3-30-2025 Devotion

 We have been looking at the command to be light in a dark world. Yesterday, we saw that being a light can bring risks. Jesus says in Matthew 10:24: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord." Being a light can also be very difficult. Recently someone spread some untruths about me. They were hurtful and malicious. Being a light required that I forgive them. It is not that hard to say the words: “I forgive you;” the difficulty is meaning them. We say I forgive but deep down we are secretly thinking, “God, I hope you get them for this.” To be the light we must act the way Jesus acted. He forgave; we must forgive no matter how hard it is.

 

Adam Clarke explained verse 24 as follows: “Or in plainer terms, A scholar is not above his teacher.  The saying itself requires no comment, its truth and reasonableness are self-evident, but to the spirit and design we should carefully attend.  Jesus is the great teacher: we profess to be his scholars.  He who keeps the above saying in his heart will never complain of what he suffers.  How many irregular thoughts and affections is this maxim capable of restraining!  A man is not a scholar of Christ unless he learn his doctrine; and he does not learn it as he ought unless he put it in practice.” Clarke used the word “scholar” for our word “disciple.” The disciple is a learner; the point is that you can’t really learn something unless you do it.

 

Today, be a light no matter how difficult the way may seem. You are only a light as you practice being a light. Shine bright even if it involves a risk or is difficult. As you do, you are fulfilling the command of Scripture.

3-29-2025 Devotion

 We have been looking at the command to be light in a dark world. Yesterday, we saw that being a light can bring suffering. Jesus says in Matthew 10:24: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord." Being the light sometimes involves taking a risk (in the natural it seems like a risk but the reality is the risk would be in not being a light). One of my children worked for a company that involved sales to the general public. In his training, they taught the employee to create a sense of urgency so the buyer will feel he must buy right then or lose some benefit. Many of the employees will make up stories in an effort to create the sense of urgency to make the sale. My son informed them that he would not lie to make a sale. They knew he was a Christian so now the being a light takes on the appearance of a risk. If he can't perform his job well without lying like the others, he could be forced to adapt to the world (i.e. lie) or lose his job. In the first month, having made the decision to walk in truth and be a light, he is about to break the single month record for performance. The light is burning bright and others have noticed. The point is not the job performance, it is the light. Now understand, not everyone is happy as what they perceive to be a special favor upon my son.

 

As explained in Ripley's Four Gospels: "Jesus proceeded to caution them against any vain expectations that might arise as to their message being universally received, and respect being universally paid to them.  The disciple is not above his master. They knew how their Master had often been treated, and they must not calculate upon better treatment." One person that used to be somewhat friendly to my son, now barely speaks to him. One mockingly calls him "Jesus." You see that being a light does involve exposing the darkness and sometimes that darkness doesn't like it. The issue is your being a light and not the response to that light. Their response is outside your control and between them and God. 

 

Today wherever you go and whatever you do, focus on being a light. Don't worry about the response to your light; just be the light. You will find some drawn to that light in you (i.e. God's working in your life) and others repelled. That is their choice not yours.

3-28-2025 Devotion

 We have been looking at the command to be light in a dark world. We must understand that being a light can bring suffering. Jesus says in Matthew 10:24: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord." Jesus suffered as "The Light" and we may suffer being His light in this world. We are not above Him; yet, too often we want the easy way. A way not walked by the Master. We must recognize that sometimes the way may be easy and other times the way may be hard. Notwithstanding the difficulties, we must not shrink from our duties to be a light.

 

The Albert Barnes New Testament Commentary explains: "That is, you must expect the same treatment which I have received. They have called me, your Master and Teacher, Beelzebub, the prince of the devils, (Mt 12:24; Lu 11:15; Joh 8:48) and you must expect that they will call all of the family by the same name." What names have you been called? Have you been called "intolerant, a fanatic, crazy, or a religious nut?" If you have not, why not? As we walk as a light, we must be prepared to suffer for His name. We do not seek the suffering but neither do we shrink from it.

 

Today as you walk be conscious of the fact that you are a light for Jesus Christ. How bright you shine will depend on a number of variables, e.g. personality or opportunity. Do the best you can where you are planted to be a light. If suffering comes as a result, act like Jesus did and know that you are fulfilling the Scripture.

3-27-2025 Devotion

 We saw yesterday that we are to be a light in the midst of the world's darkness. Paul explains it this way in Philippians 2:15: "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world...." The world we live in is also crooked and perverse. "Crooked" means "crooked, bent or warped from dryness." "Perverse" means "to turn or twist throughout." Think about life in America 50 or 100 years ago; most would not have considered the killing of innocent babies in their Mother's womb as a constitutional right. Further, most would have been shocked to see those with alternative lifestyles marching proudly down the streets sometimes exhibiting vile behavior in front of children. Yet, the things that used to be considered right are now deemed wrong and the things thought morally wrong are now considered right. This is an example of what it means to live in a crooked and perverse nation. 

