A Christian Devotional

[Shammu]

Pass the grace, please!

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Maybe it's because we live in the desert and our bodies crave salt to maintain a certain level of hydration or something, but lately we've become big fans of salt around here. Not a day goes by that our four year old daughter, Elianna doesn't ask for "salt in my hand please", lol. "What in the world does salt have to do with grace and truth?", you ask. Well, I'll tell you.

As you may remember from chemistry class, salt is a combination of sodium and chlorine. While sodium is a harmless active element, chlorine is a poisonous gas -- it's actually what gives bleach that yucky smell. Interestingly, when the two elements are combined, they produce salt -- a substance, which we all know, is used to preserve and bring out the flavor in food.

In the same way, if we present the truth of the Gospel without grace, it often produces a very offensive and sometimes poisonous effect on those with whom we share it. However, if we combine the two, we'll be be able to preserve and bring out the delicious flavor of our faith!

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, the scripture says. How much more should we approach the world around us with these two important components?

Have you been struggling to convey the Gospel in an effective way? Perhaps you need more grace... or maybe more truth? Let's give our efforts to the Lord and ask Him to help us spice it up the way He likes!

[Shammu]

I’m hungry! Where’s the fruit?!

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

I’ve never had a green thumb but I recently found out that my name (George) means “farmer” or “worker of the earth”.

What does a farmer do? If he or she is a good farmer, he works hard at preparing the ground for the sowing of seed. Each year, he waits in expectation for a harvest. Hopefully he toiled the ground well and the seed sank deep into the rich soil. Hopefully his watering was consistent and the seed will grow and bear large delicious fruit. But really, he can’t know for sure until many months later when it’s time for the harvest.

Perhaps you know that one of the trees for which Israel is best known is the olive tree. It doesn’t take months, it takes YEARS for an olive tree to develop fruit! Hmmm.Who wants to plant a tree that doesn’t bear fruit for many years? But guess what, once it starts bearing fruit it can keep producing on it’s own for dozens of years! That was an encouraging word to us personally.

But we are all called to be farmers — to bring in God’s great harvest! What we often lack is the patience to wait to see fruit! We want those seeds to sprout right now and we lose heart when we don’t see instant results.

The Lord promises that His Word will not be sent in vain, but will accomplish what He pleases and shall prosper where He sends it! Our job is to be faithful and patient! Let’s not get discouraged when we don’t see our seed producing. It will bring forth fruit in His timing! Be patient! Keep planting! And expect a bountiful harvest!

Let's start giving to the Lord all those things which concern us. God will have the victory!

[Shammu]

Ouch!

Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Ever gotten one of those really bad paper cuts? I heard someone complaining about one just recently – and I got to thinking about all the stuff we gripe about without even realizing it. Our jobs and our relationships, our parents, our children, our churches, our homes, our appearances.

Really though, all these things are just paper cuts, when we compare them to the deep wounds of a world who doesn’t know the Lord!

We need to spend a lot less time complaining about our little paper cuts and much more time praying and ministering to the deep deep wounds of the lost all around us. There’s so much work to be done!!

[Shammu]

Start building!

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The word for builder in Hebrew is “bo-neh”. It is also translated repairer. When our Messiah came 2000 years ago, He came to repair lives -- to do a complete restoration of all that is broken in this world.

Interestingly, the Hebrew words for son, “ben” and daughter, “baht” both also come from the word bo-neh! So -- if you were wondering what God’s calling on your life is, here you have it! We, as sons and daughters, are called to repair and build up our families, the body of Messiah and the world around us.

Let's begin looking for opportunities to bless those around us! Let's seek to be the ones to repair broken hearts, lives and relationships. In this way, we will truly become sons and daughters of God!

[Shammu]

Do you like puzzles? Here’s one for you.

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

As members of the body of Messiah, we can be compared to pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. Each piece has protrusions and indentations. The protrusions represent our strengths (gifts, talents, abilities), and the indentations represent our weaknesses (faults, limitations, shortcomings, undeveloped areas). The beautiful thing is that the pieces complement one another and produce a beautiful whole.

