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Devotions

Periodically I have the privlege to give devotions for various activities and to various groups. There are also times when something stands out to me and I will write pertaining to a text or a subject. I hope the information which follows benefits your walk with Christ as it has mine. Please feel free to email me chris@NewHopeWauchula.org any comments or questions and I will post them to Bishop’s Blog.

Personal Physical Purity (Message at True Love Waits Banquet) Download Presentation

Bringing Joy: Psalm 100 (This was a devotion for our church wide Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal)

In Psalm 100 there are 8 command verbs which aid us in understanding why and how we are to give thanks to God. A Thanksgiving service in Hebrew culture would consist of the worshippers sharing a meal together and worshipping God. Psalm 100 is representative of this. We are first to Serve God Joyfully (1-3) we are to shout, a loud and public proclamation of joy to God who is to be the object of all the attention. The fact that the whole earth is to be joyous is a reflection of His offer of salvation to any and all who will believe from any nation. One very great reason to shout is that God accepts anyone from anywhere at anytime. One of the key command words in this passage is “worship” which better translated “serve” and it means to work and to honor with gladness. In other words, we are to work hard for God, work at being glad, work at worshipping and putting forth an effort to be joyful. We should show intensity for God. What a shame to be more intense about college football rival weekend than for Sunday worship of the living God. We should be actively bringing God songs of joy, not going through the motions because we are supposed to but seeking to enjoy the joy of worship. Utilizing the many varieties of worship available, we all have our favorite way to worship but we should endeavor to be joyful and intense at every opportunity to worship. Verse 4 teaches us this is important because of God’s power, His creation we are to follow him as sheep, He sustains us in his pasture, we should desire His divine guidance and structure over man’s. I once read a sign posted in an office I frequented, it read, “every one brings joy to this office, some when they arrive and some when they leave.” I wonder when we bring joy to worship coming or going? Secondly, we are to Praise God Thankfully (4-5) notice that they are His gates to His city and His courts (of His temple) and it is us who are permitted to enter and we should enter with thanksgiving (expressions of personal character) and praise. We should praise his name because of God’s personal character and what He has done for us most importantly that we share in His name, we are called His sheep and we are in His presence. He should be thanked for his exceeding goodness, enduring love and eternal faithfulness. We should be persons who intentionally and publicly praise and thank God and live out the joy He provides. Take this one thing home tonight: If you’re happy and you know it then show it!

Men and Relationships: John 15.16 (This was a devotion for a Men's Fellowship Breakfast)

Discussing relationships is probably something we don’t do enough, it is not our natural strong suit and honestly we try avoid it whenever we can. Usually if it does not affect our relationship to fish, football, or food we are most likely to avoid it altogether. It is unlikely that our favorite TV show is Oprah or Dr. Phil and it is quite likely to get made fun of just for mentioning those names. Though we are by nature relationship avoiders God calls Christians to be relationship initiators. This verse sets forth the pattern by which God uses us. God chooses us, it is God who is portrayed at setting us aside before we were born and before the earth was even in existence. God calls us, He has appointed us to join Him in building His kingdom living Godly lives which show the world “fruit” that lasts. God also uses the man that is faithful to Him and focused on His will, it is to this man who God gives whatever is asked in His because the man of God is only interested in one thing: God’s will. It is this obedience to God which strengthens our other relationships. Building our relationships is important but it must begin in our relationship to Jesus. If you are struggling in a particular relationship whether it be spouse, child, friend, co-worker, enemy (we shouldn’t have any but it is likely we dislike somebody) the first step in the relationship is more obedience to God. It may not fix the relationship as we see it but obedience will breed the dependence necessary to glorify God in that relationship.

Nothing is impossible for you and Christ to do but the best things are impossible for you without Christ.

We don’t need our own power tools to build God’s Kingdom just God’s power in our lives.

Our relationship to others is reflective of our relationship to God.

Whatever step you are at in your Christian walk, there is another step in front of you, every relationship we have can go to the next level; God desires the “fruit that lasts”.

The Consequence of Life: Mt. 27:3-5 (This was a fifth quarter devotion)

Judas’ last appearance in Scripture is not a grand one, in fact of all the disciples he was probably the most fit for the job from a worldly perspective. Judas had the life we all desire, he possessed the attributes that landed the most important job among the 12 disciples, keeping up with the administrative duties especially the money. Judas was educationally and socially the most prepared but there was something wrong with Judas, he was not committed to Jesus. Judas and Jesus had the same goal: to bring God’s Kingdom to earth but Judas wanted it his way, so he forced Jesus’ hand by having him arrested. Judas never really heard what Jesus said, never really understood, never trusted Jesus with his whole life and committed himself entirely to serving God. View Video Clip “Untitled” by Simple Plan… (you may be able to do this at "youtube") Judas made mistakes, he had no where to run because he had betrayed the only one who loved him, how could this happen? Judas is asking the question we have all asked, if only I could do it all over again…” I wouldn’t make the same mistakes, I am sick of this life, I didn’t know this would happen, I just want to scream, but, no one hears me, I just want to start over again. Judas one action turned thousands of lives upside down, but it was Jesus who was able to conquer sin and rise from the dead. I’ve got good news… your life does not have to end like Judas’; the consequence of life is death and hell but committing your life to Jesus will give you purpose, allow you to be heard, and give you someone to run too.

1. Judas is only two letters from Jesus. If we give Satan a little he will take us completely; whereas God takes us little and wants us completely.

2. You will accept Jesus’ death or Judas’ 30 coins.