Mel devotions

Devotions 05-10-08 (Lu 10:02-04)

2008-10-05T20:21:00.003+03:00

Luke 10:02-04 " And Jesus was saying to them "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your ways; behold , I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves . Carry no purse no bag, no shoes and greet no one on the way."

Jesus is sending His disciples on a mission of faith. Jesus is seeking to equipt His disciple so live by faith.

Devotions 03-10-08 (Lu 9:57-62)

2008-10-03T19:53:00.004+03:00

I will again try to summarize this passage in Luke 9:57-62.)

Jesus was walking with His larger group of followers when one said "Jesus I will follow you wherever You go. Jesus responded that He was always on the move and that his following Him would be harder than than he realizes. He wanted him to seriously count the cost.

Jesus then invited one of those in the group to "follow Him". His response was to allow him to first go and bury his father. Jesus responded to him to allow others to do that task but that following Him was a more urgent matter.

One of the group volunteered to follow Jesus but asked for permission to say good bye to those at home. This person seemed to have been following Jesus for some period of time already. Jesus responded to him and said "once you have left home to follow Jesus do not turn back but keep following and do not get distracted. The Kingdom of God is for those who forsake everything to be a part of this great Kingdom.

So in another brief summary there are three issues I must face concerning the Kingdom of God. 1. Following Jesus is probably more difficult than I realize.
2. When I do understand what it means to follow Jeus I should make that decision and not put it off. Do not wait to get other things done and then try to follow Jesus.
3. Once you begin to follow Jesus do not let other things cause you to turn back even for a moment. This wavering makes you unfit to be part of this great Kingdom.

God has been so gracious to me to be a part of this Great Kingdom and by His Grace I have obeyed these three requirements. I know there are many others who have done this as well and I am grateful to be a part of this host of brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray I can be faithful and strong to follow Jesus the rest of the days that God allows me to live. I give God all the glory for all He has done for me by His power and Love.

Devotions 1-10-08 (Lu 9::51-56)

2008-10-01T19:39:00.003+03:00

Luke 9:51-56 Let me try to summarize this passage rather than copy all of these verses.

Jesus and his followers were headed for Jerusalem and it was getting late so he sent a few ahead of them to the next village to get acomodations for the evening before continuing on to Jerusalem the next day. There was no one in the village who would acomodate them because it was a Smaritan village and they would not put up anyone for the night who was going to Jerusalem. There was a great hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans. This made James and John very mad and they wanted to call down fire on that village but Jesus rebuked them and said " You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them."

What is my attitude when non-believers block my way and prevent me from serving the Lord the way I want. Do I get angry and want to do something that would show them that they are fighting God in their response. Or will I lovingly acccept their rejection and find another alternative to the situation. That is what Jesus did. He said let us go to another village. James and John had lost sight of what they were there to do. It was not to teach others how to act but to seek and save those who were lost.

I see often in my fellow believers the frustration of dealing with unbelievers who do not cooperate with them in what they are trying to do in seeking to serve the Lord. I am sure I have done that as well some time. I must not get angry at them in their blindness but seek to find another way. Let my gracious attitude be an example of Christ in me.

Lord, help me to respond to resistance from unbelievers in a gracious manner. I know You are soverign and You can change their hearts or lead me to alternatives that would be even better. I must not lose my focus on what I am here to do on earth as a child of God and His grace. These past few days have been really interesting what Jesus is teaching His disciples from these passages in Luke 9. I want to summarize all these lessons after I finish the next one that I will do tomorrow. The important issue is will I learn from what Jesus is teaching and apply these truth to my life. Lord I want to be more like You!!!

Devotions 30-09-08 (Lu 9:49-50)

2008-09-30T18:55:00.005+03:00

Luke 9 "And John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to hinder him because he does not follow along with us" But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."

How do I feel toward fellow believers that are not doing the things I am doing. Do I feel my calling or my way of doing things is right and their way is wrong. We both are seeking to follow the scriptures but we just do not see thing the same way. I think Jesus is saying here do not try to get everyone to join your calling and do not hinder others who may be doing the ministry a little differently than you. My responsibility is to share the good news of Christ and to help people grow in their faith.

A Christian Leader, Waldron Scott once said "Most of the work of God in the world is done by those who are tired or do not feel well and who are off in their doctrine". You would think those who are correct in the doctrine and are in good health would be the ones most zealous in sharing Christ and teaching others the scriptures. Sometimes I get more critical of others than I should and that distracts me from doing what God has called me to do. I must be focused on doing well what God has called me to do and let my life and example encourage others to follow the Lord according to the scriptures and to be like Jesus.

Lord, give me a loving heart for all who are seeking to know You and to serve You. Protect me from being overly critical and to allow others to distract me from doing what You have called me to do. There is so much work to do in the world concerning Your Kingdom; I must be focused on Your calling to me and seek to be more like Jesus in the process. Help me to be a genuine encouragement to other believers and not be critical of what they are sincerely doing. Help me to honor You in all my work and the way I relate to others.

Devotions 29-09-08 Lu (9:46-48)

2008-09-29T21:46:00.003+03:00

Luke 9 "And an argument arose among them(Jesus disciples) as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side and said to them, "whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great."

To really understand the above verses you should read all of Luke 9. The disciples were all involved in some amazing events and could see how God could work through them and see the power of God. How would I react to these things happening in my life?

I am sure I would be no better and it is important for me to see what the disciples did wrong. What did they begin to do that I must avoid. I think they forgot that it was God working through them and not themselves. This is so easy to do. I must always keep my focus on the Lord and realize that I am only a channel that God may work through.

It is humility that God desires from His servants and not who is doing the most or who is the greatest. Oh, how the work of God is marred by the greed and selfishness of His servants who want to be noticed for their glory and not God's glory. Isaiah 42:8 "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images."

Lord, help me to truly Humble myself and to give all the glory to You. What I do is such a small part of what You are doing through my life. You are the one who drew me to Youself and it is You who gave me a New Life in Christ and it is the power of the Holy Spirit who gives me any power that I might have. Lord thank You for reminding me again that I must be like a little child to be pleasing to You in my desire to serve You.

Devotions 26-09-08 (Ps 69:13-15)

2008-09-26T20:35:00.003+03:00

Ps 69:13-15 "But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, answer me with Your saving truth. Deliver me from the mire, and do not let me sink; may I be delivered from my foes, and from the deep waters. May the flood of water not overflow me, and may the deep not swallow me up, and may the pit not shut its mouth on me."

Have you ever felt like this? It just does not seem like you can keep going for some reason. You are tired or just not feeling well and it seems so hard to get things done. I sure have felt that way before and feeling that way just not.

It seems like the psalmist is discouraged and is asking God to do something quickly because He is about ready to drown in His problems. Maybe he is not discouraged but just overwhelmed with all he needs to do. I can sure identify with his feelings.

We just returned from Estonia after 15year living there for 8 years and in Russia for 5 years with two years inbetween working on the transition. Now we are in the US and I feel exhausted and a bit overwhelmed at all the things I have forgotten about since leaving my home country and getting adjusted to living in other cultures. So you can pray with me in adjusting to my native land and getting some rest from these past fifteen years.

Lord, I know You hear me and I know You are allowing these days for my good. I just need to see what I am suppose to be learning and to be patient in waiting for You to act in my behalf. I am grateful Lord for being allowed to go through these difficult times so I might trust You more and more when I feel so weak and tired.

Devotions 25-09-08 (Ps 70:4)

2008-09-25T20:05:00.002+03:00

Ps 70:4 "Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified."

I am urged to seek the Lord and to do it with joy. It is a great privilege to be able to seek the Lord and to know that He is available for me. That in itself is a joyful thought. Then to add to that is He listens to me and will answer me in what I should do.

I am also urged to say aloud "Let God be maginfied" because of my love for God's Salvation. I was doing some of this yesterday after my morning devotions. I spent some time in Romans 3, 4, and 5 and reflecting on what God has given me in His great Salvation. After reading those chapters it is so very easy to say, "Let God be magnified"

Lord, I long to be ever praising You in an appropriate mannor. I want to honor You and to draw others to know You and to honor You as well. Lord, I need Your strength to do this and take care of the responsibilities You have given me. I am weak and tired but I rejoice in the joy of knowing You as my Savior and my God!

Devotions 24-09-08 (Ps 68:19)

2008-09-24T19:22:00.004+03:00

Ps 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation."

How grateful I should be to God for how He bears or carries my burdens that I face in just my day to day living life. He even says in I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you." He also reminds us that He is our burden bearer and invities us to allow Him to do just that. How much easier life would be if I took God at His word and allowed Him to be my true burden bearer.

His being my burden bearer is very easy for Him since He has already purchased my Salvation through Jesus Christ. The next focus I must maintain is the truth that God is the one who delivered me from evil to actually have a son relationship to Him. He is my heavenly Father and I am his child by faith in what Jesus did for me on the cross of calvary.How glorious and amazing is His salvation for me.

Lord,thank You so much for these two great truths. You will carry my daily burdens if I will just give them to You and not try to do it on my own. And to always keep fresh in my mind and heart the Salvation I have because of Your love for me. These are simple truths I have known for 54 years but I have allowed them to become dulled over time. I must bring them to life in my mind and heart and recognize how profound and majestic these truths are in my life.

Thank You Lord so very,very much! Help me to be stronger in my faith and to allow You to carry my burdens today.

Devotions 23-09-08 (Ps 68:15-16)

2008-09-23T19:49:00.003+03:00

Ps 68:15-16 "A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan Why do you look with envy, O mountains of many peaks, at the mountain which God has desired for His abode? Surely, the Lord will dwell there forever."

I have been reading this passage for several days and trying to grasp what God is saying that would help me in my walk with God. I still am not real sure. There is one thing that is a stong possibility. Let me know what you think, You have to read the whole Ps 68 to get the overall picture.

God has personified two mountains and points out the envy of one being chosen where God dwells over the other. Do we tend to act the same way when God uses or chooses to use someone more than He does me. I think God is trying to help me to see how absurd such envy is.

God is the creator of all things and what He chooses to do with me or for me is His business. I must give Praise to God for all that He does because He is my creator and my God and I am privileged to know Him and to see His mighty acts.

Lord, thank you for all You are doing in our world. Thank you for the privilege of being a child of Yours. You are worthy of all Praise regardless of who You choose to bring You honor and glory. Envy is of satan and his hosts of liars and deceivers. I know Your plan is a perfect plan and You are working that plan and no one can thwart You Holy and beautiful plan for the earth and all here. Lord help me tobe ever alert and sensitive to Your eternal plans.

Devotions 22-09-08 (Ps 67:03 & 05)

2008-09-22T19:20:00.003+03:00

Ps 67:3 & 5 "Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You."
"Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You."

When God repeats Himself it is for a strong emphasis. I must pay close attention to this repetition and be sure I am grasping more than just the surface thought but the real depth of the statement and seek to apply it to my life.

This is the prayer of the Psalmist to God for all peoples and for God's glory. He did not say make everyone to praise God but to let them do this of their own accord and because they truly desire to do so. How does God do this?

He does it through His everlasting love and grace. His perfect salvation that is a gift to me on the basis of faith. God gives me so many opportunities to Praise Him and do I take these opportuities? It is to my benefit when I do stop my busyness and Praise Him for all He does for me day by day and moment by moment. It is so comforting and reassuring when I develop an attitude of Praise in my life because of all God has done for me. Even those things I do not understand and are hard, I can still praise the Him because I have learned to trust Him with everything in my life.

Lord, I do want to give You Praise for all You have done for me in my life. I want my life to be an example of Praise to others who know me. Oh, Lord, help me to take advantage to Praise You at evry opportunity that You make available to me. Help me not to make this a religious routine but a genuine expression of Honor to You. Lord, may my example cause others to express Praise to You for all You are doing in their lives as well. Tomorrow I want to use this last Saturday as a day in which there was so much to express Praise to You about. I know every day I should be able to do the same but Sep 20th was one of these very miracle days in which God was doing so many things for me and I had so much for which I could give You Praise.

Devotions 20-09-08 (Ps 66:18-20)

2008-09-20T17:34:00.002+03:00

Ps 66:18-20 "If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His lovingkindnes from me."

Prayer is so vital to a believer's life and to my life. Yet the enemy of my soul is always trying to get me to turn from this precious gift God has made available to me. It is clear I can not have sin in my life and expect God to hear my request to Him. What peace floods my soul when I know I have not hidden my sin from Him and I am confident that He hears the requests I bring to Him.

What praise and gratefulness I must express when I know He hears my prayer and that His lovingkindness is toward me. There is so much God has done for me and I still stumble and let the world pull me away from the riches He offers me.

Lord, I first ask Your forgiveness for my lack of fervent and grateful prayer for all You have given me and my family. How weak I am to hold on to Your Being, the Almighty God above all gods. I need Your strength to enable me to be all that You have created me to be. I love You Lord, and do worship and give You Praise this morning. Lead me today in all You have for me this day.

Devotions 19-09-08 Psalm 65:5

2008-09-19T18:14:00.003+03:00

Ps 65:5 "By awesome deeds You do answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;"

God is the one who answers my prayers and He does it in righteousness. That means He does what is right and according to His Holiness. He answers me according to what is best for me and His purposes for me.

He is the God of my salvation and that is the greatest He could do for anyone. Without His salvation I have nothing and I would have no hope.

My God is the One who all people trust from all the ends of the earth. There is noone as faithful as Almighty God in all the earth.

Lord, I am so grateful to You for all you have done for me these 75 years. Today is my wife's birthday and I am so grateful for Your gift of her to me to be my life partner and friend. You have been so gracious and kind to us and our family. Forgive me Lord for all my grumbling and complaints. I must be more diligent to remember that you answer me in righteousness.

