Enjoy the Journey

By Bill Kirk

A one year devotional to encourage your heart and equip your hands for service.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bill Kirk
• Release date: Aug 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201100513

Book preview

Bill Kirk

Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2008 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked (TLB or LB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright

© 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version; public domain.

––––––––

Published by:

Bill Kirk

Clay, New York, USA

In conjunction with:

Old Mountain Press www.OldMountainPress.com

Old Mountain Press eBook Division www.oldmp.com/e-book

Copyright © 2018 Bill Kirk

Interior text designed by: Tom Davis

Cover designed by: Dan Dullen and Gregg Johnson

ISBN: 978-0-692-10438-5

ENJOY THE JOURNEY: a one year devotional to encourage your heart and equip your hands for service

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts used in reviews, no portion of this work may be reproduced or published without expressed written permission from the author or the author’s agent.

First Edition

Printed and bound in the United States of America by Gasch Printing • www.gaschprinting.com • 301.362.0700

10 9 8 7 6

In Dedication ...

... To Laura, my wife of 37 years, who went to heaven on September 22, 2016.

... To Robby (Krista) and Bethany (Rory), who have been encouraging their dad for years to put the following messages in print.

... To Duane Durst, Bob Reeves, Esther Terry, Christine Fischer, Paul Mead, Gregg Johnson and Doug DeMent, who all, in the same few days said, You need to write a book.

... To my brother Bob (Linda), who proof-read every line of every page to help correct my mistakes.

... To Almon Bartholomew, who welcomed me into the New York Ministry Network with open arms after graduating from the University of Valley Forge in 1980.

... To the many friends and leaders who serve God, advance others at the expense of themselves, and have personally invested into my life.

... To my wife Eunhee, who joined me in marriage on December 29, 2017, and has a great desire to see a spiritual awakening in our generation.

... To God most of all, who honors us by allowing us to serve Him and live for what really matters in our earthly journey!

Introduction

n 1963 I suddenly contracted a fever, strep throat, the measles and inflamed joints. After three weeks in Mercy Hospital and being diagnosed with rheumatic fever, my Pentecostal grandparents took me in. For the next two years I sat in a wheelchair and didn’t walk one step. Yet, day after day my praying grandparents taught me the scriptures and poured faith into my heart in Leesburg, Virginia. They put something in me that caused me to believe that the Word can really change the human heart. Then in the summer of 1974, my uncle in Tampa, Florida gave me a gospel tract. Ten days later I read the tract while flying home to Baltimore, Maryland. My heart was instantly arrested and convicted. I prayed the sinner’s prayer, sensed a new-found joy and walked off the airplane a born-again Christian at the age of 19. Two years later I sensed an overwhelming call to ministry and headed to the University of Valley Forge. Ever since graduation I’ve had the privilege of seeing God’s Word change people from the inside out. You just can’t underestimate the life

changing power of the gospel!

While God is always doing new and fresh things among us, there is one thing that never changes. What is it? It is the Word of the Lord! It’s still the Gospel that is our hope and trust and rest! It’s the truth of the Gospel that sets us free! It frees us from ourselves so that, Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:3).

The following 366 messages are expository in nature and God’s wisdom to enjoy the journey. My sole desire in preparing them is for your spiritual health and fruit that remains. My constant prayer is that God will use His truth to encourage, guide and prepare you for service. If you are involved in a public teaching or preaching ministry of any kind, the following calendar notes may be of help to you as you plan ahead:

January highlights many truths that encourage the heart and reveal God’s deep compassion.

February deals with prayer, giving, grace, and the healthy fear of the Lord.

March includes Psalm 23 and the gifts of the Spirit.

April is completely dedicated to the Easter Season and all that surrounds it.

May (for Mother’s Day) covers the praying of Hannah, the praise of Leah, and the courage of Ruth.

June (for Father’s Day) looks at Saul, Jonah, David, Paul and Moses.

July looks closely at Ephesians and the Armor of God.

August has my favorite Summer Psalms series and how your heart can be renewed.

September deals with the Outpourings of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.

October highlights Daniel, 1 Peter, and The Seven Churches in Revelation.

November details many of Jesus’ healings and the Isaiah series.

December celebrates the Christmas themes that speak to us all.

So, blessed reading as God uses His Word to give you strength for the journey, wisdom to make right choices and ammunition for your preaching arsenal! Blessed reading as you take time to feed your spiritual man! Blessed reading as you keep taking in more than you give out! Blessed reading as you faithfully steward the gifts that God has given you! Blessed reading as you trust in His performance and not your own! Blessed reading as you live with nothing to prove and no one to impress! Blessed reading as you live in light of eternity!

Nuf Sed! Bill Kirk

January 1

The God of New Beginnings

"Abram went down to Egypt. (Genesis 12:10). Abram went up from Egypt." (Genesis 13:1).

as there ever been a time when you needed to quit looking back and start looking ahead? Have you ever wondered how God was going to help you move forward? Have you ever needed the Lord to pick you up and help you

to start over again? You are not alone!

