09/12/2017 PBJ Devotional

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:40-41 (ESV)

If we are honest, many of us can relate to Martha’s story. It is so easy to get caught in the web of serving others, that personally; we miss out on meaningful fellowship with Christ. We can get so caught up in serving, busyness, and distractions, that we miss the opportunity of having fellowship with our loving Lord. When considering Martha’s interchange with Jesus, notice the effect of her distractions upon her heart.  First, she becomes negative, secondly jealous of her sisters time away with Jesus. I can just hear the thoughts exploding in her mind! “It’s not fair; I am all alone, abandoned again, what’s wrong with these people!” “Even Jesus has forgotten me, and I thought he actually cared!”

I am reminded of a passage from Andrew Murray, “The first and chief need of our Christian life is, Fellowship with God. The Divine life within us comes from God, and it is entirely dependent upon Him. As I need every moment afresh the air to breathe, as the sun every moment afresh sends down its light, so it is only in direct living communication with God that my soul can be strong.

The manna of one day was corrupt when the next day came. I must every day have fresh grace from heaven, and I obtained it only in direct waiting upon God Himself. Begin each day by tarrying before God, and letting Him touch you. Take time to meet with God.

To this end, let your first act in your devotion be a setting yourself still before God. In prayer, or worship, everything depends upon God taking the chief place. I must bow quietly before him in humble faith and adoration, speaking thus within my heart: “God is. God is near. God is love, longing to communicate Himself to me. God the Almighty One, who worketh all in all, is even now waiting to work in me, and make Himself known.” Take time, till you know God is very near.  --The Deeper Christian Life, Page 2

Lord God, it is so easy to be distracted from that which is excellent by doing what is only good. What could be more important than sitting at your feet and enjoying your presence? I must confess there have been too many times when I have entered into Martha’s story. Even when I do try to take the time to sit at your feet, I find myself easily distracted, “anxious and troubled about many things.” How foolish it is for me to expect to walk in the fullness of Your Spirit when adequate time is not spent in fellowship with you each day! Help me to yield more fully to the drawing of your Holy Spirit. Help me to grow in my hunger and my thirst for you. Help me to put first things first to seek that which is excellent. Amen

09/10/2017 PBJ Devotional

“Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away." (Luke 8:18 ESV)

It is not enough to just hear the word of God. To receive the Word of the Lord the soil of our hearts must be prepared with times of fasting and prayer. We must mix it with faith, and to the best of our ability, walk it out in obedience as the Holy Spirit enables us. Only then will the Scriptures profit our soul and transform our lives. Only then, will we show ourselves to be the true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 “It is dangerous to hear God’s word in a too-passive way; without engaging the word with the mind, the heart, and the will. To be hearers only of the word, and not to be also doers of the word, means destruction (Luke 6:49).”  David Guzik Study Guide

“In his sermon titled Heedful Hearing, Charles Spurgeon suggested some ways to heedfully hear the word of God: 

· Hear attentively, retentively. 

· Hear believingly, obediently. 

· Hear candidly, honestly. 

· Hear devoutly, sincerely. 

· Hear earnestly, spiritually. 

· Hear feelingly, sensitively. 

· Hear gratefully, prayerfully.” 

http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols58-60/chs3357.pdf

Father God, help me to be attentive. Give me ears to hear the voice of your Spirit and to understand your Word. Having heard your word, give me the courage, humility, and faith to walk it out day to day that I may be fruitful for your kingdom, bring honor to you and blessing to others. Amen

09/07/2017 PBJ Devotional

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31 (ESV)

Think on this. How do you want to be treated? Do you want respect? Give respect. Do you want to be heard? Become a good listener. Do you want compassion and understanding? Be compassionate and patient with others. Sow into the lives of others what you would hope to receive from them. But you say, “What if they do not respond to me in the same way?” I would say to you, continue to sow good seed into their lives and trust that you will be rewarded by the Father.

We do not give what is good only to get back the same. We give first to show the heart of God to a fallen world. We give first that others may come to know His love. We give first so that we can be spiritually, emotionally, and relationally healthy people. We give first to honor God and enjoy his good pleasure!

Father God, help me to give more freely and to not hold back good from any man. Help me to rise above my own negativity, fears, and woundedness that I might be your hand extended to a broken world. Amen.

08/31/2017 PBJ Devotional

Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. Galatians 6:2 (AMPC)

Considering that we are called to be in community as Christ followers, there is the necessity to walk in love toward one another and thus fulfill the law of Christ. This can only be done as we approach others with humility, gentleness, and patience (see Ephesians 4:2). To walk humbly we’ve must not think more highly of ourselves or that we are in some way superior to others (Galatians 6:3-4). None of us are without burdens, troubles, concerns, or moral fault. Thus we must, in love of Christ, bear with each other, remembering that in the end, we are better together than we can be independently. To do less is to weaken our personal testimony and that of the Christian faith.

Father God you know my heart. You alone know the darkness that at times rises up in pride wounding others and in the end myself. Continue to do your redemptive work and enable me by your Spirit to bring honor to you, strength and encouragement to others.

Attached is a link to my article, “Honesty in all things” that was just publishing in Thriving Pastor. I hope it will bless you!

http://blog.thrivingpastor.com/honesty-in-all-things/?refcd=502601&utm_campaign=Honesty+in+All+Things&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl_thrivingpastor

PBJ Devotions 02/01/2017

Philippians 3:10-11 (AMPC) [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly], and that I am may in that same way come to know the Power out flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into his likeness even] to His death [in the hope] 11 that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

What the Lord is saying to me:

This is the glorious call to those who would follow Christ, to fully know Him and the surpassing power of the resurrection progressively transforming a believer into the likeness of Christ, putting to death the sins of the flesh, and having the mind renewed by the transforming power of the Word of God in this there is life abundant, True freedom, overflowing joy and hope for tomorrow.

My responsive prayer to Him: 

Lord Jesus Christ, help me to unreservedly yield to your spirit! Oh how I desire to know you more and to experience the continual transforming power of the Resurrection. Give me the courage and the humility to face the day in full faith, and trust in you, and your Word. Help me to rise above my doubts and fears that I may live a full life that glorifies the Father eternal. Not my will, but yours be done!