Devotions 08-04-08 (Eph 6:21)

2008-04-08T10:37:00.002+03:00

"But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you."

Paul was very much involved with those to whom he ministered. He kept them informed and prayed very diligently for them. In this case he sent one of those who ministered with him to take a personl message to those at Ephesus. This was a very important ministry that Tychicus was going to do. Paul called him a beloved brother and a faithful minister in the Lord. The ministry was not a job but a work of God to help and encourage those who knew God to be faithful in what they were doing for the Lord.

Lord, I have not kept those who have supported us over the years informed very well. Forgive me. I pray that after this move I would take the time to thank and tell stories of all God has done through us these past seven plus years. Lord, thank you for the time at Allika church on Sunday. How touching to see how much they have appreciated our being here and helping them in their walk with God. Help me to communicate to our donors God's grace in allowing us to have such a ministry here in Estonia. It is all God's kindness and grace and my part was just being available to God so He might work through us.

Devotions 04-04-08 (Eph 6:20)

2008-04-04T13:36:00.003+03:00

"...for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly. as I ought to speak."

I have been doing more thinking on my responsibility to be more active in speaking with boldness or eagerness or conviciton about what Jesus Christ has done for me. I feel this is a major problem among believers today and I am not much better than the average believer. I am busy doing in depth discipling but I am not being an example to them in reaching out to the lost around them. I have used my excuse as being that I do not know Estonian well and that hinders my witness but I do not think this is a very good excuse. I still should try and if I get hung up to give out a card or something to show I am interested in telling them about the good news of Jesus Christ and His message of salvation.

Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost. If He came to do this then that must be a focus in my life as well. I pray the Lord will give me a growing opportunity to right this wrong in my life and my ministry for my Lord.

Lord, guide me to make some specific plans in how I am going to correct this error in my ministry. Lord, thank You for this study in Ephesians and how You are speaking to me in so many ways. Oh, Lord give me the strength and the wisdom in finishing our move to the US and applying the truths of Ephesians to my life and ministry. Thank You for your Word and Your patience with me.

Devotions 25-03-08 (Eph 6:19)

2008-03-25T10:56:00.004+02:00

"and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,"

The apostle Paul is writing these thoughts through the work of the Holy Spirit. I am amazed at the simplicity and how specific this request is. I must do the same as I express my requests to others and to God. In fact this very prayer is so important to all of us. I think if I would express this in my own words it would be:
"pray for me that I could speak out clearly by opening my mouth and explain with eagerness and freedom and conviction how wonderful is the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ"

Regardless of how spiritual I am or how successful I am I still must work at the basic issues that God knows I must be doing. Sharing my faith and explaining how great is the salvation that God has provided for me and for the world.

Lord, this is my prayer request as well. I must be more eager to share my faith and not get bogged down in activities and projects and fail to open my mouth to others about the wonderfulness of what Jesus Christ has done for me. This is also for everyone who wants the peace and the joy that this salvation brings to all who will believe.

Devotions 24-03-08 (Eph 6:18)

2008-03-24T11:15:00.002+02:00

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"

Paul has talked about the armor of God that I need to fight against the evil forces around me but then there is prayer. It could be part of the armor or it is what I need all the time in using the armor of God.

I am to pray at all times and not just to say words but I must be in vital communion with the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I need the Holy Spirit to help me to express my thoughts in a way that are honoring to God and in line what He says to me in His Word. This requires some focus on my part that I am not expressing just my selfish thoughts but I want to have God honoring words in my conversation with the Almighty. That is why I must not seperate God's Word from my thought when I am speaking with God.

Not only should I pray for my needs and concerns but I should pray for others who have needs as well. This is not all about me but about God who has given me so much and I want to serve Him and to honor Him with this life He has given me.

I am grateful that God continues to remind me of the importance and value of prayer in all I do. I am not the man of prayer I ought to be but I think I am learning the value of it more every day that I live. Maybe as I get older and I am weaker in the flesh I see how much more I need the Lord's help in all that I do. God has the power to do anything and He is just and loving in all He does. Lord, I seek Your will and Your strength today.

Devotions 19-03-08 (Eph 6:10-11)

2008-03-19T12:24:00.002+02:00

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

Today is about the full armor of God. It is something I must do. The armor of God does all the protecting but I must put it on and use it. The purpose of the armor is so I may have His strength and to be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Sometimes in my youth or in my pride I fail to pick it up and I get into trouble. I fail to recognize my weakness or the strength of the enemy. God has provided an amazing armor and all I must do is to pick it up and use it and God gives the victory.

I am in a spiritual battle and I must have God's armor in order to be a spiritual warrior and servant of the Living God. I am not going for a walk in the park or a beautiful garden. I am in a war zone and there are people dying and suffering and God has told me to go to them and help them and deliever them from the traps of the enemy of their souls.

Lord, help me to be serious about this armor You have provided. It is not an option but a necessity in order to survive all that satan throws at me. He can not take my life until God agrees but he can wound me and make me an ineffective servant of my Lord. Satan cannot harm me with out God's permission and God wants to use me for His Kingdom if I am a faithful and obedient servant to His plan.

Devotions 18-03-08 (Eph 2:8-10)

2008-03-18T13:29:00.004+02:00

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

It is so very clear that our salvation is not based on anything we do but all on what God does. Grace is sometimes defined as "God giving me the desire and the power to do His will" There is no human effort involved. My only effort is faith, that is to believe that what God says is true and I can count on it.

On top of all of this God says it is a gift and repeats that my works has nothing to do with it. He even gives the sin that would be involved if my works did help. I would want to boast of what I did.

God does add that I have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works. But it is only because of what Christ has done in making me a new person (II Cor 5:17). God desires for us to live a life of doing good deeds to honor Him and help others to come to know Christ.

Lord thank You for Your great plan of salvation and help me to explain it to others so they might experience real life and the joy of assurance. Lord it is so simple but also so very very profound.

Devotions 13-03-08 (Ps 13:5-6)

2008-03-13T11:08:00.003+02:00

"I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

I have trusted in the lovingkindness of the Lord these 54 years and I have not been disappointed. I do rejoice in my heart for the salvation I have in Jesus Christ. I am not a very good singer but I do love to sing of the wonders of the Lord and all He has done for me. Yes, He has dealt with me very bountifully and I can never be able to thank Him enough for all He has given me.

I want to trust Him more and have a greater joy in the important things in life. I want the song in my heart to be obvious to those who know me. I want others to know that it is Jesus Christ that has given me all these things. It is He who has given me life that could be no better or more fulfilling.

Lord, I do praise You for all Your lovingkindness and gentleness with me. You have given me a wonderful and beautiful wife and one who loves me so very much. Thank You for our four wonderful children and the 14 beautiful grand-children You have given to Lou and me. Lord, help me to honor You and Praise You to all who know me and that they could see You in me.

Devotions 12-03-08 (Ps 12:6-8)

2008-03-12T11:48:00.003+02:00

"The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the erth, refined seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; You will preserve him from this generation forever. The wicked strut about on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men."

It has been awhile since I have written anything in my blog. I truly miss this time when I am not having it. Yet I know that writing my thoughts down is not the real substance of my time with God. I must have this time with God even when I am not able to write anything. I think the verses above says it so well.

God's Words are pure and so very priceless. God has preserved them and will continue to do so for ever. When we allow wickedness to flourish and to go against what God says in His Word then we will have wickedness and vileness exalted in our world.

I am so grateful for these seven plus years living in Estonia and seeing young folks begin to listen to God's Word and to hate evil and to share their faith with their friends and family. It has been a wonderful time of ministry and Lou and I are so grateful for the privilege of being here. We leave in 36 days to return to our family and grandchildren.

Lord, give us wisdom in all our packing and in our closing days with our Estonian loved ones . Helps us to continue to teach the value of God's Word in all of life. Do your miracle work in the lives of folks during these days. Help us to trust in You and to do what is right and honoring to You in all we do.

Devotions 03-03-08 (Ps 03: 03)

2008-03-03T11:57:00.003+02:00

"But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head."

Sometimes there is so much to do and I am a bit overwhelmed. I know I must make some decisions but I am unsure of what I should do. The enemy likes to come in and get me looking at the problems and not keep my focus on the Lord. If I would stop and refocus on the Lord then He would be a shield for me and give me the peace I need so very much.

Not only would He be my shield but He would lift my head and give me the courage to do what I think is right. It sounds to simple but God is not complicated and He does His wonders in many simple ways. God does not need a fanfare to do great things but just someone who would trust Him in child like faith.

Lord, I need that child like faith as Lou and I continue to sort and pack our stuff in getting ready to move back to the US after being away for 15 years. Thank You for all You have done already and help us to keep our focus on You and not on all we have yet to do. Lord we are Your children and Servants. You are our glory and we want to honor You in this whole process.

Devotions 26-02-08 (Ps 26:1-3)

2008-02-26T12:14:00.002+02:00

"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth."

There is something that is great about a person that is truthful and practices honesty in all he does. My father was such a man. I have learned that God is the author of all that is right and pure and honest. He wants me to trust Him and not to waver or to doubt. The Psalmist even tells God to test him in his mind and his heart. I must make up my mind to be honest and also my heart. Both of these must determine to be honest to be a person of integrity.

When I keep my eyes on God and His lovingkindness and live life according to God's truth I will be a man of integrity. There is such peace knowing you have not taken advantage of anyone in what you have said or what you have done. Integrity must be a big part of godliness. What confidence I will have in God if I know He will always do what He says without fail.

The world is so full of lies and deception that it is often very difficult to tell what is the truth. I must be very careful to speak of things that I know that are true and not to pass on half truths or lies which I have heard. I am so grateful that all the words of God are truth. Lord, help me to be a man who can be trusted and will not be involved in any deception or lies. I want to honor You Lord in all I say or do. I want to bring honor and glory to You.

Devotions 25-02-08 (Ps 25:4-5)

2008-02-25T11:52:00.003+02:00

"Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day."

I desire to have the same attitude of the Psalmist. I want to learn the ways of God and to know His paths. I want God to lead me in His truth and to be my teacher. God has changed my life and rescued me from the miserable life that those without God are living in the world around me.

I also want to be alert during my days to what You desire to teach me. Forgive me for getting so distracted by the things that are so temporal and have no real value. Thank You for the scriptures that are so filled with encouragement and answers to the complex issues of life.

The Psalms are so rich with the truths of God and His love and concern for people who will seek Him and wait on Him. I must read them often and even memorize some of them that I need throughout my life. Thank You, that You always keep your word to me when I seek You humbly and truthfully. I am so grateful for Jesus and His amazing Grace.

Devotions 21-02-08 (Prov 22:6)

2008-02-21T12:53:00.002+02:00

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."

The training of children is an amazing and wonderful experience. God has made it possible for every married couple, with a few exceptions , to be able to have children and to train them to be unique beautiful persons. God teaches us some valueable principles that we must follow if we are going to be successful. Good children do not come about by chance but following the truths of God.

The first is understanding the bent or personality of a child. How did God make him or her? What are some born traits about this child? The parent must learn that and fit that child into training them along their birth traits. When a parent does this they are fitting into God's design for this person.

Of course much of the way a child should go is in the direction of knowing their Saviour and their God. It is teaching them the ways of God and doing the things that are pleasing to God . How do we do this? I will look at this tomorrow.

Lord what a joy it is to see children grow up knowing their Savior and God and to be trained in what they really enjoy doing and excell at it. I pray that my grandchildren will have the opportunity to grasp their bent in life and prepare for the work that God has for them. In the process of their work that they would make Christ known in the world in which they will live. Use me Lord to encourage them and help them in this path You have for them.

Devotions 20-02-08 Eph 6:1-2

2008-02-20T11:27:00.002+02:00

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother(which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

In chapter 5 God explains the role of the husband and the wife and it was so they might be as one person. Now in this oneness husband and wife must care for their children and train them in the disciplines and instructions of the Lord. At various ages of the children the husband and wife have different responsibilities but the husband is still the leader of the family and it is his responsibilities that the children are trained as they should be. Children must learn obedience and respect and it is for their good but the father must be careful not to allow anger to be a part of his training and teach anger to his children.

Lord, Your instructions are so clear and simple but I must imitate You and be one with my wife to accomplish this with my children. Thank You for your patience with us and forgiveness when we fail in what we should do. Thank You for Your grace to help us and to minister to our children even when we fail so badly.

Devotions 18-02-08 (Eph 5:1-2,21)

2008-02-18T11:22:00.002+02:00

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Verse 21 "..and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

I am reminded today as I get ready to leave Chapter 5 that the above verses are key to being able to do all that God gives me to do in this great Chapter in Ephesians.

I must seek to imitate God in His Love and care for others just as a son imitates his father who He loves so very much. Christ has loved me so very much and He gave Himself for me to rescue me from the slavery of sin and to please His Father who is over all things. God explains in the following verses what this imitation should look like and what I must do.

I may want to do this with all my heart but I need others to help me to stick to my goal and would encourage me in following the Lord. So God urges me to be accountable to others so they might remind me regularly to do what I truly want to do with my life. I am so grateful to the Lord for those faithful friends who continually encourage me to follow my Lord.

Lord, I realize how weak I am and how easily I lose track of what I really want to do with my life. Thank You for teaching me Your truths in Ephesians 5. Now I must make these truth a part of my life and character on a daily basis. Lord, how I need Your help and the encouragement of other believers.