Just as each piece of a puzzle is important, so each member of the body is important and can minister to the other members of the body. And just as when one piece is missing from a puzzle, it’s absence is very obvious and damages the picture, so also is the whole weakened when we are absent from the body of Messiah.

We have the privilege of being a little part of God’s big picture! Let’s not shy away from being a piece because there's so much work to be done!

[Shammu]

Be still!

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

In one passage in John, Mary and Martha come running to Jesus, asking Him to heal Lazarus, who was critically ill. Since Lazarus was a good friend of Jesus, I'm sure they were expecting that Jesus would come immediately to his aid. The scripture says, however, that Jesus stayed two more days in the place where He was. It was in those two days that Lazarus died.

It's so hard to understand why it is that God waits to do the things we ask of Him. It’s good for us to remember, though, that He has His purposes for waiting. God was about to teach everyone involved a much deeper lesson here. As Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He made sure they all understood that He is the resurrection and the life for all who believe.

God has His perfect timing for everything under heaven. You may be waiting for God to intervene in some area of your life. You may have been begging and pleading with God for years on that particular thing. But we can relax and know that God’s timing is perfect. We never know what God is doing behind the scenes, in order that our joy would be made full. Remember that He knows best what would bless us most and He is working all things for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Relax. God is in control. He has greater things for you than what you could ask or think!

[Shammu]

Get down!

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

The captain of a submarine was once asked, "How did the terrible storm last night affect you?" The officer looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!"

There is an area beneath the surface of the ocean known to sailors as the "cushion of the sea". In this place, although the ocean may be raging terribly above, the waters here are never stirred.

I think you know where I'm going with this. There is a place, a wonderful place, we can go to find refuge during the frightening storms raging above us -- a place where we don't feel a thing -- no fear, no worry for tomorrow.

Let's get down there today. Let's find that perfect peace the Lord intends for every one who trusts in Him. There's so much work to be done!

[Shammu]

Who is truly your enemy?

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

A story is told of Peter Miller, a plain Baptist preacher of Pennsylvania, in the days of the Revolutionary War. Near his church, lived a man who maligned the pastor to the last degree. The man became involved in treason and was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. The preacher started out on foot and walked the entire way to Philadelphia roughly seventy miles away to plead for the man’s life. George Washington heard his plea, but he said, “No, your plea for your friend cannot be granted.” “My friend!” said the preacher. “He is the worst enemy I have.” What!” said Washington, “you have walked nearly seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon.”

Like this precious pastor, although we don’t go out looking for enemies, we somehow seem to acquire them just by doing the work of the Lord! Many of you know how many times we've been attacked by hackers since we moved to Israel. These people probably spend weeks -- not hours, not days -- but weeks or even more trying to figure out passcodes and configurations in order to destroy our sites and all the work of the Lord going on there! It can be extremely upsetting to see someone steal away years of your hard work like that. You just want to know who?! and why?! and what did I do to deserve this?!

I'm sure many of you are experiencing your share of enemy assaults too and can relate to what I'm saying! But how should we react to these assailants? Should we curse them and hunt them down to get our revenge? This pastor had every earthly right to be satisfed with this man's sentence. After all, this man probably destroyed his reputation -- perhaps even his entire ministry! But this wise pastor saw right through the man. He realized that the offense committed did not originate with the man who slandered him. This man was merely a pawn in the hands of a cruel and crafty adversary, satan himself. Clearly, it's our ultimate enemy, satan, who is out to slander us, to steal from us, hurt us, lie, kill and destroy us and he'll use any means possible to do it.

In the same way, we must realize who is truly our enemy and come against him the best way we can -- determine to press forward for God's Kingdom even more than before!

When we strive to do the work of the Lord, we will undoubtedly gain some enemies! But we must ambush our archenemy who is manipulating these people and situations! How? By praying more! Learning the word more! Sharing the Gospel more! Forgiving more! Becoming wiser and stronger in the Lord! Becoming more like Jesus! Press forward toward the Kingdom of God today -- your great reward will be with Him!

[Shammu]

Love one another!

