Devotional for Monday March 2nd

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Confidence”
Our Bible verse for today: “For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth.” Psalm 71:5 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Be confident in God.”
How confident are you, and in who or what does your confidence lie? Some people are very self-confident. In fact, they’re so confident in their own skills and abilities that they become over-confident, to the point of being cocky about it. God has a word for such people, it’s found in Proverbs 16:18 and it reads like this: “Pride comes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
On the other end of the spectrum are those who are deeply insecure and lack confidence altogether. God has a word for them too. We find it in Isaiah 41: 10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you: I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”
That’s what the Psalmist was talking about in Psalm 71. Verse five is merely a snippet of the profound truth he expresses for twenty-four verses – his faith and confidence is in God not in himself. He had learned from his earliest days as a child that as long as he was walking closely with God, it was neither his own strengths nor his weaknesses that mattered. God was his strength, his guide and his protector. Therefore his confidence was in what God could do, not in what he could do. 
If you see yourself as a muscle-bound Charles Atlas, capable of handling everything and holding up the world, you’re deceived and headed for a fall. If you see yourself as a meek and mild, sniveling and cowering Casper Milquetoast, capable of nothing and afraid of everything, you too have lost sight of what’s true. Walk closely with God, rely on His strength and on His ability and your confidence will be in Him, not in yourself.
All this month we will explore the theme of confidence – what it is and where we get it. I look forward to learning and growing with you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Saturday February 28th and Sunday March 1st

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Success”

Our Bible verse for today: “You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

Our thought for today: “Real success is fulfilling God’s purpose for you.”
Today we conclude two months of devotional thinking about living a healthy and balanced life, and what it means to be successful according to God’s standards. It has all been about simply being the best “you” you can be. The goal is not to be perfect, nor is it to become like anyone else. Each of us is to be so in synch with God that it is His good and perfect plan that is being fulfilled in our lives.
In 1 Peter 2:9 Peter tells us, the people of God, that we are a chosen people. God has selected us to be His priests, His ministers, a holy nation. And the reason He has done so is so that we can show others the goodness, the greatness, of God. In other words, the world around us is to learn about God by listening to and observing us.
This is when we are at our best. When the light of Jesus shines through us; when the goodness and grace and mercy and compassion of God is evident to the world through the words and actions of the people of God; then God is glorified and we have fulfilled our true purpose.
What does this mean for you as an individual? Let me say it again, “Just be the best “you” you can be. Take care of yourself. Stay as healthy as you can for as long as you can. Discover your uniqueness. Seek out and develop the gifts, skills and abilities that God has given you, and then spend your life using them to bless others and to honor Him. Be intentional about your spiritual growth. By means of prayer and Bible study, service and fellowship, place yourself in a position before God everyday whereby He can mold you and shape you into the person He wants you to be.
Forget the lies of the world regarding money and possessions, accolades and status. Real success means fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. If you’re still a little confused about what that might be, or if you would just like to explore it a little more fully, I invite you to join us at Oak Hill Baptist Church on Sunday evenings at 6:00 beginning Sunday March 22nd. As a group we will spend six weeks studying “What in the World Am I Here For?” This is the updated version of Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life”. It’s going to be a great time of discovery for all of us. Please plan to join us.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Friday February 27th

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.” Exodus 31:2-5 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Every skill and ability can be used for the glory of God.”
The story is told about the great sculptor and painter Michelangelo. He was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint a small scene on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. However once Michelangelo got started on the work, he became so engrossed in it that he couldn’t stop painting. He ended up painting for four straight years, over 400 Biblical figures, and he created one of the greatest pieces of Christian art there has ever been.
Michelangelo had artistic skills which he utilized to the best of his ability for the glory of God. His story reminds me of another. A church I used to Pastor in California was located on the corner of the busiest intersection in town. Every Christmas we held a Live Nativity Scene that included a full size manager, costumed actors, and even live animals.
Over the years of putting up and taking down the big manager, it had become loose in the joints and was a bit unstable. A man in the church with superb carpentry skills decided he was going to build a new one. I helped. (Actually I stood there and passed him the nails).
I was amazed at the precision and attention to detail he applied to the job. The man explained that although there were many things he could not do, carpentry was a skill he did have and he was therefore determined to use that skill for the glory of the Lord (and he was satisfied with nothing less than his own best effort.)
Whatever your skill is, whatever it is that you do well, I encourage you to identify that thing and then utilize it for the glory of God. You are needed. Your skills are needed. Whoever you are and whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. That is what it means to be truly successful.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Thursday February 26th

