Devotion, November 14, the Church

I believe in the church. I believe in the church because of a pragmatic reason that has nothing to do with the truthfulness of the church’s message.  Of course, I believe that message to be true, but setting aside the truth question for a moment, look at what the church has accomplished.  The church is behind society’s noblest and best achievements.  It was the Christian church and Christian people who began public education in this country.  Many of our great colleges and universities, including Harvard and Princeton, were founded as Christian colleges.  There are hundreds of Christian colleges and seminaries today. Christians believe all truth comes ultimately from God and have been leaders in the educational field.

Hospitals, orphanages, homes for old folks; have you ever seen such an institution founded by an atheist?  Christians believe life is God-given and that we should care for one another.  Is there a Warsaw Atheistic League providing “Christmas for kids?” It is Christians who offer this ministry in our community. My own grandparents lived out their final years at the Barton Stone Christian Home in Jacksonville, IL founded and supported by the church. The church of Jesus Christ has done an enormous amount of good in the world.  Christians do good in the world because they believe in Jesus. I believe in the church. More on this theme Monday.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world to be our Savior. Thank You for establishing the church where your people can gather together to do good and to support each other. Thank You for Your promise that nothing will ever destroy Your church, not even Satan himself with all his power. Thank You for including me as a faithful member of Your church. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

DEVOTION, NOV. 12, Speak graciously

Colossians 4:6: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

This is a tall order. When we open our mouth to speak, gracious words should flow out. This is always the case. If someone speaks to us in a hostile manner, we are to respond with gracious speech.  If someone speaks to us in a hateful manner, we are to reply graciously. If someone insults us, we are to speak to them with grace. Seasoned with salt suggests that we add positive flavor to our speech. Never add chili powder to your speech! Paul uses the word “always.” It is never appropriate for Christians to speak with anger or hostility.

Do others ever speak to us with anger or hostility? Indeed they do! Should we respond in kind? Absolutely not! I am confident I need to work on this principle. What about you?

Gracious God, I confess that I have some work to do. When people speak to me with anger, I am not always gracious in my response. Help me to remember that when I respond to anger with anger, I do not help the situation. Help me to be an instrument of Your grace whenever I open my mouth to speak. I ask this favor in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

We recently celebrated the Protestant Reformation with a focus on Martin Luther. Luther struggled, trying to find peace with God. All his good works and spiritual exercises were unsuccessful. He felt condemned by God. As he continued to read the Scriptures, he found salvation in the above words from the Apostle Paul.  He discovered the Gospel. Those who hear the story of Jesus and believe it are forgiven of their sins and welcomed into the Kingdom of God. All of this happens by faith alone. As we live by faith, our lives increasingly and transformed by the power of the Gospel. 

Faith leads us to include Bible study and prayer in our routine. Faith leads us to a regular celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Faith leads us to forgive others, even as God has forgiven us. Faith leads us to do good works. Faith leads us to a life of honesty and integrity. Faith leads us to a life where the love of God is evident in our daily living. The more we live by faith, the more we will see of God’s blessings. And when we die, Jesus will welcome us into heaven by faith. Faith is a glorious thing. As we embrace Jesus by faith, we receive untold blessings in this life and unspeakable blessings in the life to come.

Gracious Father, how can I ever thank you for the gift of Jesus? As I trust in Him and live by faith, I receive Your presence and Your power. Like Luther, I realize that all my efforts to win Your favor fall so far short. By faith in Your Son, I enter into Your favor. Please keep me in true faith unto everlasting life. In the name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray. Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, 11/10/20, Knowing God’s Will

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).

People often ask, “How can I know the will of God?” Paul gives us some words of wisdom, beginning with a negative. Do not conform to this world. If you are all caught up in the principles that govern this world, you will never know the will of God. This world is about self. What can I do to promote myself? How can I gain more prestige, money, power? John cautioned us not to fall in love with this world. If we do, we cut ourselves off from knowing the love of God (1 John 2:15). So, rule # 1 is to be a non-conformist if you want to know the will of God.

On the positive side, we are to renew our minds. We do that by filling our minds with the truths of Scripture and then practicing what we learn. The Word of God has the power to transform us, to change the way we think and live entirely. Those who adopt these two principles will increasingly know and understand the will of God. We need to ask ourselves, how much am I conforming to the world, and how much to the Word of God?

Heavenly Father, I must confess that sometimes I am more in conformity with the world than with Your Word. You have revealed to me how I may know Your will. May the Holy Spirit give me a growing love for Your Word. May your truth so fill my mind that I can see Your will more clearly. In Jesus blessed name, I pray, Amen.

The election is over. Some are happy with the results, while some are not. The good news is that the political ads are done! We all need to remember that whatever happens here on earth politically, GOD IS IN CONTROL. He is working out His plan behind the scenes.

The sermon topic this Sunday is “The Prodigal Son.” It is one of Jesus’ most encouraging parables on the theme of salvation. The theme for November 22 will be Thanksgiving. Looking ahead, I am working on a series from Genesis.

We will continue looking at the theme, “Discipleship” at our Wednesday Bible study at 3:30.

Pecans are in. Preorders will be bagged up soon.

Remember to bring gifts for “Christmas for Kids.”

Happy Veterans Day to all our veterans. Your service is very much appreciated.

A blessed day to our wonderful church family.

Pastor Bowman