[APRIL 27] For the Sake of His Name

Read: 1 Samuel 12:19-25

"I will never leave you nor forsake you" 

--Hebrews 13:5

The ancient Israelites gathered at Gilgal for the coronation of Saul as their first king (1 Sam. 11:15). The Lord was not pleased that His people had asked for a king, yet on this occasion Samuel uttered these words: “The Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people” (12:22).

We too are God’s “own special people” if we have trusted Jesus as Savior (1 Peter 2:9). He will not forsake us even though He knows we will fail Him. He knows what we are like—sinful, weak, and frail. He knew it before He called us and drew us to Himself. The certainty of our salvation rests not in ourselves but on the character of God (1 John 5:20). He will keep us to the end.

This does not give us an excuse to continue in sin. Paul said, “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Rom. 6:2). Our choices do reflect on God’s reputation, our witness in the world, and our fellowship with Him. But God will never reject His people, those who are truly His. The Lord cannot and will not forsake His own (Heb. 13:5).

We can rest assured. What God saves, He keeps—for the sake of His great name! --David Roper

"Able to keep!" how sure is the word!

He is my Keeper, Savior, and Lord.

"Never shall perish," one of His sheep,

Glory to God! He is able to keep. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

Lives rooted in God’s unchanging grace can never be uprooted.

[APRIL 26] A Universe of Humanity

Read: Acts 28:16-31

"Paul... received all who came to him" 

--Acts 28:30

During the 1920s and 30s, photographer August Sander set out to portray a cross-section of German society. Through his lens he saw factory workers and financiers, actresses and housewives, Nazis and Jews. Even though his published collection contains only people in and around his hometown of Cologne, he captured what David Propson, writing in The Wall Street Journal, called “a universe of humanity in his restricted sphere.”

That phrase strikes me as an apt description of our lives and the people we meet day by day. Wherever we live, we cross paths with people from many backgrounds and beliefs.

For years, the apostle Paul traveled and preached before being imprisoned in Rome. There he continued to touch people with the gospel because he cared about them and wanted them to know Jesus Christ. The book of Acts concludes with Paul confined in Rome, living under guard in a rented house, where he “received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:30-31).

Instead of focusing on his restrictions, Paul saw opportunities. That’s the key for us as well. There is a universe of humanity within our reach today. --David McCasland

You are called with a holy calling

The light of the world to be, 

To lift up the lamp of the gospel

That others the light may see. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

The gospel is a priceless gift that’s offered free to everyone.

[APRIL 25] Our Co--Pilot

Read: Galatians 2:11-21

    

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

--Galatians 2:20

The bumper sticker "Jesus is my co-pilot" may be a well-intentioned sentiment, but it has always troubled me. Whenever I`m in the driver`s seat of my life, the destination is nowhere good. Jesus is not meant to be just a spiritual "co-pilot" giving directions every now and then. He is always meant to be in the driver's seat. Period!

We often say that Jesus died for us, which of course is true. But there's more to it than that. Because Jesus died on the cross, something inside of us died-the power of sin. It`s what Paul meant when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). We were essentially co-crucified with Him. With Jesus in the driver`s seat, the old destinations are off-limits. No more turning down the streets of self-centeredness, greed, or lust. No more off-road ventures into the swamp of pride or the ditch of bitterness. We were crucified with Him and He is at the wheel  now! He died so that He alone can drive and define us.

So, if you`ve died and Christ lives in you, He's not your co-pilot. Your joy is to let Him drive and define your life. There may be a few bumps in the road, but you can count on it-He`ll take you somewhere good. --Joe Stowell

                                                                Lord, I thank You for salvation,

                                                                For Your mercy, full and free:

                                                                Take my all in consecration,

                                                               Glorify Yourself in me. --Codner

REFLECT ON THIS:

Still at the wheel of your life? It's time to let Jesus drive.

[APRIL 24] Many People

Read: Acts 18:1-11

"I have many people in this city." 

