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DAILY DEVOTION, March 24,  2022

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done (Matthew 16:27).

When Jesus returns, it is payday. He will reward each person according to what he has done. What we “do” operates at two levels. First, we don’t “do” anything to merit salvation. Jesus was once asked a question. “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:28-29). Our first order of business in the “doing” category is to believe in Jesus. Faith in Jesus brings the saving grace of God into our lives. Salvation is the reward of faith.

Once we believe, then what? The second level of “doing” has to do with our performance as Christians. How faithfully have we served our Master? Those who have done much will be rewarded much. Those who have done little will be rewarded little. One of many verses teaching this truth is Ephesians 6:8. “ the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do…” Jesus once said that even those who give a cup of water to the thirsty would receive a reward (Matthew 10:42). Our duty is twofold. Our first duty is to believe in Jesus and receive salvation. Our second duty is to do as much good as we can. God will reward faithful service.

Father in heaven, I praise your name for the gift of salvation I received when I trusted in Jesus. As a disciple of the Master, please guide me so I do as much good as I can. In His name, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, March 25, 2022

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

Humility is a foundational Christian virtue. I have preached on the theme often. It is also a strange virtue. If you are intelligent, you can be proud of your wisdom. If you are a talented athlete, you can be proud of your skills. Can we be proud of our humility? There is an old joke about a man who won an award for humility. When he accepted the award, they took it back!

Our fallen human nature seems to strive for recognition and achievement. James reminds us that we have nothing to be proud of when compared to God! We have good reasons to live with humility. Whatever talents we possess are gifts from God. The salvation we have received is a gift from God. If we are well off financially, that is a gift from God. When God is removed from our lives, what is left? Nothing! When you feel pride welling up in your soul, beware! We are called to live with humility, recognizing and thanking God for all we have and all we are. Those who exalt themselves, God pushes down. Those who humble themselves, God lifts up.

Father, I thank You for this reminder that I am to live before You in humility. I want to walk humbly before You daily. Please help me, for Jesus’ sake, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, March 23, 2021

For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness (Psalm 18:28).

Of what use is a candle? We use them for decorations, but there was a time when their purpose was to lighten a room. A candle alone is of no value. It becomes useful when it is lit. A candle without a flame is dark and useless—a small candle, when lit, can bring light to an entire room.

We are like a candle. Alone we are spiritually useless. We become useful when the flame of Christ lights us. Our text alludes to that. We need God to breathe His flame upon us. In contrast, we read, “the light of the wicked shall be put out” (Job 18:5). It depends on whom we allow to “fire us up.”

Our lives become beautiful when they bear the Master’s flame and shine for His glory.

Heavenly Father, thank you that through faith in Your Son, You light my candle. I pray that the love of Christ may shine forth from my life to touch the lives of others, drawing them close to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

I appreciated Tom’s sermon Sunday with his emphasis on leaving behind the old way of life and embracing the new life we have in Christ. Everything changed because of the birth of Jesus, especially when we place our trust in Him. 

This week on Wednesday at 2:30 we will begin a new Bible study on leadership. Tom will be leading the study. I will be leading a study on the Book of Ephesians following Tom’s study. 

Warm House is looking for donations of cereal and pancake mix. 

We continue to collect good used shoes for Haiti.

The Warsaw schools are still needing donations of nutritious snacks.

This Sunday I will continue the sermon series from the Book of Romans. We will be looking at Chapter 5:12-17 focusing on the connection between Adam and Jesus. 

Walk with Jesus and I know you will have a great week.

Pastor Bowman

DAILY DEVOTION, March 21, 2022

In a recent communion meditation, I mentioned a book I read, “Memories of a Kamakazi.” These were young, inexperienced Japanese pilots who blew themselves up by crashing into American ships during World War 2, their planes heavy with explosives. I wondered how a Kamakazi pilot could write a book! I learned that sometimes they had engine trouble and returned to base, or were unable to find a ship to blow up. That was the case of this author. He flew several suicide missions without success.

Many of his young friends – – – teenagers – – – sacrificed their lives for their emperor and their homeland. Their sacrifice accomplished nothing. Japan lost the war. Many fine young men, Japanese and American, lost their lives to the kamikaze pilots. The Japanese pilots were willing to fly suicide missions out of love of country. Their sacrifice was in vain.

Jesus went to the cross voluntarily to make a sacrifice. It was not a useless sacrifice. His death accomplished its intended goal. We rebels against the will of God face eternal death. Jesus intervened and sacrificed Himself for us. He bore the judgment we deserve. His sacrifice opens the gates of heaven for all who trust in Him.

Our Father and our God, how thankful we are for the sacrifice of Jesus. Out of love, He endured the pain and agony of the cross for us. So often, we humans make useless sacrifices. How grateful we are for the sacrifice of Jesus that brings us everlasting life. We pray in His name, Amen.