Daily Devotional

Matthew 15:32-38

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

Now you didn’t think I was going to forget about Jesus feeding the five thousand, did you? It’s one of the first stories we hear as a child.  One reason I believe it is told so often is that it was a boy who fed the people.

Jesus had compassion as he taught His followers about the Lord.  He multiplied this young boy’s gift and fed them all and still had some food left over.  What a miracle that must have been to see firsthand.

God wants to use you, too, this season.  Every boy, girl, man and woman has something to give.  Jesus had compassion on the people!  Do you have compassion enough to do something for a person who has the need of Jesus’ love? 

I am amazed sometimes how we rely on the other person to reach out and serve, instead of doing it ourselves.   Did this young boy say, “No, this is my lunch and you can’t have it!” 

When we taught youth groups we often used three kids and three apples for an illustration.  The first kid would not share his apple but said, “What’s mine is mine and I’m going to keep it!”  The next kid said, “What’s yours is mine and I’m going to take it! “ He grabs the apple away from him.  The third kid said, “What’s mine is yours and I’m going to share it!”

• What kid are you?
• Are you willing to share what is yours saw Christ is glorified?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

Luke 19:5-10

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

How many times have we been walking somewhere, and we say to our husbands under our breath, “Did you see that girls outfit?  She must be… you know…one of those strippers!”  Southland’s response is “What can we do to help?”  They respond by fixing meals each week and going to the Clubs and showing these precious women who Jesus really is.  Some cook, some go, and some pray.  Because Jesus taught them how to love these women, a Refuge Home has been built to give the girls a chance to do something else.

Or have you ever heard someone say, “Did you see that?  He looks like he hasn’t had a bath in a year.  He might say something to us, let’s cross the street.”  Southland’s response is to help feed the homeless, cloth the homeless, and teach the homeless about Jesus.  Helping through Him, Room In the Inn, and Serve The City have helped more people than they can even count -- reaching out to the broken, the sick of heart, and to families who sleep on floors with no heat or electricity.

Southland is reaching out to thousands in the area.  Why?  Because we love like Jesus’ loves.

• Do you want to see the love of Jesus spread all over Lexington?
• Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus in Lexington this season?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

Isaiah 49:15-16

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

My husband and I have been in Haiti for over thirty years.  We have had the joy of feeding many hungry people.  Each morning we would ask God to open our eyes to those He wanted us to help.  My husband would walk the streets of Port-de-Paix and it wasn’t so much the beggar holding out his hand but the Haitian too weak to hold his hand out, sitting against a concrete wall.

I could tell you a hundred stories that would break your heart when it comes to the Haitian people.  I can tell you about Mikela who was left on a dirt path because her mother’s new boyfriend didn’t want her.  When I held this baby her head was the biggest part of her body and her tongue was stretched out where she had been trying to find food.  I could hold her in the palm of my hand.

I remember in November the picture Jon showed of the little boy in Cambodia -- and how desperate he looked.  Then he showed the “after” picture.  The picture after someone took him and loved him and fed him.

God says He has engraved us on the palm of His hands.  He doesn’t forget His children.  

• Will you bring a friend and let them have the joy of helping?
• Are you ready for your heart to overflow with real joy?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Suppose a friend asked you to tell her/him why following Jesus was important.  What would you say?

Would you speak to about him being God’s only begotten Son?  Or would you tell her about the miracles Jesus did when he walked the earth?  Maybe you’d pause and think about the Old Testament prophecies foretelling of Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled all those.  Then again you might decide to talk about the virgin birth and how this was so unusual.

When a man named Nick asked Jesus about himself Jesus used a simple illustration about being born.  Nick was intrigued because he couldn’t imagine a full-grown adult entering a mother’s womb again, so Jesus had him right where he wanted.  Jesus spoke simply about the work of being drawn into a relationship with God through the Spirit. 