Just like Abraham was sidetracked down into Egypt (and came back to Bethel), you too can discover that God is The God of New Beginnings!

When Abraham was in Bethel, he pitched his tent, built his altar and called upon God. When he was distracted (and wasted time) down in Egypt, he temporarily left his tent, altar and intimacy with God. He focused on the famine instead of the faithfulness of God. Abraham lost his peace and began to fret and worry and pretended to be what he was not (Sarah’s brother). He made no spiritual progress in Egypt. Time down in Egypt was simply wasted time!

But, did God cast him away and write him off? Not hardly! So, what about you this New Year’s Day? Have you been trusting in your own plans, wisdom and strength? Have you been a little distracted from God’s plan and leading in your own life? Have you been wondering if God’s grace can help you re-calibrate your direction? Will you consider how God might be drawing you back to Himself? Are you wanting to begin the New Year right? Then remember what Abraham discovered in his journey when he went down into Egypt, but turned around and went back to Bethel. He discovered that:

♦  It’s always too soon to think it’s too late!

♦  When life treats you badly, God still treats you good!

♦  Wherever you are, it doesn’t make God nervous!

♦  Every setback is a set up for a comeback!

What’s the message from the text (Genesis 12:1-13:4)? It’s pretty clear to me: that God is the God of New Beginnings because of the grace of Jesus we have today! So, as you begin the New Year and a new day, why not celebrate what Abraham discovered? Why not rejoice in the fact that God has accepted you in His Beloved Son (Ephesians 1:6)? Why not relax and trust God with the things and people outside of your control? Why not start the year fresh with God because of His great work on your behalf at the cross where Jesus died?

What’s the take-a-way from Abraham’s turnaround?

No one can go back and have a new start; but you can start right now and have a new ending!  Nuf Sed!

January 2

The Day That Worry Died

And they asked each other, ‘who will roll the stone away?’ (Mark 16:3).

o you ever worry and fret over things or people outside of your control, or ever have to catch yourself with distracted thinking? I have two words

for you – you’re normal!

While you may think this text today is an Easter Message, I assure you that it’s a life message! For who is there among us that hasn’t been tempted to fret and stew instead of trust and obey? In fact, what worries consume you in your thinking right now? Our text reveals a weakness in us all, because of sin and human tendencies. Our text is clear and to the point.

Four women are walking towards the tomb where Jesus was buried. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome and Joanna (Luke 24:10). They are walking in the dark (John 20:1) to observe the law of the Sabbath (Luke 23:56). So, sometime after 6 p.m. on Saturday evening (when the Sabbath ended) the women bring spices to anoint the body of Jesus. And, one thing is on their mind; Who is going to roll away the stone from the door? In other words, they are consumed with one agonizing concern – who will lift the rock that we cannot lift ourselves?

These are sensible and practical women. They are not hysterical or deceived. They remember the strong men who placed the huge stone to close the tomb and they see their own limitations! Yet, they continue to walk with the spices in the dark – even though their feelings, emotions and circumstances say You’re wasting your time.

Maybe the enemy of your soul has been whispering to you. Maybe you have been tempted to worry over something (or someone). Maybe you are consumed with your own limitations instead of God’s great ability. Maybe you are churning inwardly or are anxious in spirit. If so, then notice Verse 4, And when they looked, they saw. Wow! The women saw that what they worried about had already been addressed by the Lord. They flat out discovered two things; God had gone before them (ahead of them) in the journey, and God did for them what they could not do for themselves.

Can you imagine what the worrying women said to each other on their way to Galilee?

♦  Can you believe it? We worried all that way for nothing!

♦  Can you imagine that we wasted all that time fretting for nothing?

♦  Can you beat that. Our anticipated trouble was already taken care of by Jesus!

While God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we think He should, and, while there are so many things we do not understand, the message from the worried women is clear:

Worry is accepting responsibility that God never intended for you to carry!  Nuf Sed

January 3

When Chains Fall Off

A light shone in the cell.... and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists (Acts 12:7).

still remember the night that my son Robby sat on the couch and asked me: Dad, why was James killed and yet Peter was released from prison? My weak response was Deuteronomy 29:29; The secret things belong to the Lord. In other words, there are some things that happen to us in this life that

are painful – and on this side of heaven we’ll never know the reason why.

Provoked to study the context of Robby’s question, here’s what surfaced from Peter’s imprisonment.

Painful things can happen to good people in the perfect will of God! (V. 1-4) In other words, Herod imprisons Peter to hold him until after the Passover Feast. Why? To present Peter to the Jews in a public display so Herod’s popularity will rise even more. What about you today? Maybe you’ve experienced an injustice, betrayal, or great pain. Maybe you’ve even asked God why? Maybe your heart is filled with questions. I have two words for you – you’re normal!

Prayer is not the last thing, but the first thing to put in gear. I love this response from the early church! Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him (V. 5). It’s a seemingly impossible request, yet people prayed! Why? Because prayer gets God into focus, prayer is combat against the powers of darkness, and prayer enforces what God intends to bring to pass!

