Promise for Today - Value (Pastor Rick)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” 

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

In God’s eyes, there are only two kinds of people—saved people and lost people. Every one of us falls into one of these two categories. And, ultimately, no other human distinction matters.

God loves all people, regardless of gender, race, or culture. In fact, He created them with those characteristics. And He doesn’t distinguish people by their education, looks, wealth, or talent. What matters most to Him is whether people are spiritually saved or lost, whether they’re in His family or not.

The words “saved” and “lost” imply value—they mean that God sees you as being worthy of seeking, saving, and finding. “Saved” and “lost” are expressions of His love.

The Bible says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 NLT. That’s how valuable you are. Jesus Christ came to earth to seek you and to save you.

Only valuable things get lost; invaluable things just get misplaced. In other words, nobody loses a toothpick. You may misplace a toothpick, but you don’t lose it, because it’s not that valuable.

However, if I lost my wedding ring, it would be a real loss because it represents decades of commitment to my wife. Not only that, but Kay gave it to me, and I love her. I could never misplace my wedding ring; I could, however, lose it.

So, when we talk about whether a person is spiritually saved or lost, we’re not talking about their value. Every person—saved or not—is incredibly valuable to God.

But God doesn’t want anyone to be spiritually lost. Why? Because it means they are disconnected from Him and don’t have a relationship with Him.

Over the next couple days, we’re going to look at the question, “What do you actually lose when you’re spiritually lost?” The answers to this question will help you understand how much you matter to God and help you share this encouraging news with others.

Talk It Over

Have you—perhaps unconsciously—thought of people who are lost as having different value from those who are saved? How does it feel to know all people are of equal value to God?

What’s an example of something you have lost? What’s something you have misplaced? What was the value of each of those things to you?

Who in your life needs to hear how valuable they are to God? How can you take time to encourage them by telling them that today?

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. The Bible says in John 3:18, “Those who believe in the Son are not judged” (GNT).

If you’re ready to accept that promise, stop fearing God’s judgment, and commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus,

You have promised that if I believe in You, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, and I will learn the purpose of my life. Instead of judging me, You will accept me into Your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sins, and I believe that You are the Son of God - my Savior. I believe You died on the Cross as the perfect sacrifice so I could be forgiven. I believe You rose again on the third day, victorious over death, hell, and the grave. I receive You into my life as my Lord. Thank You that I don’t have to earn salvation, deserve it, or work for it. It is Your gift of grace.

“Today I’m turning over every part of my life to You. I want to use the rest of my life to serve You instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to You, and I ask You to save me and accept me into Your family. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

Promise for Today - Do I?

As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
Luke 11:37-41 NLT

I have to admit, I am one of those people who has a "thing" about clean hands. I cringe when someone wants to shake my hand, using the same hand I just watched them sneeze or cough into. I don't refuse to shake their hand - after all, Jesus touched and healed lepers, and He said we could do the things He did and greater works shall we do (John 14) - but when the greeting is over, I do reach for the hand sanitizer in my purse. (Y'all pray for me...)

Am I as careful with what goes inside of me? Do I guard my heart with due diligence, knowing that out of it spring the issues of life? Do I practice and implement forgiveness when offended or hurt? Do I bless and release those who have trespassed against me? Do I protect my thoughts, thinking only on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise," do I think on these things?

If not, why not?

In our Promise for Today, Jesus asked, "Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?" I'd say He nailed that in more ways than one.

Prayer:

Father,
          Keep us ever mindful of Your Truth. We pray according to Your Word in Psalm 24. We want to be able to climb the mountain of the Lord and to stand in Your holy place. We want to receive Your blessing and have a right relationship with You. Give us clean hands and a pure heart, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Enemies' End

They were destroyed at Endor, and their decaying corpses fertilized the soil.

Psalm 83:10 NLT

If you've known me very long, you know that I refer to the enemy's attacks on our lives as fertilizer. I was delighted to read the confirmation in this Psalm! The English Standard Version states they became "dung for the ground." 

Whatever the word, every attack by the enemy STINKS, to say the least! And only our Almighty God can take what the enemy meant for bad and turn it into good for our lives (Genesis 50:20). Just like roses need manure to bloom, we, too, shall bloom and grow as God intends, despite anything and everything the enemy tries to do to stop you or me. They were defeated at Calvary's hill, and the decaying corpses of the enemy shall fertilize our soil! 

Can you see it? Do you believe it? Can you give God praise? Can we give God thanks IN all these circumstances?

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for the unending provision You bring to our lives - first and foremost, salvation through Jesus, Your Son. Give us eyes to see Your Glory in even the fertilizing events of our lives, and may we always look to You, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and give You praise. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Like a Trail Horse

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NLT

Long-distance trail horses do much better on a trail that is termed a "single track with garbage" than they do on an established wide trail or open field. (Obviously, single track is one horse passes at a time; garbage means lots of brush, rock, etc.) I thought that sounded illogical until it was explained that an established wide trail or open field can be a total distraction for the horse. Lots of things to look at and the horse gets competitive with the other animals. In addition, there is very little concern on the horse's part for how he steps because there doesn't appear to be any danger.

On a single track with garbage, the horse is very focused and carefully picks its steps. There are usually no distractions - or at least, very few. The horse is highly unlikely to break and run and is extremely responsive to the rider's slightest touch of instruction... and it was right there that God tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

Now, I don't know about you, but there are times (even though I know I'm NOT) it feels as though I'm walking alone. I reiterate - I know I'm not alone, but sometimes, I can't see a clear path in front of me. I don't see the water source ahead. At times, the way is so close that it's hard to see at all. And I have to watch every step I take. There's the underbrush of life's debris and distractions to stub my toes or twist my ankle or cause me to fall and come up lame.

