service genset jogja
1 Corinthians 3:6

It’s Always a God Thing!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 23, 2025

It takes time for anything significant to grow. More importantly, it needs the right kind of soil in which the Spirit of God had prepared for the seed. It needs some tending to once it’s been planted, but all the tending to and caring for the seed will not guarantee any kind of true spiritual growth. Spiritual Growth is just that: it’s Spiritual, and no one can harness the Spirit. Jesus said it comes and goes as it wills. Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jesus said, “Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:6-8) The true source of Spiritual Growth is what we call a “God Thing.”

We are all called to make disciples of Jesus in His Great Commission, but all we can do is plant and water. Just like any other plant, the rest is out of our hands. Paul made this clear in his letter to the Corinthians. He writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the seed. Apollos watered it. But God made it grow.” The focus of our faith is not on the one who planted; neither is it on the one who waters. Hopefully, there will always be workers in the field, but God gets the proper credit for any growth. That’s what Paul meant when he continued the following verse: “So the one who plants is not important. The one who waters is not important. It is God who makes things grow. He is the One who is important.”

If I were to ask you what the book of Jonah in the Bible is about, you’d probably say it was about a man who got swallowed by a whale while he was running from God. That’s true, but it’s not really about a great big fish swallowing a man. The whale is only mentioned four times. It’s not about the repentance of a great city. Nineveh is only mentioned 9 times. Really, it’s not even about a disobedient prophet. Jonah is only mentioned 18 times. Many players are in the story, including a fish, a plant, a man, a storm, a ship, a crew, and many others. But it’s really all about God, who is mentioned 38 times in the four short chapters of Jonah. The book of Jonah is really about How God uses his people to reach others, even when they don’t want to be used. It’s also about how God works in Jonah’s life to help him grow in love and care for others. We need to let God do “His Thing” in our lives. “Christ…is the head of the body. Under Christ’s control, the whole body is nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God wants it to grow.” Colossians 2:19

Tags:
Permalink
1 Corinthians 12:27

Care for one another

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 22, 2025

I’m an insignificant flake in a snowstorm! No one would even notice if I were gone. I contribute nothing to the whole, and my absence would not even be missed. I’m a drop of water in an endless sea! I’m a ripple in the sands of time. These are just some of the thoughts that run through my mind in dark times.  Being retired now, for about 8 years, I don’t contribute much to the world around me. More than ever, a good grip on God’s Word is so important. When I find myself thinking such things I remind myself of what Peter taught me in his first letter, chapter 5, verse 7. He says, “…humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.” I also remember Hosea 14:8. In that verse, God says to me and you, “I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green.” I love God’s comparison of himself with the evergreen tree. In the summer, what color is it? In the fall, what color is it? In the winter, what color is it? In the spring, what color is it? Just as the evergreen is always green, so too is God’s constant care and concern for us, always alive.

God’s care for us often comes from His servants and other people. We see that often in the Bible. When Paul was thrown in prison, the warden gave orders to the jailers that “none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.” (Acts 24:23). When you study Paul’s prison epistles, you see that many people came to minister to Paul and to care for his needs. It is well known that God often reaches down and touches our lives through others. Even the Roman soldiers recognized this truth. We see it expressed again in Acts 27, verse 3. Luke writes, “And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.” The Church had its first disagreement in Acts 15. It was resolved at what we know as the Jerusalem Council. Although there were disagreements over some things, there was wonderful agreement on other things. When Paul reported the results of the conference, he said, “Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do” (Galatians 2:10). Everyone in the universal church recognized the importance of caring for each other. We are all parts of one body, and we all need each other.

