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Romans 12:10-11, Ephesians 6:11-18

A Fire in your Heart!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
March 2, 2025

I’ve often quoted Bilbo Baggins, who responded to Gandalf’s call to his journey across Middle Earth to destroy the one ring. Gandalf told him it would be a wondrous adventure. Bilbo says, “Oh no! Adventures make one late for dinner.”  He liked the little hovel cut into the earth where he lived and enjoyed the smell of bacon frying in the morning. So do I! At 78, I have no fire in my heart for adventure anymore. I miss that and pray that it can still be rekindled. Living life with passion becomes boring quickly.  Max Lucado wrote a great little devotion about building a fire in your heart. He writes, “Jesus says the options are clear. On one side, there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry for what you don’t try, right? You can’t fall if you don’t take a stand, right? You can’t lose your balance if you never climb, right? So don’t try it. Take the safe route. Or you can hear the voice of adventure—God’s adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God’s impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure, it isn’t safe, but what is?”

When I read Romans 12:10-11, it reminded me of the call to the life of adventure. Paul tells the believers in Rome this: “Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves. Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord!” (Romans 12:10-11). The Christian life is truly an adventure. Not everyone will truly embark on it. I found a little adventure with my grandkids playing the video game called “Skyrim.” It’s about, primarily, being a dragon slayer. It’s set in medieval times and has swords, armor, helmets, spears, breastplates, etc. I can’t help but think about Paul’s explanation to the Ephesians in chapter six about the Christian armor. He says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Our enemy is the one that the Book of Revelation calls the “dragon.” Paul goes on, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This great fire-breathing dragon will extinguish every heart’s fire if we’re not “on guard.”

Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians continues: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” As you follow your adventures through Skyrim, you encounter guards and citizens who speak to you when you pass by. Several times, you will hear them say after you, “I used to be an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.” I don’t want that to be my testimony at the end of my life. I want to die slaying dragons. After all, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1

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Proverbs 27:19

Searching the Heart

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
March 1, 2025

I’ve never liked the idea of “looking within myself” to find life’s answers. The focus on “me” seems to be unbiblical in some ways. I grew up in the “me” generation of the 60’s where it was chic to abandon life’s responsibilities and “get our motors running and head out on the highway.” One of the most popular movies of that era was “Easy Rider.” That social experiment of the ’60s was a failure. I know many from that era who “fired all their guns at once” and truly did “explode into space” (quote from Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild”). But there are passages in the Bible that point to my need to understand myself in some ways. The wisest man in the world tells me that I can learn some interesting things about myself if I study my “heart.” He says, “As in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man” (Proverbs 27:19).

I’m not suggesting, nor do I believe the Bible teaches, that we can completely know our hearts. It’s a much deeper subject than we might imagine. The heart is the seat of all our emotions, reasons, and motives. Jeremiah teaches us that the “heart is desperately wicked.” He then goes on to ask, “Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The assumption in that Hebrew question is that no one can really completely know or fully understand the depth of man’s depravity. That’s why David spent so much time in prayer. One of his key prayers is found in Psalm 139. In verse 23 of that great prayer, David pleads with God, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts.” He goes on to pray for the purging of any wickedness that would be found within. We all must come to grips with our own sinfulness. This drives us to the Cross of Christ. We need a savior. Jesus died to pay for our sins, and he has provided a new life, a life of meaning and purpose that marks the fulfillment of God’s purpose for our lives.

When Solomon talks about seeing who we really are in our hearts, he’s saying we get to understand how God has shaped us, formed us, even in our mother’s womb, to serve His purpose in the world and generation in which we live. Finding and following a heart passion is not an easy thing. One would think that it’s readily apparent, but it isn’t always that way. I believe the key is to spend time with God, His Word, and an open mind in prayer. Hebrews 4:12 teaches us that “God’s Word examines the thoughts and motives of our hearts.” To James, God’s Word is the mirror in which we can find ourselves. I’m sure you’ve heard Socrates’ quote, “The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Even Paul tells the Galatians that each person “must examine his or her own work” if they are to find true satisfaction in a job well done (Galatians 6:4). I love the American Heart Association’s motto: Search your heart: Learn and Live! We should search our hearts and Love, Learn, and Live! David’s prayer is, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