What’s your simple story about how the Spirit drew you into a relationship with Jesus? No complicated Scripture explanations are needed. They can come later when your friend is ready to learn more. No lessons in theology, unless your friend is some sort of theologian and understands that language.  No mysterious words only church people understand, or pretend to.  No, simply tell your story.  Use everyday words that make sense to you and to your friend.  That’s what Jesus did with Nick and he had a lot of questions that Jesus patiently answered.  Your friend will probably ask a few questions as well, but guided by the Holy Spirit you’ll know how to answer.

You do have a story don’t you?  Of course you do. It’s not complicated, just real.  And Nick wanted real from Jesus because he’d had enough with religious words and wanted something he could believe.

• Practice your story so when you are asked you are ready with your answer.
• Ask God to send someone who wants to hear your story.

There are just 316 words again!

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Did you ever think about what you can say in 31.6 seconds?  Or maybe you only have 3.16 seconds to say something profound. Some people I know would prefer to make it 316 seconds so they can say more.  And a few people I know would like 316 hours to speak.  That’s six college classes worth of talking!

Maybe it ought to be 316 words.  That’s not much, but enough to make some really interesting comments, and maybe a profound statement if you’re into profound statements.  Most of us are not, though we’d like to think maybe once in a while we say something memorable.

When the various writers of the Old and New Testaments wrote the Holy Spirit inspired them.  We who like to write might wish such inspiration would work for us, and it does sometimes.  But too often we try to think of something profound of clever on our own and fail to ask the Spirit what he wants us to say.

Do you ever wonder if John thought the words he penned, which we now called John 3:16, would be memorized, quoted, shown on posters on television, or worn on wrist bands?  If you really stop to think John was telling a story about Jesus. Part of his story was a conversation Jesus had with a fairly intelligent man about life in the kingdom.  I doubt John ever thought this one quote would become so beloved, for he was pointing to the beloved One.

Memorizing John 3:16 is good work.  But don’t forget the story John was telling about the only begotten Son.  It’s a story for all time.

• Can you tell the whole story of Jesus to anyone who asks?
• Can you tell it as simply as John does with words like he chooses?

If you took time to count the words in this devotion you’d find there are 316 words.

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

John 15:8

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

I am sixty two years old.  I was baptized when I was five years old.  I have always wanted to have the gift of Jesus in my heart.  Did I always do right? NO!  But Jesus was always there to forgive me.

As a teenager I remember sharing Jesus with one of my friends.  It felt kind of weird but after she read my letter she accepted Jesus and was baptized.  I have shared Jesus with many people since then, and the joy never fades -- especially in Haiti.  There, when folks accept Christ they go down to the river to be baptized.  They come up shouting!  It is a tradition that we wrap a white sheet around them as a sign of purity!

I will never forget the young boy who was dying of cancer.  The Holy Spirit kept telling me to find him.  I got an interpreter and we went as far as we could on the “Gator” and then walked the rest of the way.  When I finally got to his little hut his body was oozing with sores.  He said, “I have been praying for you to come.  I want to be baptized”!  What a glorious day that was as we carried him down to the Gator and drove thru town to the river to baptize him.  He died three days later.

If you haven’t yet accepted this gift of Christ, wouldn’t it be great to open that gift and be baptized during the Christmas Season?  Is there a loved one you need to share with?  You can give them the greatest gift of all this season.  Hey don’t put it off!  Share Jesus with someone now.

• Is God nudging you to give someone the gift of the Savior?  Are you worried about what to say – just allow the Spirit to speak thru you!

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

John 1:4

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

There are very few Christmas trees in Haiti. The Port-de-Paix area used to be so bright and cheerful because one of the store owners put out a wonderful light display, complete with Santa, right in front of his store. He doesn’t put up those decorations anymore because it costs too much money to pay for the lights. Christmas presents really aren’t exchanged unless you have the privilege of growing up in an orphanage where American sponsors send you gifts. 

New Year’s is their big day to celebrate.  They get dressed up in their best and take pumpkin soup around to everyone wishing them a Happy New Year.  The last few years we’ve brought in fireworks and have a very special service with our church family. 

The Haitians celebrate all the holidays with prayers and praises.  They don’t expect anything, they just are so thankful for what God already has done for them in giving them the Gift of Jesus.

