God Our Refuge - Closet Reflections

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Actions and Attitude of Love

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 20:13, may the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the Lord be with you as He has been with my father.

When I read this verse, it reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Jonathan was the kind of friend that knew how to prove his love. His love was not just lip service. He showed his love by his actions, and his attitude. He was willing to put his life on the line in order to help David. Jesus said, in John 13:15, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” 1 Corinthians 13 tells us love is kind, does not envy or seek its own. Jonathan’s words of encouragement to David were kind. His words, “the LORD be with you as He has been with my father” were words that clearly demonstrated that he did not envy what God had chosen for David’s life, even though it was going to affect Jonathan’s chances of inheriting the throne. Jonathan could have used his friendship with David, and Saul’s hatred for him, to his advantage to gain future access to the throne. Instead, he chose to show his love for David by coming along side him, endangering his own life, and not envying the fact that God was working in David’s life, as was plainly seen by Jonathan. He did not look after his own interests, but those of David. Philippians 2:3-4 clearly commands, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” When others see our actions and attitudes, do they see the love of Jesus? Do they see the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 or do they see envy, selfishness, and self-centeredness? What kind of friend are we? What kind of brother or sister in Christ are we? When the opportunities arise for us to come along side those whom God chooses for His service, are we ready to come along side and help them shine, or are we more interested in trying to steal the limelight for ourselves? Demonstrating true love towards others, toward those we claim to love, should always manifest itself in our actions and our attitudes toward them, and shine brightly for the glory of God.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Devotional Audio Track: Giving More than Just Our Words

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Giving More than Just Our Words

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 20:9, But Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I knew certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you?”

Sometimes encouragement comes from some of the most unexpected places or unlikely people. Although it is true that Jonathan and David were closer than brothers, we must still observe the facts that King Saul was Jonathan’s father, and he stood to inherit the throne as his son. This must have resonated in David’s mind as he conversed with Jonathan, while trying to avoid being killed by Saul and his men. Yet, Jonathan remained faithful to David, and now speaks words of encouragement to him. When was the last time we spoke words of encouragement to someone who was in great need of hearing them? Colossians 4:6 admonishes us, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” In other words, our speech should be edifying and encouraging to one another. However, there are those times when God puts us before someone, not just to speak words of encouragement, but to follow those words up with actions of encouragement. This requires that we not be so involved in self that we overlook the needs of others. Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Words of encouragement go a long way when we are down and trying to survive difficult times, but someone coming along side us during those times goes a long way in helping us stand firm and moving ahead by faith. God did not intend for us to fight the battles of life by ourselves. Even Jesus sent his disciple out two by two (Mark 6:7). Galatians 6:2 tells us to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” James 2:14-17 also tells us, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Now, I want to caution us right here. Some will use this portion of Scripture to try and guilt us into giving them money or some other material thing. In encouraging and helping others, we must be wise and sensitive to God’s leading as far as who He wants us to minister to and help. When Jesus was here on earth, He did not heal everyone. He served, healed, and provided for those whom He encountered as He walked this earth, but He did not do this for all. Although He provided for the physical need of some, He was more concerned with meeting the spiritual needs of the world. In Luke 19:10 He said that He came to seek and save the lost. So it will be with us. We will not be able to be there for everyone we meet, but the Lord will make it clear when He has put us in a position to minister to, and help, the person(s) that truly need to hear a word of encouragement, or need a helping hand. The one thing we can offer to all those we meet, which is needed more than anything we could help them with, is the Gospel message. Jonathan not only tried to encourage David with what he said to him, but he also made himself available to help him determine whether King Saul was really seeking to harm him, and then help him escape King Saul’s attempts. Others will not always have material needs. Sometimes the need is that of our time, talents, or abilities. As a matter of fact, sometimes it is more difficult and challenging to give of our time than it is to give of our material resources. I would like to remind us that Jesus did not just say, “I love you”, He proved it by His actions by laying down His life for us. So, I ask again, “When was the last time we spoke words of encouragement to others?” The better question is, “When was the last time we backed those words up with actions that not only encouraged others, but also proved our faith and showed the love of Jesus?”

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Devotional Audio Track: A Friend and Brother

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A Friend and Brother

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 20:4, So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.”

