1 Minute Daily Devotion-January

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The Prince of Peace?

"'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.'" - Matthew 10:34

Many Christians are a bit unsettled when they learn that Christ - the Prince of Peace - proclaimed that He would bring division in this world. What did he mean by "division" and how does this reconcile with His mission on earth? Understand this: The reason Christ brings division is because He has invaded enemy territory. When Christ left His throne in heaven and came to the earth to be the Savior for mankind, Christ invaded the enemy territory of the evil one, who has so many of the world in captivity. And the fact is slave owners do not willingly give up their slaves. Think of the response of the Egyptians when Moses said, "Let my people go!" The Egyptians resisted mightily; they didn't want to lose all that free labor. Think about the Old South. Do you think many of our forefathers were eager to let the slaves go? No! It was all about money, pride, and arrogance. And look at what’s happening today in Sudan. Do you think the Moslems there are eager to free their Christian slaves?

Well, it's the same with the devil. When he has a person enslaved to sin, he fights like the dickens when someone tries to free that person from his captivity. That's exactly why Christ came; to save those in captivity and to confront the evil one who enslaves people to sin. And that battle creates division - a division that is a natural byproduct in the war for your soul.

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Actually, Money Can Buy Happiness

"If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother." - Deuteronomy 15:7

Here's an interesting newspaper article I recently read. A research team at Harvard Business School has found that spending as little as five dollars a day on others will significantly boost your own personal happiness. A psychologist heading the study said, "We wanted to test the theory that how people spend their money is at least as important as how much money they earned." So they had their subjects make a list of income as well as detailed expenditures, especially donations to charity and gifts to others. Then they rated their levels of happiness and there you have it - the more you spend on others the happier you'll be.

I'm not sure how much this study cost, but I think we could have saved them a whole bunch of money. In God's Word, Jesus has already said, "It's a lot more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) Giving to God - giving to others - is a sure-fired way to a happier, more fulfilling life.

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More Than Life Itself

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;" - Matthew 10:37

If Jesus has every made a scary statement, one that causes me to examine my heart to its very core, it has to be Matthew 10:37. Read the scripture referenced above again. Now that is a stunning statement, one that challenges me to fully comprehend. That is because I love my wife. I love my children. I love my grandchildren and parents and siblings. I even love my in-laws. Because of my deep love for my family, Jesus' statement makes me very uncomfortable. In fact, it terrifies me.

Similar to God's statement to Abraham, Jesus is saying that when it comes to our family members, Christ must be in first place, or else He will be in no place at all when it comes to our lives. As hard as that is to take in, Christ wants to make it clear that if we want to follow Christ, He must be first. The fact is that if we love anyone (or anything) more than Jesus, we are not worthy of Him. And if that's not tough enough, He goes on and says that we must love Him more than we love our own life itself. Jesus sets up high expectations for His followers. Am I willing to meet His expectations? I am, as tough as it is.

How about you?

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Strength for the Day

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

We have all considered whether we would be willing to suffer for, even die for, Jesus. For me though, being willing was not the tough question. My fearful question is: would I actually be able to? I always find hope in the fact that God promised that He would always be with us. When we come to Christ, He fills us with His Spirit, and that Spirit of the Lord will be sufficient in the day of the crisis. He does not give us strength for tomorrow's crisis today. He gives us strength for the crisis when the crisis time comes.

It's understandable that each of us would gulp and say, "I hope I am willing," and then wonder deep inside if we really would be. Well, I want you to know, as cowardly, weak, and selfish as I am, I know I could not do that on my own strength. But I'm going to trust that the power of the Holy Spirit will give me strength in that moment of crisis - strength that I just can't imagine having today.

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Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?

"For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills." - Psalm 73:3-5

I had lunch with a man who mentioned that something was really bugging him. "I really don't have a problem with the fact that sometimes bad things happen to good people. I understand that God gives man free will and that sometimes those choices - even good ones - have bad results. I'm actually OK with that."

"Then what is bugging you?" I asked.