Devotions 16-02-08 (Eph 5:01-33)

2008-02-16T12:12:00.002+02:00

I have enjoyed the opportunity of being in Ephesians for several months and I am still learning new things each day. I want to summarize just chapter 5 briefly today. I would like to see how this chapter relates to the previous chapter 4 and what will be discused in chapter 6.

Chapter 4 spends a great deal of time pointing out God's desire for us to be one in Christ. He wants His body of believers to be unified or one as He is One. God did not redeem us to be fighting and arguing with each other regularly. He desires for us to work together to share the great message of salvation through Christ to a hurting and lost world. He urges us to live a life that is honoring to God and is honoring to others. We are to be "kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.". This is verse 32 the last verse in chapter 4.

With these truths understood now I am ready to imitate God and to further perfect my life in godliness. I must be careful how I live my life not as an unwise person but one who is wise and careful in how I use my t.ime. Verse 20 says "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the father;"

Now the core of all this is the relationship between a husband and wife which God started with in creation. He created us to be one with our mates and He revisits this need and how we can do this as His redeemed children. We are ready to do this if we really desire to imitate God and His example. The family is suppose to be the key to reaching the world with the gospel and be a living example of what that should look like. This should spill over into our gatherings as believers and our churches should have this same love and oneness.

This is so important because in chapter 6 we begin to talk about a war with our enemy and how we should be prepared for battle. Even before the battle is how we raise our children and how we relate to those who are over us in our work. Then and only then can we be ready to be a part of God's great army of soldiers to fight the enemy of our souls and rescue the lost from their slavery to sin.

Lord, thank You for Your Word that prepares me for the life in Christ You have so freely given me. The purpose is so clear and Your ways are so beautiful and fulfilling. Help me to live out these truths and to be ready to put on the armor of God to be part of Your great army of messengers to the world. Thanks You for the great privilege of being a part of Your great army and able to serve others for Your honor and Glory.

Devotions 14-02-08 (Eph 5:22-33)

2008-02-14T13:13:00.004+02:00

Today is Valentine's Day, what an appropriate day to winde up our topic on how a husband should treat his wife or eternal valentine. Verse 31b says "...and he shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh."

The husband is to hold on to his wife as someone he loves and cherishes. It is not a physical holding but one of endearment and sharing of their lives with each other. It is so intimate and giving that they shall become one flesh. Not physically but they understand one another so well and so completely that they seem as one person. I think there are very few people that reach this kind of oneness because they do not listen to what God has instructed us to do in the Word.

This passage is in Gen 2:24 "For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." This is God's design from the begining and it is possible by His grace and obedience to His Word.

The intercourse between a husband and wife is a picture of what this oneness should be like. It is a total trust of each other and each are enjoying one another with their whole being; body, soul and spirit. This kind of oneness should be true in our working together and living in the world in which we live. If we lived out the truths of this Ephesian passage of scripture we could experience this oneness with our mates. Not all the time because we are not yet perfect, we are still sinners, but I will know the beauty and wonder of God's great plan of oneness for a husband and wife.

I must remember that physical oneness, intercourse with my wife, is not the basis of living oneness but the other way around. Living out oneness in life gives me the foundation of experiencing physical oneness with my wife as God planned it. Life is truly a spiritual issue and not pleasure or things or anything that is temporal.

Is this worth working for and dying to self and obeying what God tells me to do? I think it is. After nearly 50 years of living with each other and serving the Lord together I feel we do experience this oneness more and more when we are truly in tune with God and seeking with all our hearts to honor Him.

I believe this oneness or unity is what God wants in His church. This book of Ephesians is all about how I can have this in my home and family and with God's people. God is three persons who are one; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Lord, continue to teach me how I can honor You with my wife, family and your people wherever they are. Help me to continue to understand this truth more and more and how to apply it to living.

Devotions 12-02-08 (Eph 5:23-33)

2008-02-12T10:41:00.000+02:00

In verse 31 a "man is to leave his father and mother..." and focus on building a home with his wife. This seems to mean that leaving is an important part of building a home around a man's leadership and his love for his wife.

To some this may be fairly easy but to others this may be rather difficult. It depends a lot on how or what I was taught by my father and mother. God says you must leave your home and start a new home with the husband leading and also cleaving to his wife. I will say a little about cleaving tomorrow.

I think leaving is important to leave the past and to look to the future for what God has in store for me and my wife. I leave a lot of security maybe but my wife and I must work together and believe God to do great things for us. I must not let the past take me away from the focus on my new responsibility for a home centered around my wife and me.

I believe God wants me to always have my wife as the focus of our family so she is secure in my love and that she is my first priority after my priority with God. When we are unified in our lives our family and friends will see the power of God in us because that is His desire.

The goal God has for us is to be as one person. My part in this is to lead and love and demonstrate that love in how I treat my wife all the days God gives us together. What does it mean that we shall become one flesh? We will see tomorrow. Lord thank You for Your marvelous plan in giving us a life partner that we can have a measure of oneness that You have as God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three persons but with perfect unity, love and respect. We are made in Your image and by Your Spirit we are made holy and more like You.

Devotions 11-02-08 (Eph 5:23-33)

2008-02-11T13:03:00.000+02:00

Today I am on the third part of my responsibility as the husband of my wife. Let me review the five items as I listed them a few days ago.

1. I am to be the head of my wife and I have the responsibility to lead her.
2. I am to love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.
3. I am to love my wife just as I love my own body.
4. I am to leave my mom and dad and home to establish my own home.
5. I am to hold on tightly to my wife so that we become as one person.

How do I love my wife like I do my own body? I think the main point in this statement is to not be selfish. I am not to think only of how I feel and what I need but to think of my wife just as much or even more than I think of myself. The scripture says "He who loves his own wife loves himself.."

There is a book out called " Do yourself a favor--Love your wife" It is all about how loving my wife gets far more benefits for me than I can imagine. I do not love her for that reason but I love her because that is God's command to me. Yet the benefits that I gain are amazing.

Lord, protect me from ever being selfish toward my wife. Help me to be giving and showering her with my love even when she is having a bad day and is struggling with issues in her own life. Help me to truly love her as much or more than I do my own self.

Devotions 08-02-08 (Eph 5:23-33)

2008-02-08T12:00:00.000+02:00

Today I am on the same passage but on a different part. Today I want to focus on: "Husbands love your wives as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;"

Do I love my wife so much that I am willing to die for her like Christ did the church. Am I willing to die to my selfishness and pride and serve her when I have the opportunity. Does these actions dilute or hamper my leadership over her. I think not but would help her to be more willing to follow my leadership.

God is telling me in this passage that leading must also have love in order for it to be effective leadership. Christ was the perfect leader but was not harsh or prideful. In fact humility and patience and love was what people saw most in His life. I think those qualities should be more in my life along with the clear decisiveness in my leading.

Love is an act of the will more than it is an emotion. I love even when my wife is not very loveable. God did not tell me to love her under certain conditions but to love her just as Christ loved. I can only do this with God's help so I must be in close fellowship with God to fulfill my responsibility. This causes me to be more dependent upon God and more humble before Him.

Lord, thank You for Your amazing love for me. Thank You for the precious woman You gave to me nearly 50 years ago. I have not lead nor loved as You have directed me to do. I am still very much learning and I want to be a better leader and more loving leader than I have been in the past. Lord help me to do some specific things to improve. Thank You.

Devotions 07-02-08 (Eph 5:23-33)

2008-02-07T11:54:00.000+02:00

The passage is on yesterday's blogg. The topic is "the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is also the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body."

The word "head" refers to someone that is in charge and responsible for what is going on. Our physical body gets all it's orders from our brain which is in our head. Christ is the head of His body, which is the church or all believers in Him. He is not only our head but also our Savior. This headship seems to not only give responsibility to lead but also to protect and deliver from harm just as Christ does His Body.

I think it is reasonable to say that as husband of my wife I am to lead her in the ways of God but that I am also responsible to protect her by the abilities that God gives me. I must keep reminding myself that I am doing all this under the authority of God Almighty. It is He that gives me wisdom and strength to do what is right so I am very dependent on Him in every way. I am not more important than my wife but we are co-heirs of eternal life in Christ. God just has given me the responsiblity to lead and to protect her as we both seek to walk with God and to honor Him in all we do.

Leading is an act of my will just as love is an act of the will, which I will cover tomorrow. I am the head or the leader of my wife and family because God has told me to do this. It is not my choice but a command from God. It really is a great privilege but sometimes it can be hard.

Lord, I want to lead and protect my wife as a treasure You have given me. I am very dependent on You and need Your advice and wisdom and strength in everything. Give me the courage to do Your will regardless of how I feel. The way I live and lead will affect generations to come and I cannot possibly do it right without Your Grace. There are no perfect rules to follow but a perfect God to follow and obey.

Devotions 06-02-08 (Eph 5:23-33)

2008-02-06T12:48:00.000+02:00

"For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for not one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband."

Since I am a husband Iwant to learn as much as I can about what God expects of me. In this passage I see five things I should be doing. 1. I am to be the head of my wife and I have the responsibility to lead. 2. I am to love her as Christ loved the church. 3.I am to love my wife just as I love my own body. 4. I am to leave my mom and dad and home to establish my own home. 5. I am to hold on to my wife so that we become as one person.

I will elaborate on each of these items in the next few days. Today I want to just reflect on these five items as a whole and get them in my head and heart. God is so good to me to tell me what I should do to have a godly home and family. I sure want to understand each of these fully and seek to obey God in all of these.

I am grateful for the specific way God wants to lead me in being the man God wants me to be. I want to praise You for Your wisdom and grace that gives me the privilege to know what I should do. Lord, help me to not just know them but that I would fully understand them and obey them carefully.

Devotions 30-01-08 (Eph 5:33)

2008-01-30T12:04:00.000+02:00

" Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband."

This is really the summary of Eph 5:22-33 but I want to think on this a little before I started getting into the details of what a wife and a husband should do.
Since a husband is to love his wife she should do all she can to encourage him in his love for her. In the same way the husband should do all he can to encourage her to respect him. There must be a close and committed involvement with each other to fulfill the God given role's God has for us to accomplish.

Often the husband gets to concerned about his wife not doing all she should and he fails to focus on the responsibilities that he has. The wife is often seeking for more love from her husband and she is not respecting him as she ought. We must work hard at what God has given us to do and to pray for our partner to do what God wants them to do.

The background of all this is Eph 5:1-2 to be at work in our lives. We must be busy at imitating God and living a life of godly love. When I am doing this the roles God has for me are not that difficult to perform. If I am not working at imitating God then these roles are nearly impossible to perform.

Lord, thank You for the clear roles that You have for both the husband and the wife. We are not left to figure out our roles but to obey you in the roles You know is best for us. Lord, help me to lead and to love my wife in a way that would bring glory and honor to You. Help me to pray for my wife to be the helper I know she desires to be for me. I am so grateful for the mate You have provided for me.

Devotions 29-01-08 (Ps 29:10-11)

2008-01-29T11:14:00.000+02:00

"The Lord sat as King at the flood; Yes, the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people with peace."

Oh the wonder of the sovereignty of the Lord. He is King over all things and will be forever. This Lord who loves me is also King over my life and I have been so blessed by His goodness. There are just 79 days and a wake up and we will be leaving Estonia for the USA. Thank You Lord for these marvelous days living in this land of the Estonians. We have made deep friends who have become our sons and daughters and we love them so dearly.

Lord, we need Your strength and peace as we wind up our 7+ years and begin our remaining days with our family and friends. So many have prayed for us and given so generously to us so we might be Your servants around the world. Lord give me an ever grateful heart for all You have done for Lou and I and our family.

I just want to spend this day in Praise for all You have done in my life and through my life. Protect me Lord from all the distractions that are around me and guide me in doing what You want Lou and I to do in these remaining days here. Thank You Lord for Your Grace and Kindness to me and my family.

Devotions 25-01-08 (Eph 5:21)

2008-01-25T12:05:00.000+02:00

"and be subject to one another in the fear (reverence) of Christ."

This was the closing instructions after a list of other instructions we need to follow. Another way of saying this might be "Be accountable to one another knowing that Christ sees all."

Church should be this source of accountability but we often are not that close to many in a large church. Maybe it is a small group that you can share what God is teaching you from the scriptures and others will keep a check on you and help you out. Possibly the ideal is an individual that you are close to and he or she will keep you on track to do what you want to do in your life.

I know that I need accountability with a close friend and even then we both get busy and sometime fail to check on each other to see how we are doing in our desire to obey scripture. Above all it appears that God is telling me that it is not good to be alone in my walk with God. I need others who will correct me in love and hold me to what God tells me. Prov 27:6 says "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." I need others that are faithful to me and be honest with me in love. In this submitting to each other we must be ever conscious that Jesus Christ is our Lord and He knows my attitude and spirit in which I relate to others.

Lord, how wonderful it is to have a friend that I can always share my needs and fears with and know they will pray for me and be ready to help me in any way that they can. I am grateful that my wife is such a friend. Thank You for other friends that You have given me as well. I am not sure I utilize their friendship as much as I should. Lord, help me to be subject to others that You bring into my life for my good and protection.

Devotions 23-01-08 (Eph 5:20-21)

2008-01-24T12:20:00.000+02:00

"always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

Always giving thanks!! I Thess 5:18 says "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I think it is important to God that we learn to give thanks for things that happen to me and around me. I must do it for "all things" and "everything". There are no exceptions listed. Why is this so hard to do? I think it is because of my lack of conviction that God is sovereign in all things. He is the blessed controller of all things even my silly or stupid blunders. My sin and failures that bring suffering to me and others.

