DAILY DEVOTION, June 29, 2022, We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).   John divides the world into two parts. Some are God’s children, and the rest of the world lies under the power of Satan.  John would not be considered politically correct with this statement today. Many would dismiss him as simplistic and narrow-minded.  He seems to say that all those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus are under Satan’s power. This means that Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists – – – indeed all persons, whatever their religion or worldview, are under the thumb of the Evil One.  Isn’t that a narrow way to look at life? Yes, it is. The more important question is this: is it true? If you believe, as I do, that John is an inspired Apostle, you will agree that he has an accurate understanding of our world.   When I look at our world I have no problem believing John. We live in a world where the evil one has great power. Thus, the very things I might expect to find in nature and in our physical, emotional, and spiritual life, based on John’s words, are precisely what I do find. The Bible speaks clearly and repeatedly about how sin has damaged our world.  It should not surprise us when we experience the consequences of living in a fallen world among fallen people. John warns us: “the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.”     What kind of world do we live in? It is a world deeply affected by both sin and grace.  We live in a world described accurately in the Bible. What on earth is wrong with our world? The evil one reigns in the hearts of the unredeemed. What is right with our world? God’s grace is present in the world in the hearts of those who believe in His Son. In brief, there are two teams operating in the world. One is God’s team, the other team is under the influence of the Evil One. Make sure you are on the right team.   Father, I thank you for calling me out of the darkness and into the light. I thank You that in Christ I have the power to overcome the Evil One. Please hold me tightly by Your side lest I drift into the kingdom of Satan. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2, NIV). 

DAILY DEVOTION, June 27, 2022

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16).

Who wrote the Bible? We could list all the human authors and conclude that they authored the Scriptures. That is true but our text goes behind the human authors. Paul uses a unique Greek word found nowhere else in the New Testament and declares that the Bible was God-breathed. In ways difficult for us to understand, God moved mightily on the human authors so that they became the instruments through which God expressed His will. The human authors used their vocabulary and writing style, but God worked behind the scenes to record a unique book, the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is the Word of God.

As we read it carefully and follow its instructions we will learn about God, we will be rebuked, we will be corrected, and we will be trained to live righteously. When we read the Bible with faith the author, the Holy Spirit, works in our minds to aid us in our understanding. The most important theme in the Bible is Jesus. As we read with open minds the Bible will lead us to Him. We will learn that He is our Savior and that those who trust in Him are forgiven of their sins and given eternal life. No other book can do that. The secret to success in the Christian life is to read, read, read! — and believe.

God our Father, You have greatly blessed us with Your Word. I thank You that my days of skepticism are over and Your Word has led me to Jesus. May I abide in Him throughout life unto life eternal, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, June 26, 2022

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Our hope is certain unless Jesus is a charlatan and the Bible is not reliable. Jesus promised us eternal life and His promises are recorded in Scripture. If He is the Son of God, and if Scripture is the Word of God, our hope rests on solid ground. Hear again the words of Paul: we live “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…” (1 Tim. 1:1). God intended and promised eternal life to His people before time began. In the hiddenness of eternity past God decreed that His Son would take on human nature, die for us, and grant eternal life to those who trust in Him. God, who cannot lie, made this promise. Our future is fastened tightly to God and therefore our hope is certain. The God who cannot lie has promised eternal life to all who trust in Jesus. Do you believe Him?  

Father, I thank You for the promise You have made to grant eternal life to all who trust in Your Son. I do trust in Jesus. I do believe in Your promises. While much about eternal life remains a mystery to me, what I do know fills me with anticipation. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

In view of yesterday’s Supreme Court decision I am changing my  devotion. Marie’s verse clearly states that from God’s perspective (the only one that finally matters) human life begins at conception, and even before conception. God called Jeremiah to be a prophet before he was born. If that is the case it has implications for abortion. I respect women’s right to control their bodies. The question is what about the rights of the unborn? If an unborn child is a human being that child has rights as well. I suspect we will have different opinions on this matter in our church but I feel obligated to say that I am pro life. 

Pastor Bowman

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

Colossians 1:13 .

DAILY DEVOTION, June 24, 2022

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24). We do not see heaven. It lies in the future, beyond our sight. It is our blessed hope, and our hope rests on the truthfulness of God. We have the “hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…” (1 Timothy 1:1).

The object of hope must be achievable. I have no hope that the day will come when I will play with the St. Louis Cardinals. I once had such hope, but when I realized such a goal was unattainable, hope vanished. We only hope for things we can realistically obtain.

Some things we hope for may be difficult to obtain. Nevertheless, if we hope for something it must be obtainable, no matter the cost. Our Christian hope for eternal life rests upon a solid foundation. We have numerous promises from the Son of God that those who trust in Him will live forever in His eternal Kingdom. No earthly obstacle can block the plan of God. Yes, there are difficulties along the way as we follow Jesus, but those who persevere in faith will obtain the prize. Never abandon your hope of seeing heaven.

Father, how thankful I am that I have a living hope. Some of the things I hoped for in life never materialized. The hope of eternal life rests upon a solid foundation, Your Word and the work of Your Son. May Your name be honored always in my life. Amen.