Daily Devotion

Hebrews 3:12-15
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called `Today', so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin…Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.

Fellowship is one of the tools God has given us to transform our lives!

Do you see in your own life the danger that this passage warns us about? Do you feel your heart growing hard toward God in some area? The best way to avoid a hardened heart is to get close to other people who have a real love for God. Really get into each other's spiritual lives.

Don't just hang out together. Rather, share with each other what is happening in your spiritual lives. Talk about what God is teaching you. Pray together. Study the Bible together.

If you can't find a group like that, then start one, even if you are not a leader or a strong Christian. Find someone else and just start making your spiritual lives the center of your conversation. At the end of your time together, suggest that you each pray together for each other's spiritual life.

You will find that this keeps your heart soft toward God and you will be growing spiritually as you "encourage one another

2 Things NOT to Say to God

There are two easy lies that we are tempted to believe and say in our hearts. These two questions addressed in Malachi get down to the heart of a sinner. And we find out that there are no shortcuts around the awe and fear of God.

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17)

Context

The book of Malachi is written to Israel at a time when they were losing faith that God was going to do what he said he would. Even the priests bought into the lie that God only asks them to do a few religious dances, and if they do the right steps they will receive all of the blessings of the covenant that God made with Israel.
Just like the Israelites, we are tempted to believe that God is a safe, and if you have the right combination you can just open him up and take out all of the gifts held within.
But God is furious when his creatures try to use him like this. He gets so angry that he tells the priests heʼs going to rub feces all over their faces (Mal. 2:3).

Lie 1: God is okay with evil.

God is not a tooth fairy who rewards certain actions but can more or less be ignored when goodies arenʼt involved. God is active, and he opposes the wicked.
God is also not the Oprah “spirit” who hovers around making people feel warm and fuzzy while being impotent in authority and judgement.

A lot of people joke about hell, not realizing that it may very well be their home in a short time. Godʼs judgement is real, active, and not to be fooled around with. The people in the time of Malachi thought they could just give God the leftovers of their time, treasure, and talent, and heʼd bless them with the stuff they wanted so badly. They really needed a changed heart.

Lie 2: Where is the God of Justice?

This question shows the heart of the questioner. This person assumes they are righteous and God should come give them all of the wonderful gifts they deserve—and judge all of those OTHER people who arenʼt like them. This person is arrogant and presumes to have more wisdom than God. At times, this person may be you.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is not slow to exercise his judgement. Heʼs patient, because so many of us are unrepentant and have stubborn, God-belittling hearts.

Righteous Fear and Awe

God paints a picture of the heart-change that needs to happen to really worship him. He tells us about Levi and tells us:

It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.

(Malachi 2:5)

You need to hear this, so listen up—on a daily basis you and I both put created things like money, power, friends, notoriety, comfort, or convenience in the place of God. We donʼt fear God. We try to use him to serve the things our hearts really long for. And we approach God with this theology that is sweeping this nation that God owes us something.

It is only at the cross that we see the gravity of the sin that we take so lightly. God hates this sin so much that blood will spill—yet at the same time he is such a great God that he went to the cross to pay the price for your sin, and made way for the Spirit to change your heart.
Please take some time to look at the fruit of your life. Where are you making these statements with the way you act?

Pray that the Spirit would soften your heart, show you your sin, lead you to repentance, and let you stand in awe-full fear of this amazing God.

Don’t minimize your sin. Repent and believe the gospel every day.

Daily Devotion

Matthew 26:40-41
And [Jesus] came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, `So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak'.

Your spirit is willing; it wants to do what is right, to be pleasing to God. But your flesh is weak; you often find yourself unable to resist temptation, to live God's way!

In order to be able to live the godly life you desire, you must be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." You must use the tools God has given you to renew your mind. As Jesus says to Peter, one of the most significant tools He has given us is the tool of prayer.
As you begin spending time talking to God, focusing on your relationship with Him, taking the issues of life to Him, things begin to change. You find yourself more concerned with the things of God; you start placing more value on spiritual things; you find yourself caring less about the temptations of this world.
Don't sit around moping because you can't seem to change; and don't sit around waiting for God to change you some day. Pick up the tool of prayer that God has given you and start renewing your mind. The next thing you know, you will be experiencing "transformation"!