I am to give thank in the name of the Lord Jesus to God, even to the Father, who is my Father. God is not some unloving God but a God who is also my Father and who loves me more than I can even imagine. If I really believe this deep in my heart than I would express more thanksgiving to God my Father in the name of Jesus who died and gave me salvation by Grace.

I guess it is hard to be grateful in an ungrateful world. That is not really an excuse but it is a factor that hinders me from being as grateful as I ought to God and to others. Regardless of how others may not be grateful to me I must be grateful to them and to God. I have written this application so many times in my devotions and in my bible studies and I pray at some time it would truly become a part of my life and character. I so admire and respect a person who is always grateful for what others do and for the events of life that is controlled by God. Lord, help me to be grateful for all things and everything today and all my days.

Devotions 23-01-08 (Eph 5:17-19)

2008-01-23T11:40:00.000+02:00

"So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit speaking to one another in psalm and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord "

Do I understand what the will of the Lord is for me today? I must be careful that I do not get so busy that I do not stop and pray and consider carefully what He wants me to do today. Not that I waste my day waiting on God to reveal His will to me but I must do some serious thinking and praying and make my decision on what is revealed to me.

I must not use wine or any other stimulus to get my mind moving but it is God's Holy Spirit who must fill and control my being. He dwells in me and wants to lead and direct my life so I must turn to the Word of God and spiritual songs to stir up my thinking. The will of God should bring joy and thanksgiving to my soul and not a fear or drudgery.

Lord, I go though many days not understanding the will of God for my life. I do not consider carefully enough what You want me to do. I am sure that is why I have many non-productive days. Lord, I do not want to waste my days doing foolish things but to do what is your perfect will. Guide me now to know what I should do with this day and the hours you have given me to do what is truly important. I ask for Your wisdom. James 1:5

Devotions 22-01-08 (Eph 5:15-16)

2008-01-22T12:38:00.000+02:00

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."

God urges me to think more carefully on how I am living life. There are lot of folks that are unwise in how they live life and I must not allow them to influence me in following their ways. I must evaluate what I want to spend my life on. Is it eternal values are on temporal values. The world around me does not want me to take any time for God and His work in the world but to use my life for my pleasures and the temporal pursuits of the things of this world.

These are evil days and there is more evil and it is more easily accessible to young and old alike. It is so crucial for me to be wise in all I do. I need to draw more upon my son's and their knowledge that they have gained while working in the world and being in the midst of world matters. I must weigh world thinking against God's ways and discern appropriate was to share the good news of Christ with those in the world. I need wisdom in knowing how to encourage them in their walk with God and what God is teaching them where they are.

Lord, thank You for all you have done for me and all You have taught me over the years. I know prayer must be more of a vital part of all I do. I know You give wisdom to those who listen to You and seek Your counsel. Thank You for all I am learning as I study the book of Ephesians. I really need to be wise in my finishing up these remaining days in Estonia.

Devotions 21-01-08 (Eph 5:11-13)

2008-01-21T12:19:00.000+02:00

"And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light for everything that becomes visible is light."

Another translation says: " Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them it becomes clear how evil these things are"

I am afraid that my TV and other media gets me in trouble in this area and I watch things that I would not do other wise. I must be more diligent in turning away from watching evil because it does have an effect on my mind and my emotions.

Lord, I am grateful for Your cleansing Word that helps me to realize what I am doing wrong and guides me in truth. I know I must not watch evil going on because it pollutes my mind and emotions. I want to have a pure mind and a heart that pictures holy and good things and not evil.

Devotion 18-01-08 (Eph 4:1-3)

2008-01-18T12:48:00.000+02:00

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

I wrote on this passage of scripture on 06-12-07 and it is here in my blogg. I have been impressed to speak on this passage at church this Sunday. So I have been drawn to this passage again with an emphasis on humility. It is first in a list of
seven qualities we must consider.

Why is humility so important in this list of qualities we need to foster unity in our church or ministry. I think it reduces pride which is such a major barrier to the work of God. The work I do is not my work anyway but it is God who is using an available person to do His work. A person once said that the biggest task for God is to answer our prayer and to get the credit for it. We seem to find all sorts of ways to give glory to others, including ourselves, but we often seem to leave God out of the picture.

Humility is the foundation to build gentleness, patience, tolerance in love and to work at unity and peace. I need these qualities in my life so very much and so desire to do my part to see them to become a part of my character. It is only God who can produce these in my life as I seek to serve Him and to honor Him.

Lord, thank You for the many opportunities to learn from You and the situations You bring into my life. I have been a slow learner and not as attentive as I ought. Thank You for your patience and gentleness with me and the great love I am aware of every day of my life. Help me to communicate what I ought concerning these truths tomorrow.

Devotions 17-01-08 (Eph 5;6)

2008-01-17T12:41:00.001+02:00

O"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience."

If you want to know what "these things" are that are mentioned in the above verse go to yesterday's blogg or read Eph 5:5 in the bible.

I think this verse is interesting even without listing what God does not want us to do. First He warns me of people who will try to deceive me with empty words. They do not know what they are talking about but dump words on me that really have not value. If I listen to these empty words and miss the important words of God I can be in trouble. This is where the listing of what God does not want me to do becomes important.

What God says I must obey and I know what God says to me is for my best interest. Of course, I must know God to really believe this, which I do. I must also realize that to disobey God has consequences that are not good and are not for my best interest.

What God wants me to avoid are self- destructive practices anyway and even common sense tells me not to do these things. It is the rebellious world around me that tempts me to do what I really know is not good for me. God in His love wants to protect me from evil and doing what will harm me and ruin my life and the life of those I love. Thank You Lord for Your great love for me and Your concern for my life.

Devotions 16-01-08 (Eph 5:5)

2008-01-16T11:56:00.000+02:00

"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

These are some pretty strong words with some severe results. He is writing to believers who know this is wrong but it is made even more clear that this is not excused by God in any way. Why do believers make excuses and violate this truth today so much?

Immorality, impurity and covetousness are made equal with idolatry by God. An idol is a man's idea and created by a man to make him profit and it has not an ounce of power in it. Yet, men and women worship it and seek strength from it. Immorality, impurity and covetousness are also a man's idea so it is reasonable to equate them all to idolatry.

My inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God is based on God's purposes and ideas and not anything that man has to offer. It is my obedience and worship of God that is the basis of my inheritance. In fact it is all a faith issue and nothing that I contribute to at all.

Lord, thank You for forgiving my immoral and impure thoughts and my covetousness toward others. I do not want these things in my life at all. I do not want anything to be an idol that takes me away from my worship of You. Thank You for reminding me of the tricks and lies of satan to get me distracted from all that You have for me now and in the future. Lord, I do want to be a man who is pure and holy before You because I have obeyed Your word and have put my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

Devotions 15-01-08 (Eph 5:3-4)

2008-01-15T13:20:00.000+02:00

" But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

As I have been reflecting on this statement I said to myself, "Do I realize how the secular world would respond to such a statement." They would say such a standard is impossible to follow in the world in which we have today. It is an old idea that just does not apply to life today.

The problem is that even the Christian world does not hold to these standards very well either. Yet these truths are timeless and were true when they were written and they are true today. There are many godly folks that are still following these standards. I have made this my standard for living the past 54 years and it has brought be such joy and strength to obey the ways of God.

Immorality and impurity is a big wide door that leads folks into all sorts of evil. Once you have a taste of immorality you are trapped and it is only the power of God that can deliver you and set you free. I have seen it happen to many good men and I have had the pull myself but by God's great grace He has spared me from being caught.

God is very clear when He says "Do Not" and "there must be no" sensual talk that leads folks into sin. God created sex for a very beautiful relationship and it is not a toy to be played with but something that is holy and pure and bonding in a marriage relationship.

Lord, help me to realize the treasure You have given to believers and to help believers to follow Your Word and do as You have spoken. It is not an option to follow but it is a clear command to obey. How I must pray for my children and grandchildren to be able to resist the world in which they live and the sensual ways of the world that is destroying our world. Lord, thank You for all the protection You have given me over all these years. Guard my heart and my life as I seek You daily in Your Word and Prayer.

Devotions 14-01-08 (Eph 5:1-2)

2008-01-14T13:43:00.000+02:00

"Therefor be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Mary Lou and I just finished spending the weekend with Piret and Stella (our key disciples of the past 6+years).Sat was full of fun and games and ended with the traditional Estonian sauna. Stella treated us with this weekend because she is leaving for Sweden in a week and will be gone four months. She even arranged for us to have some special treatments at a local health spa that was very invigorating and refreshing.

On Sun morning we spent three plus hours going over some studies we have been doing in the book of Ephesians chapters 1-4. We reviewed the content of the chapters and discussed our applications from those nine weeks of bible study. It was a very meaningful time for all of us and it will be a memory that I will never forget. God is so very good.

With all this as a background I read the above verses this morning in my devotions. It is amazing how fresh the scriptures can be to you when you have had
such a wonderful time with close friends in the Lord and with the Lord.

My response to the above verse is "Yes" I do want to imitate my God to the best of my ability and I know He will help me to do this. I do want to live a life of being loving to others. Those who are close to me but also to strangers and those who are far from God. I do want to be like Jesus and make sacrifices to God with my time, ability or whatever gifts He has given me to honor and please Him. I felt our weekend was a little bit of this but I need to do it every day of my life.

Lord, thanks for a very special weekend to be with our dear friends and with You. Your presence with us and in us was the key to such a memorable time and You deserve all the honor. Lord, help me to truly live a life of love and to give myself to others so they might know the wonder of Your love and grace. I know this must require sacrifices on my part but You turn these sacrifices into wonderful gems of special memories and invaluable blessings. Thank You Lord for all You have given to all of us during this time. Thank You for laying this on Stella's heart and all she did to make this special weekend become a reality for Your Glory.

Devotions 10-01-08 (thoughts on contentment)

2008-01-10T14:08:00.000+02:00

Hebrews 13:5-6
"Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?"

This is a truth that we must hang on to all the time in the process of living life. But this is especially true if you are traveling or moving and may be out of your comfort zone or surroundings. Since I am currently in the latter I need to pay especial attention to this truth in my life. I Timothy 6:10 says " For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a sorrow."

In being content with what I have there is a great defense against being drawn toward things which I do not need but sometimes may think I do. I end up buying so many things that I do not need and then wonder; why did I do that?

The comfort in this is that God is for me and will protect me and will provide for me what I truly need. I must grab this truth and hang on to it when I am away from my routine of life and vulnerable to the lies of the enemy.

Lord, I have known these verses for many years but I need a stronger grip on what You have said in Your Word. I am so grateful that You are my helper and I can trust You to guide me in all I do. Lord, help me to meditate on these truths and continue in prayer about all that I do. Lord, forgive me for my lack of focused prayer for those things that I face and must make wise decisions on every day.

Devotions 09-01-07 (thoughts on goals)

2008-01-09T12:43:00.000+02:00

Eph 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

The second verse in our goals has to do with asking God to do big things far beyond what our small faith can imagine. He does answer most all our prayers in such a way but we often fail to see the extras He does.

I pray we could ask God to do big things in faith with a greater confidence in His desire to do great things for us. Things that would bring Him glory among His people and in Christ. This would go down through the generations as God's great act of love and faithfulness to those who seek to serve Him and honor Him.

Lord, I need Your strength to think and plan and pray what You have in mind for us in this move. Lord, would you make it so very clear that we should move to Colo Springs or San Diego or just where You would want us to be. Provide for us the home of Your choosing that would be a great encouragement to us and provide for us all the facilities and rooms that we need for our family and also folks that we will be ministering to in the years ahead.

Devotions 08-01-07 (thoughts on goals)

2008-01-08T13:25:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I shared some goals for 2008 and I would like to elaborate on those a little.

Our main goal this year is to move from Tallinn, Estonia to the USA and finish up our years of ministry in our own country. We have basically lived in Europe the past 15 years. Five years in St Petersburg, Russia and two years moving out of Russia and getting settled into to Tallinn. In the early '60's we lived in Europe in Italy and Germany for about 4 years. I was in the US Air Force during those years.

There is a two fold purpose in this move of '08. The first is to make the move and second is to make it with a greater dependence on God than we have before. So it is both a physical event and a spiritual event. I would say in general we have always sought to make the Lord a part of all we do. I think this year we want to focus on this a lot more.

The first verse is Phil 4:6-7 and it is about not being anxious about things but instead to pray about them and let God direct us in what we should do. Our first item is our airline tickets which we scheduled for April 16 th, yesterday. We need to buy them tomorrow if that is what God want us to do.

Lord, help us to be alert to what You are leading us to do. Help us to not race ahead but neither to lag behind in the items we should do. This is just one example of what we long to do and which would bring You honor and Glory in this move.

Devotions 02-01-08 (New year goals)

2008-01-07T12:08:00.000+02:00

I have been thinking some on things I truly want to accomplish in 2008. The biggest one is our move back to the USA after living in Estonia for 7+ years. We have made many moves in our life time but I would like to do this one better than I have done most moves. There are four verses of scripture that I want to focus on in the process of this move.

Phil 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Eph 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen"

Heb 13:5-6 "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever Forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?"

Eph 4:32 "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

These are not new thoughts to me but I want to focus on these as I go through all our shutting down our living in Estonia for the past 7+ years and starting out anew in our own country that has changed an awful lot during this time. I truly want to do better in my prayer life as I make this move. Lord, thank You for giving me these verses to hang on to as we make this move to the place You have for us. We are now on the count down to our leaving and each day must be used the best we know how. Lord, help me to not be anxious about anything but I would pray about everything and trust You to guide me in what to do. Help Lou and I to truly honor You.