God may not be early, but for sure He’s never late! It’s no secret that we don’t always appreciate God’s timing. The night before (V.6) means the night before Peter is to be put to death. In other words, believers are praying and the deadline is in the morning. The good news is that delay is not denial, and great reward comes to those who refuse to quit in the place of prayer.

When light comes in, chains fall off! So, a light shines into the prison, an angel intervenes and Peter’s chains are broken! (V. 7) Wow! Take this from the story: there is no darkness where God’s light cannot penetrate, no barrier that God cannot cross over and no limit to the power of agreeing prayer! What’s my take-a-way?

♦  The devil can put people into prison, but the devil cannot keep God out of prison! (And)

♦  The only thing that lies outside of the power of prayer is that which lies

outside the will of God! Nuf Sed!

January 4

Peter’s Revealing Question

We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us? (Matthew 19:27).

ave you ever wondered what causes a person to feel cheated or get sour in their service for the Lord? Ever wonder what causes a complaining spirit? Ever wonder what causes someone (not us of course) to resent authority or abruptly quit or claim that life is not fair? Hark, the

revealing question of Peter: Lord, what’s in it for us?

Jesus responds to Peter’s question by giving the parable about the laborers in the vineyard, a parable that teaches us the danger of bargaining with God and beholding other people! It’s an incredible response that protects the heart from ever feeling cheated in following Jesus. It’s truth that frees us from ourselves! Here’s the point:

Peter had seen the rich young ruler walk away from Jesus. Peter had compared his possessions with the rulers. Peter’s attitude became contaminated because he compared himself with another. And, Peter became dissatisfied (instead of grateful) for what Jesus gave him. So why did Peter feel cheated and begin to complain? Because (for a moment) he forgot what he signed up for when he agreed to follow Jesus. Thus, the parable in response and Jesus’ great wisdom speaks to your heart and mine! It’s a word that changes us from the inside out, a reminder that produces great joy and protects us from ever feeling cheated. So here are the lessons that produce a healthy soul:

The root cause of all complaints is when a person feels like they are not getting what they deserve (and the truth of the matter is, we don’t want what we deserve!)

If I’m not content with what I have, I’ll not be content with what I want!

If Calvary is not enough to motivate me where I am, then nothing else will ever be enough where I may go!

God is not impressed with the dimension of my work, but with the spirit in which it is done!

Merchandising is when I empty other people to enrich myself. Ministry is when I empty myself to enrich other people.

A servant (DOULOS) Mark 10:44 and (DIAKONOS) Matthew 23:11 is defined as someone who:

♦  Advances others at the expense of themself,

♦  Cares less who gets the credit,

♦  Doesn’t need to be thanked for their service, and

♦  Takes up their cross without complaint.

(My prayer?)

Lord, help me to be grateful for what I DO have, and never murmur over what I don’t.

Nuf Sed!

January 5

Use it or Lose It

Consider carefully what you hear, he continued. "With the measure you use it will be measured to you - and even more.

Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" (Mark 4:24, 25).

y heart was instantly arrested when I read the words: even more and taken from. These are words from Jesus about growing forward or sliding backwards. And, who doesn’t want to keep growing and become

stronger?

While all of us would admit that we only grow because of the work of grace in the heart, we also would admit that we must cooperate with God in the process. That’s why Jesus said Consider carefully what you hear (V. 24). In other words, there is a relationship between how we hear and how we grow. Or simply, we can bring whatever receptivity we want to the table. And whatever capacity we bring to God, He will fill it up, and in fact, give even more.

Did you hear those words even more? They mean two things:

What you do with what you hear today, determines what can be given to you tomorrow, (and)

If you chose to become stagnant, then more cannot be given to you.

Why is this so important? Because Jesus said, if you stop growing, you risk even losing what you already have. Hence, the words, Even what he has will be taken from him (V. 25).

So if we ever stop listening (and learning) then we stop changing. And, if we stop changing, then we stop growing. And, when we stop growing, we create our own lids and ceilings and end up with wasted potential.

How can we be sure we keep growing? By a continual willingness to be teachable, so that humility gives us access to God and wisdom through other people. Lord, help us to never forget the following:

♦  Only a fool knows everything!

♦  Humility allows us to admit, "we don’t have all the answers."

♦  If we broaden our hearts, God can pour more into them!

♦  God is using us as much as He can, but not all that He could!

And, the take-a-way to remember so we can always be moving forward is:

The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement!

Nuf Sed!

January 6

Against All Odds

Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior....his mother was a prostitute (Judges 11:1).

ephthah was the ninth of the thirteen judges. His life and story are recorded in a book (Judges) that is all about weakness, failure and the grace of God. Why Jephthah? To show us that whoever you are, wherever you’re from and whatever your background may be – God has a plan that supersedes your past.

Just think of the odds that Jephthah was up against!