"Well, I don't understand why good things happen to bad people. Why do criminals get away with crimes? Why do corrupt politicians have their sins exposed and yet see their popularity soar?" I was about to impart some brilliant theology when he gave me my opening. "And why is it that an atheist famous for calling Christians a bunch of losers is allowed to accumulate fame and wealth beyond imagination? Why has he been so blessed?"

"Well, let's see," I began. "You say this man is an atheist?" He nodded. "And, if I'm not mistaken, the fellow you are talking about has had several marriages break up?" Again he nodded. "So here is a man with a miserable family life and - unless he changes his views on Jesus Christ - will never see heaven. And you call him blessed?" I continued. "Let me ask you something. Despite his fame and riches, would you trade places with this man?"

"No way. Not even for a second," he replied.

Would you?

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To Cleave

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24

The eight-year-old girl was cuddled on the sofa with her parents, munching on a big bowl of popcorn and watching the video of their wedding. She found the whole process fascinating! She contributed her own play-by-play analysis during the "show," pelting her parents with observations and questions. Her unique perspective was particularly displayed during the exchange of vows. When the preacher asked "Will you take this man for richer or poorer?" the little girl looked up at her mom and commented, "So, I guess you chose 'poorer,' huh?"

Contrary to the thoughts and practices of many people today, the wedding vows really aren't multiple choice questions. The vows are actually a description of the commitment God expects us to make when we join with our mate. The King James translation uses the word cleave. What a wonderful term to describe this commitment! Cleave forms a picture of being bonded together, being so tight that nothing can separate the relationship. And that is why many wedding ceremonies go into such detail describing the inseparability of a God-made marriage. Through those vows, we commit to always cleave, and promise to stick together no matter what the challenge, in a manner and for a union that was designed by God Himself.

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Your Secret Time

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:6

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus advises us to spend quiet time with God each day. In fact, He not only suggests that this time be private, He actually uses the word "secret!"

Some people take this verse so literally that they say you should never pray in public, but that's not what Jesus is talking about. He's talking about the spirit of prayer. He's talking about having time alone to pray to God, and not be showy about it.

Why does Jesus place such emphasis on this? Why is it so important? It's important because Christianity is a relationship. And in any meaningful relationship we need time with the other person, to talk and to listen, to communicate, to share our lives together.

Make it your daily priority to have a quiet time with God. These precious moments alone with your Heavenly Father are your opportunity to grow your relationship with your best friend.

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Just How Big Was That Cross?

"...and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." - 1 Peter 2:4

We Christians have a pretty good track record of condemning sins, particularly those in which we are not currently participating. But, condemnation is not our real mission. In fact, God demands that we embrace the spirit of Jesus. While we are to hate sin, we are to love the sinner.

Anyone who is a sinner (which includes all of us) can take great comfort in this fact: the gospel clearly states that Christ paid the penalty for your sins. Anyone who confesses and repents of their sins will receive forgiveness and salvation. Recognize that Christ did not die just for certain sins, or "little" sins, as we sometimes like to say, but for all sins. Never fear that your life has been so sinful or that your sins are so very horrid that you are beyond the power of the cross. And certainly, never declare that other people are so sinful that they are beyond forgiveness. The cross of Jesus Christ is stronger than any sin!

Yes, we Christians must take a firm stand against sin. But we completely fail in our duties if we do not pair this condemnation with the proclamation that the cross of Christ is big enough to forgive any sin.

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Why God Hates Divorce

"I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel..." - Malachi 2:16a

God could not be clearer, He hates divorce. Scripture actually lists four specific reasons why He feels this way.
1. First, He observes that divorce so often springs from adultery - a complete violation of the marital bonds.
2. Secondly, He notes that divorce is sometimes the result of a man who deals treacherously with the wife of his youth - in other words, he casually trades her in for a newer model.
3. God hates divorce because it treats the sacred institution with contempt, as the couple disregards the covenant commitment they made before God.
4. But perhaps God's greatest reason for hating divorce is because of the harm it brings to children. The Scripture refers to "Godly offspring," and how difficult it is to have Godly offspring with the children of divorce. Why is this? Because these children have seen the most sacred human relationship trivialized and destroyed. They have been disillusioned. And what do children do when they are disillusioned? They become confused and angry, and they often blame God; even worse, they blame themselves.