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

A friend sent us this story about the Seattle Special Olympics. It touched our hearts and we thought we’d share it with all of you.

Nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back -- every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said," This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.

Oh, that we believers would have this kind of love, compassion and concern for one another. In this day and age, it seems we only look out for ourselves! When we see a brother or sister in the Lord struggling, many times our first instinct is to compare and criticize. We’re quick to rebuke and run for the winning finish line alone! But I think we can take a lesson from these “disabled” kids -- it makes me wonder who’s more disabled -- them or us?

Let’s take a look at our actions. Perhaps we can show more love than we have. If we see someone falling, let’s turn around, pick him up and help him to the finish line. May God pour out His great love out upon us as we pour it upon others today.

[Shammu]

What do you want for Christmas?

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

This is a sweet story we came across.

When our son Pete was six, it was a Depression year and the bare essentials were all we could afford. We felt we were richer than most people, though, in things of the mind and imagination and spirit. That was a comfort of sorts to us, but nothing a six-year-old could understand.

With Christmas a week off, we told Pete that there could not be any store-bought presents this year--for any of us. "But I'll tell you what we can do," said his father with an inspiration born of heartbreak. "We can make pictures of the presents we'd like to give each other."

For the next few days each of us worked secretly, with smirks and giggles. Somehow we did scrape together enough to buy a small tree. But we had pitifully few decorations to trim it with. Yet, on Christmas morning, never was a tree heaped with such riches! The gifts were only pictures of gifts, to be sure, cut out or drawn and colored and painted, nailed and hammered and pasted and sewed. But they were presents, luxurious beyond our dreams: A slinky black limousine and a red motor boat for Daddy. A diamond bracelet and a fur coat for me. Pete's presents were the most expensive toys cut from advertisements. Our best present to him was a picture of a fabulous camping tent, complete with Indian designs, painted, of course, by Daddy, and magnificent pictures of a swimming pool, with funny remarks by me. Daddy's best present to me was a watercolor he had painted of our dream house, white with green shutters and forsythia bushes on the lawn.

Naturally we didn't expect any "best present" from Pete. But with squeals of delight, he gave us a crayon drawing of flashy colors and the most modernistic technique. But it was unmistakably the picture of three people laughing--a man, a woman, and a little boy. They had their arms around one another and were, in a sense, one person. Under the picture he had printed just one word: US. For many years we have looked back at that day as the richest, most satisfying Christmas we have ever had. -- Margery Tallcott

The most precious things in life cannot be bought with money. Let's focus on the wonderful gifts we've been given this season -- family, friends and most of all, God's grace toward us in sending His Son Jesus to die in our place. Merry, merry Christmas.

[Shammu]

Shalom!

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Sar Shalom, in Hebrew). You may have already known that the word "shalom" means peace. But actually, it has several meanings in the Hebrew. Shalom means peace, completeness, prosperity, safety, contentment, health, blessing, and rest -- and not only that. Shalom is the common word for hello and goodbye.

So, when you greet someone or bid them a farewell "shalom", what you are actually doing is speaking all those blessings upon them -- and really, speaking over them the ultimate peace, Jesus, Himself!

'Tis the season to speak shalom over one another!

[Shammu]

Come to Daddy!

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Yesterday we were running errands in town and we took our four year-old, Elianna, to a toy store she loves to visit. We usually don't buy much (just playing with the toys there is great fun for her) but this time, unbeknownst to Elianna, we were planning to buy her a little kitchen set because she loves to pretend cooking.

While we were researching prices, Elianna wandered away from us, something she knows she's not allowed to do. When I looked up and didn't see her, I called her name. "Elianna!" No answer -- another no-no.

Finally, I saw her playing a couple of aisles down and I called her name again. Elianna looked up and around but then continued to play.

We were really disappointed. We really wanted to bless Elianna with this one toy, (which was even on sale for a great price) but we just couldn't bring ourselves to do it. Elianna knowingly disobeyed us twice, and rewarding this behavior just wouldn't be a good thing to do.

That got me thinking about how much the Lord must want to bless us and give us good gifts – gifts we know nothing about. But I don't think He can give them when we continually disobey. Uggh.