Devotions 01-01-08 (Eph 4:30)

2008-01-01T15:37:00.000+02:00

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

I think to grieve someone is to hurt them emotionally. I do not hurt them physically but I wound their emotions. I generally grieve someone I love or appreciate very much. The Holy Spirit is my comforter and the one who keeps me safe until I am fully redeemed at the return of Jesus the King.

God is appealing to my heart to not do things that do not honor the Lord or the Holy Spirit who has and is doing so much for me every day. The Holy Spirit is my teacher of Truth and guides me in ministry. I am powerless with out Him and I should be so very careful not to grieve Him.

Today is the first day of 2008 and what I begin to do today will affect what I do the rest of this year. So I must seek the Lord and make Him my focus all the rest of the year. I must be a person of prayer today so I might grow in prayer the rest of this year. Holy Spirit forgive me where I have grieved You and disappointed You in what I have done with my time and how I have ordered my life. Continue to be my teacher and comforter and guide me in following Truth in the days that are before me this year, 20008.

Devotions 31-12-07 (Eph 4:32)

2007-12-31T11:48:00.000+02:00

"And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

Today is the last day of 2007. Tomorrow will begin a brand new year and I think the above verse is good to end things with and a great way to begin a new year. The context of this verse makes it even more dynamic. Read Eph 4:25-32 to get the real impact of what God is saying.

There are three things I must do and one thing I must never forget. I am to be kind to others and that means to do whatever I can to help them and to encourage them. I am to be tender hearted to others and that means I must think with my heart and not just with my head. I must seek to understand how their heart is feeling and help or encourage them in their emotional condition. Last of all I must forgive others and not hold grudges or be bitter or any number of responses I could have but they will not work.

What I am to remember is that Christ has done all of this for me and I am His child and His servant. I want to honor Him just as he has honored me with such kindness, tender heartedness and most of all forgiveness of all my sin and selfishness. I must review daily all that Christ has done for me so I might be kind and tender hearted to others. The hardest is to be forgiving to others as Christ has forgiven me. Yet, this is the most wonderful part of walking with God is that I carry no grudges or bitterness toward anyone and this gives me freedom that Christ came to give me.

Pray for me as I seek to apply this truth to my life in the days and years ahead.

I want to thank the Lord for His grace and mercy to me this past year and these 7+ years we have been living in Estonia. We return to the USA this coming year and begin a new life again and seek to serve our Lord closer to our family and loved ones the remaining years of our lives. I turn 75 in 2008 and Mary Lou is a few years behind me. God has been so gracious to use us in the lives of some very special Estonians that have become part of our lives like family.

Devotions 28-12-07 (Eph 4:29)

2007-12-28T13:09:00.000+02:00

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear."

What unwholesome words do I allow to come out of my mouth? I can not blame others for what I say no matter what they do. God says to me do not speak words that are unwholesome. In fact He tells me the kind of words that I should be saying.

I just realized that God does not say watch your words but watch each word that you speak. No word is to be unwholesome but each word is to build up others and not tear them down. Each word should be appropriate for that moment in time. This gives me the responsibility to think carefully before I speak. Each word I use should give grace to those who hear it.

It is important what I say and each word that I use. God does not want me to be a man of many words but the few I use should be according to His desire and according to His plan. Lord give me the grace to speak carefully and with wisdom that I do not hurt or offend but that I would be able to encourage and help others in what they are struggling with. Help me as I meditate on what You have said that I may understand how I can apply this to my life.

Devotions 27-12-07 (Eph 4:25)

2007-12-27T14:05:00.001+02:00

"Therefore, laying aside false hood, speak Truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another."

This is such a simple statement and yet how very powerful it is. Do not lie or give false information, speak Truth. Do this with everyone but especially someone close to you, like a neighbor or someone in your church or fellowship or especially a family member.

Why is this so important? If I am not honest with those who are close to me then it will become a part of my character and this will in the end destroy me. Why is this so hard? It is very humbling to admit to someone that you care about that you have lied to them. I know it will take a long time to rebuild that trust. I hate it when I am not honest with some one whom I respect and want to respected by.

This should be one of the marks of a true believer in Christ. The world is filled with lies and deceit because satan is the prince of this world and he is the author of lies and deceit. It is so sad when believers can not be trusted because they have allowed satan to corrupt their morals.

Lord, give me the strength to be truthful in all I do or say. Help me to be ever so careful in this very vital truth. Jesus said that He was the Way the Truth and the Life. I must keep my focus on Jesus if I want to lay aside falsehood and to speak Truth. Lord in this New Year may I find Your strength to be more careful than I have ever before to be a man of Truth.

Devotions 21-12-07 (Eph 4:14-16)

2007-12-21T11:03:00.000+02:00

"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

We discussed the above passage in our bible study this morning and were challenged to do our part in making this true in our lives and in the life of the fellowship we are committed to.

First I must not be a spiritual child but grow up and take responsibility in how I serve my Lord. I must seek to be a maturing believer and do my part to see the body of Christ to grow.

I must seek to speak the truth in love and not in arrogance or pride but in humility and in a caring attitude. I must follow my Lord and King because He is the One directing the whole growth of His body.

He is concerned for us as individuals but also as a body of believers. All of this must be done in love in order for it to have any real and true value. I Cor 13 is very clear that if I do anything with out love it is worthless and accomplishes nothing.

So how do I do this? In a real sense I cannot; only by the power of Christ in me am I be able to do anything. I am not a lone ranger but I need my fellow believers in order to bring honor to my Lord and King. I must help individuals in their personal growth and yet together with others we must impact the world around us with the good news of Jesus Christ. What a wonderful time of the year to share this message of Jesus coming to earth to reveal to us God's love and sacrifice for each one of us. The Lord Jesus in the crib in Bethlehem is the same Lord Jesus that went to the cross outside Jerusalem. Thank You God for Your great gift to the world for our deliverance and freedom from sin and evil.

Devotions 19-12-07 (John 19)

2007-12-19T12:26:00.000+02:00

The story of Jesus being condemened to die and his crucifixion. It is just the closing end of my reading the New Testament through this year. I also must read the The Revelation to John before the last day of 2007. As I was reading this today I thought about the Christmas season and just six days until Christmas day.

Yet the coming of Jesus as a babe in Bethlehem will end in just about 33 years with the cross outside of Jerusalem. Jesus life and death and resurrection is the reason He came as a babe. What a glorious Christmas gift. The gift to all the world from a loving God.

What should I learn from all this? Maybe there are more important things going on in my world that I need to pay attention to rather than the big news of the day. I need to be more aware of what God is doing in the lives of people rather than the political and economic events of the day. What is the Spirit of God laying on my heart for me to do?

Lord, thank You for all You have done for everyone throughout the ages. Thank You for Jesus coming but most of all for His life, death and resurrection. Lord, help me to not forget all You have done for me as I enjoy the peace and joy there is during the Christmas season. Help me to remember each day the total gift you gave and not just the babe in Bethlehem.

Devotions 10-12-07 (Eph 4:11-13)

2007-12-10T13:22:00.000+02:00

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ."

There is so much in these few verses but I am going to focus on the objective of what the leaders are suppose to be doing and their results. Not their individual jobs but who they are seeking to help and equip. Verse 12 "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;..." It is the saints who are suppose to be doing the work of service and not the leaders.

Yet in another sense both the leaders and the saints are to be building up the body of Christ and seeing unity and faith produced. We are all students of our Lord and He is the One who is enabling us all to do our part in building up the body of Christ and His glorious Kingdom.

Lord thank You for the privilege to be a light to the world around me and help me to fulfill Your task for me in seeing Your body built up in Estonia. I pray that my labor would multiply greatly in the lives of many Estonians after I leave this small but strategic country. Help me to use these last six months wisely and be focused on what I should be doing. Thank You for enabling the going away party for Ed to be successful. Lord use it in even a far greater way than I could ever imagine. Use it for Your glory and honor.

Devotions 07-12-07 (Eph 4:4-6)

2007-12-07T12:15:00.000+02:00

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."

There are seven one's listed above. The number seven is the number of completeness in the bible. To make the above list brief it would look like this: one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father. It would take some days to think and meditate on each of these seven items listed.

Maybe the most obvious is where to begin. God is one and He wants us to be focused on one thing at a time. He has a great desire that we are one with Him and that we are one with each other.

Lord I have a lot to learn about what it means to be one with You and with others. I am still learning what it means to be one with my wife and sweetheart of nearly 50 years. Thank You for making it clear what is really important in life and what should be my focus. I need Your help to truly say, this one thing I do and I will do it well by Your grace.

Devotions 06-12-07 (Eph 4:1-3)

2007-12-06T11:26:00.000+02:00

"I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Does this sound like an impossible task to you? It sure does to me! I am called to be humble, gentle with patience and showing a forbearing spirit to others in love and at the same time to be diligent to keep unity of the Spirit in the boundaries of peace. Surely only God could produce such relationships among sinners such as me. Yet it sounds so very wonderful that I know I must try my best with God's help even if I fail. Even if I come close to this it would be a wonderful experience.

I know the ways of God are the best ways and I must do my best to follow His ways. He has promised to be with me and to help me and I know that He can be trusted completely.

Lord, I am grateful for Your Word and Your wisdom. I know I will be most fulfilled and experience Your peace if I would only obey Your Word and follow Your instructions. Guide me in Prayer Lord that Your thoughts in these verses might burn in my heart as I bow before You now.

Devotions 05-12-07 (Eph 4:1-2)

2007-12-05T10:48:00.000+02:00

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love..."

I am urged to live my Christian life in a way that would bring honor and respect to my calling in the Lord Jesus. It is an honorable and wonderful calling to be called a child of God Almighty. He has paid a great price for my salvation and my new life in Jesus. I must seek to have or to receive the character God desires for me to possess; humility, gentleness, patience and loving forbearance.

It is amazing how quickly I can lose the resolve to live my life worthy of my calling in Jesus Christ and to give in to thoughts of the world and my temporal desires. I am learning more each day just how weak I am and how I need the awareness of His presence in me every moment of the day and night. I am gaining a new awareness of praying without ceasing and discussing all things in my life with my Lord throughout my waking hours.

Lord, I am grateful for Your indwelling presence in my life and I want to be ever more aware of how You want to lead me by Your Spirit. I need Your strength and wisdom in all I seek to do to honor You. Lord, guide my steps today and help me to live my life worthy of my calling in the Lord Jesus.

Devotions 04-12-07 (Eph 3:19)

2007-12-04T13:08:00.000+02:00

"and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God"

I want to revisit this verse again and make some more notes that I have thought about the last few days. How is the love of Christ greater than knowledge? What is the love of Christ?

I think the love of Christ is perfect love. He loved us even when we were so unlovable. He humbled Himself to be like us and served mankind as a servant. Then He allowed men to treat Him as a criminal and to bear the judgement of the Father against all sin. He went to the Cross to die for the sins of all mankind. That is the love of Christ!

So how do I gain the love of Christ. First I begin with the knowledge of what love is; that is pretty clear in I Corinthians 13. Then I must seek to live this truth in all my relationships. Last of all I live this truth when I am opposed and go through difficult trials yet I keep loving. This is the love of Christ that is far greater than any knowledge I may gain.

Am I willing to pay such a price for the love of Christ? I cannot unless I have an eternal perspective. Only then does it really make sense. It is not an easy path to follow and one that requires faith and courage. Yet it is the most glorious love that the world will ever know and I can be a part of it by faith in God.

Devotions 03-12-07 (Eph 3:17-19)

2007-12-03T16:50:00.000+02:00

...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God."

In studying chapter 3 of Ephesians one of my applications was on this love described in the above verses. I was challenged to make the love of God the foundation of my character. I must not forget that God's love in and through me is more important than anything I may know or do.

It is amazing how quickly this love and compassion can leave my being and is replaced by selfishness and concern for things or projects that crowds out the love of God from my life. I know that prayer is a major key to prevent this from happening. The above passage is in the context of a prayer that the apostle Paul is praying. This alone should help me to get my heart and spirit focused on prayer more than it is.

Lord, thank You for Your great and magnificent love which reaches out in every direction and must fill my total being. I truly want this to be in my life but I must spend more time in your presence in order for this to become a reality. Thank You for Your patience with me and the Love You show me so very richly. Lord protect me from being so selfish with Your love but I would be eager to give to others the Love you have shown me.

Devotions 30-11-07 (Eph 3:6)

2007-11-30T10:56:00.000+02:00

The mystery "...that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel..."

I want to review again the three fold aspect of the mystery of Christ that was given to Paul and opened the way for Gentiles to have access to God. I have not written about this before but I have been working on this in a bible study for a few weeks now. I think this is so important for me to have a clear grip or understanding on what God is teaching me through this teaching of the apostle Paul.

Because of Christ I am now a fellow heir with the people of God and I am a member of Christ's body along with the Jews and we both have the same promise in Christ. That promise is that by faith in Christ I have forgiveness of sins and have eternal life. This truth has been hidden for generations but has now been revealed through the apostles and the prophets. This all came through the good news of Christ and his life, death and resurrection.

This is an amazing privilege and blessing by the grace of God. I have done nothing to merit this privilege but God has given it to me as a priceless gift.
All I can do is to thank Him and to praise Him. I can also be His humble servant and seek to proclaim this wonderful message to the world. Yet even in this I need God's grace for the wisdom and strength to proclaim such a priceless message.

Devotions 29-11-07 (Eph 3:20-21)

2007-11-29T14:41:00.001+02:00

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

I have said or prayed this statement many times over the years and thought I would do a little meditating on it today.