He was illegitimate (V.1), the son of a harlot. His father (Gilead) was married to a strange woman, a Gentile, a common heathen prostitute.

He was rejected (V. 2) and told he would have no part in his father’s inheritance.

He was isolated (V. 3) and exiled to the land of Tob, a place 15 miles east of Ramoth-Gilead.

So, thus far, here’s what I’m learning. Not everyone enters this life with the best advantages; it’s possible to be ostracized by your own flesh and blood, and we all have choices in responding to our pain.

And, here’s where the story really gets good! While Jephthah is in Tob (A Hebrew word that means good, pleasant, sweet, fair, and beautiful) God is orchestrating a plan all the while. Ammon makes war against Israel, and Israel is in desperate need of a leader. And guess who is invited to lead the battle? That’s right - Jephthah! Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. (V. 29)

So, after 18 years in exile and on hold, Jephthah is asked to help the very ones who had expelled him from the land. And, because of God’s grace and Jephthah’s willingness to forgive, we have a great report to read; He devastated twenty towns (V. 33).

Jephthah is anointed, victorious and even remembered in Hebrews 11:32-34, how "weakness was turned to strength." He shows us that we are not responsible for the heritage we’ve been given, but we are responsible for the one we are leaving! We learn that, at times, God’s work is invisible (18 years on hold in Tob) but God is working even when we cannot see Him! What’s the great take-a-way from Jephthah?

I am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions!

Nuf Sed!

January 7

Therapy from Thessalonica

We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi as you know, but with the help of our God, we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition (I Thessalonians 2:2).

he founding of the church in Thessalonica took place on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-15). Paul ministered there for only a short time and was smuggled out in peril of his very life. Paul sent Timothy to see how things were going and then sent a letter (I Thessalonians) from Corinth

in response to Timothy’s report.  Paul revealed how:

He suffered and was mistreated in Philippi.

He went to Thessalonica anyway.

God helped him to minister in spite of past abuse, insults and opposition.

What leaps off the pages here? The truth that Paul’s painful experience in Philippi could have made him hesitate to minister in Thessalonica. In other words, Paul’s offense could have been his tomb stone instead of his stepping stone. But the gift of forgiveness was medicine to Paul. And, the gift of forgiveness is medicine to you and me as well. So, what enables us to forgive our offenders? Only one thing; understanding that God (in Christ) has forgiven you of every sin when you could not forgive yourself! And, what’s the big deal about this forgiveness choice? Glad you asked:

Forgiveness frees us from living as the victims of other people’s behaviors! It allows us to build more bridges than we burn! Forgiveness protects us from being controlled by what someone else has done and it spares us from carrying around emotional baggage that is exhausting!

In fact, Paul’s forgiveness in our text reveals that past pain doesn’t have to rob you of future opportunities. His forgiveness reveals that past offenses have no authority to make you critical or cynical, past disappointments have no power to keep you from miracles, and past rejections were intended by Satan to sideline you – but intended by God to prepare you.

My take-a-way lesson learned from Paul in Thessalonica is this:

The only power that an offense has in your life is the power that you give it!

Nuf Sed!

January 8

Medicine from Martha

Lord... if you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21).

y heart is finding it difficult to move on from yesterday’s message; I believe (and feel) that there is so much more to this subject of offense, forgiveness and a healthy soul. So here we go; it’s wisdom from the Lord who

knows us all so well.

Why is this so important? Because whenever change is necessary, not to change is destructive. And, if bitterness ever takes root in the heart, it has the ability to poison everything else. Poison produces a toxic spirit that defiles and stains everyone it touches. So here’s the point of our text:

Martha says (and God has recorded it) three things that are revealing:

♦  Jesus, if you would have arrived on time... (V. 21)

♦  Jesus, I know about Lazarus and the future resurrection. (V. 24)

♦  Jesus, he already stinks because it’s been four days. (V. 39)

Why is Martha expressing her disappointment in Jesus? For two reasons. First, she knew that she had sent the message early enough to Jesus, and secondly, Jesus didn’t drop what He was doing and come to the rescue when she thought He should.

In other words, Martha has to choose how she will deal with an unfulfilled expectation and disappointment. Martha (as well as you and me) face the same dilemma in life. We look for the ideal, then when reality hits in a broken world, we have to process life with imperfect people.

And, Martha’s context leads me to great truth that is medicine and health to the soul:

Disappointment is something that, if not dealt with properly, will always degenerate into nursing a grudge and keep you living in the past.

So, let’s ask God to wash us, cleanse us, and allow His grace to help us live offense free! Why not ask God to imprint this take-a-way on all of our hearts:

To the degree that I blame someone else for what’s inside of me, to that same degree I cannot be changed and will not be healed!

Nuf Sed!