Lets begin setting our minds on being obedient to God today. He has such great gifts he wants to pour upon us. There's so much work to be done!

[Shammu]

Revival is here!

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Over the years I've often gotten emails asking "When do you think revival will come?"

Well.... first, what is "revival", exactly? One of Merriam-Webster's definitions is "a renewed attention to or interest in something". Here are some important questions for us to answer today:

How interested are we in praying to the Lord and truly worshipping His Holy Name?
How interested are we in growing in God's truth and knowing Him deeply?
How interested are we in gaining a greater knowlege and understanding of His Word?
And just how interested are we in sharing those precious things with the dying world around us?

A key aspect of world revival is revival within ourselves. And it's not just a one-time thing, either. Once, a lady asked Billy Sunday "Why do you keep having revival meetings?" He quickly retorted, "Why do you always take a bath?"

Revival is something that needs to happen daily. It's an ongoing transformation of our hearts to be constantly moved by the Spirit of God. We need to be daily breaking up our fallow ground, those places in our hearts which we've allowed to grow hard. We have to ask the Lord to reveal those hard places, pray that He would forgive us and ask Him to heal all our rough edges that we might be soft before Him and sensitive to His leading.

Let's get serious about getting ourselves revived! The world needs to see us flourishing!

[Shammu]

What do you do with such a gift?

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

I recently read a powerful story about a Dutch pastor and his family who had been hiding Jewish people in their home during the second World War. One night, they heard the sound of heavy boots and the loud impatient knocking on the door. They were arrested and loaded into a cattle car. All night long, the pastor and his family rode along in anguish, knowing they were being taken to one of Hitler's concentration camps only to be separated from each other and likely killed.

Finally, the the train stopped. The doors of the cattle car were opened. They were marched out and lined up beside the railroad tracks. But then something very strange happened. They discovered that they were not in a death camp at all -- they weren't even in Germany!

During the night a courageous employee risked his life and purposely tripped a switch which sent the train of prisoners to Switzerland, to their freedom. Instead of being marched to death, they were welcomed to new life. Wow. Thank you God. In the midst of his joy and relief, the Dutch pastor said, "What do you do with such a gift?"

We have been given a gift of redemption much more powerful than this! And what are we doing with such a gift? Let's start being about doing the work of the Kingdom! There's so much work to be done!

[Shammu]

Be restored!

Isaiah 11:11,12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush (modern day Ethiopia) And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

For centuries in Ethiopia, there have lived a people we now know as the Falashas. They kept all sorts of Biblical traditions and call themselves Beta Yisrael (House of Israel). As experts began to study the matter, it became clear that these were descendants of the Jewish people who came to Africa in ancient times and intermarried. Unbeknownst to many, a percentage of them became believers in Jesus over the years. Jesus (or Yeshua, as they called Him) became a part of their identity as Jewish people. Many Falashan Jews worshipped Jesus as their Messiah and continued to practice Jewish tradition.

Amazingly, in 1975, the Israeli rabbinate officially recognized the Falashas as Jews. In the years to follow, a number of circumstances including famine and civil war caused this group of Jewish people to begin facing extinction. In a wonderful effort to save them, Israel began sending planes into Ethiopia and airlifting thousands of these Falashan Jews to the land that they, too, were promised -- the land of Eretz Yisrael.

Today, thousands of Falashas live in the Land, serve in its army, raise their children to speak Hebrew, and take part in every day life here in Israel.

The restoration of the Falashas is not only a prophetic sign for us that God is faithful to His Word, but that He will also be faithful to us! God always keeps His promises…and He is in the business of restoration. It doesn’t matter how cut off we are or how far we may have strayed -- we can be restored! With one call to the Lord, He can lift us out of whatever circumstance we may be in -- whether it be spiritual, physical, emotional, financial or anything else! With a single touch of His hand He can bring complete restoration to our lives and give to us what He has promised!

Be encouraged. We can never be so far removed that we can’t be restored -- our troubles are never so great that we can’t be heard -- the Lord’s arm is never too short that it cannot save!