You see, the Haitian people depend daily on Jesus to provide food, a place to live and money for medicine for their sick children.  They don’t ask for Barbie Dolls, or trains, or televisions, or a new bike.  They don’t even have an old bike.  They just want to survive and many have accepted Jesus as their Savior. They have opened that gift we talked about earlier in the week.  And they understand the importance and the value of that very special gift of Christ!   

This year we are handing out solar lights showing that Jesus is the Light of the World.

• Is Jesus enough for you?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

Matthew 2:20

Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead.

Everyone loves a Birthday Party!  Have you ever thought of having a Jesus Birthday Party?  What a special way to celebrate Jesus’ birth by having a Birthday Party! This could be a special way to let children or even adults really know the reason for the season!

At our party, we always have a Birthday Cake that says “Happy Birthday Jesus!”  And birthday hats and games, but the neatest thing is we bring a Birthday gift for some child that won’t have much Christmas in honor of Jesus’ birthday!

We usually show one of the Christmas movies that portray the birth of Christ. If you want to throw a party this year, there are some real great cartoon movies or even Larry and Bob and Veggie Tales that would give younger kids a visual of Jesus’ birth and this special Baby Jesus.

You know the Wise men brought gifts from afar to worship baby Jesus.  They honored him with gold, incense and myrrh.  What a blessing it would be to Praise the Birth of Jesus by giving Him a special Birthday party.

• Do you have some kids that would like to have a Birthday party for Jesus?
• Santa is great but Jesus is the real deal so how about sharing Jesus with them this Christmas?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

I love all the colorful packages under the tree -- the shinier the better.  But the most important gift we need to “open” isn’t even under the tree.  Once we open it we will never have to feel we should have gotten something better!  Jesus, the one and only Son of God, is why we celebrate Christmas.  Inside this gift, recipients will find  Joy, Peace and Everlasting Life.

Also inside this gift: forgiveness and unconditional love.  It’s full of a relationship with a Heavenly Father more important than a relationship with any person sitting at your big Christmas Dinner!

We all are spiritually poor and there’s no way we can buy any gift that will make us complete.  Jesus came to earth so we who were impoverished in sin could receive that wonderful gift.  In addition to all the gifts listed above, all wrapped up together in Christ – is the wonderful gift of eternal life.  We will be able to live with the Greatest Gift Giver Ever!

You know the greatest gift you can give to your friends and family is to share this awesome gift of Jesus.  It is a gift that keeps on giving forever!

• Will you tell someone about the real reason for the season?
• Do you love someone enough to share even if it is awkward about what Jesus has done for you and can do for them?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

Isaiah 43:25

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

I love Christmas music.  I love the secular music and, of course, the old time favorites like “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night.” (My favorite Christmas artists are Alvin and the Chipmunks!)

Generally, I prefer the oldies, but I really have learned to love the song Mark Lowery wrote called “Mary Did You Know?”  I think the most amazing part about that song is the line which tells Mary the baby she is holding will one day save her.

John 3:16 tells us how God loved and how He gave; but the most important gift He gave is sometimes not seen in the magnitude of love He had to have for us to give that particular gift. God had one Son and He gave that one Son so we might have a relationship with Him.  Would you give your only child?

I will never forget the day we heard that Amy had been killed.  She was a friend of my daughter, Lori, and they were Governor Scholars together at Centre College.  She was killed in a car accident.  Gayle and George lost their only child.  I watched them grieve and I watched them hold onto their faith.

I also watched this family go to the homes of other parents after that happened and share Jesus with them.  They told others who were struggling, “God knows how you feel because He willingly gave His only Son.”  God loves to give and meet our needs and the greatest gift was His Son because when we accept Him we will live in Heaven.  Amy’s parents have the joy of knowing they will be with their daughter again one day!  Hallelujah!

• Do you realize what God’s gift really did to God’s heart?
• Do you think you could give such a gift?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

There are two gifts I hope you will receive from God today: encouragement and hope.  I believe when you see God loves you and is for you, these two things will come easily.