God has created each and every one of us for a purpose. That purpose involves taking care of others in the body of Christ. No matter how down we get or how low we feel, we cannot escape the fact that God made us for a purpose. It’s primarily to focus our attention on the needs of others. When we do that, we find meaning and purpose in our lives again. When Paul concludes his discussion on the various parts of the body being like various members of the church in 1 Corinthians 12:27, he says, “Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” When we do what God calls us to do, we find our joy will be restored. Paul again reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, “God has so composed the body….that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Tags:
Permalink
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, Hebrews 3:12-13, Hebrews 10:24-25

Coming Along Side

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 21, 2025

Most of my sea time in the Navy was spent on Navy Destroyers. Our primary mission was ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare), which involved accompanying aircraft carriers and protecting them from submarine attacks. We would come alongside them, and our sonar was always busy watching for contacts. The carriers couldn’t do everything themselves. When we had trouble, there were Destroyer Tenders that we could come alongside to get help. No ship could do it all by itself. People are the same way. We don’t all serve in the same ways. I believe Paul was aware of that when he explained the responsibility of those with certain gifts. He says God “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Paul realized that if one person, or even just a few people, were called upon to do all the “work of the ministry,” they would do a poor job and would eventually burn themselves out. A pastor’s role should be to equip the congregation to care for the needs of the many members. How the congregation is to care for itself is expressed in the many “one another” passages in the bible. One way we are called to take care of one another is through encouragement.

The Greek word for encouragement is “parakaleo.” It literally means “to come alongside.” While in the Navy, I made a Mediterranean cruise and two Western Pacific cruises. When at sea for a long time, ships often run low on fuel, food, or fresh water. They may also need a particular part because of some kind of damage. These needs are met by other ships that “come alongside” and transfer to the depleted vessel whatever is needed to get on with its mission. It’s the same for us Christians. In the course (cruise) of life, we, too, run low on resources. We need other Christians (vessels) to come along side and help us out. We often need to be refueled, resupplied, or fixed.

There are three kinds of encouragement we might need. The first kind is when we suffer a loss in life or are “broke” by life’s painful circumstances. Paul addressed the Thessalonians when they saw their loved ones die. He explained that we need not let the grief of such a loss overwhelm us. He wanted them to know that their loved ones were not lost but were with the Lord, and one day, we’d see them again. He said, “We who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” He adds, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18). We are also called to encourage one another in their service to the Lord and God’s people. We need to be refueled at times.  The author of the book of Hebrews tells us, “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…(Hebrews 10:24-25) We are also to encourage one another to live godly lives as well and stay away from sin’s ravages. Hebrews 3:12-13 says, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Paul told the Corinthians, “But God has so composed the body…that the members may have the same care for one another.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-25

Tags: ,
Permalink
Romans 14:19

Build Up One Another

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 20, 2025

In my 26 years at Country Bible Church in Blair, Nebraska, we built two additions to our building. In 1997, we added what we call the “west wing” for educational purposes, as well as some offices for the staff. In 2001, we completed the new sanctuary. I will never forget the process involved in building the worship center! It was a difficult time for the congregation as a whole, but it was also a very exciting time. When we finally laid the new carpet and occupied the new worship center, I just knew God would rest his hand of blessing on our efforts.  Now that we had the new building, we focused on building the congregation.

The Bible is much more concerned about building people. The word “edify” is often used to refer to the process by which we build each other up in the body of Christ. One Bible Dictionary gives this definition: The building up and strengthening of the faith of believers and churches. Believers are strengthened by God and are urged to build up one another. The church is edified through God’s word, through the Holy Spirit and the proper use of spiritual gifts, through the church’s appointed ministries, and through the mutual love, support, and encouragement of its members.

Notice a couple of important things about building upon another. First, it’s through God’s word. Paul commended the Ephesian Elders when he left them for the last time in Acts 20:32. He said, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Each of us has a responsibility to know God’s word, not just for the sake of knowledge but for the sake of building each other up. It’s also about serving others with the gifts that God has given us. In 1 Corinthians 14:12, Paul challenges the church to seek gifts with different motives after addressing the abuses of Spiritual Gifts. The striving should be to “strive to excel in building up the church” with the use of their spiritual gifts. Christians not only have a far-reaching responsibility to know God’s Word in order to build up others, but they are also responsible for using every talent God has blessed them with to build others up in the church as well. A Christian’s simplest objective is to go to heaven and take as many people with us as possible. Share the Gospel, teach children, build up one another, strengthen one another, encourage those who are fallen, and reach out to those who are hurting. Paul tells the Romans, “And let us work hard to build each other up.” Romans 14:19

