Devotion, Jan. 12, 2021, Judgment

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).

The house of God is the church. God warns us that divine judgment will fall on the unfaithful church. It is not a judgment of final condemnation. Christians, even unfaithful ones who believe in Jesus, will be saved. It is a warning that while unfaithfulness does not cancel salvation for believers, it does invite divine judgment. As we look at what is happening in our country today, I wonder if judgment is falling on the church. I am not a prophet, so I can’t speak with authority, but I wonder how much responsibility the church bears for the spiritual decline in our country.

The second half of our verse refers to those who reject the Gospel. If God brings punishment to His unfaithful people, what will He do to those who reject Him? It seems clear that our country is moving farther away from our spiritual/Christian heritage. Is America ripe for judgment? Again, I can’t speak with authority, but I do wonder.

All we can do as a church and as individual Christians is reaffirm our faith in Jesus and work and pray for God’s will to be done in our nation.  If we are headed for a time of national judgment, I am confident that God will watch over His faithful people. The bottom line from our verse is this: be prepared for anything!

Father, I am concerned about events happening in our country. I pray that Your church will strive for greater faithfulness. We want to be light in a world increasing in darkness. We pray in Jesus name, Amen. 

We have been holding church services through most of the pandemic and so far no one has gotten sick from attending church. We thank God and continue to pray for His protection. While attendance is way down that is understandable. We have families with health conditions who do not want to take unnecessary chances. We look forward to seeing everyone again when this pandemic is over. 2020 is a year to remember and a year to forget!

Board members, remember we meet tonight (Monday, 1/11) at 6 PM. We have several important items to discuss. As usual, we will wear masks and socially distance.

Wednesday Bible study will continue our focus on discipleship. I believe we will have an interesting discussion concerning what we expect following Christ will bring to us, and what the Bible actually says we can expect as Christians. Of course, all are welcome and we will be wearing masks and socially distancing.

On Sunday, January 17th, we continue the sermon series from Genesis. Our focus will be on Cain and Able.

May you all have a blessed, Covid free week.

Pastor Bowman

DEVOTION, January 12, 2021

I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me (Romans 7:21).

Paul’s problem was a problem we all face. We want to do good.  We are so thankful that Jesus has redeemed us we want to live our lives in a way that honors Him. Alas, like Paul evil has a way of rearing its ugly head and sometimes the good we intended gives way to evil acts. While we are new persons in Christ, the old person is not dead. We live with the memories and temptations that plagued us in the past. Paul confessed, “I am carnal, sold under sin” (7:14).

What is the solution? Paul asked the same question. Where can I find deliverance? (7:24). His answer is in 7:28. Jesus Christ gives us victory in two ways. First, He has provided for our forgiveness. He did that at the cross when He bore our sins in His own body on the cross. As we move into Romans 8, we learn that we have been gifted with the Holy Spirit. The more we live by faith, trusting in the Holy Spirit to suppress our evil desires and to give us the strength to follow Jesus, we experience victory at ever-increasing levels.

Yes, we all struggle with evil desires. Sometimes we give in to them. That is a time for repentance, reminding ourselves that Jesus is our Savior from sin. It is a time to ask the Holy Spirit to work within us and lead us to do the good and resist the evil. The more we rely on our own strength the more we will fail. The more we rely on Jesus the more we will see victories.

A man was in a small boat floundering far from shore. A large ship came by to help. He said, “No thank you. I can handle this myself.” He refused help and was lost. We, too, can reject Christ’s lifeline and sink, or we can receive His help and find victory.

Father, I admit that my desire to do good is often canceled by the evil present within me. Help me to rely more and more upon You, Your Son, and the Holy Spirit, to lead me into righteous paths. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

DEVOTION. 1/9/2021

He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works (Titus 2:14, Christian Standard Bible).

Jesus gave Himself for us on the cross to redeem us; to cleanse us from lawlessness by forgiving all our sins. We love the idea of forgiveness, but there is more. When we place our trust in Jesus, we become His possession. He is our Lord. He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep who now live to do His bidding. We no longer belong to ourselves. We have been bought with a price (the sacrifice of Jesus) and we are now under new management. We are “eager” to do good works. The Greek word is “zealous.” The zealots were sort of fanatics. They were totally committed to their cause. The Jewish Zealots were committed to resisting Rome.

Christians are probably more than “eager” to do good works. We are “zealous” to do good works. Our commitment to Jesus is our first priority. We live to serve Him and to bring honor to His name.  That is the ideal. Yes, we fall short of the ideal and need additional forgiveness, but if we believe Jesus is the Son of God and Savior, we do strive to obey Him. We learn His commandments and endeavor to follow them.

The verse begins “He gave Himself for us…” Should we not give ourselves back to Him in faithful service?

Father, thank You for graciously giving Jesus to us to redeem us from our sins. I owe Him everything. When I am not zealous in my service to Him, help me to see the folly of my ways. Lead me ever back to obedience to the One who gave Himself for me. In His blessed name I pray, Amen. 

DEVOTION, January  8,  2021

The Bible clearly teaches in many places that there is a heaven and a hell. The story is told of a minister who preached in a New England church. He declared that all people will be saved. He said that hell is a cruel human invention that is contrary to the principle of a loving God. When he finished, he told the congregation he could return to preach in a few weeks. One board member said, “If what you say is true and we are all going to heaven, we don’t need you. If your doctrine is false and there is a hell, we don’t want you to return.” He was never invited back.

Jesus taught often that there is a heaven and a hell.  In Luke 16:22-23 He told of a rich man who died and was in torment in hell. He talked about a narrow way that leads to destruction. Yes, there are preachers today who will tell you that hell is a myth. I prefer to believe the words of Jesus. If we believe He is the Son of God, it follows that whatever He says is true. God has provided a clear and simple path that leads to eternal life. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but receive everlasting life” (John 3:16). Faith in Jesus is the only requirement to receive eternal life. What is God to do with those who will not embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord? What is God to do with those who turn aside from His love? Jesus’ answer is clear. If you want to exist separate from God, so be it. However, living apart from God cannot be pleasant. It is hell.

Father, I thank You for revealing so clearly that there are two paths we can choose in life. There is a wide path leading to destruction, and there is a narrow path leading to life. Please keep me on that narrow path, whatever the cost. In Jesus name, Amen.