--Acts 18:10

New York City. Easter Sunday, 7:30 a.m. I was the only customer at Jimmy’s Diner in East Harlem when a man entered and approached my table. He said, “Good morning, and God bless you,” left a gospel tract, and quickly walked out. I smiled, appreciating his witness and realizing that God has His people everywhere. That night I attended church with our daughter Debbie, joining an enthusiastic congregation of 300 people, most in their twenties and thirties. Their infectious love for Christ and others was a bright light in a city that is often considered spiritually dark.

In the first century, Paul visited the Greek city of Corinth, which was known for its immorality and corruption. When he faced opposition for presenting Jesus as Messiah, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10).

No matter where we go, the Lord’s people are there. The risen Christ is powerfully present in and through all who know Him. The Lord has His people where you are today. Look for them. Join them.

Christ is risen indeed! --David McCasland

When Christians join in blessed fellowship

Commemorating Jesus' resurrection,

They sense a common bond of unity--

Their mutual faith in Him the true connection. --Hess

REFLECT ON THIS:

God has His people where you are today.

[APRIL 23] A New Normal

Read: Romans 6:1-11

"Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

--Romans 6:4

After my doctor announced that I has cancer, I tried to listen to what he said, but I couldn't. I went home, pulled a blanket over my head, and fell asleep on the couch, as if sleeping could change the diagnosis.

When I finally gained enough strength to tell my loved ones, my friend Judy Schreur said something especially memorable. After expressing her sympathy, she said, "This is what will happen. You will feel really bad for 3 days. Then you will get up, figure out what you have to do, and get on with your life." Then she sdded, "I think it has to do with death, burial, and resurrection."

At the time, I didn't believe it. I was sure that life as I knew it was over. Nothing would ever be the same. I couldn't imagine feeling normal again. But she was right. Three days later I woke up and realized I didn't feel quite so bad. And little by little, despite the physical misery of chemotherapy treatments, my emotional and spiritual condition improved significantly. I "died" to my old reality and was "raised" to a new normal.

Thankfully, God is in the business of resurrection. For those who have died in Christ, the death of one reality means resurrection to a new, glorious normal so we can "walk in newness of life" (Rom.6:4). --Julie Ackerman Link

Jesus redeemed us and died in our stead;

In Him we died and rose from the dead.

No longer is death a thing that we dread;

The old is behind us, the new is ahead. --D.De Haan

REFLECT ON THIS:

To be "in Christ" is to share in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection.

[APRIL 22] Like a Lamb

Read: John 15:9-17

"He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before it shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth."

--Isaiah 53:7

In 1602, Italian artist Caravaggio produced a painting called Taking of Christ. This work, an early example of the Baroque style, is compelling. Created in dark hues, it allows the viewer to contemplate Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Two main elements of the scene depicted in the painting demand the observer's attention. The first if Judas as he delivers the traitor's kiss. Immediately, however, the viewer's focus is drawn toward Jesus' hands, which are passively clasped together to show that He offered no resistance to this injustice. Although He possessed the power to create a universe, Christ gave Himself up voluntarily to His captors and to the waiting cross.

Long before this scene took place, Jesus told His listeners that no one could take His life from Him--He would lay it down willingly (John 10:18). This heart of voluntary surrender was propheseid by Isaiah, who wrote, " He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened His  mouth (Isa.53:7).

Christ's lamblike self-sacrifice is a grand indicator of His powerful love. "Greater love has no one than this," He explained, "than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). Think of it. Jesus loved you that much! --Bill Crowder

Love sent the Savior to die in my stead.

Why should He love me so?

Meekly to Calvary's cross He was led.

Why should He love me so? --Harkness

REFLECT ON THIS:

The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heat of God.

[APRIL 21] False Hope

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

"By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works"

--Ephesians 2:8-9

The name of a pretty Bavarian town in Germany shares the name of a place of horror—Dachau. A museum on the grounds of this infamous Nazi concentration camp attracts many World War II history buffs.

As you look around, it would be hard to miss the misleading words welded to an iron gate: Arbeit Macht Frei. This phrase—Work Makes You Free—was just a cruel lie to give false hope to those who entered this place of death.

Many people today have false hope that they can earn a place in heaven by working at being good or by doing good things. God’s standard of perfection, however, requires a totally sinless life. There’s no way any of us can ever be “good enough.” It is only through the sacrifice of the sinless Savior that we are made righteous. God made Jesus “who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Eternal life is given because of God’s gift of grace—not because of our good works (Eph. 2:8-9).