Ephesians 6:12 warns, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The enemies we face each day are organized. They work together. In Mark 5, in dealing with a man who was possessed by demons, Jesus asked one of them, “What is your name?” In verse 9 the demon responded, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” If only we, as Christ followers, were this united in our daily battles and struggles. One of the saddest things I have seen in Christianity is the division and discord that exists within the body of Christ. There are far too many lonely Christians who desire fellowship and friendship, but cannot seem to find it amongst God’s people because we are either too busy living our own lives, or we just are not willing to put in the effort it takes to maintain good relationships. At best, many relationships today, amongst God’s people, remains on a superficial level. The few friendships that do exist often end up turning into clicks with exclusive membership. This ought not to be within the local church or within the body of Christ in general. Jonathan is a prime example of what true friendship looks like. It was evident by Jonathan’s dedication to David that he was not a “fair-weathered” friend. When David was at the height of his favor with King Saul, Jonathan made himself a friend to David (1 Samuel 18:1). When King Saul was seeking to kill David, Jonathan remained a faithful friend to David. Here we find David on the run, and even though David tests Jonathan’s loyalty in verses 1-3, he does not have to wonder where Jonathan is in this great time of need. Based on the friendships we claim to enjoy with others, what kind of friend are we? Do we make ourselves available in our friends’ times of need, or are we too busy complaining about how no one is there for us? Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” If we expect to make friends and keep friends, we must make ourselves the kind of friend that others can depend on. I say this with caution, as there are many who would take advantage of such kindness and suck the life out of us, but that is why we must be friends who are wise in what kind of friend we are to others. If we prayerfully ask the Lord to show us who is in need of a faithful friend, the Lord will lead us to them. I know that we will not be friends with everyone, but we can certainly find a friend or two whom we can fellowship with and encourage. What we will find, if we truly make the effort, is that when we become a faithful friend who sees others through thick and thin, we will not only find a friend, we will find a brother. Proverbs 17:17 tells us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” I have found, personally, that some of my closest family members have not been the members of my earthly, biological family, but my brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a special bond that we share when we know the Lord and when we sacrifice whatever necessary to be there for each other during trying times. Jonathan did not abandon David in his time of persecution and need, even though the one who was pursuing him was Jonathan’s own flesh and blood. The love and friendship that these two shared was as great as it could be humanly speaking, but there is One who is a Friend and a Brother who will always be with us through good and bad. His Name is Jesus. In John 15:13-15, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” In Hebrews 2:10-11, the Word of God tells us that Jesus is our Brother, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” In Hebrews 13:5 God promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is ultimately the Friend and Brother who will see us through all tribulation, will not abandon us, and will never be a “fair-weather” Friend. We are commanded to love one another as He has loved us (John 15:12). That means that we are to lay down our lives for one another, if needed. This was the friendship and brotherhood that Jonathan and David shared. This is the kind of friendship and brotherhood that world should see amongst God’s people. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Devotional Audio Track: Are We Really Listening?

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Are We Really Listening?

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 19:23-24, So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

It still amazes me today that for as long as I have known the Lord, I still waste so much time resisting God’s direction in my life. You would think that after so many years of following the Lord, reading and studying His Word, and praying, that we would get the hints that the Lord puts before us to get our attention. Instead, we continue to follow our own path and our own desires until He finally has to do something drastic to humble us and get our eyes back on Him. Saul was hard-hearted and stiff-necked. In this chapter we see that he will not relent in trying to chase down David in his attempts to kill him. In verses 20-22, Saul sends messengers to follow after David after he departed to be with Samuel. He did this three times, and the result each time was that the messengers prophesied, or praised and worshipped God instead of carrying out Saul’s demands. These three instances were instances of God sending His own message to Saul, “David is mine and you will not touch him. He is under my protection.” Yet, Saul persisted. How often have we set out to accomplish something, in our own strength, and driven by our own desires, only to be frustrated by failed attempts? How have we responded? Quite often the response has been to try a different way, only to fail again. Do we ever just stop and ask, “Lord, what is it that you want me to do? Should I really be pursuing this or should I change direction? Is this something you want for me, or is this just my own selfish want?” When all else failed, Saul decided that he would go and do it himself. Such a display of arrogance to think that he would be able to accomplish what God stopped in his three previous attempts. Yet, how often have we been driven by our own pride in trying to accomplish something that was obviously not part of God’s plan for our lives? The Word of God is very clear in 1 Peter 5:5 and James 4:6 that “God resists the proud”. When Saul finally arrives in Naioth in Ramah, he too is overcome by the Spirit and begins to praise and worship God. It is as if God is telling him, “Saul, this is what I can do in your life, by my Spirit, if you will submit to me.” Yet, Saul’s prophesying is a momentary, superficial act, which is in no way a true reflection of what is in his heart. Sadly, there are far too many people who put up a front that convinces others that they have a heart for God, when in fact they are only out for themselves and what they want. Amazingly, God stripped Saul of what made him important, in his own mind, and humbled him by stripping him naked. Oftentimes, God has to strip away those things that give us self-worth, in our own thinking, in order to humble us before Him. We, as true followers of Jesus, must be genuine in our praise of, worship of, and life for, God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must seek God’s will and plan for our lives, over our own plans and desires. In Luke 9:23-25 Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” I must ask that we consider this question, “Are we arrogantly following our own path and desires, or are we really humbly listening to the Lord’s leading and guidance by way of the Spirit?”