How Thankfulness Changes Our Hearts

For those of us in America, this is the week where we will devour massive amounts of food in the name of thankfulness. It’s easy to get caught up and distracted by planning, house cleaning, stressful travel, football games, overeating, avoiding certain family members, and shopping--all while pretending to enjoy Aunt Gurdy’s plumb-custard-quiche-ala-nasty.

Lets explore EIGHT WAYS thankfulness and gratitude can transform our heart from the inside out.

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1. THANKFULNESS RE-FOCUSES MY PERSPECTIVE
It’s easy to complain and point out problems, no one ever grumbles their way into a better attitude. Fortunately thankfulness can shift our focus to the blessings we’ve received from God. No matter how bad things get, in Jesus there is always reason to be thankful. It’s our responsibility to receive God’s gift and thank him.

2. THANKFULNESS INCREASES MY HUMILITY
Every blessing in our lives is a gift from God and not something we could have created or earned on our own. Everything belongs to God, and the only way we “have” something is because of his generosity. Because of the numerous blessings received, it’s easy for a feeling of entitlement to slowly creep into our lives and darken our hearts. Thankfulness turns on the light and recognizes God as the provider for our needs.

3. THANKFULNESS BUILDS MY FAITH
Gratitude recognizes the past work of God in our lives. When we remember God’s faithfulness, we position our hearts to trust him to provide for our future. God has given us everything we’ve needed, and he will continue to give us what we need. Developing the habit of being thankful also creates the capacity to trust God during the lean times.

4. THANKFULNESS CHANGES DISPAIR INTO JOY
There’s a lot of pain in this world and sometimes the ugliness is overwhelming and overpowering. Thankfulness doesn’t deny the evil, but it does open the door for joy to enter the scene. Lasting joy is a promise the world makes but can’t deliver, but when we remain in Christ, his joy is a gift for every believer.

When we develop the discipline of thankfulness, heart transformation is within reach. Here are four more ways gratitude leaves a mark in our lives.

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5. THANKFULNESS RE-ORDERS MY PRIORITIES
It doesn’t take a busy holiday season for our priorities to get out of whack. As youth, most of you have so much going on that it becomes really easy to major on the minors (issues) and slip into a selfish mode of living. A grateful heart is more open and aware of God’s work in our lives. Being thankful helps us understand what’s REALLY important in the grand scheme of things and moves us beyond the busyness of the moment.

6. THANKFULNESS CHALLENGES OUR WANTS
For all of us, the closer we grow to Jesus, the more we realize many of our “needs” are really about our “wants.” No, we’re not too excited to admit this, but this is a reality that we’ve become aware of in our spiritual journey. Thankfulness can turn our hearts into a fertile soil for contentment to grow into full bloom. Learning to be content in every situation is a measure of spiritual maturity. The power of “I WANT” is weakened in the light of “I’M THANKFUL.”

7. THANKFULNESS BREAKS THE SHACKLE OF ENVY
When our desires run wild and unchecked (and aren’t satisfied), the result is envy. Few things can rob one of peace like envy. When it gets really bad, envy also destroys community by morphing into jealousy. This happens when we lose our capacity to be excited for others. This is a particularly deep and dark pit of selfishness. When we’re trapped by envy and jealousy, the only way out is thankfulness for what we do have, and for what others have, too.

8. THANKFULNESS ENHANCES OUR COMPASSION
We have a lot, not just materially, but also spiritually. When we are thankful for the spiritual gifts we have in Christ, we can’t help but to have greater compassion for those who aren’t in God’s family.

Daily Devotion

Psalm 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word. With all my heart I have sought you; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You… I will meditate on Your precepts, and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your Word.

God has given us His Word to help us renew our minds!

God did not tell us to change ourselves. He is the one who will change us. He tells us that the part of us that needs to change first of all is our minds. They need to be renewed. When that happens, transformation will follow.
And God went even further: He gave us a number of things that we can put into our lives that are like God's tools for the renewing of our minds. As you see in today's reading, God's Word is one of the most significant. We need to treasure it in our heart.
The world also offers you tools to help you focus your mind on its agenda and its values. What are some of the tools the world offers you?
When you choose to fill your mind with God's Word and reject the world's tools, then you will find God's Spirit using His Word to totally transform your life.