Tags:
Permalink
Ephesians 4:29

Encouraging Words

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 19, 2025

There are many ways to build others up, but one of the most important ways is how we speak to them. You’ve all heard that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, that’s just hogwash. Words can hurt just as much as sticks and stones. Solomon argues that our speech carries a profound impact on others. In Proverbs 18:21, he says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Paul also reminds us that it’s our words that serve to destroy or build up. In Ephesians 4:29, he says, “ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up.” When a nine-year-old was asked if his two-year-old brother had started to talk yet, he replied, “Why should he talk? He gets everything he wants by hollering.” There are a lot of “children” in our grown-up society who seem nowadays to get “everything they want by hollering.”

Words are powerful, but they are also accompanied by other means of expression: Body language, facial expression, tone of voice, and other means of nonverbal communication are also present and combined to make our words effective or ineffective. Sometimes it only takes a look to cripple a spirit. Sometimes, it only takes a look to make it soar. One person said that nearly two-thirds of the message is communicated by non-verbal indicators. Only a third of it comes from the words themselves.

There’s no doubt about it. Words are powerful. The power of words may be seen in recalling the impact of speeches made by Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill. Through words inflamed with hatred and lies, Hitler whipped his nation into a frenzy to become a juggernaut of destruction. On the other hand, Churchill, armed with eloquent, measured words, lifted his nation from the ashes and debris of defeat to go on to victory. Ella Wilcox wrote, “A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but it is miles ahead in results.” Someone has said there are two kinds of people in our lives: balcony people—the great encouragers who cheer us on and lift our vision, and basement people—the folks who are never satisfied and who drag us down. Some people are like spurs, and others are like spears. “Spurs” are the helpful ones who prod you on to “love and good deeds” (Heb 10:24). “Spears” are the hurtful folks whose words stab and wound. Some people make you want to “brace” yourself when you encounter them because their words are usually negative and critical. Others make you want to “embrace” them because they are warm, loving, and a joy to be around. Which kind are you? The crowds around Jesus at the crucifixion “hurled” their words at him like one shoots an arrow. They were intended to bring harm, and they added to his suffering. Instead, we should endeavor for the opposite. Paul tells us, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tags:
Permalink
James 5:`6

Pray for One Another

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 18, 2025

One of the greatest means of encouragement God has given us is prayer. Do you know someone who is hurting? Pray for them. Do you know someone who has lost a loved one? Pray for them. Do you know someone who has lost a job? Pray for them. Do you know someone going through a divorce? Pray for them. Do you know someone who is struggling with their faith or who has no faith? Pray for them. Actually, we are exhorted to pray for others often in the scriptures. No matter how far a relationship has deteriorated there is always hope if handled biblically. James tells us that there are two things necessary for healing: confession and prayer. He says in 5:16, “…confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” As a matter of fact, Samuel thought that failure to pray for others was a sin. He said in 1 Samuel 12:23, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you.”

Prayer is really at the heart of every healthy relationship. Mutual prayer for each other, based on the honest sharing of personal needs, is one way we build up the body of Christ as a whole and each other especially. Donald Grey Barnhouse wrote, “Never is a Christian more like Christ than when he is selflessly encompassing needy hearts with intercession, committing them to the Father’s love and grace. If we have been born again, we have been baptized into the intercession of Christ, and our lives must be ever-flowing fountains of prayer. This does not mean leaving the world for monastic contemplation. Rather, we pray without ceasing in the midst of the world. Our prayer may be no more than a quick glance toward God, but He sees and knows. In this way, we live His life of love and service toward others.”