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Colossians 3:23, 2 Chronicles 31:21

Put Your Heart into it!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
February 28, 2025

When you discover your life’s passions, follow them, and serve God’s purpose for your life with them, you can share Solomon’s experience. He said in Ecclesiastes 2:10, “My heart took delight in all my work.” According to him, work is a blessing from God. When we devote ourselves to it, we can find true joy and fulfillment as well as make significant contributions to the world in which we live. Paul wanted the Colossians to have that joy in life, so he exhorted them, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for human beings” (Colossians 3:23). I always like to add to that verse, “…because you are!” That is, you are working for the Lord. Everything you do is something that is evaluated, tested, measured, and will be eventually rewarded by God. In a very real sense, we are all working for God in all our life’s efforts. Solomon advises those who were shepherds to “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds…” The phrase “know well” is translated as “put your heart into it” by the NLT.

When you put your heart into your work, it results in great blessings for yourself, your family, and everyone else around you. Solomon goes on to use the farming and shepherding metaphor to make his point. He writes “After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears and the mountain grasses are gathered in, your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will provide the price of a field. And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, your family, and your servants” (Proverbs 27:25-27). Although that passage deals with physical blessings, I’m sure the point is “satisfaction” and “fulfillment” from the works of our hands.  I Like the New Jerusalem translation of Colossians 3:23-24. It reads, “Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as done for the Lord and not for human beings, knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heirs. It is Christ the Lord that you are serving.”

Hezekiah is another great example. He was one of the better kings who focused his attention on God’s work in the world and the centrality of God’s place in his people’s lives. The testimony recorded of him is found in 2 Chronicles 31:21. It says, “And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.” There is no greater satisfaction or prosperity than to serve God in the way He has gifted us. F. B. Meyer wrote, “The man who does his business with all his heart is sure to prosper. To put your heart into your work is like genius manipulating common materials till their worth becomes priceless, just because of what has been put into it.” Paul said, “Whatever your work is, put your heart into it…” Colossians 3:23-24

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Colossians 3:23

The Dance of Love

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
February 27, 2025

There is a big difference between watching a third grader do a dance recital and watching someone like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Now, I’m sure to many of you that dates me as ancient. OK, well, maybe you’d think of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John when you think of dancing teams. That probably dates me as old, also. OK, maybe you’d think of those who are the professional dancers in Dancing with the Stars! My point is there is a difference in how you watch a child’s dance recital and a professional. When I watch a 3rd grader’s dance recital, I’m probably as nervous for them as they are. I hope that they do well, but I know that no matter what happens, I’m going to applaud like crazy. But when I watch Fred Astaire and Ginger, I want to dance. Not only does it make me want to dance, it makes me believe that I can dance!

It’s a joy to watch people who are doing what they want to do and what they love to do. When your heart is in your work, people take notice. They most often see excellence, enthusiasm, and effectiveness. It’s attractive and compelling! Have you ever watched people at 7:30 am on their way to work? Most people really look unhappy. I don’t know if they are or not. Maybe they’re just tired. But that sure doesn’t make me want to do what they’re doing. I saw a guy dressed in some crazy outfit. I don’t think it was a chicken, but it could have been. He was holding a sign on 108th & Maple, pointing to a fast-food chain advertising the day’s special. He was dancing, swinging the sign, and shouting at the cars going by. I had just eaten but watching him enjoying what he was doing made me want to buy lunch again! Most people see a job like that as being on the lower rung of the social ladder. This guy gave the impression that he had no idea what people thought and couldn’t have cared less if he did. He was just enjoying it to his heart’s delight. I was moved by that. Doing what you love and loving what you do is what makes all the difference.