David VS Goliath - A Modern Retelling

A while ago I was up late watching college football while reading the Bible (like you haven’t done that before?). Somewhere in the middle of 1 Samuel, with the football game still blaring in the background, I fell asleep and this happened.

—
Elijah Musburger: Ladies and Gentlemen you are looking live at the Bank of Jerusalem Battlefield in South Israel where today history will be made. I’m Elijah Musburger alongside Isaac Herbstreit, happy to have you along for this historic matchup between Goliath of Gath and David of Bethlehem.
Isaac: Yeah, you’d have to be a simple Canaanite to be unaware of the storyline here. For over a month now, Phillistines Head Coach Isiah Thomas has been sending out his 6-time All-Star Goliath to battle an Israelite. The 9-foot, 6-inch giant’s continued taunting of the Israelites have earned him a record 114 personal foul penalties and a 12-battle suspension that is currently under appeal by the Phillistine Warriors Union. For more let’s send it down to our sideline reporters Jezebel Tafoya and Rahab Andrews.
Jezebel: Thanks Elijah. It was not until today that Goliath’s invitation to rumble was accepted by the unlikeliest of challengers from King Saul’s army. And if you haven’t seen David yet, well, picture a malnourished ewok shaved head to toe. For more on that story, let’s send it over to the Israelites sidelines and Rahab Andrews.
Rahab: The Babylon Sportsbooks have the over/under on this donnybrook at 10 seconds, but I don’t see it lasting that long. The youngest of 8 brothers, David the shepherd boy went undrafted coming out of Bethlehem University last Spring. Despite a slow forty time and a below-average Wonderlic score, his impressive defeats of a lion and a bear were enough to earn him a spot to fight for the Israelite army. King Saul took a chance on the young waterboy, who now finds himself facing the greatest challenge of his life. Back to you, Elijah and Isaac.
Elijah: Thanks Rahab. Before we start let’s remind everyone that today’s action is sponsored by Over Armor Sports Apparel, Promised Land Iced Tea with new ‘Milk and Honey’ flavor, and Delilah’s Supercuts, “a great haircut guaranteed or you can chain us to a temple pillar and poke our eyes out”.
Isaac: As Goliath steps onto the field of play, let’s go over the rules with our viewers. Rule Number 1 is that there are no rules. First person to kill the other person wins.
Elijah: Let’s also remind everyone what is at stake today, Isaac.
Isaac: Well Elijah, besides being able to hoist the coveted Golden Calf Trophy over their heads in victory, the winning side will also get to make slaves out of the losing team. I mean, can you imagine this in the NFL? Hard to picture Carson Palmer cleaning Tom Brady’s toilet.
Elijah: Actually I CAN picture that.
Isaac: Yeah, you know what? So can I. In any event, the stakes have never been bigger than they are today.
Elijah: Speaking of never been bigger, let’s not forget David’s initial response to hearing Goliath’s taunts of his countrymen. In a tirade that has gone viral on ThouTube this week, David referred to Goliath as an “uncircumsized Philistine”, choosing to mock the loins of the Warrior from Gath.
Isaac: Considering the size of Goliath’s sandals, that might have been a mistake.
Elijah: Indeed. But back to the action, Goliath has approached the 50-yard line and he doesn’t look particularly pleased with the diminutive size of his competition. I haven’t seen anyone this angry since the time I painted my wife’s kitchen with sheep’s blood.
Isaac: And you really have to wonder if rust will be a factor with the long layoff Goliath has had between gruesome murders. It’s been almost two years since he ripped off that remarkable streak of 61 consecutive dismemberments. He was untouchable until he lost a toe in a freak winepress accident, but he swears he’ll be competing at 100% today.
Elijah: Thanks for that history lesson, no doubt brought to us by Goliath’s Wikipedia Scroll.
Isaac: Don’t thank me, thank Alvah Gore for inventing the intercave system.
Elijah: Check this out, David is sprinting towards the 50-yard line to meet Goliath, and he’s waving around a small piece of leather that looks like, umm, an iPhone case?
Isaac: I think that’s a slingshot.
Elijah: Whatever it is, Goliath is bracing himself for what should be a quick kill and WOAH!!! David just hurled a smooth rock at Goliath that found it’s mark right between Goliath’s mangy, unkempt eyebrows! The stone appears to be lodged deep into the skull of the giant, who just collapsed to the ground like a sack of fossilized donkey excrement.
Isaac: I can’t believe what I’m seeing here! It is total bedlam in the Valley of Elah as David has toppled the mighty Phillistine. I hope you’ve got the DVR going folks, because you are witnessing history right now.