Human nature tends to turn against God, rebel against God, and blame God for the sinfulness of man. The best way to have Godly offspring is to have Godly parents who believe it is worth the time and effort it will take to save their marriages.

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Are You Sure That's What It Says in the Bible?

"'You will not surely die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'" - Genesis 3:4

There are a lot of religious fanatics out there spouting strange doctrine. At first, they may actually sound reasonable, because they quote from the Bible. But the problem is, these false prophets will take a verse out of context and base their whole theology around it. While this is often done unintentionally, there are some that will twist a few words on purpose, resulting in an interpretation bearing no resemblance, whatsoever, to God's actual message.

This is an effective technique that the devil has mastered well. Think about the consequences for mankind when the devil twisted God's words in the Garden of Eden! And remember how Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the beginning of His ministry? He twisted the word of God just a little bit, making it seem that He was saying the exact opposite of the actual meaning.

How can you defend this prostitution of God's word? Always study Scripture in light of Scripture. Study the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. Study the Gospels in light of the Epistles, so that you can have the theological and doctrinal understanding of the life of Christ, why He came, what He's all about. You want to study a verse in the context of the chapter, and in the context of the book. The more you study the Bible, the easier it will be to defend yourself from false - or ignorant - prophets.

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Warts and All

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

Historians, gossip magazines, and the media are now beginning to highlight Martin Luther King's many flaws, weaknesses, and sins. And you know what? I'm glad.

Children read history that describes many of our heroes as perfect idols. Washington and the cherry tree. Lincoln freeing the slaves. Roosevelt ending the Depression. No flaws. And then our young people contemplate their role in our society and think, "I have so many weaknesses, so many flaws. I could never have a life of impact for good."

Wrong message. All the great figures in our history had flaws, weaknesses, and handicaps. And yes, even Martin Luther King had some deep flaws and committed many sins. And for these, we hope he dealt with God. But despite those sins, despite his weaknesses, King led a peaceful social revolution that brought dramatic, desperately needed change to our world.

One of the great things about the bible is, it is so honest about the heroes of the faith - Noah getting drunk, Abraham and Sarah not waiting on God to have His promised child, Jacob's lies, David's adultery - yet all these men were used by God in an incredible way.

All of us have weaknesses. All of us are guilty of sin we regret, yet God's grace is available to all, when we seek His forgiveness in Christ. God can use any life for good, no matter how flawed, if we trust in the only One who had no flaws - His Son, Jesus Christ.

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Good From Evil

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

Could there possibly be a more vivid example of evil than Adolph Hitler and his effort to exterminate the Jews? Yet, God was able to bring good from Hitler's horrific evil. Because of the world's reaction to this horror, the nation of Israel was reborn after not existing for almost 2,000 years. Once again, the Jews had the permanent homeland God had promised their forefathers thousands of years before.

But, there is actually an even greater example of God taking evil and using it as a means of great good. That would be the story of the cross. Each one of us, because of our sinful nature, is responsible for murdering the innocent Son of God. This was truly the most evil act in all history. Yet, God took our evil and turned it into the greatest act of good. He did this by offering us salvation and forgiveness of sin. He used this great evil to offer us a relationship, a oneness, and a reconciliation with Himself.

The cross gives us hope that no matter what evil we have done, or what evil others have done to us, God has the ability to turn evil into good and to accomplish His intended purposes

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Statistics 101

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." - John 10:10

How are you at statistical analysis? If you are like me, you may not be very good. But I have a copy of the results of a survey done by LifeWay Research. They polled 1402 unchurched adults (defined as people not going to church in the last six months) and found some interesting responses. What conclusions do you draw from these responses?

71% think believing in Jesus makes a positive difference in a person's life.
72% believe that God actually exists.
72% say the church is full of hypocrites.
78% say, I would be willing to listen to somebody tell me about Christianity.
79% say Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving people.
86% say I believe I can have a good relationship with God without belonging to a church.

Arthur Farnsley, administrator of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion interprets it this way, "Is there a workshop for churches in being less annoying, less hypocritical?"

Key thought: If Jesus is so attractive to the majority of the unchurched, how can the church become more and more like Jesus?

Hint = It begins with you and me.