 

Our response to this perversion and crookedness is to live blameless and harmless. The 1599 Geneva Bible notes explains this verse as follows: "To be short, he requires a life without fault, and pure, so that being enlightened with the word of God, they may shine in the darkness of this world." We must live our lives above the perverseness. It can be done; it must be done.

 

Today, recognize that you live in a crooked and perverse nation. That recognition will encourage you to walk as He walked. It is not an option, it is a command. There are many that claim to be in the body of Christ and live like the devil. They are deceived; they are part of the perverseness. Our duty is to confront sin as God opens the door and speak truth. That will be a light to the darkness around you.

3-26-2025 Devotion

 We know that as the darkness of sin becomes darker, we will shine brighter as we are the light to a lost world. Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:14) The word "are" is a verb in the present tense indicative mood. This means that Jesus is describing a continuous statement of fact. We don't have to try to be a light; we are in fact a light if we are in Jesus Christ. If God has put His Spirit within us and given us a new heart, then we are light.  

The Fourfold Gospel explains: "As light dispels darkness and enables a man to see his way, so the Christian, by his teaching and example, removes ignorance and prejudice, and discloses the way of life. The church, reflecting the light of Christ, is of necessity a conspicuous body, so that neither its blemishes nor its beauty can be concealed." As we expose the darkness by being the light, we may expect persecution and ridicule. The world did it to our Lord and we should expect no less today. The problem has been that the church and the world joined hands so as the darkness began to smother the light. However, things are changing now. It is time for the light to be the light and this we shall do with the help of God.

 

Today no matter where you go, be the light. Walk in such a way that you reveal the light of the Gospel by your speech and your life. As you do, you become the statement of fact that Jesus spoke about.

3-25-2025 Devotion

 We will continue to look at endurance which includes waging a good warfare against the forces of evil. 1 Timothy 6:12 says: " Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." Someone once said that the only good fight is a fight you win. The good news is that the fight of faith is a fight that we can, must and shall win. The word "fight" means "to take pains, to wrestle as in an award contest, straining every nerve to the uttermost towards the goal." Notice that fighting may be painful, will involve a struggle like a wrestling match, and will involve every part of you (your inner person and your physical body, i.e. your flesh). This is not an option; it is a command. The word Paul chose "fight," is in the present tense and imperative mood. This means that Paul is commanding you to continually fight. This is not a part time activity; it is for real and for the rest of your Christian walk.

 

The Adam Clarke Commentary explains: "'Agonize the good agony.'  Thou hast a contest to sustain in which thy honour, thy life, thy soul, are at stake.  Live the Gospel, and defend the cause of God.  Unmask hypocrites, expel the profligate, purge and build up the Church, live in the spirit of thy religion, and give thyself wholly to this work." Clarke gives practical instruction in explaining the fight. We are not to sit idly by when sin abounds. We have a duty to resist and point out sin for the sake of others. It may cost us friends or money, but we have a duty as God opens the door to fight against evil. 

 

Today, continue to consider your self as a soldier for Jesus Christ. You are engaged in combat against the world, sin, and the devil. Do not back down from the fight. Our society is changing. We are returning to a first century church. More on this tomorrow as we will learn how the immorality sweeping our land will give us the opportunity to be a light for Jesus Christ.

3-24-2025 Devotion

 We will continue to look at endurance which includes waging a good warfare against the forces of evil. 1 Timothy 1:18 says: "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare...." The word "war" is a verb in the present tense and subjunctive mood. This means that the action is to be continuous and in the realm of possibility or potentiality. This means that you can successfully wage war against evil. Many people think that they do this all the time. They bind this devil or that territorial demon and think that that is waging war. Did Paul, Peter or any other early disciple wage war this way? The answer is "no." You wage war by enduring. Verse 19 gives us the key to effective "war": "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck...." When you refuse to give up your faith, you are waging a "good warfare."

 

The Barnes New Testament Commentary explains: "He "wars a good warfare" who is engaged in a righteous cause; who is faithful to his commander and to his post; who is unslumbering in observing the motions of the enemy, and fearless in courage in meeting them; who never forsakes his standard, and who continues thus faithful till the period of his enlistment has expired, or till death." You don't retire from this army; you are in it for life. You wage good warfare until you die or Jesus returns!

 

Today, try to see yourself as a soldier in God's army. Take it seriously; this is not a call to dress in a military uniform. It is far more serious than that. Consider the soldier and how he prepares for combat. He is ready because he knows that he has sworn an oath to protect his country. We have through the blood of Jesus been placed into His body, His army to engage the forces of darkness. We win because He has already won. Yet, we still must fight. Be prepared today as a good soldier.