However, I know it is in the tough spots that I am most focused on following His lead and the most responsive to His slightest instruction. God hasn't taken me on this single track with garbage so that I will be confined and alone. No, I may not be able to look around to see where I am or where I am going, but I am not lost. I am found. The Great I AM, the Omnipotent Way Maker has chosen this single track with garbage. He's brought me this way so I can know Him better and trust Him more.

Prayer:

Father,
             Thank You for Your Word! It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and by Your grace, I will follow only You. Completely close my eyes, my ears and my spirit to anything that is not of You. Guide my every step, O God. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Listen and Learn

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
Proverbs 13:1 NLT

In both the physical and spiritual realms, there is a process. A baby learns to crawl before he walks or talks. In the spiritual realm, a new convert should listen and learn before he begins service. 

A wise son submits to the discipline of instruction. The scoffer won’t have it; he thinks he has all the answers and refuses to be corrected. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 21:24 NKJV defines it, "A proud and haughty man—'Scoffer' is his name; He acts with arrogant pride." The mocker or arrogant person who refuses instruction is blatantly heading toward poverty and death. Psalm 1:6 declares that the way of the wicked will perish (referring to those who are prideful, arrogant, scoffers, mockers of God's way).

Psalm 1:1 ESV tells us, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;..." Learning wisdom brings its own rewards, including honor and life itself. God is watching, listening, and we should learn His Word in Isaiah 66:2b “But I will look to this one, At one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word."

Prayer:

Father, 

           Shine Your light of Truth on us if and when we find ourselves judging others. Forgive us, O God, and change our hearts to be kind and loving and compassionate. Help us to see the good in people. Help us to see YOU in mankind - those You created in Your image. We want to walk in a true posture of humility before You and our fellow man. Give us clean hands and pure hearts, Father, we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - God Won't Waste Your Hurt

Devotional by Pastor Rick

“These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified.” 

2 Corinthians 4:15 (TLB)

When you use your pain to help others, God will bless you in ways you can’t possibly imagine.

The apostle Paul went through enormous pain in his life, which is why God was able to use him in enormous ways. He was shipwrecked, beaten, and robbed. He went without food, water, and sleep. Yet God used him to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. In fact, if you were to ask Paul, “How’d you put up with so much pain?” He’d tell you it was because he wanted to bring people to Jesus Christ. He wanted to help others.

Paul said in the Living Bible paraphrase, “These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

You may never suffer the same ways Paul did, but you will go through pain in life. So you might as well use your pain for good and not waste it.

There are actually three kinds of suffering God uses to help others: self-imposed suffering, innocent suffering, and redemptive suffering.

Some suffering is the kind you bring upon yourself. You cause some of your own problems by making poor judgements. You don’t always make the right decisions, eat the right foods, or respond the right way to others.

Innocent suffering is when, through no fault of your own, you get hurt by someone else. Whether you were abandoned, rejected, or scammed, everyone has been hurt by the sins of other people.

But the highest form of suffering is redemptive suffering. This is when you go through pain or problems for the benefit of others.

This is what Jesus did. When Jesus died on the cross, he didn’t deserve to die. He went through that pain for your benefit so that you could be saved and go to heaven. In the same way, God will use your pain to bring hope and healing to others.

Who can better help somebody going through bankruptcy than somebody who has gone through bankruptcy? Who can better help somebody struggling with an addiction than somebody who’s struggled with an addiction? Who can better help parents of a special needs child than parents who raised a special needs child? Who can better help somebody who’s lost a child than somebody who has lost a child?

God will never waste a hurt. God will work in your life so that He can work through you to encourage others.

Praise God and rejoice during trials, because suffering will build your endurance and help others in their pain. God can use all three kinds of suffering for good. Start by giving each of your hurts to Him and say, “God, I want you to use my pain to benefit others.”

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Prayer:

Father, 

          We want to remain teachable, and we know You don't waste anything. Whatever You have allowed us to learn in our sufferings and pain, we want to use also for those who are in pain around us. We want to love and serve like Jesus. And it's in His Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - It's a Big Deal

6 “The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! 7 The Lord your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate and persecute you. 8 Then you will again obey the Lord and keep all his commands that I am giving you today.

9 “The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and he will cause your fields to produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will again delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors. 10 The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

Deuteronomy 30:6-16 NLT

These are great promises; however, reading through the Old Testament can be very difficult for many reasons. BUT, at the same time, it makes me SO grateful for the new covenant through Christ our Lord. He took upon Himself ALL the sin of mankind and nailed it to the Cross at Calvary, becoming the sacrifice for us. Why? To REDEEM us from the CURSE of the Law!

Christ's death and resurrection ushered in the Age of Grace - you may have heard it called "The Dispensation of Grace". From its beginning at Pentecost and continuing through the Rapture of the Church, THIS is why we should be overwhelmingly grateful! God freely offers salvation to 'whosoever will' by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice in place of keeping the Law. If you've ever read even just Leviticus and Deuteronomy, you would know it's a big deal. HUGE...

Prayer:

Father,

           I have a new understanding and appreciation of Charles Wesley's hymn, ♪♫ O for a thousand tongues to sing praises to our King...♪♫.  It would not be enough to properly express our gratitude! You, O God, King of the universe, knew we could never live up to Your perfection, and in Your great love created Your perfect plan of salvation through Your Christ before the foundation of Earth. It's almost too much for our hearts and minds to grasp. We give You all glory and honor and praise, in Jesus' Name. Amen