January 9

Offended at the Offering

Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? (John 12:5).

he past two days we’ve looked at how Paul moved on from his pain in Philippi and how Martha needed to move on from her unfulfilled expectation. I’m trying to move to a new subject...yet praying the Lord will (again) use His Word to move us forward. The words of Judas in your Bible

are so revealing:

The Scriptures tell us that Judas betrayed his loyalty to Jesus. Why? Because Judas was offended and refused to move beyond it. Why was Judas offended? Because he disagreed with a decision Jesus made over the pound of spikenard that Mary poured on Jesus’ feet. Judas said it was a waste of money and took issue with Jesus. Jesus told Judas to leave Mary alone. And, Judas became offended with Jesus over the spikenard of Mary. Judas was trapped (deceived) by satan when he disagreed with Jesus. Judas just couldn’t handle not getting his own way and satan found an open door. And, instead of letting go of the disagreement and moving on, Judas took offense, became toxic and was filled with negative emotions.

This Holy Spirit account in Scripture begs the questions; how do I respond when someone disagrees with me? How do I process it when I don’t get my own way? How long does it take to get over our feelings being hurt? In Hebrews 12:15, the author writes, that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble. The Greek word for trouble is ENOCHLEO. It’s a word that means to be annoyed, harassed and emotionally agitated by negative thoughts about someone that follows you around wherever you go. This is a picture of Judas. So what’s the remedy? It’s found in the grace of God (on the cross of Jesus) where everything you need to live is found. And by God’s grace, the following principle truths have helped me continually, as together we all die to our flesh daily. Let’s call them the "Seven Victory Take-a-

Ways" to live free from bitterness and enjoy the journey:

No provocation ever justifies an un-Christian response!

A bad attitude makes a person a prisoner of their own experience!

Unforgiveness is the poison we drink while we wait for the other person to die!

Resentment is allowing someone you despise to live rent-free in the house of your mind!

If there is someone you have not forgiven, they own you!

If you’re in pursuit of vengeance, be sure to dig two graves.

The only part of me that can be offended is that part of me which has not

died to self!

Nuf Sed!

January 10

Freedom in Forgiving

A man ‘s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11).

he past three days we’ve made some discoveries; discoveries that teach and reinforce the following truth to enjoy the journey in a broken world:

Living with hurt feelings will never motivate us to make right decisions!

An enemy in the heart is worse than ten thousand in the field!

We dare not (by God’s grace) let the wrong choices of others determine who we become!

Why is this subject so important? Because, we can make excuses, or we can make progress, but we cannot make both! In other words, I must come to grips with the truth, that I am responsible. I’m not responsible for what someone else does, but responsible for my response to them. Or, it’s okay to be injured but it’s not okay to live injured. And, the only way to live offense free in the heart – in a world full (100% of us) of imperfect people – is to look to Jesus.

What is forgiveness? It’s the cancellation of a debt as if it never existed! How can we be good forgivers? By comprehending what Jesus has done in forgiving us when we could not forgive ourselves. Remember:

♦  Forgiveness is a command, not an option!

♦  Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling!

♦  Forgiveness is for my benefit, not the benefit of my offender!

The good news is, you are never any more like Jesus than when you are in the process of forgiving someone, because Jesus is always in the process of forgiving us! And, to forgive another is to release them from being in debt to you. It means we entrust justice to God instead of seeking it ourselves. Someone once said; when you release a wrongdoer from the wrong against you, you cut a malignant tumor out of your own life. Lord, help us to release the right to get even instead of seeking to get even ourselves. Lord, help us (by your grace) to remember that reliving the negative keeps us stuck where we are, and the pain of letting go of our offenses is less than the pain of carrying them around.

My non-negotiable, never forget, always keep in mind take-a-way is this:

No pain of our past ever justifies misbehavior in the present!

Nuf Sed!

January 11

Caves, Chains and Cemeteries

When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him (Mark 5:2).

n the front side of this miracle (Mark 4:35-41) Jesus calms a storm. On the back side (Ch. 5:21) Jesus heals a woman with a 12-year chronic illness. In other words, Jesus can control what frightens us in the material world (wind and waves) and Jesus can control what afflicts us in the physical world (illness and ailments). But in our text, Jesus shows us that He can control what’s inside of us (the spiritual world). And, the grace of God pours

out of this passage and reminds you and me:

I.  Wherever I Am – It Doesn’t Make God Nervous (V. 1-5)

I love how Jesus highlights this one man’s journey to health and wholeness.

Notice this man’s condition:

♦  He was fighting strong chains of sin (angry, wild and out of control).

♦  He was preoccupied with death (living outside of town in a cemetery tomb).

♦  He was habitually disappointed (no one could cure him and rehab wasn’t

working).

♦  He was continually restless (always crying day and night).

♦  He was hurting himself (cutting himself with stones – to cover up his cry for help).

So, what are you involved in that’s hurting you and those who love you?

II. Wherever I Am – God Is Personally Speaking (V. 6-10)

In V. 9, Jesus said, What is your name? Didn’t Jesus know his name? Of course He did! In the Bible name stands for nature. So the man is being asked to confess the nature of his sin that’s enslaving him. In other words, I cannot change what I do not confront. And what I do not confront will continue to control.