The way God encourages our hearts is a way which leads to eternal encouragement through his love and grace being poured out in our lives.  Therefore, it is of first importance that we have our eyes open to see where this love and grace reside.  Paul gives us a few “road signs” to look for in Philippians 2:1 – the fact we are united with Christ through faith (meaning we have an eternal bond with the loving, self-sacrificing Jesus), common sharing of the Holy Spirit (meaning we have a community all bound in love by God’s Spirit), God’s love (His affection and care), and tenderness and compassion (the internal transforming of our lives to conform to Christ’s image).  There are numerous examples in Scripture, but this should be a good start!

God’s encouragement is eternal and leads us to the second gift mentioned above: hope.  How do we find and maintain such a thing?  By remembering that God Himself is with us and strengthening us every day when we are in relationship with Him.  Throughout Scripture we find God dwelling with His people to support them, encourage them, and spur them on to good works.  Nothing has changed – all those who call God Father through their union with Jesus in faith are indwelt by the Holy Spirit…a constant, living presence of God within us.  What better gift could we have?

• Where do you see God encouraging and strengthening you in your life?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Every spiritual blessing.  Not just some or a few.  Every.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:27 and Luke 10:22 that all things had been given to Him by the Father.  The same is true of any child of God.  But, lest you start fantasizing about where to spend your trillions of dollars, notice the type of blessing that God gives: spiritual.

This is not to say the gift of life, family, or financial security is not a blessing from God.  Many times God rewards our obedience and service to Him, and many times he graciously protects us from the consequences of our or another’s actions.  But the greatest and most predominant blessings of God are spiritual: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Many of these things are unclassifiable in material ways (which is why the world doesn’t seek after them) – but, remember our lesson from the first day’s devotion – the things that are seen are temporary, but the spiritual blessings of God are eternal.

• Are you seeking after material or spiritual blessings?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Identity is the root of Christian life, helping believers grow not only in their own assurance of God’s goodness, but also empowering them to be carriers of His goodness to the darkest places in this world.  The key concept of identity, with God, is familial – He is the creator of everything, but Father to only those who are connected to his son, Jesus, by faith.

The greatest gift we can receive from God, then, is to be called His child.  It is an inclusive gift in as much as the offer to be a child of God is open to all, but it is certainly an exclusive gift because not every person will call on God as Father and live in relation to Him.

• Have you called on God as Father? 
• Do you see him as something different – a cosmic force, an uninterested spiritual being, or even a non-existent myth?
• The great gift of being a child of God is available to you now.  Scripture says that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Will you receive the gift of adoption as a child of God?  What stands in the way?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today’s devotion, please contact Myron.

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Here we find two things we must believe: that God did not spare his own son when it came to the costs for forgiving our sin, and, because of this, His gracious giving of all things is warranted and expected.

It's important we believe the first clause – that Jesus died to forgive and free us from our sin and separation from God, to bring us into communion with Him – before we can expect and thankfully receive the gracious gifts that follow (and just wait until I share a few of those gifts with you in the next few days!)

The overarching characteristic of God that I hope you see from this verse is that He gives!  He gave his only son, and He gives above and beyond that.  It starts with Jesus, and from our connection to Him grows into every aspect of life being transformed by His grace.

• Do you believe that God is a giver? 
• Where in your life have you seen the gift(s) of God displayed?

If you have questions regarding, or would like to discuss, today's devotion, please contact Myron.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

Forgive me for starting this weeks’ worth of devotions on what seems to be a somber note – but my hope is that this verse will bring not only perspective to the value of God’s gifts (our lives included), but context for the devotions that follow.

Remembering that we are mortal helps us in two ways: first, by allowing us to see the momentary aspects of this life to which we often give too great an importance - acquiring wealth, status, or power, to name a few - are temporary and worthless; and, second, by helping us refocus on the things that we often take for granted - friendships, family, etc. - which are most precious.

We are going to spend the next four days looking at the eternal gifts of God (forgiveness, adoption, community…) and so I want each of us to focus our attention on the gifts that last – heeding Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:18...  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

• Are there any temporary things stealing too much of your attention?  

• How can you spend more time focusing on the eternal?