Elijah: David just mounted the Philistine giant and he’s standing triumphantly on Goliath’s chest. It looks like he just pulled a Sharpie out of his sandal and is signing his name on Goliath’s forehead. Wow, this could draw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Isaac: Yeah, he’ll be hearing from the league office this week to the tune of a 50,000 shekel fine for that display. Kids these days could learn from the old schoolers and act like they’ve felled a giant before.
Elijah: OH GREAT JEHOVAH, did you see that? David just took Goliath’s sword and cut the head off the dead giant! Now he’s holding it up and waving it around to the delight of the fans who made the trek all the way from Jerusalem to take in the action live!
Isaac: Blood is shooting from Goliath’s severed neck and showering the battlefield. This is a gruesome scene.
Elijah: David is making it rain! Pacman Jones would be proud.
Isaac: Call me Josiah Buck if you like, but like the Randy Moss fake-moon incident that will happen in a few thousand years, I find this to be completely unnecessary and a disgusting act.
Elijah: Necessary or not, it looks like David’s barbaric display has made an impression on the Philistine army. Faced with the prospect of doing David’s laundry for the rest of their lives, they’ve decided to make a run for it.
Isaac: And that is already turning out to be a bad decision with all that heavy armor they’re wearing. The Israelites – wearing their ultra-light and breathable Over Armor clothing – are chasing them down and savagely killing each and every one of them. And what’s worse, some of the fans have stormed out of their seats and have taken down the goalposts at the north end of the battlefield. This is why they should stop selling wine at halftime.
Elijah: Let’s throw it down to Rahab Andrews, who’s with a beaming David.
Rahab: David, what a win, how did you do it?
David: First I want to thank Yahweh, I couldn’t have done it without Him. You know, and all week long people were saying that we didn’t have a chance, that I was too small, and that I was a sissypants for writing poetry. I just wanted to come out here and prove everyone wrong.
Rahab: David, my gag reflex tells me that you’re holding Goliath’s bloody stump of a head only a few feet away from me. Can you tell us why you decided to chop his head off after you had already claimed the victory?
David: I don’t know, you know? I’m sure I’ll get fined for it, but I got no regrets. It was just a heat of the moment kind of thing, and sometimes I do that kind of stuff without thinking. Hi mom, hi dad, hi sheep, I love you.
Rahab: David, what happens next for you? Talk is already circulating about you starting a political career.
David: I don’t know. I just want to soak this one in. I’ve got nothing but love for Saul, and I don’t have any political aspirations right now. I just want to get this dude’s head mounted on my wall, go chill on the roof of my building and enjoy the view, restring my lyre, and maybe write some canonized poems.
Rahab: Well, there you have it: fearless warrior by day, sissypants poetry writer by night. Back to you, Elijah.
Elijah: Thanks Rahab. That’s all the time we have for today. We’ll be back next week live from Babylon as Daniel tries to defend his title at the National Lion Taming Championships. Stay tuned for your late local news, except on the West Bank where you’ll be watching an all new episode of CSI: Judea.
Isaac: Oh and one more thing. Wake up Derek. Wake Up. Hey, Wake Up.
—

At that moment I realized it wasn’t Isaac Herbstreit trying to wake me up

I told my wife all about the trippy dream I had just had and tried to convince her that I was not drunk on Listerine again. She suggested I try reading the Bible with the TV off, like a normal person.

But I don’t know, that was kind of fun.

Daily Devotion

John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments…He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…He who does not love Me does not keep My words…If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.

Commitment to God is the natural expression of your love for Him!

You'd almost think that Jesus thought we were hard of hearing when you read this passage and see how often He makes this point. He knows how easily we miss it!
Jesus is saying to us that if you are struggling with your obedience to Him, you should not look for the solution in your willpower — look for a solution in your love-relationship with Jesus. The whole point of your Christian life is walking close to Jesus, not straining to meet a standard, or following Christian rules, or not doing certain things that you struggle with. Those issues matter, but they are not the heart of the Christian life.
The core of Christianity is for you to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. When that happens, obedience and commitment will not be something you have to force out; they will overflow as the natural result of your love.