III. Wherever I Am – God’s Power Breaks Every Chain (V. 11-13)

My name is legion (V. 9), refers to thousands in number. So the man is saying, I have many issues, many battles, many struggles, many temptations. Yet, Jesus speaks and frees the man by the power of His word. So, it’s not how strong (or weak) you are – it’s how strong God is to overcome your weaknesses.

IV. Wherever I am – God Has A Plan For Your Future! (V. 14-17)

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you (V. 19).

This guy is sent to Decapolis – the ten cities near the Jordan. Ten Greek towns with Greek gods and temples. Why? To tell his story of what God can

do and to be the first seed of a mighty harvest.

So friend, it’s not about your past, your background or your history! It’s about your future that God has in store (planned) for you! My take-a-way? Every set-back is a set-up for a come-back!

Nuf Sed!

January 12

He Knows

He called down famine on the land...and he sent a man before them – Joseph, sold as a slave (Psalm 105:16, 17).

ho was behind it all in Joseph’s life? It’s pretty clear. It was God who called for the famine in the land of Canaan. (V. 16), who directed Joseph

to be sold as a slave. (V. 17) and who allowed Joseph to be tied in the shackles and iron (V. 18).

What About You?

Maybe you (like Joseph) are in an environment that has less than ideal circumstances, have had your plans put "on hold or detoured" in your schedule, have experienced pain or disappointment in the will of God and are learning to wait upon the Lord for answers to prayer.

One thing is for sure; God wants us to remember Joseph and allow what we see to strengthen our own hearts. Remember God’s marvelous works that He has done (V. 5). What is the wisdom that God wants us to always keep in mind about Joseph?

Remember: God knows ahead of time what you don’t need to know! He sent a man before them (V. 17). Joseph has a dream how God will use him, but Joseph doesn’t have a clue about the famine in Canaan and the pain ahead; the family betrayal, the boss’s wife lying, forgotten for two years in prison, and 13 years on hold. Yet, God knew it all – and He knows about your tomorrows as well.

Remember: God knows what you can handle so you need not be afraid! They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons (v. 18). Wow! Bound and chained after being betrayed and forgotten. Did Joseph crack up! No, in fact, he served those in prison with him. He teaches us that the Lord knows what you can handle.

Remember: God knows how long you need to be where you are! Till what he foretold came to pass (V. 19). To Joseph, God seems to be tardy and lost the whereabouts of Joseph. It’s the patience test for Joseph. It’s God telling you and me that He is in control of time and you are not forgotten.

Remember: God knows that your inward character is more important than your outward comfort! The Lord proved him true (V. 19b). It’s a clear lesson – that what happens in you is more important than what happens to you. In other words, there’s value in the climb and there’s value in the struggle!

Remember: God knows how to open doors that no one else can open! The king sent and released him (V. 20). So, God motivates the powerful monarch to bring a total stranger out of prison. Know why? To show clearly that:

♦  God is in control when you think man is in control! (And)

♦  God knows where you are, when nobody else knows where you are!

Nuf Sed!

January 13

Peter’s Third Encounter

Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch (Luke 5:4).

eter’s encounter with Jesus here is the third out of seven. The first time (in John 1:42) Jesus calls Peter a rock (or stable person). Jesus was giving Peter a new self-concept and letting him know that He will use him with all of his weaknesses and imperfections. The second call comes in Mark 1:16 when Jesus tells Peter to follow Him and become a fisher of men. The third encounter is in our text, a few months later where Peter has returned to his old habits. Peter has leveled off, cooled off, and gotten off track from the mission. He reveals to us that the tendency of fire is to go out! And Jesus

catches Peter off guard.

Launch out Peter and go back out to fish (V. 4). Peter’s response? Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything (V. 5). In other words; Peter is tired, exhausted, disappointed and knows the best time to catch fish is over. He just doesn’t feel it and maybe you don’t either! Yet, Peter obeys and Jesus fills the net in response to Peter’s flexibility and obedience. So why does Jesus perform this miracle and what’s the message to you and me? It’s wisdom for us all to remember:

To show Peter (and us) that if he lives to catch fish (people) Jesus will take care of him! Peter’s boat was filled to provide the funds to continue on. It’s a great lesson for us all – that if we give God what He wants, He will give us what we need!

To show us that our past disappointments do not determine our future opportunities! Peter had to leave his past unfulfilled expectations behind. So many people crucify themselves between two thieves – the regrets of the past and the worries of tomorrow. What about you? Is there a past experience you need to let go of so you can move forward to future opportunities?

To show us that Ecclesiastes 11:4 is true; If you wait for the perfect conditions, you will never get anything done! (TLB). Peter goes back out to fish at the worst possible time to catch fish. Are you waiting for perfect conditions to do what God is calling you to do? Remember: no risk, no reward!

To show us that we must never come to a place where the element of faith is not needed! It seems foolish to cast the net just a few feet on the other side of the boat. Peter is that close to a miracle and has to make a choice; obey in faith or be stubborn and let his ego get in the way. So what’s the take-a-way from Peter’s third encounter?

