Genesis 19:26

"But his wife looked back from behind him,
and she became a pillar of salt."

This weeks verse is a sobering one that we all need to consider. Lot and his family had just been pulled out of Sodom by two Angles sent by God. Why? God was going to destroy the city. Let's back up just a bit and get the context of what was going on. Lot and his family were living in Sodom. A city known for it's wickedness and sexual immorality. Lot, as the new testament says, was a just man and was vexed living there. See 2 Peter 2:7. So what's the deal? Why, if he was vexed was he living there? I think the answer is found in our text. In the verse it says, "But his wife looked back from behind him." The word in the Hebrew is nabat. It literally means to to scan, that is, look intently at; by implication to regard with pleasure, favor or care: - (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see. Strongs Concordance. When She looked back, she had an attachment to it, or a love/longing for it. God had commanded them not to look back in verse 17. Lots wife I'm guessing, had substantial influence on him and quite possibly his walk with God was not very strong. So, he settled for it. This idea, just so there's no confusion, is my opinion and is not a biblical fact. It is merely a conjecture. So where am I going with all this? Well, Lot's wife suffered the consequences of disobedience. Lot, along with his family, were commanded by The Lord, through the angles, to not look back. We have the same charge from God today. We are to be moving forward in our walk with Him, and not longing for the "good ole days." 2nd Corinthians 5:17 states "we are a new creation, old things are passed away and all has become new." So why then would we want the old? It's like this. Your driving an old car that is on it's last legs. Someone comes along and gives you a brand new car, all paid for, no strings attached. Unless you were a little off upstairs, you would never drive the old one again. Also, after driving the new one, the desire to drive the old one just wouldn't be the same. Even if you did, that "feeling" you once had, would be gone. The new would always be there to remind you how good it is. For those of us that have been saved from old lives of drugs, alcohol, & immorality, the old should have no allure to us anymore. When we are dead to our old nature and alive in Christ, all that old junk pales in comparison. Don't get me wrong, it was fun at times I'm sure you would agree but, the reason we left those lives was because Jesus offered a better way and our lives were going no where. No let me correct that, the best way. These days are getting tougher to walk as a Christian. Lots of good Christians have given up and gone back to the world for satisfaction. The world promises satisfaction. The only that delivers it, is Jesus. Do I at times look back and say wow that was such a great time, of course I do. I would be lying if I didn't say so. When those times come though, I thank God for my salvation and look forward to what He has planned for me. His word is filled with promise after promise that He loves and cares for me. The world can't offer that. Just look where it's at presently. It ain't getting any better. So this week, I encourage you, don't look back. It's all in ruins and there's no rebuilding it. Let God provide the right things and way for you. That alone is hard enough for us, let alone trying get back to where we once were, just so we can ruin our live all over again. Be blessed and have a great week.

Bob.

Hebrews 9:27

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment."

Well isn't this just a nasty little verse some might say. No one judges me! We've all heard it many times. " Who are you to judge me?" Well, I am nobody, but God is. The fact is this. Ten out of ten people die. That fact has not changed for all of time. The word for appointed is, apokeimai. It literally means reserved. We all have a reservation. When that day comes, our ticket will be called. There is no escaping that fact. Next we see the word once. It means.....you guessed it, once. Sorry guys, no reincarnation, past life, etc. It's nice to dream about, but it ain't true. The last word to look at is judgment. Oooooo, it's that scary word. The word is kreesis. It means for or against, pertaining to a tribunal. Justice. We are going to be on trial and there is only going to be one charge against us. The charge of what we did with the Son of God, Jesus. When we stand before God, He will either say well done good and faithful servant, or depart from me ye who work iniquity. We won't be able to utter a word. We will be in awe of the one who created all and is all. Thankfully, those who are Christians, Jesus will be our advocate or our defense attorney. We will be declared not guilty due to the imputed righteousness of Christ. When we were alive we accepted Him as our savior. In death we are with Him forever. For those who are not, the last thing they see before eternal torment and outer darkness, will be God sending them away forever. No hope of ever escaping the torment of hell. Is He happy about it? I think not. He hung on a cross and said, over my dead body. His death was our ticket to freedom. God desires that no one go to hell. He gives them the choice and does not force them to accept Him. To wrap up, we all have an appointed time. It could be today, tomorrow, or 30 years from now, but we all have one. That's why I do not agree with people when they say they are having a midlife crisis. Mid life could be 18! The fact is, God wants us with Him when we pass from this world. It's not pretty that people will die and go to hell, but it is the truth. Until that day comes though, we have the out. Jesus Christ. Is it an easy, problem free ride? Of course not. But once the ride is over, we get off at the last stop and stay forever. That's a day I am looking forward to. This might be a tough message for some, but it's the truth. God loves us and wants us to be with Him one day. What are you waiting for? Be blessed this week.