I like the Message translation as a fresh translation. "God can do anything, you know---far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!" It would be wonderful if I could maintain this truth all the days of my life and especially when I go to pray. This evening at our regular bible study time we are spending the evening in prayer. I pray I could take the truth and spirit of these verses into our time with God before His throne of Grace.

It is God who is working in us that is doing this great work. It is not an outside force or an angel who is doing something for us but His Spirit who dwells in us!

There is so much I need to learn about God and His mighty power at work in me. I desire to have the intimacy with God and trust or faith to allow Him to do the mighty works that I know He desires to do in or through me. Lord, guide me in what You want to do through me today. I want to give You the Glory for whatever You might do in me or through me.

Devotions 28-11-07 (Eph 3:19)

2007-11-28T12:58:00.001+02:00

"..to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."

This is a very amazing statement. The love of Christ is far beyond any knowledge I may have or acquire. The world puts a lot of value on knowledge and the attaining of degrees of knowledge but the love of Christ is greater than all this. When I know the love of Christ I am in position to be filled up to all the fullness of God. Col 2:9 says "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,"

I am so inadequate to express all that this really means to me. At this moment I am just grateful for the privilege and the awesomeness this great gift. I pray that I might live a life that would be pleasing to Him and others might see His love and kindness in me.

Lord, I am grateful for this knowledge of You and all You have given to me. I pray for the ability to grasp more and more of this knowledge of You. It is far more than a mental accumulation of facts or information but it is an intimacy of knowing You in Your complete being. Help me today to do what is right and pleasing to You in every way.

Devotions 27-11-07 (Eph 3:14-16)

2007-11-27T11:57:00.000+02:00

"For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;"

This whole chapter 3 is an amazing study on what God has done for us in Christ. It is continuing to explain all the riches I have in Christ. Now the apostle Paul is praying for us "to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man". What does this really mean?

I think Paul was praying that the Holy Spirit who lives in us as believers would give us an inner strength to do those things that are truly pleasing to God. I think it depends on my resolve to truly do His will and not what I want to do. I think I should be eager to do what God desires for me to do. I know that I do not have the strength or the ability but God is eager to give it to me if I truly trust Him.

Lord, I desire to have strength in the inner man through the Holy Spirit to serve You and to honor You with my life. I know I have already seen this strength in my life for brief moments and I trust I would grow in being more in tune with the Spirit so He may work more freely through me. Lord, thank You for Your wonderful Grace and Lovingkindness to me.

Devotions 26-11-07 {Eph 3:8)

2007-11-26T15:47:00.000+02:00

"To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ..."

I am studying the book of Ephesians with two different groups of folks in Estonia. I think we all have been learning a lot of the rich truths of God from this book. We did a portion of Chapter 3 this past week. What stood out to me was verse 8 of this chapter, which I have written above.

In several places in this chapter and also in this verse Paul humbles himself and speaks of himself as someone of no great importance. He wants to be sure that the Lord Jesus is the one that gets all the glory. He says that he is the least of all believers and has been given a great privilege. This was given to him by God and it was nothing he earned or deserved. The privilege to preach or proclaim to the Gentiles( this was anyone that was not a Jew) the unfathomable or unsearchable riches of Christ. There is not limit to the riches or wealth or treasures that I have in Jesus Christ.

What are some of these riches I have. I have forgiveness of my sins and a promise of a life that gives me freedom from all the things in the world that make me a slave. Many are a slave to drugs, big paying jobs, uncontrolled sex, positions of power or prestige and the list goes on. I have a joy and a peace that an unbeliever in Christ can never have because it is unreachable without Christ. You have to read the New Testament of the Bible to really see or understand all these riches we have in Christ.

So what did I learn from this? I must realize how wealthy I am in knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I must share this wealth with others as a privilege and not as a duty. There must be no pride in any way in my sharing because this truth was given to me by others. I did not discover it myself and really no one has because it is God who has brought this truth to the world in the person of Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord for the wonderful riches You have given me in Christ.

Devotions 23-11-07 (I Thess 5:18)

2007-11-23T12:27:00.000+02:00

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day in the USA. We celebrated with a few friends in Estonia who are from the States. Our time was mostly around food and not a whole lot said about giving Thanks. That happens a lot in the States when Thanksgiving is more of a holiday rather than truly giving Thanks. You can do both but you must really work at it in order for it to happen.

My oldest son lost his job the day before Thanksgiving; all because of an error he made in "political correctness". How do you give thanks in such an unfair situation? You do it out of the will to do what God says. Why? The giving of thanks is acknowledging that God is sovereign and He has allowed this for a purpose. God is never out of control of my life. Every believer in Christ has this confidence that God has a plan for his life that can not be thwarted by others.

I am very aware that this is easy to say but much harder to actually do. Yet, I am convinced that this is what I must do by God's abundant Grace. I do want to be grateful for eveything in my life; the good and the bad. Of course this seems to be much easier when I am doing nothing wrong but I am not sure this is always true. It is never easy to face genuine disappointment unless my focus is truly on the Lord when it happens. Pray I would be able to do this in my life so God would be honored by my life.

Devotions 21-11-07 (I John 5:4-5)

2007-11-21T12:12:00.000+02:00

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

The world seems so strong at times and so hard to overcome but I can have victory by the power of God. Yesterday, I was fairly sick in bed most of the day and I could only pray. What did I learn? I am weak and I am very dependent on the Lord in everything. Even when I think I am strong I am weaker than I think. I must make my relationship with God my first priority. I know this but do I really know this? Am I so dependent on God that a day is not complete until I have spent some quality time with Him in His Word and Prayer. Only in this way can I have a dynamic faith that overcomes the world.

Lord, I marvel at my weakness and recognize the urgency of my time with You. This time with you is not just to check off a block and go about my day in my strength. I must have personal time with You and from this relationship to have the strength to do Your will. Oh, to get in my head and heart that You are the focus of my life. There is nothing in my day more important than having time with You. Matt 6:33

Devotions 15-11-07 (II Peter 1:13-15)

2007-11-15T12:31:00.000+02:00

"I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind."

Let me try to put this in my own words first and I will make some comments about these verses. "God has given me the calling to remind you of some very important things that you need in order to follow the Lord as you should. I am getting older every year and I do not know how much longer I will be with you but while I am here I want to be faithful to you. I want to be diligent in reminding you of your responsibility to the Lord to do your best and work hard knowing that all your diligence and good effort is given to you by the Lord. I want you to remember what God has said long after I am gone."

Again a little review on what I am talking about. We are to be diligent in our faith and to add to our faith the following qualities; moral excellence or virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. This is what I need to be reminded of as often as possible. Who is reminding me of these qualities and keeping me accountable? Who is helping me to keep these increasing in my life as I walk with the Lord?

I am amazed at all there is in these verses of II Peter 1. There is so much to chew on and meditate to make these truths more than just words that I remember. Oh, that they would indeed become qualities in my life that are increasing day by day and year by year. What a privilige to have a wife who does a good job of reminding me of these qualities. I think we can improve on being more faithful in reminding each other more. I would like at least two more people that would be faithful to God and to me to help me pursue these qualities. Two men who would be in the battle with me for these Christlike qualities.

Devotions 14-11-07 (II Peter 1:12)

2007-11-14T14:32:00.000+02:00

"Therefore I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you."

How good am I at taking reminders from others? How many times have I said to my friends or others, "Oh, yes I know that". But in truth am I really doing what I know I should be doing? I think I need to be more receptive to others that remind me of what I know but I could always be more faithful or diligent in my doing what I know.

I hope I have become more sensitive to what others remind me of concerning the truths of God. Maybe in my older age I realize how easy I tend to forget things that I really do not want to forget. So remind me as much as you desire and I will be grateful.

I love God's calling me to go and make disciples in all the nations. I love the personal friendship and intimacy I can have with those of like heart and mind. We can really be honest with each other and help one another to be faithful to the truths of God as we press on through life. I am so grateful for all the reminders of personal discipline needed in my walk with God as I observe my fellow believers and listen to their reminders of what God says to us in His Word.

Devotions 13-11-07 (II Peter 1:10-11)

2007-11-13T11:51:00.000+02:00

"Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."

Again we are talking about the qualities of a man walking with God. They are important and give meaning and purpose to my life. If I am having a problem then I need to examine my calling and my relationship with my Savior. When I know what I have in Christ I will be diligent to grow in these qualities day by day.

When sins gets a hold of me and I fail to live the life I know is God's desire for me I get discouraged and can be drawn back into my old way of life. Then I began to feel that God does not love me any longer and I keep going downhill in my relation to my wonderful Lord. This is a lie from the enemy of my soul and I must not allow this to happen.

Lord give me the diligence to pursue these qualities and to keep increasing in them and to treasure this intimacy with You. There is so much in the world to distract me and I need other believers to help me to stay on course and to follow You. Thank You Lord for those You have brought into my life to encourage me and to keep me pressing ahead. I Love You Lord.

Devotions 09-11-07 (II Peter 1:9)

2007-11-09T12:35:00.000+02:00

"For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins."

Moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love. Seven qualities we need to be fruitful.

I do not want to be blind or short-sighted but I will be unless I exercise diligence in making these qualities above part of my life. It also means that I have forgotten what Christ has done for me when He cleansed me of my sin. This is a good cross-reference to Eph 2 concerning our salvation.

The problem is that I have forgotten what Christ did to make me a new person and I am drifting back into my old life. How sad and how awful to lose out on all I have in Christ because of my lack of diligence in my faith.

How awful is the pull of the world to draw me away from all the wonderful promises God has given to me in Christ. I must watch my time and my activities to prevent such short-sightedness or blindness happening to me. Oh, the power and strength I find in God's Word when I listen and obey what God says.

Devitions 08-11-07 (II Peter 1:8)

2007-11-08T10:39:00.000+02:00

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

What we are doing is seeking to apply all diligence to our faith. There are seven qualities that we are seeking to have in our lives, they are listed below;

Moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

Notice that these qualities are to be in my life and increasing. There is no end because life in dynamic. These will be increasing in my life or decreasing; there is no arrival point and then I can quit.

I am promised to have a useful part in God's purposes and I will be fruitful. This has to do with knowing the Lord Jesus Christ in an intimate and dynamic way. That is what my whole life should be about; having an intimate relationship with my Lord.

Lord, help me to keep these qualities in my heart so I am always reminded of these being a part of my life and increasing. Not just words but the truths that are in each one. I do long to have and maintain that intimacy with my great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Devotions 07-11-07 (II Peter 1:7)

2007-11-07T12:57:00.000+02:00

"and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love."

Today is the last three building blocks I am instructed to have in my life; godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

Godliness is to be God like; to do those things that honor God because God created us to live in this manner. I need to spend much time with God in His Word and in Prayer in order to be godly. It does not come naturally but only as I submit my will to His.

Brotherly kindness is to be kind to your brother. This should seem to be so evident but it is not. Am I as kind to my christian brothers as I ought? I am afraid not. Even in this I must take the time to respect and be kind to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I must treat them with respect and dignity. This is kindness in attitude and in my actions toward them.

The last of these is agape love, unconditional love. The love that does not depend on the other person but I love because God gives me the strength to love. Only in this way can I love my enemies and love those that do me harm or seek to harm me. I need all those other building blocks in order to have and to maintain the ability to love as I ought.

It appears that these seven qualities of life are so important in my seeking to live a life honoring to God: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverence, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. God has given me life in Christ through faith and I did not do anything to have it. He now expects me to be diligent in my faith and cooperate with Him in seeing these qualities in my life and growing as He gives me days to live.

Devotions 06-11-07 (II Peter 1:5-6)

2007-11-06T13:40:00.000+02:00

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self control, and in your self-control , perseverance,..."

Today I want to look at the next three building blocks I need in my life; knowledge, self-control and perseverance.

Life is dynamic and never static. Things are always changing. I must keep learning because there is so much to learn especially in the spiritual realm. I must keep growing in my knowledge of God's Word and how it applies to me and the changing world all around me.

As I grow in knowledge I must be mature in how I handle it. I must exercise self-control and use it wisely and prayerfully. So much injury and hurt is brought to others when I do not exercise self-control with truths of God. Someone once said the bible is not a club but a sword. I must use skill in handling a sword when fighting evil.

I also need perseverance or endurance in living out my life. I get tired and even lazy and do not want to keep fighting problems but God urges me to keep going and not quit. Maybe I become weary of having to think so much in my exercise of self-control and just want to back away from issues completely. No, I must persevere and do what is right but in a godly manner and spirit.

Lord, help me to understand these words and how they apply to my life and ministry. I know they are all a part of the character You want to develop in my life. Lord, keep me ever growing and learning and applying Your truths to my life. I must realize that the Holy Spirit will help me in my self-control because that is a part of the fruit He wants me to possess. I think one of the harder things for me to do is to keep going and not giving up when things do not seem to improve. Lord, help me to finish my life strong and even more eager than when I began. I can only do it by Your Grace. I do want to bring You Praise.

Devotions 05-11-07 (II Peter 1:5)

2007-11-05T12:43:00.000+02:00

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge;"

I think diligence must be applied to all of the other items listed. I begin with faith because that is where it all begins. I have faith in Jesus that He is God's son and He is the Savior of the world. He is my Savior. I must be diligent in my faith.

I now move from faith to something that I must be responsible for in the way I live out my faith. I must seek to have moral excellence or virtue. It has do with my character and how I respond to life and the circumstance of life. It is how I relate to others regardless of how they treat me or respond to me. A man of virtue is an example for others to follow. It has to do with purity, honesty, and many other important values.

Lord, help me to be a man of virtue or moral excellence. The longer I live I see the value of being a man of virtue. It is not easy in a world that does not appreciate a man of such character and morals. Yet such men are what keeps our world from falling apart and given completely to evil. Jesus was the true example of a man of virtue.

