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Colossians 1:9, Philippians 1:9

Growing in Knowledge!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 25, 2025

As we grow up into Christ, as the New Testament puts it, we grow in faith, hope, love, and joy. It seems to me the nourishment for this growth comes from the rich soil of God’s great love for us. As our roots sink down into that, we draw all the nourishment we need to produce the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These fruits grow into plump, delicious aspects of our lives that cannot be nourished without our roots set deep into God’s love. God’s love is most purposefully communicated to us through His Son Jesus. He died for us. What greater love is there? This great love is written down for us in God’s love letter to us, His Word, our Bibles! As we grow to know it better, we will be constantly drawn to the rich depth of love from the sweetest well in the world. It’s the well from which flows the living waters of life.

When Paul writes to the Philippians, he suggests that as our love continues to grow and we grow to appreciate God’s love for us more and more, along with the growth in love comes a growth in knowledge. He writes in chapter 1, verse 9, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” But in Colossians 1:9, Paul makes it clear that the knowledge he’s praying for is an in-depth understanding of God’s Purpose for our lives. He says, “…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will…”

As we learn more about God and His plan and purpose for our lives and grow in our comprehension of His great love for us, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to let that knowledge control us. I like what Anders said in his commentary on this passage. He writes, “God’s will is not a spiritual Easter egg he hides from us. No, God wants us to know his will, and so clearly reveals that will in his Word.” As I’ve studied the Bible, looking for God’s purpose for my life, I’ve tried to grasp the Biblical mandate for living the Christian life well. It seems that I repeatedly found that it was what Paul prayed for the believers In Philippians 1:9. He wanted love to grow as it is firmly grounded in the knowledge and discernment of God’s love as revealed to us through the person of His Son Jesus and clearly demonstrated on the cross. Romans 5:8 summarizes, “God demonstrated His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” As we grow in our knowledge and understanding of the overall message of the Bible as it culminates at the cross, we experience the true fruits of the spirit. Fruit doesn’t appear in a moment. It takes time to grow and ripen. We need to be patient with ourselves and others as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 2:18)

 

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2 Peter 1:2

Take Your Time!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
January 24, 2025

Peter prays for us. This is his prayer: May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2) As our roots go down deep into God’s love, we get the nourishment we need to develop stronger branches and then produce spiritual fruit. You know what that is. Galatians 5 lists nine kinds of fruit that should develop in us as we “grow in our knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It takes time in our lives to take in the nourishment from God’s word and let the Holy Spirit water the seeds that are planted, and then sometimes it takes a long time for the flower to bloom, the fruit to emerge, and then to mature. It never happens overnight and without “sinking our roots down deep.”

Do you remember the Jack and the Beanstalk story? Jack was a bad boy. He took his mother’s money to buy groceries. He bought magic beans from a flim-flam man instead. When he got home and his mother found out what a stupid thing he’d done, he was punished and sent to bed without dinner. He threw the magic seeds out his window. In the morning, he woke up to a huge beanstalk outside his window, reaching far up out of sight. The rest of the story is about the adventures in a giant’s land. I mention the story because it’s the only place I know where a plant grows overnight! Only children’s fairy tales and Disney productions with time-lapse imagery can make that happen.

In real life, all growth takes time, nourishment, frequent watering, and nurturing. We live in a world where we want everything to be instant. There’s instant rice, instant coffee, instant… well, just about everything. If it’s not instant, we can put it in the microwave and make it instant! There are remote controls and other technological marvels that give us instant access. I’ve watched recent TV commercials for cellular phones that give you data and information seconds faster than your neighbors, and how cool that is and how everyone should really want one of those gadgets because it’s 4G, 5G (or whatever), and they can get the information much quicker. The best things in life truly take time. Spiritual growth is the most important. You can either be a dandelion that sprouts in a day or an oak tree that takes years. Remember, the Psalmist tells us that the tree planted beside the waters is the one that grows strong and healthy. The changing weather conditions of life do no harm. Although it bends, it does not break. So, when we get discouraged, we can relax and focus on our roots sinking into God’s love for us. Paul tells us, “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:1

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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

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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.”

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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

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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

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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

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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

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