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Enjoying what you do is a mark of success.”
Do you enjoy your work? Many people don’t. It’s estimated that two-thirds of Americans are in the wrong job for their skill-set, and one-third report that they actually hate their job. Many others succeed in the work world in that they get promotions and make money, but they’re not fulfilled, satisfied, or happy. Most suicides occur on Sunday nights and most heart attacks occur on Monday mornings.
That’s pretty sad stuff considering that the average American will spend something like 83,000 hours on the job over the course of their working years.
In Ecclesiastes 5:19 Solomon reminds us that if you are content and happy with your work you should recognize it as a gift from God. (Amen!) But wait, does this mean that God chooses to bless some people with happy and satisfying careers and everyone else is just out of luck? “Too bad, so sad, better luck next time.”?
No, I don’t think so. Please remember from previous devotionals in this series that God created you as a unique individual with specific skills, abilities, and talents. Remember the lessons about finding your “sweet spot”, the thing you love to do and which brings you great joy and satisfaction. Sadly, most people never do discover that sweet spot; or they never pursue it.
When I was a young man a very wise career counselor gave me some great advice. He said, “Jim, discover the thing you love to do then figure out a way to get someone to pay you to do it.” It was great advice. (Did I mention that as you’re reading this I’m in a boat on a river in the Amazon Rainforest? It’s a wonderful adventure and they actually pay me to do this!)
Success in life is not a matter of making a lot of money or attaining prestigious positions. The key is finding happiness and contentment in what you do. That’s true whether we’re talking about a job, a hobby, a volunteer position at church, or any other activity. Find the things you are good at and enjoy doing, then apply yourself to those. Then you will be successful in the ways that truly matter. More on this tomorrow.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Wednesday February 25th

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Success begins with taking delight in the Lord.”
I love the promise of Psalm 37:4, the Lord will give me the desires of my heart. Yea! I have lots of desires in my heart and I’m looking forward to the Lord giving me all of them!
But wait, that’s not exactly all that the verse says and it’s also not exactly what it means. The Lord will give me the desires of my heart, yes, but first I am to take delight in Him.
The dictionary says that to delight yourself in something is to derive great pleasure and joy from it. Synonyms for delight include enjoy, appreciate, love, relish, revel in, indulge in, and feast on.
So … I am to enjoy, appreciate, love, relish, revel in, indulge in, feast on, and derive great pleasure and joy in the Lord, and then He will give me the desires of my heart. But wait, there’s more. The editors of the Holman Christian Study Bible explain that the Hebrew words used here mean that, “When there is close fellowship with Yahweh, a person’s heart’s desires will match God’s will and purposes.”
Putting all of this together I discover that when I am completely enraptured with God, in such close fellowship with Him that I am delighting in Him with love and relish and all the other descriptive words used above, the desires of my heart will match God’s will and purposes. “Then” He will work to fulfill those desires because they come from His will and purpose.
So the end result is not that God has finally come around and agreed to give me what I want, but my heart has changed and the things I want are now consistent with God’s will. And it all grew out of me delighting myself in Him.
A successful life isn’t a matter of me getting the things I want. A successful life is a matter of me wanting the things God desires to give me. It’s all about me (and you) being in synch with God. We have to spend time with Him, think about Him, worship Him, take delight in who He is and what He’s like, giving Him glory and praise. When your heart is His, He will change your heart. And from that will flow a life that is truly successful in the ways that matter to God.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Tuesday February 24th

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Just give the Lord your best.”
The great football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field.”
To that the Apostle Paul would have shouted a loud “Amen!”
The world often gives us a distorted understanding of what it means to be successful. In worldly terms success is usually associated with wealth, power, promotions, possessions, big numbers, fame, etc. But that’s not how God sees it.
The lesson taught by both Paul the Apostle and Vince the football coach is that a person is successful when they are doing their best. Whatever you do, give it your best effort. That’s especially true for the Christian. All God requires of you is to be the best “you” you can be. Do you make your living as an auto mechanic? Then be a really good auto mechanic. Treat every car you work on as if it belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Are you a school teacher? Imagine every student in every seat is actually Jesus and He can’t wait to hear what you’re going to teach next.
Maybe you fly an airplane, deliver the mail, raise babies (or puppies); perhaps your skill involves mowing other people’s lawns, or wiping other people’s bottoms (nurse); your job may be to preach sermons, teach Sunday school lessons, greet people and hand out bulletins. Well, do it all as if you were doing it for Jesus (because ultimately, you are).
All the Lord requires from each of us is our best. And whatever that is, it’s good enough. Just give the Lord your best.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Monday February 23rd

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed.” Jeremiah 17:7 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “When it comes to having success, our trust must be in the Lord.”
On Friday I told you a little about the mission trip I am currently embarked on in the Amazon Jungle of Peru, and I asked you to pray for the safety and success of our team.
Often international mission teams go to places that are remote and even dangerous. Our team is currently in the Amazon but in truth, CERT International has had teams here countless times over the last twenty-five years and we are familiar with it and fairly comfortable here. On all those mission trips over all those years we have had few serious problems and no serious injuries.
But there are innumerable other short and long-term missionaries, currently serving in even more remote and more dangerous locations, all around the world. They are in war-plagued Syria and Iraq; they are bravely serving Ebola patients in Liberia; they are in refugee camps in Sudan and Somalia.
How do they do that? How to they go to places like that, endure the hardships and the risks, and experience success in the process? The primary reason is that they trust in the Lord. Philippians 4:13 says, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Notice that the faith expressed there is in God, not in the individual, or in the circumstances, or in resources. Faith in God is the key.
Alexander MacLaren once wrote, “Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes.”
A war zone in Syria or Iraq, a refugee camp in Sudan or Somalia, could certainly be termed a “stony path”. But God does provide the strong shoes.
Whether you’re serving as a missionary in some far away place, or if you’re just living your regular day-to-day life in hometown USA, your success depends on God. Look to Him, rely on Him. He will provide all you need to accomplish all He has ordained.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Saturday and Sunday February 21-22

Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Success”
Our Bible verse for today: “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
Our thought for today: “You need a church family.”
On CERT International mission trips it always amazes me how quickly the team members bond with one another. We draw our team members from different places around the U.S.A. and from other countries as well. They fly from many different points of origination and the team comes together at a major airport in our host country. Often the first time team members meet each other is at the orientation meeting the first day on the field.
And yet, within a day or two it’s as if they’ve known each other for years. Everyone is laughing and joking, enjoying each other’s company, and working well together. As the mission trip unfolds deep friendships develop, many of which will end up lasting a lifetime. In the course of only 10-14 days the team becomes a family.
That’s the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of Christian brothers and sisters and drawing them to one another in the power of the Spirit, and that bond is always the key to the success of the mission. None of us could have accomplished it on our own. It had to be a team effort.
The same dynamic works in church families. In fact, it has too. If there isn’t a close-knit bond among the members, the church will be fractured and ineffective. If that bond is there, the work of the church will be powerful and successful. And just like on a mission team, no one person can do it alone. The mission of the team, and the mission of the church, cannot possibly be successful unless everyone is working together.
This also means that individual Christians are not living-up to their full potential unless they are part of a united and successful church family. Ephesians 1:5 is just one of the many verses that make it clear that God intends for all of us to be a contributing member of a church family, working with others to accomplish His purposes through that body. There is no model in Scripture for individual Christians to be making their journey through this world without the support and fellowship of a good church family.

God intentionally adopted you into His family and He intends for you to be actively involved in the family. If you’re not, then you are missing an important piece in your life as a child of God. Everyone needs a church family.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Friday February 20th

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Success”

Our Bible verse for today: “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:18-19 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “We must pray for one another’s success.”

This morning as you are reading this I am on my way to Peru. I will be leading a small medical and dental team into the restricted region of the Amazon Jungle in southern Peru near the Bolivian border.

Our ministry will be to the Machiguenga Indians who live within the boundaries of the Manu Reserve, also known as Manu National Park. Manu is 3.5 million acres of pristine Rainforest. It is about the size of the state of Massachusetts but there are only about 10,000 people who live in the entire area. The Indians live in small tribal groups scattered along the riverbanks. Our team will provide free medical and dental care, and we will look for opportunities to tell them about Jesus. However, the Peruvian government only allows us to speak about Christianity if the Indians ask first.

I want to ask you to pray for our safety. We will spend many hours on the rivers in a 50 foot canoe and we will sleep in tents in the villages. It’s the rainy season and so there are always huge downpours of rain, which often results in raging rivers. Also, for the most part, we will be out of communication with the outside world. No cell phone coverage where we’re going. Most of the villages do have a shortwave radio, but that’s it. So please pray for our safety.

But also pray for our success. The medical and dental care, and the medicines our team will be providing are all desperately needed. But even the best healthcare is temporary. Someday that person will get sick again and someday they will die. We want to give them more. We want to give them Jesus. But, they have to ask. Our agreement with the government is that we will not attempt to introduce the Indians to Christianity unless they initiate the conversation by asking questions. So, please pray that they will ask.

The Apostle Paul knew how important it was to have people praying for him. So do I. When God’s people pray, things happen. So please pray.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Devotional for Thursday February 19th

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Success”

Our Bible verse for today: “May You be praised, Lord God … Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty …” 1 Chronicles 29:10-11 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Worship is the great equalizer and a key to success in the Kingdom of God.”

This morning I want to continue our discussion from yesterday. In yesterday’s devotional we considered the great truth that God equips and empowers us for the success He wants us to have. We also considered the fact that some people are way too impressed with themselves, while others go to the opposite extreme of thinking too poorly of themselves.

In his book, “Cure for the Common Life”, Max Lucado suggests that worship is the great equalizer. Worship adjusts our attitude and gets it where it needs to be. In his words, “Worship humbles the smug and lifts up the deflated.” Consider this example from King David’s prayer recorded in 1 Chronicles 29:10-14:

“Praise be to You, O Lord … Yours is the greatness and the power … everything in heaven and earth is Yours … Yours is the kingdom … You are exalted … wealth and honor come from You … You are ruler over all things … In Your hands are strength and power … “

If a prideful person slowly and thoughtfully considers those words they will surely be humbled. After all, the greatness and power and majesty and honor all belong to the Lord. But if a discouraged and dispirited person considers those Godly attributes, surely they will be encouraged and lifted up. God is on the throne. He alone is Sovereign and all-powerful.

The next time you find yourself on either end of the emotional spectrum, try a little thoughtful worship. Come before your God and consider His amazing attributes. You will either be humbled or lifted up, whichever is most appropriate for you at that time. Worship is the great equalizer and for the Christian, it is the key to real success.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim