteed surprise.  Maybe the promised hope for which you are waiting will be revealed soon.

            The opening Scripture promises Believers’ inheritance under the new covenant of grace that our heavenly Father established through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.  Check out the lesson linked below to understand why blood is necessary to seal covenant promises.  Through believing in Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and death on our behalf, God’s other kids—you and I—are presented holy and blameless to Him. (Ephesians 5:27).

            Epiphany!    

           

Take Home Nugget

            God’s Supernatural new covenant of grace is found in Hebrews 8:10:  “I will put My laws in their minds and write them in their hearts.  I will be their God and they will be My people.”

            The old covenant was the law where people were commanded “thou shall not.”  People failed to obey which voided the promise.  The new covenant of grace states that God “will.”  God cannot fail.  His new covenant of grace will fulfill all God’s promises.

            This series, Covenantal Alignment, could be named “Promises for Believers.”  It is important for Christians to understand distinctive awesome ways of Almighty God, and how we remain inside His protective covering.   

Immanuel is God with me. 

Epiphany is I get it! 

God is FOR me!  

Hallelujah!

This devotion is adapted from The Grace of Giving from In Touch magazine.  Stanley.  May 29, 2014. Wisconsin.

And

New Covenant of God Saying I Will from “Joseph Prince Ministries.com. March 29, 2015.

       

J.D. Griffith

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Walk Wisely by Faith

WALK WISELY BY FAITH

Proverbs 28:26:  “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.”

            Apostle Paul advises Believers “to live by faith, not by sight,” in 2 Corinthians 5:7.  If you made a “New Year’s Resolution” to begin 2016, today is your first day living that resolution.  How is it working out for you so far?

            Perhaps you will consider resolving to live by faith walking in wisdom?

            Warning: Walking wisely by faith won’t be easy.  The first thing challenges one to do what you’re probably avoiding: the Lord says that we must forgive.  These points are reviewed in the lesson linked below this devotion.

            Wise walking by faith requires discernment.  We need to recognize the difference between Godly wisdom from earthly wisdom.  Godly wisdom definitely originates from another perspective—Biblical principles can only be determined by God’s indwelling Spirit.  Lucky for Believers that His Spirit is our secret cheat sheet. 

            People are given the gift of “fee will.”  That means we choose for ourselves who and what wins our attention.  And wise walking by faith is a deliberate choice.  Believers avoid the popular well-trodden path, and walk alone.  We watch others who seem to be having an awesome time in their carefree walk of life enjoying worldly passions. 

            Believers counter worldly living with the awesome gifts that are ours in Christ: righteousness, inner peace, holiness and joy.  We confidently store up rewards in heaven.  Believers share in the inheritance of Christ—the whole world!  That adventure beckons Christians.  We’re sure to be unwrapping delights for all eternity!

 

            Meanwhile, pleasing the Lord and conforming to Jesus’ likeness isn’t boring.  Resolving to honor God began our Walk Wisely by Faith.   We close our eyes to worldly distractions while pushing forward toward God-inspired goals.      

            Instincts are played down.  Instincts are “fleshly” and not to be trusted.  Other people’s advice is tricky.  Sometimes it is wise to follow advice, and other times it’s risky.  This is where we trust the Spirit’s leading.  Believers carefully consider the source and possible hidden agenda of other’s advice. 

            It is ALWAYS wise to search Scripture for agreement.  “What would Jesus do?” easily becomes, “What would Jesus advise?”  With time, practicing “Spirit hearing” makes understanding and insight to God’s ways a sixth sense.  Soon, we don’t even hear the world’s clamoring for our attention.                            

           

Take Home Nugget

            What is beautiful about Walk Wisely by Faith resolution is that our heavenly Father is delighted with your choice.  He assumes total responsibility for offering His kids wisdom and enabling us to stay on the less-traveled path.

Heavenly Father, I resolve to try living by faith walking wisely on the right path, praying in the name of Your Son Jesus, Amen. 

This devotion is adapted from How to Walk Wisely from In Touch magazine.  Stanley.  May 28, 2014. Wisconsin. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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Finished Statement

FINISHED STATEMENT

John 1:14:  “‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

             Ellipses … allow statements to finish many different ways.  The Father began the statement, “I AM Who I AM” in Exodus 3:14-15.  I Am, “The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.”  Moses was told to say that to explain why he was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

            Apostle John records Jesus’ finishing the Father’s ellipses I am statement many ways.

            At the Passover Feast in John 13, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.  He said, “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, and your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet.”

            “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).  John 14:20 says, “On that day [Jesus’ ascension], you will realize that I am in the Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” 

            John 15 teaches productivity in verses 1-2, then 4-6 contrasts that to non-productive people:  “I am the vine, and My Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while very branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that is 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.”

             

            John 6:35 teaches sustenance.  “I am the bread of Life.  He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.  But many scoffed when He said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” (Verse 38).

            Verse 51 got weird, and many left Jesus on the spot.  (Believers understand this to be Holy Communion truth): “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

           

Take Home Nugget

            So…Are you a Jacob, who operates on human strength…or are you a John, who rests in Jesus’ finished I AM statements?

Holy Father, make me a John!

This devotion is adapted from The Great I AM from 2015 Advent Devotions. Lutheran Indian Ministries. Wilson (Cowlitz).  December 11, 2015. Wisconsin. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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Expectations

EXPECTATIONS

Luke 1:38:  “‘I am the Lord’s servant.’ Mary answered.  ‘May it be to me as you have said.’  Then the angel left her.”

             

              God’s angel Gabriel just blew Mary’s mind.  What he told her was simply too wondrous.  She never even heard of angel encounters before.  “Weird” is how she’d probably describe his first words:  “Greetings you, who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.”

             

            Why not, “Hi!” or ”Hello, Mary!”  For sure, this was going to be a weird conversation.  After Gabriel broke his news: 1) You’re going to be with child, 2) a son, 3) name Him Jesus, 4) he will be great, 5) son of the Most High, 6) given the throne of David, 7) reign over Jacob forever, 8) never-ending kingdom. … Mary’s only question was, “How can this be?”

           

            Well…let’s just go with Gabriel’s “Nothing is impossible with God.” 

            Mary’s simple reply, “May it be to me as you have said,” confounds us. 

            Humans are rarely that trusting.  We demand explanations.  Proof.  Maybe Mary was in shock.  Wouldn’t you be after angel visitation?  But no.  Mary calmly acknowledged her position (servant of the Lord), and that she’s okay with whatever God plans for her.   Anyone would have lots of expectations after hearing Gabriel’s news.

            Even we (whom angels don’t often visit), have lots of expectations.  God Himself says “I know the plans I have for you” in Jeremiah 29:11.  Matthew 1:23 says, “they shall call Him ‘Immanuel,’ that means ‘God with us.’"  Perhaps, although we cannot see our future in detail—like Mary—we can accept that sovereign Lord of the universe is in charge?  Maybe we can say, “May it be to me as You say, Lord!”

            We can empathize [EM-pa-thiz] meaning identify with Mary.  After getting a glowing appraisal from a parent, teacher or boss, we know what’s expected from us…and all that is possible stemming from such endorsement. 

            And we’re humbled.  So when we willingly agree to be God’s servant, it is simple to admit, “May it be to me as You say, Lord.”  Suddenly, all the pressure is off us.  Our heavenly Father accepts the responsibility to fulfill our expectations—in His time.     

            Mary’s pretty smart!  Check out the lesson linked below to see other expectations.

Take Home Nugget

            Jesus is with us (Immanuel) while we wait expectantly.  Mary didn’t need to know the details, and neither do we.  When did we become sassy kids who demand things done our way on our timetable?  Isn’t “God with us” the best guarantee? 

            When Gabriel said, “Nothing is impossible with God,” that was good enough for Mary.

            Is that good enough for you?

Let us speak trust in God believing in our hearts that He will do as He said.

This devotion is adapted from A Season of Expectations from 2015 Advent Devotions. Lutheran Indian Ministries. Santos (Tohono O’odham).  December 12, 2015. Wisconsin. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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