January 25, 2011

Yesterday we were back to school, it was a busy day.  i went to Cando and cleaned the church and then came  home and fixed supper.    I have included two devotions this morning.  In each I have high lighted parts that are really significant.  We are living in a tough world but God is able.  The first makes me think of how we need to pray for those in dark places, places whether in US or other parts of the world, where living for Jesus is much more difficult that it is here.  I was reading about girls who are sold into slavery, it is happening all over and it is not good.  I think of the precious little girls in our lives and how we treasure them, and then to think of the way it is in other places.... It is even happening in US, possibly they have come here from other countries and being "used" here.  The other thought is about loving what is dark.......

Loving the Dark

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
— John 3:19


The Pharisees did not doubt Jesus because they merely disagreed with Him. They doubted Jesus because they were hardened against him.

Doubt is a matter of the mind. Even Christians have moments of doubt. We don't always understand what God is doing or why He is doing it. Unbelief, in contrast, is a matter of the will. It is a choice we make.

The Pharisees were full of unbelief. They did not reject Jesus for lack of evidence or because He was not consistent with what He said. The fact is that Jesus was the perfect example. Even Pontius Pilate, who had examined countless people, said, "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4), and "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person" (Matthew 27:24). Judas Iscariot, who spent three, concentrated years with Jesus and even betrayed Him said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). So Jesus clearly was a model of everything that He said.

The Pharisees rejected Jesus because it interfered with the way they wanted to live. And that is why people reject Him today. Jesus said, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:19–20).

People don't reject Jesus because they have carefully examined the evidence and have determined that it is not convincing enough. They don't reject Him because they have read through the Scriptures and have found some apparent contradiction. They don't reject Him because of the so-called hypocrisy of some in the church. They reject Him because He interferes with the way they want to live.

VERSE:
  For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust
suffering because he is conscious of God.
   -- 1 Peter 2:19
THOUGHT:
  Unjust suffering! Ouch, even the sound of those words sends a
chill up and down my spine. Such a thing doesn't seem fair or
appropriate -- and it isn't. Yet we have many brothers and sisters
bearing up under pain and unjust suffering because of their
commitment and loyalty to the only True God and to his Son, Jesus
Christ. Wouldn't it be incredible if those of us who are not
touched by terrible persecution or hardship would begin each day
praying for those in our spiritual family who do face hardship,
persecution, suffering, and mistreatment? As they display the grace
of Christ to honor God in the face of such difficulty, let's pray
that our Father will not only give them strength to endure, but
that he will also deliver them soon!

PRAYER:
  Holy and merciful Father, please bless your children today who
suffer pain and hardship while displaying the grace of Jesus.
Whether these problems are because of persecution or because of
life's difficulties, I pray that you strengthen my brothers and
sisters who are suffering. But Father, I know the only permanent
answer for this suffering is for Jesus' return, so please send him
soon. In the name of the Coming Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.