It has been argued that prayer for others should be the primary kind of prayer that we offer. Paul was instructing his young disciple, Timothy, in the essentials of ministry and He begins Chapter 2 of his first letter to Timothy with the phrase, “First of all.” It might mean “our highest priority.” The verse goes on to say, “…then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…” But we can’t miss the context of this verse. It must be understood in connection with what came at the end of chapter 1 about two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who made a “shipwreck” of their faith. The implication is that prayer for them may have helped prevent that. How many times do others come to our mind, and yet we fail to pray for them? “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18

Tags:
Permalink
Luke 40:43

Fear & the Free Gift

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 17, 2025

I’ve been studying the necessity of faith and what things we need to believe in order to be saved. The essential nature of faith is crucial to us all. Paul says, “It’s by grace through faith” that we are saved. It’s the content of that faith I’ve been thinking about. The first two things I must believe are about God. Hebrews 11:6 sets out those two for us. The author says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” The two things about God are 1) That He exists and 2) that he is positively disposed towards me in a general way. If I seek God, He will show Himself to me. If I draw near to God, He will draw near to me.

The thief on the cross who was saved at the last minute is instructional for us all. When the bad thief began to taunt Jesus, we read in Luke 40:43 that the good thief said, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Don’t you fear God? Frequently, we’re taught that the beginning of wisdom is “the fear of the Lord.” It begins with the recognition of our mortality. Everyone dies, and most people harbor a fear of death. That’s why the one thief asked the other why he was acting as if he didn’t fear death. What happens after death? Is there a better place waiting for us in the hereafter? The Secular humanism and naturalism that dominates the world today simply deny any life after death. The world at large promotes a hedonistic approach because “tomorrow we die.” They do not deny death, which would be ridiculous. They deny that there is anything after death.

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament affirm a time of judgment for our time on this earth after death. Daniel 12:2 says, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Hebrews 9:27 says, “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…” Paul explains that our mortality is genetic! It’s because of our ancestry. It’s who we are related to that makes death our fate. It’s in 1 Corinthians 15:22 that Paul says, “Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man.” But because God not only exists but is positively disposed towards us he offers us a chance to be born again into a new family with a new relationship with someone who has never sinned. The same verse goes on to say, “But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given new life.” “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Tags:
Permalink
Ephesians 2:8-9

Through Faith!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 16, 2025

It’s a constant theme in the Bible that a saving relationship with God is one that is solely based on faith. It’s not just faith or belief in God’s existence; it’s faith in His goodness as well. I think that’s the author’s point in Hebrews 11:6. He writes, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” This too is the point that James makes when he remarks that belief in the existence of God is not saving faith, even the demons believe that God exists. The demons are God’s enemies and hate him, yet they believe he IS! We must trust that He’s a loving, caring, and forgiving God who will reward those who honestly want to find Him.

This comes down to the understanding and acceptance of what He did for us in the person of His son, Jesus Christ. Christ is the most profound expression of love imaginable. To receive Christ and accept God’s grandest expression of His love is what it means to believe. A saving faith in Jesus Christ is a faith that sees Him as he was meant to be seen. This is what Paul meant when he told the Philippian Jailor in Acts 16, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” To believe in Jesus Christ is to understand God’s attitude toward us. God’s greatest command to love Him is only possible when we grasp the truth of how much he loves us.

Faith is the conviction of God’s goodness and positive disposition towards us; after all, God “so loved” the whole world, including me, that He sent His son to die for me. Faith is a non-meritorious system of understanding the connection between God and man. Paul made it clear to us in Ephesians 2:8-9. Paul writes, “It is by grace you are saved, through faith. It is not of works, lest a man should boast. It is a gift from God.” Everyone actually has faith. Everyone believes in something and trusts in something. Everyone has faith in something—faith in some religion, faith in one’s self, faith in fate, faith in evolution, faith in mankind. Even the atheist has faith in his own reason. We have different IQs, but we all have faith. The idiot has faith; the genius has faith. There is no particular value in faith. It is the object of our faith—Jesus’ death on the cross—that saves us. Only He has the power to forgive our sins and give us eternal life. Salvation is through faith, not feeling. It is through faith, not through fiction. But there is only one real faith that works for time and eternity. True faith is faith in the one true God—the God who made us, who will judge us, and who has paid the price to save us.“It is by grace you are saved, through faith…” Ephesians 2:8

Tags:
Permalink
sewa motor jogja
© Chuck Larsen 2019. Powered by WordPress.