James 4 [The Message]

God knows the future. We don’t. We make plans based upon what we want and what we see. That it such a limited and unwise strategy

James warns against saying, “We’re gonna do this and that and go here and go there.” His advice … say, “If the Lord wills.”

God knows the future. He sees the future. He controls the future. Our interaction with the future should be more prayer-based rather that prediction-based. There should be more asking and less assuming.

If a football coach knew the open paths to a touchdown on every play, he would ALWAYS WIN. God creates and knows those paths.

Let’s huddle up and pray.

James 3 [The Message]

We are encouraged to set a watch on our words.

Establish a filter on your mind to vet everything you’re going to say for its impact. This is wisdom in action. How will it be taken? Is it laced with love and mercy? Will it create a hunger for more or close up a hole of opportunity?

Like a ship, the course of every relationship can be charted by our words. Where is that relationship right now? Where do you want it to go? With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you are steering that person’s life.

James 1 [The Message]

My grandson took a job teaching. It has been a baptism of fire since he was not trained to be a teacher. Gratefully, his administration and fellow staff members have pitched in to show him some of the ropes, but it’s pretty much a sink or swim situation. My heart goes out to him … I was a teacher with the benefit of an education degree and methods courses to prepare me … but I pray that he comes out of this MUCH STRONGER in his faith and teaching skills.

James makes it clear that life for the Christian has these struggles. But, if we allow Him, God will pull us through. We also might end up saying, “Wow, I’ll never do THAT again.”

Patty and I have both had a difficult week of illness. I’m sorry I just didn’t have the energy to complete the devotional. I trust you kept up your DAILY time in God’s wonderful Word. (Your personal devotion to His Word IS my main objective) I’m obviously doing much better. Patty is still in the tunnel, but she’s improving. Thanks for praying.

From Hebrews 11 in The Message;

Years ago I produced an Easter musical at Evangel Community Church where I was serving as Worship Pastor. We had a re-enactment of the Abraham-Isaac sacrifice scene where God had instructed Abraham to offer up his son. One of our staff pastors, Charles Lorentz, and his son, Adam, performed the scene. It was one of the most moving bits of drama I was ever involved with. EVERYONE could see the love Charles had for his natural son. Abraham had faith that God would raise the boy up if he died. Parents, we need to live in this faith that God protects our children and grandchildren from harm. We likewise give them to Him.

Hebrews 7 [The Message]

There is a valuable ministry program for rehabilitating men called, “A Better Way.” It was begun by John Barrow, who himself, experienced Christ’s restoration in his own life.

Everything about Christ is BETTER. That’s the theme of Hebrews.

Hebrews 2 [The Message]

The writer (probably Paul) states, “By embracing death, taking it into himself (Christ Jesus), he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.” Jesus removed from us the sting and fear of death. Because we know the reward that awaits us in Heaven, we may even look forward to death. I know my father, David Demos, did.

Paul said to be absent from the flesh was to be present with the Lord. [2 Cor. 5:8] I have been diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma. Do I fear death? Absolutely NOT. “The life which I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” [1 Jn. 5:12] Each day I live is a gift and an opportunity to serve the Lord and enjoy the family that I LOVE!

Titus 2 [The Message]

Paul encouraged both Timothy and Titus to lead exemplary lives that brought credit and integrity to the ministry. In that they were commissioned to appoint and ordain leaders in the young churches, they themselves were held to a high standard of conduct.

Jesus said the pure in heart would see God … be a continual eminence of God’s Light.. Their motives were to shine and reflect the glory of God to all onlookers.

By God’s grace, this needs to be you and me. Whenever we are out and around, Christ’s Kingdom needs to on display.

2 Timothy 3 [The Message]

Paul told Timothy that he had been a good apprentice.

Apprenticeship is a Biblical method of learning ministry skills. God arranged for me to sit under Moses Vegh. My son, Mark, sat under Kevin Jonas Sr.., the father of the Jonas Brothers. From a mentor you gain a day to day perspective on how God’s leaders conduct themselves. Sometimes you learn from their mistakes or excesses. In the Old Testament, musicians in the Levitical priesthood were under the hands and tutelage of their fathers. My dad was a union electrical contractor. Such unions rely heavily upon apprenticeship training to keep their trade alive.

For a Christian, this relationship is not something you apply for for sign up to receive. It’s purely arranged by God. When I see God’s hand upon a young Christian, I anticipate seeing that youth come under the mentorship of a God-ordained role model.

1 Tim. 6 [The Message]

In yesterday’s news was an article about a preacher who was scolding his congregation for not honoring him with a luxury watch. He said he didn’t want them to give him McDonalds money. He wanted Gucci money.

This is probably what Paul meant when he warned against leaders who are controlled by a lust for money. Reminding us that we came into this world penniless and we shall certainly leave that way, we have this life to honor Christ with our money rather than ourselves.

Be generous. Be liberal in giving. I LOVE it when I can give a good tip to a waitress. It gives me joy and might help her pay her bills.

When you can give it away, your own it … it doesn’t own you.

1 Tim. 4 [The Message]

My daughters keep fit both spiritually and physically. They are faithful to spend their time in God[‘s Word and in the gym. To me, that’s the ideal. (My boys don’t do bad either)

Paul makes it clear that exercising the body DOES profit, but that putting effort into spiritual fitness is the most important.

Here’s a fresh example of the value of being fit: I had to buy 4 new batteries for the used RV I just purchased. They are bulky and clumsy to handle and weigh 65 lbs. each. I could just see myself putting my back out and being down in bed for days if I tried to manhandle them. Hark! My Ashley handles that weight weekly in her fitness routine. She grabbed them lickity-split and had the job done in a heartbeat. Her devotion to fitness came in SO HANDY. More importantly, she had spent the entire weekend sharing her faith with an old HS friend who was hurting. Both areas of fitness were used and were a blessing because she STAYS FIT.