But everybody gets tired sometimes. Even Jesus, who I’m sure was passionate about His life on earth, had to separate himself from the crowds to reconnect with the Father. But there is a difference between being tired “of” your work and being tired “from” your work. One time, when Dwight L. Moody came home, his family said to him, “Cancel your next meeting. You look so weary, and we know you are tired.” He gave this tremendous response, “I am weary in the work, but I am not weary of the work.” Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…” Colossians 3:23

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Zephaniah 3:14

All Your Heart!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
February 26, 2025

The Bible exhorts us to “guard our hearts” because they affect everything we do. Paul tells us to “put our hearts into” every work we do, no matter what it is. Jesus made it clear that the first and most important commandment was love. But he added that we should “love with all our hearts.” The best way to express our love for God is through worship. Music is a key means by which we can express our love for God with all our hearts. Since our hearts represent the seat of our emotions (among other things), it’s something we can let move us. Well, we should let it move us. Love and music have been handmaids forever. The longest song in the Bible, The Song of Solomon, is actually a love song.

To sing to God, to express our love to God in music, we have to put our hearts in it! Music isn’t just a set of sounds. It’s not even simply a set of pleasant sounds with harmony and tempo and all the other features that create what’s essential for any good song. It’s music with a message that moves me. A good piece of music gets inside of you. Kenton Anderson writes, “Evangelicals have a history of suspicion about the physical impact of music. Yet God created music, and he created us. The way that music affects the human body is one of God’s gifts to us. Like any gift, however, it must be used in ways that promote his glory. Instrumental music, or music without words, can produce the same effective result, but when words and music combine, the song truly moves the soul. Truthful lyrics and powerful music can have a healthy effect on each other. The cognitive impact of the words keeps the body’s physical response to the music focused and in line, just as the affective impact of the music keeps the head’s contemplation of the words from being dry and antiseptic.”

Nothing is more boring than to hear someone sing who doesn’t put their heart into it. You don’t need a good voice to express your love for God “with all your heart.” You just need to “let your light shine.” In my genre of music alone, you’ll recognize people with terrible voices who have made millions of dollars as singers. In my opinion, no one had a worse voice than Bob Dillon! Even worse to me was the sound of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Janis Joplin won the hearts of many young Americans with one of the worst female voices ever. But what made them famous was they put their hearts into it. No one could deny that! If you’ve ever seen footage of Janice, you’d know exactly what I mean. Yet, with all her enthusiasm, the “get it while you can” theme of her life had a tragic ending. For the believer, there is a song with a happy ending, a song of salvation and eternal life. The Old Testament prophet says, “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!” Zephaniah 3:14

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2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 11:28

Examine Yourself!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
February 25, 2025

We all have buttons. When those buttons are pushed, it’s like we’ve been turned on. We might sit quietly through a conversation, and then someone will bring up something that stirs us, and we are all of a sudden engaged in the conversation in a way we weren’t previously. It’s always a good idea to take time to examine ourselves and actually spend some time thinking about what those subjects are. Sometimes, the things that excite us the most need to be exposed to the light and reconsidered. Actually, exposed to the light is the root idea of “examine.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Paul tells the Galatians, “But let each one examine his own work…” Galatians 6:4. He tells the Thessalonians, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good…” 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Some believers come to life when we discuss Genesis chapters 1 and 2 about the creation of the universe and man. It gets them excited. Others get excited about issues such as abortion, pornography, homeschooling, ecology, women’s rights, economic justice, racial justice, serving and caring for the poor, marriage and the family, and many other worthwhile subjects. Unfortunately, I’ve known Christians who focus all their energies on unworthy causes, such as certain styles of worship, particular expressions of faith, or even specific bible translations. There are worthwhile causes that fit the life instructions in the bible, and then there are what I believe are unworthy and divisive causes that bring down the church rather than building it up.

Particular causes that are true concerns of Christ can inspire us in our lives and focus our attention on what God wants us to do with our lives. Christians who have been inspired by these causes have changed the world; slavery was abolished, trade unions began, prisons transformed, child labor laws enforced, the sick healed, the poor fed, and the list could go on. But without exception, every one of those reformers had a central passion that made it more than just social reform. It was the centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They lived it; they talked about it, they preached it, and they revealed it in every aspect of their lives. It doesn’t matter what you are: homemaker, doctor, lawyer, Indian chief! You might be a plumber, a chemist, a salesman, a ditch digger, or a chicken on the street corner advertising for a fast food restaurant! The Gospel should turn you on in how you live your life. Paul tells the Corinthians to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). He says something similar  with respect to self-examination two chapters earlier, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28

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John 10:10

The Truly Abundant life!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
February 24, 2025

I’ve often quoted Socrates’ dictum, “The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Previously, I shared some Bible exhortations on examining ourselves regarding what turns us on or pushes our buttons of excitement and enthusiasm. But there is another side to consider in self-examination. One writer suggested adding after Socrates’ dictum the phrase, “The too examined life isn’t worth living either.” I think he’s right!