Bob

Mark 8:36

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

This week, I want to take a look at gaining. We can gain many things. Weight, money, power, influence, things. The list goes on and on. What, though, really matters in the end? Is it like the bumper sticker says, " the one who dies with the most toys wins?" Or maybe the more you have the better off you are? This verse gets right to the point. The two words that explain this whole verse are this: Profit and lose. The word profit in the Greek is opheleo, meaning, to be useful or to benefit. The word for lose is zemioo, meaning, to cast away, damage or suffer loss. The subject in the verse is man. If the man gains everything he wants in life, but is void of any true relationship with God, it's all for nought. Look at the world we live in. Every day we are bombarded with advertising, trying to convince us that we can't live without this or that. I mean if you think about it, we lived without it until we saw the ad, right? We are a culture consumed with self and pleasing self. I know I have been guilty of this many times. I want what I want, and everyone else comes after. This is so backwards from Christ and His example he gave us. He was, as Gail Erwin so rightly puts it, "others centered." He wasn't concerned about what He could get to please Himself. He had a genuine concern for others to know who God really was and is. We are told on a daily basis that if we surround ourselves with things and stuff, we will be happy. Obviously that is wrong. If it weren't, then why do we have so many self help books, psychiatrists couches full of people, and a majority of the population on anti depressants? Why? Because it doesn't fulfill. Don't get me wrong, having things isn't bad, but desiring more and more is. Letting it consume you and congest your life to the point you are suffocated by them. How many stories do we have to read about millionaires who kill themselves because they weren't happy, before we wake up? In the case of this verse, losing your soul is final. When you and I stand before God when we die, we will hear one of two things. Well done, good and faithful servant, or depart from me, ye who work iniquity, I never knew thee. The bible makes that point clear. So this week, I urge you. Step back from life for a minute or two. Take an inventory of what is driving you. What is your master passion. Is it to know God more, or to get more things? With option one, you get a much more full abundant life. Option two, temporary satisfaction at best. Be blessed this week and see you next Sunday.

Bob.

John 19:30

"When Jesus had therefore received the vinegar,
he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost."

Well, after a long hiatus, I am back doing the weekly devotional. I have decided to change the day to Sunday night, instead of Thursdays. Too many distractions pulled me away and I have been chewing on some things during that time. This is not and excuse by any means, just the truth. With all that said, lets get into it. What exactly was finished? What is "it" referring to? Well, Jesus had just endured about 7 hrs hanging on the cross. This is based on scriptural account from the Gospels. Before that, the punishing, cruel time of being whipped, beat, punched, kicked and more. The "it" that is being described, is the final atoning sacrifice for sin. The once and for all payment for yours and my sin. Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God at times in scripture. In the old testament, a lamb was sacrificed on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, as a payment for the peoples sins. People would confess sins and make right that which may be wrong in their life, and more importantly, with God. Every year this was done. Enter the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was the promised one that would deliver Israel and be their King. Well, from the new testament we can see, they missed that one. The misinterpreted the scriptures and crucified Him. What they missed is that He was the final, atoning sacrifice for not only them, but all of humanity. Unlike in the old testament, Jesus paid the bill in full. The lambs blood was only a temporary covering for sin, not a final payment. When Jesus uttered these words, our sins, past present and future were paid for. We were ransomed back to God. The wrath of the Father was poured out on Him, so that we may be saved. He got what we deserved. Why though? One word, love. God loves us so much, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us, that we might have life eternal with Him. The gap between man and God has now been bridged by the pierced, outstretched arms of Christ. All because He loved us and still does. The only thing we have to do is acknowledge Him and what He did for us, accept it and step out from darkness into the light. Well, I hope this week you will think on this and really enter into a new relationship with the one who loves you if you don't already know Him. Or renew an old one and get to know Him afresh.
Bob.

1 Kings 17:14

"For thus sayeth the Lord God of Israel,
The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall
the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord
sendeth rain upon the earth."

This weeks devotional, really should be a commentary on the whole story of Elijah's encounter with the widow woman and her son. To keep it short this is one of the verses that jumped out at me. Basically, this is the promise from God because of the widows obedience to the command. If you go back to verse 12 though, her attitude was bleak at best. Isn't that just like us? When things get tough or tight, we just go to pieces. I am guilty of that at times. More importantly, when she was obedient, God still blessed her. God does not give us just one chance and that's it. If He did, this would have been all over long ago. He pursues us with His love. He wants to bless us. We are His children. What parent doesn't want good things for their kids? When Elijah spoke and said make me a cake first, she had a choice. Either tell him to go pound sand, or obey him because he was a prophet from God delivering a message. Her choice turned out to be the correct one. Miraculously her flour and oil never ran out. It was there every day waiting for her. Why? Simple obedience. Later on down the line she wavered a bit when her son died. Once again, just like us. We get so used to having God's blessings, that when a trial comes our way we panic and freak out. It's almost as if we loose the reverence and awe for who He is. We are always focused on what He has done instead. Don't get me wrong. They both have their place, but until we are just thankful for who He is, we will never truly appreciate His blessings on our lives. Or more importantly, the trials that we face so that our faith will be stretched and we will grow spiritually. Not too much else to say about this except that, God is our provider. He is our sustainer. If right now you are tired from trying, trying, trying to always make things happen, so that you are ahead. Stop. It wears on the soul and puts on unneeded miles. Just see Him for who He is and trust Him. Easier said then done. It's a conscience decision daily, to let go and allow Him to do the work. Once your there, keep doing it. It's truly the only way to live. Be blessed this week and know He loves you.