Devotions 01-11-07 (II Peter 1:5-7)

2007-11-01T11:59:00.000+02:00

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

This is a very interesting passage that requires some time to think on each word and to see how they relate to each other. Why is the sequence of the words the way they are and what should we learn from it. Over the next few days I want to camp here and see what I can learn. I have done this many years ago and I think it is time to refresh my soul on these issues.

I know verse four was about the magnificent promises of God and now says for this reason we need to look at how diligent I am in my faith. What is diligence? One definition is "persevering application". It is a steady and consistent working at accomplishing some task. Diligent is said to be" characterized by steady, earnest and energetic application and effort"

God is expecting some human effort on my part but it is small in comparison to what God promises to do but it is important and significant. So how am I doing at my earnest and energetic application and effort of making God's truths a part of my life and character? I need to do some thinking and meditation on this.

Lord, I do want to be a man diligent in my faith. I must not think that I am earning something or it is me that is doing the work but I must apply what You have told me to do and I must focus on this with a consistency and with whole-heartedness. Thank You for Your Word that is so clear and specific on my responsibilities.

Devotions 31-10-07 (II Peter 1:4)

2007-10-31T12:02:00.000+02:00

"For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."

Yesterday I saw that it was through the true knowledge of Him and His calling me by His own glory and excellence that I received power to live a life of godliness. Now Peter tells me that it is by these I also have precious and wonderful promises. The bible is the record of all these wonderful promises. If I will only take the time to reflect on them I can be blessed from them. Some require for me to do something and others are just for me because of His love for me.

These promises are given so I can become a part of His divine nature which also delivers me from the corruption that is in the world from lust. Lust is greed, I want this now and I want all I can get. Lust and greed will destroy those who practice it. God's promises will protect and deliver me such evil.

If you want a good verse to memorize and meditate on this is one. It has been such a blessing to me these 40+ years I have known it from memory and spent many hours meditating on it and using it to live life and to share with others.

It has been good for me to meditate on these verses again and to chew on them for a deeper application to my life and ministry. Lord, Your promises are so very wonderful and great; they truly are precious and magnificent. Help me to hang on to these promises and believe them with my whole being.

Devotions 30-10-07 (II Peter 1:2-3)

2007-10-30T10:53:00.000+02:00

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."

Since biblical knowledge is more than information but is a heart grasping truth. This is truly intimacy with God which multiplies my blessings. I gain multiplied grace and peace. Do I know what this means? I have much more grace and peace than I could ever imagine when I maintain an intimacy with my Lord.

I will also be able to see what His divine power has given to me; everything that pertains to life and godliness. As I think on this for awhile I am overwhelmed by God's love to me. I have been given all the power I need to live a productive and joyful life. I also have the power to live this life in godliness; free from the sin and corruption all around me.

Peter reminds me again that it is through the true knowledge of Him who called me by His glory and excellence. It is not a casual knowledge or an acquaintance but through an intimacy with Him. Spending much time alone with Him and getting to know Him and desiring to obey Him in everything.

Lord, I sometimes rush through my times with You and I fail to have the grace and peace that You desire for me to have. I do want this intimacy with You because I need Your power and strength to live my life honoring You. It is only Your power in me that allows me to live a godly life that brings You glory. Lord, help me to see the urgency of this intimacy for my good. Thank You for Your love for me!

Devotions 29-10-07 (I Peter 5:10-11)

2007-10-29T12:30:00.001+02:00

"And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen"

I had a great time meditating on these verses and while editing it I hit the wrong button and erased it all. I do not have the time to do it all again so I will sort of summarize what I learned.

I did some thinking on what does it mean that He perfected, confirmed, strengthened and established me. I think there are some wonderful thoughts in these words. I like the phrase just before this when He said that He Himself would do this work in my life. He takes personal responsibility to do this work in me.

He is the God of all grace who has called me and wants me to be perfected and established for His glory.

I pray that I would cooperate with Him and allow Him to do this for me so I would be able to accomplish all He has sent me to do. What a wonderful and loving God who takes personal responsibility to do an eternal work in me. How I must praise Him in all I do and seek to do only His will and not mine.

Devotions 28-10-07 (I Peter 5:8-9)

2007-10-28T10:31:00.000+02:00

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary,the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."

There are some things I must be serious or sober about in my walk with God. One is that I have an enemy who hates me and desires to destroy me. He is always busy trying to find someone, anyone to destroy. He is not choosy but will attack anyone no matter if he is great or a little child or whether they are good or bad. His name is the destroyer and that is his character.

He cannot harm me when I am in fellowship with my Lord and under His protection. I must fight him as God instructs and not fight him in my own strength. So I must resist him being firm in my faith and being strong in God's Word because that is where my faith is strengthened.

I must be aware that I am not the only one fighting the enemy but my brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world are in the same fight. I must not feel sorry for myself but allow God to be my refuge and strength. He is well capable to deal with the enemy whom He has already defeated.

Lord, I want to be a wise disciple or follower of Yours. Help me to be alert and attentive to satan's plans and tricks. Help me to be serious about prayer and the word and making it a priority in all I do. I have not grasped the seriousness of all this as much as I think I have. Lord, bless our day with Piret and Stella and guide us in all we do and discuss. Lord give me wisdom to speak and teach Your Word.

Devotions 27-10-07 (I Peter 5:1-3)

2007-10-27T14:56:00.000+03:00

"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock."

I want to focus on my responsibility to shepherd the flock of God that I am among. I want to do that here in Estonia but I have been thinking about my older children and their children. Am I being a good shepherd to them. Should I retire and be closer to them and minister to them as I have strength? Would that be pleasing to God?

As a shepherd of a flock of God I am to have oversight over them but it must be done voluntarily. I must do it according to the will of God and with eagerness. I must not be a ruler over them but be an example to them. It must not be done without any thought of any evil or deceiving ways to make money or take advantage of anyone.

Lord should I retire and do this with my family as a shepherd to them? Would they want me to do this? I think they would but I must be very careful in talking this out with them. Communications must be very clear so there is no room for misunderstanding and no way for satan to come in and cause problems.

Lord, thank You for these thoughts and help me know how to apply them to my life. I really want the closing years of my life to count for my family especially but also to be available to those we have ministered to over the years. Which would include those who have been our donors over the years we have been in ministry. Oh, Lord to be an example to others for Your praise and glory.

Devotions 26-10-07 (I Peter 5:6-7)

2007-10-26T10:56:00.000+03:00

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."

I can ask God to give me humility and He will brings things into my life that will humble me but there is still something lacking. God wants me to see the value of humility and for me to do it on a volunteer basis. When I humble myself before God and others it is clear that I understand the value. Maybe I need a clear plan on how I am going to do this. Then I can follow that plan and not get sidetracked by my feelings or emotion.

In order to humble myself I must be able to cast all my anxieties upon God knowing and believing that He truly cares for me. There can be many anxious thoughts when I honestly humble myself before God and others.

Lord, what is the mark of true humility? Is it doing a few things well but not trying to impress others? Is it a quiet confidence in God who sees everything and will guide me in what I should do. Is it connected with prayer and believing God is able to do much without my leading a charge. Lord, I need Your grace to do what I desire and what You desire even more. Humble my self before You and others.

Devotions 25-10-07 (I Peter 5:5)

2007-10-25T11:46:00.000+03:00

"You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Since I am no longer a younger man, I will let the younger ones apply the first phrase to their lives. I will begin with the "all of you" since I am part of this. The task is clothe myself with humility toward others. God gives a little incentive to this statement saying that He will oppose those who are proud but will grace to the humble. It would seem we would want to do the humble task rather than having God opposing us. It is amazing how we resist the humbling of ourselves.

I think it may come from our lack of knowing God for who He really is. His love and care for me and His desire to see me succeed. I get impatient with God and so I take things into my own hands and the trouble begins. The truth is that He wants to exalt us if we would only cooperate with Him and follow His wisdom which is far greater than mine.

I can be opposed by God or I can be given His Grace. What a choice! God fighting against me or His giving me grace which is the power to do His will. Anyone would be foolish to turn down His mighty Grace. Yet, I often do this when I let my intimacy with God to be disrupted.

Lord, I choose Your Grace today and humble myself before You and others. Lord, I want to be a servant to all so I might show them Your love and power to give us Your marvelous Grace. Lord, I know this is not easy to do because my flesh will want to resist this but I want to obey You more than anything. Lord, help me to be Your humble servant today.

Devotions 24-10-07 (I Peter 4:19)

2007-10-24T13:13:00.001+03:00

Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."

I may not always know why I am suffering but I must entrust my situation to a faithful Creator who always does what is right. His ways and purposes are far beyond what I can understand or perceive. I have felt many times over the years that what I was going through was the worst thing I could imagine. After it was past I was able to see the goodness of God in delivering me from something worse or opening a door for my good and His glory.

There are many Christians living in California who are losing their homes in fires and it seems that all that they have is lost in a single day. They can either get mad at God, which would be foolish, or they can entrust themselves and their family to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. It is easy for me to sit here and say such a thing but it is not my words but God's.

I do not know what the future holds for me and my family but I trust that when I suffer according to the will of God I will entrust my soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. I think all suffering is according to the will of God even in my rebellion toward God. There could be suffering that is because I am fighting against God and purposely doing evil and that suffering is just the results of my evil deeds. Even in this many times God will use this suffering to bring a person to Christ if he will soften his heart and cry out to God for mercy.

Devotions 23-10-07 (I Peter 4:12-13)

2007-10-23T12:41:00.000+03:00

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as through some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation."

I know I should not be surprised at hard times but I do not react to hard times as well as I should. They generally come when I least expect them and when I am not prepared at all for them. That is why it is a test or trial but I still tend to complain and say why now Lord or even worst why me Lord. It is hard to get it in my head that the all wise Lord knows I have need of this.

God wants me to trust Him and to keep on rejoicing because He is God and He is my loving Savior. He is a good God and always does what is good! These test are to help me to get a firmer grip on this wonderful truth. If I look around just a little I will quickly find others that are going through more difficult times than me but I tend to focus on those who are not having it as bad as me at least from what I see.

I must have memorized this passage 40 years ago and God has encouraged me from this passage through many difficult times. I keep thinking I have learned how to handle difficulties until I reach the next one and I am once again surprised. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to continue to reveal to me how I must continue to trust You through all the difficulties of life. You have never forsaken me and I know You never will. As Lou and I face our big move back to the USA and getting reestablished while in our mid-seventies help us to trust You with great joy.

Devotions 22-10-07 (I Peter 4:11)

2007-10-22T13:39:00.000+03:00

"Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

There are two things we do most in living life. We speak and we serve. God tells me how I should speak and how I should serve. There is a third thing I do and that is who gets the glory for what I say and what I do. God tells me Jesus Christ should get all the glory.

When I speak I should speak as if it were God speaking. How do I do this? The best way is to use the Words of God because the scriptures are the Words of God. Even as I use my words I must be conscious that what I say reflects on God because I am His child and He is my Father.

When I serve the Lord I must likewise give Him the credit for the strength and the ability He has given me. Especially as I get older I realize how limited my strength is and how He has given me strength all along. It is harder to do things in the flesh so I must secure His strength if I am going to be able to do something at all.

Now who should receive the glory? Of course the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords should receive the glory. Why would I ever want to claim this glory for myself? Why would anyone want to do this? This is the pride of man that is always getting us into trouble. It is my flesh and my natural man who is resisting the truth of God.

Lord, I do want to speak and serve in such a way that Jesus Christ is given all the glory. I do not want these to be just words but the deep conviction of my heart and soul. Give me insight and wisdom in how to do this so this is evident to all. Forgive me Lord for all I have done in my life where I have taken Glory that did not belong to me at all. Thank You for allowing me to speak and to serve You with the life You have graciously given me.

Devotions 21-10-07 (Titus 2:15)

2007-10-21T18:18:00.000+03:00

"These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Another translation, The Message, says the same thing in a little more informal way. "Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down."

I would put it my own words like this. "Talk to others about what I have said and encourage them to speak to others about these important biblical truths. If they disagree with these truths explain to them why they are wrong. Don't be bothered by those who disagree with you. They are not disagreeing with you but God. Stand on what God says in His Word and do not back down because what God says in His Word in right and truth."

This is our assignment as believers. I need to be busy doing this all the days of my life. Others have taught me and encouraged me and now it is my turn to teach others. The Christian life is never boring if we will just obey the Lord in this verse. If I will step out in faith to do this He will be with me and use me for His glory.

Lord, Your way is the most fulfilling way to live. Help me to follow these simple but profound truths in Titus 2:11-15. Verse 15 is my assignment and I must prayerfully seek to do this with God's strength and power. Thank You Lord for Your patience and love for me and for the whole world.

Devotions 20-10-07 (Titus 2:14)

2007-10-20T12:13:00.000+03:00

"Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession zealous for good deeds."

Jesus Christ died for us so He might buy us out of a life of sin and lawless deeds. I still have the pull to lawless deeds. I do not want to follow rules that keep me from doing what I want to do. I want to be free from laws or rules so I can be a slave to my emotions and my ever changing desires. I do not want to follow rules of godly living but free to be a slave to chaos and disorder and those things that will destroy me. It does not make much sense does it?

When Jesus redeemed me He purified me and gave me a desire to follow His rules because He has loved me so and continues to love me. I now belong to Jesus and His desire is for me to do good deeds. This requires obedience to His way which is the way of real freedom. I am no longer a slave to my selfish and prideful ways but am willing to serve others for their good. I become zealous for good deeds to God's glory and His grace. How wonderful to be pure and clean by His redeeming love.