♦  It’s not the level of your faith, it’s the object of your faith (Jesus!)

♦  Humility gives us access to God and wisdom from other people!

♦  Our progress in God will go no further than our obedience takes us!

Nuf Sed!

January 14

Redeeming Second Choices

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to (Acts 16:7).

ave you ever had your plans changed by God’s plan? You’re in good company!

In our text, Paul is longing to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He has a plan, a burden, and one thing on his mind; How wonderful that I’m going to Bithynia to plant a church and reach the lost. And, while Paul is heading full speed toward Bithynia, he experiences a closed door. It’s a closing and unfulfilled expectation that presents Paul with a choice; will I stew in my own juice or trust God with the second choice? And God gives us "Troas Wisdom" that pours from the text.

1.  Troas Reveals The Health Of Humility

What does Paul do when his first choice is ruined and his plan is thwarted? He doesn’t become offended or resist. Instead, he humbles himself before God and allows God’s grace to go deeper into his heart. Paul refuses to live in the world of if only.

2.  Troas Reveals The Power Of Faith

I love the fact that Paul doesn’t allow Troas to wreck his faith in the sovereignty of God. I love how Paul believes that God’s will is unfolding and His purpose is good. I love how Paul’s faith produces a good attitude and doesn’t feel sorry for itself! In fact, Paul’s faith understands that God may close a door for one of two reasons: to protect you from things you do not know, or, to open a greater door you cannot see.

3.  Troas Reveals The Importance Of Patience

So, Paul wants to be in Bithynia, is stuck in Troas and has to wait for further instruction. He doesn’t push and shove or pout and run ahead - he just waits. And while he waits, he receives the Macedonia call (V. 9) that leads to an incredible (fruitful) ministry. What he thought was an inferior place was the very place that God would get his attention.

4.  Troas Reveals The Reward Of Obedience

When Paul sees the vision and hears the call, he Immediately endeavors to head to Philippi, the chief city in Macedonia (V. 10). The result? Lydia (from the upper class) gets saved (V. 14,15), the slave girl (from the lower class) gets saved (V. 16), and the jailor (from the middle class) gets saved (V. 19). In other words, our progress in God will go no further than our obedience takes us! So, what’s the take-a-way from Troas?

♦  Wishing you were somewhere else will waste the season where you are!

♦  When you cannot trace God’s hand, you can always trust His heart!

♦  If we knew what God knew, we wouldn’t resent what God does!

Nuf Sed!

January 15

Getting up When You Fall Down

This is what the Lord says, ‘When men fall down, do they not get up? (Jeremiah 8:4).

s that a great question or what? It’s a great question in a universal context because all of us have sinned, no one is perfect and everybody falls down.

So, here’s the setting:

Israel has backslidden, gone off course, grieved God’s holiness and spiritually drifted. And the Lord says, When people fall down, don’t they get up again? In other words:

♦  While we contemplate our regrets – God contemplates our recovery!

♦  While we focus on our weaknesses – God focuses on our potential!

♦  While we remind God of our past – God is already planning our future!

♦  Thomas Edison had 10,000 failures before he created the incandescent light bulb.

♦  Walt Disney was fired from his first newspaper job. The reason? Not

enough creativity!

♦  R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in Manhattan, NY caught on.

There are three questions in Jeremiah 8 for anyone who wants to rebound:

Why then have these people turned away? (V.5).

God makes an appeal here (to Israel and all of us) to humble ourselves and receive correction. It’s God’s way for us to grow and make progress. It’s a warning to save us much self-inflicted pain. Why are these warnings so important? Because:

The more that I resist the calling voice of God, the harder it becomes to hear that voice again! And, the longer I stay where I do not belong, the harder it becomes to exit that place!

No one repents of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ (V.6). Here God makes an appeal to repentance (which allows us to be changed and restored to intimacy with God). And, Godly sorrow is the sorrow I feel for how my sin has grieved God’s holiness. So why is repentance so important? Because the more that I mourn over my sin, the more that sin loses its power to govern my life!

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? (V. 22).

So, the Holy Spirit works humility in our hearts, which leads to repentance, which results in health and wholeness. Gilead is a mountain filled with balsam trees. Balsam trees produce a gum or sap that is used for medicinal purposes. So God (in Jesus) is acquainted with our diseases and is skilled in applying the remedy. In other words, God has ordained it that you come His way – so you can get up when you fall down. My take-a-way?

Failure is not final and God has your rebound in store today!

Nuf Sed!

January 16

Seven Strikes and You’re out – of Prison

It’s hard to believe how Joseph could save the nation in famine and spare his brothers who planned his demise. Just think about his trouble:

He was betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37:4,18).

He was enslaved by the Ishmaelites (V. 28).

He was tempted by the devil (V. 7).

He was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife (17-19).

He was imprisoned by Potiphar (20-21).

