DAILY DEVOTION, AUGUST 2, 2021

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).

We learn several essential truths from these words of Jesus. We do have His commandments recorded in Scripture. Do we obey them? Jesus declares that the one striving to keep His commandments is the one who loves Him. We can conclude that those who show little or no interest in obeying Him do not really love Him. Those who do not love Him do not trust Him. They are outside the Kingdom of God. The question we must ask is, “Do I try to keep the commands of Jesus?”

Jesus adds that the heavenly Father loves those who love Jesus.  But doesn’t God love everybody? Yes, but His love for the world is, in a way,  potential. It becomes actual when we trust in His Son. Yes, God loves you, but you become a part of His family when you trust in His Son. When faith is present in us, God’s potential love becomes actual.

When all the above is in place, something glorious happens. Jesus manifests Himself to us. To manifest is to reveal. Wow! Jesus here promises to reveal Himself to those who meet the conditions. How He does that varies from person to person. The point is that true Christians not only trust Jesus, they also know Him. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to our innermost being. This leads to a final question we must ask ourselves. Do I know Jesus as a living presence within my heart?

Father, I thank You for sending Your Son into the world to save us. I pray that my faith is genuine. Father, I want to obey Your commandments, not to earn Your favor but to demonstrate the reality of my faith and love for Your Son. I pray the Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus to my heart continually. In His name, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, July 28, 2021

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

Paul is speaking to Timothy, a young man. Some tend to look down on young people. Paul understands that youth can be earnest and dedicated Christians. He encourages Timothy to set an excellent Christian example. Timothy’s Christian example will put a stop to the mouths of those who look down upon him because of his youth. While our youth are few, the few we have are strong Christians, and we thank God for their example.

In our society, people tend to look down on us old-timers. I am sure Paul would also say, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are old.” Senior citizens are called upon by God to demonstrate how following Jesus has blessed us over the years. We don’t stop living the Christian life just because we are old. I like the words of Psalm 92:14: “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” 

Whether we are young or old, we do not have the luxury of just talking a good game. We are all called to live exemplary lives. We all need to ask ourselves, “Am I setting a positive example for others so they will look at me and see an illustration of a good Christian? Will others be drawn to the Savior in whom I believe?”  Think about it. Pray about it.

Heavenly Father, I do want to set a good example in my Christian walk. I want Your holiness to be poured out on me in such abundance that others will be drawn to the Savior, in whose name I pray, Amen. 

There is not a lot going on in our church throughout the week during these summer months. We have been talking about the choir and whether or not we will have enough singers. If you would like to sing in the choir starting in late August please let me know and I will pass your name on to Marion. We are talking about having a 1/2 hour rehearsal after church on Sunday.

Our Wednesday Bible study at 3 PM will conclude the series on church history this week. The following week we will start a new video series on the Second Coming of Jesus featuring Dr. Timothy Paul Jones. Following his video lecture, we will have time for questions and discussion. Naturally, everyone is welcome.

This Sunday Marie and I will be doing a first-person sermon concerning the thief on the cross. He shows up at heavens gate and is interviewed by a heavenly reporter. Tom Gee will assist with the Scripture reading and closing comments. The following Sunday I will begin a short series from the Book of Proverbs.

Thankfully the new covid wave has not impacted our congregation. Most of us are vaccinated, May God continue to watch over us. Have a very blessed week!
Pastor Bowman

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the ^]author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (Hebrews 12:1,2).

One of the keys to successful living is found in our text. Verse 2 begins with the words, “Looking unto Jesus.” As we live life keeping our attention on Him, His hand of guidance and strength will be upon us. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He saved us at the beginning when we first trusted Him, and He will carry us safely to the end as we continue to trust Him.

Jesus is our example.  Why did He endure the cross? He saw the great joy that His death would bring. He felt the pleasure of realizing His sacrifice would result in the salvation of many. To die on a cross was a shameful death. It was reserved for the worst of criminals. Jesus was willing to endure the shame and pain because He knew His death would bring many into heaven.

God vindicated His Son through the resurrection. Jesus now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is ruling over God’s universe. Those who are wise will trust in Him.

Father, I am so sorry that Jesus had to suffer so much for me. It is mind-boggling to realize that He felt joy amid His suffering because He knew that His death would bless many. I want to know that same joy as I seek to serve others in His name. Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, July 20, 21

Immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”  (Mark 6:50; for the full story see Mark 6:45-56).

The disciple’s first reaction to seeing Jesus walking on water was fear. That is understandable. To view a person walking on the surface of the sea is not an everyday occurrence! He tells them not to be afraid. It is Jesus who is there to aid His disciples.

Matthew adds a detail omitted by Mark. Peter makes an impulsive request.” Lord, if it is You command me to come to You on the water” (Matt. 14:28). Peter wonders if it is really Jesus. Jesus bids Peter to come, and Peter actually walks upon the water briefly. When he took his eyes off Jesus and began to reflect on the wind and the rain, he sank. Jesus had to pull him up and back into the boat.

Sometimes Jesus asks us to do impossible things. We are not sure if it is really Him, but we step out in faith. Then fear grips us. Am I really doing the will of God? Doubt and failure set in. But notice that even when Peter gave in to doubt the Lord saved him. I think the point is this. If you feel Jesus is asking you to do something you are not sure you can do, try it anyway. And if it fails turn to Him and He will lift you up.  Whether we succeed or fail, trust Jesus. He will not allow us to sink.

Father, I do often wonder if I am doing the right thing. I try to follow Jesus but I sometimes feel like Peter, that I am sinking. Help me to realize that as long as I am trusting in Jesus, He will be there for me. If I succeed in doing His will, He will bless me. If I fail, He will lift me up so I can try again. May His name be praised, Amen.