Paul wisely recognized that even our most conscientious attempts to maintain pure motives fall far short. He explains this in detail. “I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted, but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). His point is that indwelling sin taints everything we do. But Paul didn’t allow that to discourage him from aiming at high motives. Neither did he despair of doing anything good. He was content to do his best in life and let God be his Judge. The thing to notice is that there is a difference between “examining” and “doing.” C. S. Lewis, in “God in the Dock,” explained this as well as anyone. He writes, “You cannot study pleasure in the moment of the nuptial embrace, nor repentance while repenting, nor analyze the nature of humor while roaring with laughter. But when else can you really know these things?” In what might well have been a reference regarding his work “The Problem with Pain,” Lewis writes, “If only my toothache would stop, I could write another chapter about pain?” He goes on to observe that “but once it stops, I don’t know too much about pain.”

Too much introspection leads to depression, and we must be careful about living our lives as introspective people. Everyone must live life, not just study it. Sometimes, self-forgetfulness is a great blessing. Getting outside of ourselves and just living and enjoying life is a great gift from God. A professor at Wheaton some years ago, Clyde Kilby, said, “I shall open my eyes and ears. Once every day, I shall simply stare at a tree, a flower, a cloud, or a person. I shall not then be concerned at all to ask what they are, but simply be glad that they are. I shall joyfully allow them the mystery of what Lewis calls their “divine, magical, terrifying, and ecstatic” existence. The greatest gift from God, the gift that was unwrapped and displayed for all on Calvary’s cross, was the Gift of His Son. Through Him, our guilt, hurt, bitterness, and pain are resolved, and through faith and trust in His work on our behalf, we are free to live life in spite of all the trash we find within during our times of introspection. Remember, Jesus told us, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

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Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 4:18

Focusing My Life

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
February 23, 2025

I was one of the men assigned to handle the six-inch (diameter) water hose as part of the fire-fighting team on board the USS WALLER, a Navy Destroyer in the mid-60s. When you run water through a six-inch fire hose, you get a great volume of water, and it has great potential. At sea, we suck the salt water up out of the ocean for that purpose. However, there were three different settings on the fire hose nozzle. When you shift it from fog or spray to stream (I think the three settings were fog, spray, and stream – stream was finely focused), you get a lot of force, a longer range, and the ability to put the water exactly where you need it at any given time. Water that is focused and directed has a great impact. You can feel the recoil in the hose, and it takes four men to keep the hose from shooting out of control and waving about dangerously. I don’t know if firemen have to use four men, but that’s what we used on board ship when we broke out the six-inch hoses.

It seems like I have times in my life when my life is set on fog, spray, or stream. When it’s on stream, I seem to get things done. I need to focus my life on a particular goal, aim carefully, and put all my energy into getting that thing accomplished. Our lives can really have an impact when it’s finely focused. I think God created each of us for a life that makes that kind of impact. We have all been shaped and positioned by God Himself to make a contribution to the Kingdom. Paul says clearly in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

How do you discover what those “good works” are supposed to be? With all of the options for significant ministry, how do you discover a nozzle-like focus for your life and ministry? To me, this entailed wrestling with three major questions. First, why do I exist? I want to know what God’s purpose for my life should be. If we believe in the Bible, each of us has been created for the same purpose: to make disciples. If you come to grips with that purpose and embrace it, you are beginning to focus your life. I’d say when we answer that question, we’ve been set to “fog.” We need more focus than that. The next question is, how has God shaped me? What do I do well? What am I successful at? What do I enjoy doing? This requires more reflection. When I come to grips with my “S” Spiritual gifts, “H” heart (or passions in life), “A” abilities that God has given me, “P” the personality through which those things are channeled, and “E” the experiences that God has brought into my life we move from fog to spray. But to get it really fine-tuned, we need to answer the third question: What is God calling me to accomplish? Take some time to think about that! Paul says, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

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