He was forgotten by the butler (40:14,15, 23).

He was ignored by Pharaoh (41:2).

o, how do you keep from cracking up when you’re purchased, sold, ignored, forgotten, lied about and put on hold? What protects you from

giving in to self-pity and bad memories?

The LORD was with Joseph. (39:21, KJV) And, the Lord is with you! In fact, when you do well and suffer for it, I Peter 2:19-25 says, God is well pleased with your obedience; the same mistreatment happened to Jesus and it’s part of the cross life for those who serve the Lord. In fact, the Lord’s presence was so real in Joseph’s life that he Served the prisoners in the ward (40:4). What’s that teach us? It’s unmistakable to me - it’s just so clear; when people treat you badly, God still treats you good! It’s always too soon to think it’s too late! And, your present field may be limited (he’s in prison) but you are not limited by your field!

Below are four truths that affect me inwardly (over and over) when I meditate upon them. I trust they will become a part of your memory to help in time of need:

♦  "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and He shall

save thee" (Proverbs 20:22, KJV).

♦  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression (Proverbs 19:11, KJV).

♦  "Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for vengeance

is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19, KJV).

♦  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work (Proverbs 24:29, KJV).

So, what’s my take-a-way from Joseph’s story?

Jesus didn’t suffer so that Christians wouldn’t have to, He suffered to show us how to go through it!

Nuf Sed!

January 17

The Father’s Kiss

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

love to see my kids when they come home! I love to hug them, embrace them and kiss them when they walk through the door. Why? Because

parents just flat out love their children!

In Luke 15, a father is waiting for his son. The son has journeyed to a far country because he was impatient and wanted instant gratification, or his portion of the estate right now. He was independent and wanted to be free from his father’s control and he was indulgent, he wasted his substance on wild living (a true party animal).

What does the son experience away from his loving father? He spends all that he has, ends up in a pigpen and hits rock bottom. He experiences two noticeable things, he is deceived, thinking that something apart from God can satisfy his thirst and he is enslaved, since what he wanted now controls his life.

And notice this; the father never chased down the son and begged him to come home. Why? Because until we are in touch with the pain that our sin has caused, we are destined to repeat it!

So what does the father do when the prodigal son returns home? He sees him, has compassion, runs to meet him and kisses him! What’s the discovery here? That God is more willing to forgive than we are to ask Him! So much so, that the father gives four things to the returning son.

The robe, which signifies the release from all condemnation and the gift of the righteousness of Jesus, the ring, which is a mark of dignity and value, the shoes, which mean to be restored to liberty and the calf, which was sacrificed at public feasts on occasions of great joy.

What’s the big deal about the father’s kiss? The big deal is, according to Deuteronomy 21:18-21, the rebellious son should have been stoned to death. And, this is all a picture of Jesus and His great love for you and me. And, what does God’s mercy reveal in the story? Glad you asked and here’s my take-a- way: The Four Things God Doesn’t Know:

♦  God doesn’t know of any sinner that He does not love!

? God doesn’t know of any sin that He cannot forgive.

♦  God doesn’t know of any other way to be forgiven except through the cross of Christ.

♦  God doesn’t know of any better time to be forgiven than right now.

Nuf Sed

January 18

Avoiding Lost Potential

"Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it" (Psalm 141:5, NLT).

avid writes this Psalm and is filled with all kinds of emotions. He says things like: Please hurry up Lord (V. 1), Accept my prayer Lord (V.

2)  , Take control of my speech Lord (V. 3), Don’t let me drift toward evil (V. 4). But in V. 5, David makes an incredible request.

If someone corrects me Lord, don’t let me refuse it, for it will be like soothing medicine.

How’s that for a prayer request? "Lord, don’t let me refuse it when someone corrects me for my good." I think David prays this (and God records it) because we all have blind spots, none of us can see the whole picture; nobody is an island to themself, and, David doesn’t want to waste his God-given potential.

So what causes us to resist and resent correction? What causes us to despise those who rebuke us? What leads us to pull back from those who could be offering medicine to our souls? What could rob us from our future potential? The bottom line answer is pride, as opposed to humility.

All of us are prone to reject correction and accountability. Know why?

Because:

♦  Fragile egos can’t handle it!

♦  Primadonna types won’t tolerate it! (And)

♦  The flesh would rather feel good and look good instead of be good and be changed!

In fact, just think of how much potential has been wasted because of pride within our hearts.

Remember the word below, and together let’s avoid lost potential:

♦  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction, but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored. (Proverbs 13:18, KJV)

♦  He that hateth reproof is brutish. (Proverbs 12:1, KJV)

♦  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul, but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. (Proverbs 15:32, KJV)

♦  "Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy

latter end." (Proverbs 19:20, KJV)

My take-a-ways to enjoy the journey?

♦  When I bury my ego, I can welcome correction! (And)

♦  Growth is destroyed when we resent those who correct us!

Nuf Sed!

January 19

When Your Vision Becomes Obscured

"And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared...all hope that we should be saved