Bob

John 6:68

"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord,
to whom shall we go?Thou hast the words
of eternal life."

I posted on this verse back in March, but for some reason it is on my mind and heart again. Hopefully with some fresh insight. I am sure you have heard someone at some point say, "The only sure thing is death and taxes." You know I have to partially agree with that statement. To date the current death rate is one per person, guaranteed. As for taxes? Up, up and away! The part I don't agree with is, "the only sure thing." Peter here is responding to Jesus when He asks them, are you going to leave me too? See the march post for a little background on what Jesus had just taught on. Basically He just finished saying, He is the only way to Heaven. To be honest, i have tried many things in this life. Most, if not all of them are a let down in some way. Your probably saying right now, wow Bob, what a downer. Not really. It all makes perfect sense. You see, God set this whole thing up so that nothing would satisfy like His love and a personal relationship with Him. Remember, this is the fallen world. At creation, the garden was perfect with no let downs. God walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the day and all was right. What happened? Sin entered the world through one man's choice. The rest, as they say, is history. Truly though, Knowing God is the only real deal in life. Yes we have responsibilities and things we like doing etc. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the deepest part of your existence being satisfied completely. Once you come to realize that Jesus death on the cross was the ultimate act of love for you and I, it all makes perfect sense. The other things just don't mean as much anymore. They don't touch you at the core. Peter knew from the short time he had spent with Jesus, that something was different about Him. Something was special. Though Peter would later on deny Him three times, Christ still came to Him and reassured him of His love for Him. That's what I call a sure thing. Yes there have been times in this life I have blamed God, directed God, cursed the day, you name it. Thankfully though, His grace and mercy came beside me and allowed those nail pierced hands to rest on my shoulder and reassure me, just who He is. Also to wrap those loving arms around me to give me rest. That's the only sure thing. You might say Jesus works for you, Bob, but me, I don't need anyone or anything. That is fine too. In the end there can only be one truth, and we will all find out on that day when we stand before Him. Man I hope that day is soon. So be encouraged this weekend and really think about it. What is the only sure thing?
Bob

1st Thessalonians 4:7

"For God hath not called us unto uncleaness,
but unto holiness."

Well, as you probably guessed, I am reading through 1st Thessalonians. Last week's devotional and this weeks comes from it. It is quite an amazing epistle. Paul for the most part was encouraging believers at Thessalonica. Paul was real good at that. This verse jumped out at me and I chewed on it for a week. What does it mean to be called unto holiness? Well, the answer is in the text. The word used for uncleaness in the Greek is akatharsia. It can mean physical or morally unclean. In the text it's obvious that it defers to the later. The word for holiness is hagiasmos. It means purity or sanctification. The corresponding verb is hagiazo, to set apart. So the comparison is made here of being morally unclean or being purified. In the old testament to be unclean was to be excluded from normal activities or everyday life until the proper motions were made to be deemed ceremonially clean. The old testament law had provision for things like touching dead animals, leprosy, etc. There were sacrifices that needed to be made to remedy the situation. These were part of the old testament law from God. Now without going off into a whole other area let's get back on point. For us, what does it mean to be unclean? Well, for starters read Galatians 5:19-5:21 it's a list of the works of the flesh. When we are ruled by our flesh, we are working the works of uncleaness. When contrasted to the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, we can see what God is really trying to produce in our lives. God wants holiness because He knows the end product of it. I mean really. Before I was a Christian, I lived for me, I ruled my life, that was my focus. After I gave my life over to Him, the process of changing that to an others centered attitude began. I have news for you to, it's still going on! I have days where things go well and I walk after Him. Other days, I can't believe that so much of my old nature could remain. It will go on forever. The thing I try to remember daily is that I have been called, and set apart from the world. Just like anyone else who gives their life to Jesus Christ. My desire is for holiness. My heart wants to please God. Unfortunately I get in the way at times. That's where grace comes in. God and His abundant grace. I love the fact that when God looks at me, He See's the imputed righteousness of Christ draped over this body of sin and corruption. Covering me and making me clean. Without it, I, you, would be doomed. As a Christian, we are called to a higher standard of living. Not one on a pedestal looking down on others, but one that has outstretched hands pulling people up to Christ. To live. I mean to really live and enjoy life. Letting go of the junk that crowds and consumes us daily, and seeking Him. As always, I pray that you would take inventory this week and ask God to do an evaluation of how your living. Not to condemn you, but to set you free to follow Him more closely. Be blessed.

Bob.