Don’t let Satan trick you by giving you false hope that your good works will save you. It is only through Jesus’ work on the cross that you can have real freedom. --Cindy Hess Kasper

Accept the teaching of the world

And hopeless you will be, 

But trust in God's eternal plan

If you want life that's free. --Branon

REFLECT ON THIS:

We are not saved by good works, but by God’s work.

[APRIL 20] Poor Examples

Read: Matthew 23:1-13

"Whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do."

--Matthew 23:3

A woman in Oregon was caught driving 103 miles per hour with her 10-year old grandson in the car. When she was stopped by the police, she told them that she was only trying to teach him never to drive that fast. I suppose she wanted to do as she said, not as she did.

The Pharises and teachers of the law seemed to have a similar problem. Jesus had a scathing assessment of them: They were spiritually bankrupt. He held these two groups directly responsible for this sad spiritual condition. As the successors of the law-giver Moses, they were responsible for expanding the law so the people would walk in God's ways and have a genuine and vibrant relationship with the Lord (Deut. 10:12-13). But their personal interpretation and application of the law became more important than God's law. They did not practice what they preached. What they did observe was done not to bring glory to God but to honor themselves. Jesus exposed who they were--image managers, posers, and hypocrites.

The test of the effectiveness of following Jesus is not just in what we say but in how we live. Are we telling others God's Word and doing what it says? Let's model by words and actions what it means to follow Him. --Marvin Williams

Christians, remember you bear His dear name,

Your lives are for others to view;

You are living examples--men praise you or blame,

And measure your Savior by you. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

A good example preaches a powerful sermon.

[APRIL 19] The Secret Chamber

Read: Isaiah 50:4-5

"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light."

--Matthew 10:27

People have some needs that are excruciatingly deep. Poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote, "Never morning wore to evening, but some heart did break."

We find ourselves in conversation at times with heartbroken friends and may feel at an utter loss to know what to say. How can we "speak a word in season to him who is weary," as it says in Isaiah 50:4?

Telling people what human teachers have taught us may have some impact on them. But the most helpful or persuasive words are spoken by those who are taught by the Lord Himself.

That's why it's essential for us to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from Him. The more we receive from Him, the more we have to give to others. George MacDonald pictures this time with the Lord as having ''a chamber in God Himself." He continues: ''Out of [that] chamber . . . man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made."

It's through our thoughtful and prayerful Bible study, reading, and quiet meditation that God speaks to our hearts. He gives us "the tongue of the learned" (Isa. 50:4) so that we have something to share with those who are in the depths of despair. --David Roper

The comfort God has given us

He wants us all to share 

With others who, with broken hearts,

Are caught in deep despair. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Listen to God's heart, then speak from your heart to others.

[APRIL 18] A Wrong Reading

Read: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

"Wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected,... have suffered shipwreck."

--1 Tim. 1:18-19

William Scoresby was a British seafaring explorer in the 19th century who responded to God's call to the ministry. An interest in the workings of navigational compasses stayed with him during his work as a clergyman. His research led to the discovery that all newly built iron ships had their own magnetic influence on compasses. This influence would change at sea for various reasons-leading crews to read the compass incorrectly. Often this led to disaster.

There is a striking parallel between the misread compass and false biblical teaching. In 1 Timothy 1, Paul warned against "fables and endless genealogies" (v.4)-man-made changes in the doctrines of God's Word. People who teach false doctrines "have suffered shipwreck," Paul concludes (v.19). Two people who opposed the Word of God by placing false teaching in its place, and who thus faced spiritual shipwreck, were Alexander and Hymenaeus (v.20).

Biblical truth is being questioned and in some cases even replaced in the church today. Our opinions must never replace the truth of God's Word. The Bible, not man's erroneous opinions about it, is the ultimate guide for our conscience in navigating life`s changing seas. Beware of wrong readings. --Dennis Fisher

God's words of pure, eternal truth

Shall yet unshaken stay,
When all that man has thought or planned,

Like chaff has passed away. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

The first point of wisdom is to know the truth, the second to discern what is false.