Lord how wonderful You are and how wise You are. You know what I need far more than I could ever know. What a privilege to be involved in doing good deeds and be free from all the lawless deeds that are destroying people all around me and destroying the world in which I live.

Devotions 19-10-07 (Titus 2:13)

2007-10-19T11:57:00.000+03:00

"Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus..."

I always look forward to a special event that I know will be good. There is no greater special event than when Jesus returns and sets up His Kingdom. This is our blessed hope!!! But even greater is the glory of His Presence. His glory will fill the heavens and the earth.

Notice that Jesus Christ is our great God and Savior. He is coming a second time and will again change the course of our history on earth. Things will never be the same after He comes and establishes His Kingdom.

We can endure a lot if we know there is a special event coming. We look forward to graduation or a wedding and especially if you are the one getting married. Our Savior and God is coming for us.

Lord I want to be busy doing Your Work when You come to establish You rule over all things. It is such a privilege to know You and to be part of all You are doing in all of creation. Thank You for Your great plan of salvation and Your plan for eternity.

Devotions 18-10-07 (Titus 2:12)

2007-10-18T10:13:00.000+03:00

"Instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age..."

Remember, yesterday "For the grace of God appeared bringing salvation to all men..." It is this grace that is instructing me to do something; first is to quit doing two things and second to do three things. These I am told to do right now in this present time.

First I must deny ungodliness. What is ungodliness? It is denying God or being disobedient to Him. Simply do not do this! Second I must deny worldly desires. This is a little harder to figure out. Eating is a worldly desire and that is not wrong because that is important to live. To eat too much and be a glutton is a worldly desire beyond my need and that is sin. So I must determine what is my real need and not to overdo or go to the extreme in meeting that need. I must be sure I am not disobeying God while seeking to meet my worldly desires. My focus must be God and not on the temporal things of the world.

The things I must seek to do is to be sensible, righteous and godly. Sensible is using my senses and reason in line with the character, love and kindness of God. Righteousness is doing what is Right and avoiding what is Wrong according to God's standard. Godly is of course acknowledging God as God and seeking to follow His ways and truth.

I must do this in this present age. It is for now and not sometime in the future. These things are always the right thing to do so I must get a good hold of them in my mind and heart and do them.

Lord, thankYou for the clarity of Your Word and the simplicity in which You give instructions and guidance. The hard part is the denying and doing what You say. I know You give Your Holy Spirit to help me and I must rely on His presence and Your grace to give me the strength and ability that I do not have.

Devotions 17-10-07 (Titus 2:11)

2007-10-17T14:12:00.000+03:00

I am writing on Titus 2:11-15 the next few days. I have memorized these verses years ago and just recently spent some time refreshing my memory concerning them. I wrote on these verses back in Aug 27-28. I have done considerable meditating on these since then and I want to record what God has taught me.

Titus 2:11
"For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men..."

The coming of Jesus Christ was accomplished by the wonderful and amazing Grace of God. We did not do anything to deserve or merit this wonderful revelation of God's love. God did it because we had no other hope and only He could make us into new creatures through His Son. This wonderful salvation did not come just for me but for all men. Yes, all men who would acknowledge they are sinful and need a Savior. All who would respond to His appearing by faith.

How can I burn this into my mind and being and praise God and be Thankful to Him all the days of my life and on into eternity? How can I turn my gratefulness into actions that would help others to see what God's wonderful Grace has brought to me.

Lord may these words ring in my mind and heart all the days you have given to me. Help me to be more diligent in sharing this with all who are around me wherever I may go. I pray my life and my family's lives would reflect this truth from their lives as well. I pray this for my family in Christ around the world who You have enabled Lou and me to encourage and guide into a deeper walk with You through Your marvelous Word. You have done it all Lord and I have been only Your messenger and servant. I give You all the Praise!!!

Devotions 12-10-07

2007-10-12T11:05:00.000+03:00

Ephesians 1:3-14
Verse 3 "Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing." The rest of the verses 4-14 tell of the specific spiritual blessings God has given to us in Jesus Christ.

I would like to summarize what these blessings are in a few words or sentences. You can read it all by reading verses 3-14. I think the issue is Praise to God for all He has done for us. If you think seriously about all we have in Christ it is absolutely amazing. I will make my list and change the pronouns to personal pronouns. He has done all this for me.

1. In Christ I have been made holy and blameless before God my Father.
2. I have become a son of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
3.I have redemption and forgiveness of my sins through the blood of Jesus Christ when He died on the cross.
4.He made known to me the mystery of His will for generations to come.
5. He is preparing to sum up all things in heaven and earth in Christ.
6. I have an eternal inheritance given to me in Christ.
7. I am sealed with the Holy Spirit as a promise of my inheritance in Christ.

Is this enough to create in my heart a sense of awe and praise to God? Do I really believe that God has given me all this in Jesus Christ? I say Yes to both of these questions.

Lord, help me to praise You more often and to meditate more on all You have given me in Christ. I get so busy living life and working with other people's needs that I miss the focus I must have on You. Help me to grow deeper in my Praise of You.

Devotions 11-10-07

2007-10-11T14:16:00.000+03:00

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Further more if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?. And if one can over-power him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

A few days ago I wrote a few words about our 48th Anniversary. I think this is another passage of scripture that Lou and I have shared at times concerning our marriage. I think it applies to more than a marriage but it definitely has truths in it that a good marriage must have.

There are three issues mentioned in this passage. 1. When I am seeking to produce something lasting I need to have someone helping me that is committed to me. We all tend to stumble in what we are seeking to do and I need to have someone help me when I stumble. When building a family it requires a mom and a dad that work together to produce a godly family. 2. The second is a matter of companionship. We all need to feel loved and often we hit problems that make us feel alone and cold. In a good marriage my wife should be that personal friend that brings warmth into my life. 3.We all need protection against those that want to harm us or just discourage us from what we are attempting. The bonds of marriage and commitments are God's design to enable us to do what we could never do alone.

In summary let me try to give these three item a brief sentence.
1. I need a loving spouse who is with me and supportive of me in God's task for us.
2. I need my spouse's warmth to be my companion and friend.
3. We can protect each other as we seek to do God's will for our lives.

Sometimes when I am writing my blog I just cannot seem to say what I really have in my mind. Today is one of those days. I think I have captured the main idea but I wish I could say this better. I think this passage is so great and has so much good advice and I really want to remember and to apply to my marriage. I think I am in measure but I trust I can improve greatly in the months ahead.

Devotions 09-10-07

2007-10-09T11:49:00.000+03:00

Genesis 2:24
"For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."

Mary Lou and I just celebrated our 48th Anniversary of oneness a few days ago. It was on Oct 6th. We got away to a nice hotel and just enjoyed two nights and nearly three days just being with each other. We had our breakfast in the hotel which was included in with our hotel room and went out to dinner a few times. On our wedding night we went to a special dinner and recalled our previous anniversary celebrations over the past eight years here in Estonia.

It was then that I began to think of what lessons I have learned about marriage in these 48 years we have had together. At least what are some new highlights I am appreciating at this time in my life. These are not in order of priority but just as they come to my mind.

A life partner is a marvelous gift of God. I am 74 and Lou is 72 and we so appreciate each other and have so much enjoyment together. We have so enjoyed serving the Lord and others during most of these years.

To have a good marriage requires work and sacrifice to keep it fresh and beautiful. Without much prayer and working at learning how to relate to one another it will not be what God intended it to be.

God must be at the center of our individual lives and the focus of our lives together. Colossians 1:18 "He (Jesus Christ) is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.". Jesus Christ having first place in our lives is a vital key to a beautiful marriage and one treasured by both.

Anniversaries are a time to have have a honeymoon and reflect on all God has done for us both. Life gets us so busy that we fail to remind ourselves of how much we truly love and appreciate each other. This of course can not be done unless I am working on the items I have mentioned all year long.

Our goal has not been to make the other partner improve but to improve my own life and pray for the other. We have learned to appreciate the differences God has given us and seek to be all God created me to be. As I grow in maturity and as I am able to love more unselfishly it is amazing how my partner begins to change. So I have learned to be more attentive to my sin and weaknesses and not be critical of my wife, my friend, my lover and c0-servant of Christ.

So have we had any problems? Yes, we have but we have done so without attacking each other or saying emotional things that we would later want to take back but cannot. We have learned to ask forgiveness and to give forgiveness freely. We recognize that we are both sinners that has needed God's forgiveness and we still need His forgiveness as we seek to live a life pleasing to Him. As we are before God so are we before each other. God is kind and gracious and loving to us in spite of our sin and so we must use God's help to be the same to each other as well.

So we give God all the credit for all He has given us. Even our working at being loving and kind to each other is to His credit because He gives us the grace and strength to do what we are so weak at doing.

Devotions 28-09-07

2007-09-28T11:12:00.002+03:00

Mark 3:14-15 (Again)

And He (Jesus) appointed twelve that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.

I have been thinking on these verses more and feel I was not very exact in my conclusions that I wrote yesterday. I would like to try it again. I think there are three different issues that Jesus was dealing with concerning His disciples and not just two. 1. He wanted them to be with Him. 2. He wanted to send them out to preach. 3. He gave them authority to cast out demons. I did not list this as a separate item yesterday.

All three of these are important and I think we must grow in our ability to move up to the next level. I think each one demands more spiritual maturity and a closer walk with God. I know God is not bound to any steps of growth and can give us all three at once but I do not think this is the general case.

I think we each need to spend much time to be with Jesus. I do not think we every grow out of this and the more mature we become the more we are driven to spend time with our Lord. Our ministry is not in our own strength but it is in His. So we begin by spending time with Jesus and we never grow out of this vital need.

But the purpose of our time with Jesus is so we can know how to go to the lost world. That is why Jesus has left us in the world to reach those who we know and love and those in our sphere of influence. Even when we know what we should do we need His strength and wisdom in actually doing this work.

The third issue is having authority over the demons that are in our world to do evil and to inspire evil. God will give us this authority as we are faithful to Him and allow Him to work through us. This is serious warfare and demands serious commitment to the ways of God. I must be ever close to the Lord Jesus and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my life.

Lord, this is Your plan to reach the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. It was true when You were on earth and it is still true today. Lord, help me to pay close attention to Your Word and to obey it with all my heart. Continue to teach me every day how much time I must spend with You and in Your Word. Lord give me Your wisdom and strength as I speak of this tomorrow.

2007-09-28T11:12:00.001+03:00

Devotions 27-09-07

2007-09-27T13:47:00.000+03:00

Mark 3:14
He(Jesus) appointed twelve (whom He named apostles)that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons.

I am speaking at a one day conference this Sat and this is the main verse I am going to focus on. The conference is about small groups and I think this verse gives the core of what small groups should be about. The words in brackets are added in some early manuscripts. It does not change the meaning but it does broaden the text some.

There seems to be two main reasons why Jesus did this. 1. He wanted these men to be with Him so they would get to know Him and He would be able to train them. We sometimes refer to this as the "with Him principle". 2. The purpose in this time together is to equip them to be able to go and do what Jesus was doing. There is a world out there lost in their sins and some are being held captive by demons from satan, the leader of demons. They were being equipped to go into the world and do battle with the evil that was there.

Lord, I thank You for bringing men into my life who brought me into their small group and who took a personal interest in me to equip me to go into the world and do what they did for me. I thank You for all those individuals who You have given me to pour my life into so they might repeat what I have done with them. It all began with Jesus and it is still going on today. Praise the Lord!!!

Devotions 26-09-07

2007-09-26T12:51:00.000+03:00

Hebrews 13:15-17
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."

Praise and thanksgiving is such a vital part of our christian lives. When I become ungrateful and do not praise the Lord regularly I am in real trouble in my walk with God. This requires me to guard my life from busyness and trying to do more than I should.

God says that we must not neglect doing good and sharing with others. God is pleased when I make time and have time to do what is good and share with others.

I believe that is why God has given us leaders so we do not fail in the first two items I have mentioned. Leaders must set the example in these matters and urge those under them to follow a wholesome life as directed by the scriptures. I know this thought could be twisted to give some one too much authority over subordinates but the other extreme is also bad when I do not follow any one's authority and I am the authority of my own life.

How wonderful it is to be able to be under a godly person who is personally interested me and I have the freedom to submit to their godly leadership. I have gained so much over the years by being under such leadership.

Lord, help me to be the kind of leader that others would trust and find beneficial to their lives. It is a responsibility from God that I must handle carefully and prayerfully. Lord, thanks for the opportunity to be a leader for my family and those you have given to me in the process of ministry over the years. It is such a joy to see them successful in their walk with God and their ministry in depth to others.

Devotions 24-09-07

2007-09-24T12:59:00.000+03:00

Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you" so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid . what shall man do to me?"

My character is very important to God and it must be focused on His all sufficiency for me. So I must not let the love of money distract me from my confidence in God and I must be satisfied with what I have and not be envious of what others may have.

He has made it very clear that He will never desert me nor will He forsake me. He wants me to be confident that the Lord is my helper and I will not be afraid of what others might do to me. This confidence is so important in this day in which there is so much fear of terror and wickedness doing such evil. God will not leave me unguarded and will protect me until my work on earth is done. This gives me great confidence and freedom to be His servant in whatever He might ask me to do.

I love the verse in Prov 28:1 "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion." This boldness comes from from my confidence in my God.

Lord, I want this confidence and boldness to be in my life. I know it is a matter of faith and believing what You have said is true. Thank You for reminding me today how important this is to have in my character. You are worthy of all my trust and faith.