Monday April 23

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Colossians 3:13  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Do we understand that forgiving someone is a simple decision of our will?  Better still is the fact that once done, once we forgive someone, it cannot be undone – no matter how upset we are or want to take it back.  It’s done; a fait accompli!

Think of cracking open a raw egg.  It is a decision of our will and once done it can’t be undone.  No matter how we might want to take it back, we can’t put the egg back in the shell.  Remember Humpty Dumpty, the egg that sat on the wall and had a great fall?  “…All the King’s horses, and all the King’s men – couldn’t put Humpty together again.”

This is beyond good news – it’s great news!  Unforgiveness is to be avoided like the plague.  In yesterday’s devotional I wrote how it’s been described as a person putting arsenic in their own body to hurt someone else.  Unforgiveness is avoided by forgiving – particularly by making the practice of forgiving others into a daily habit pattern.

But what if we don’t feel forgiving?  And what about all the other ‘stuff’ that comes with situations where the need to forgive occurs?  Stuff like anger, resentment, hurt, disappointment, frustration, desire to get even (to name a few) that readily accompany such situations.  Fortunately forgiveness isn’t subject to us feeling like it.

If we are out walking and have an umbrella and suddenly it starts pouring, no matter what is going on, we immediately put up the umbrella – it’s second nature.  It keeps us from getting wet!  When hurts and disappointments come, immediately forgive – just like putting up an umbrella.  It keeps unforgiveness away and allows God’s grace to have unrestricted flow to enable us to handle all the ‘stuff’ in the situation redemptively.

Immediately forgiving others enables us to get our focus off them and our own hurt.  We shift our focus to the Lord.  He is the one we turn to – to help us with all of the accompanying emotions and difficulties.  If we recognize that our responses our sinful, we can confess that and receive forgiveness.  He, and his grace and mercy are at the center of our response.

It’s amazing how readily forgiving those who hurt us enables us to pray redemptively for them.  The healing process proceeds more freely.  Our motivation can become one of glorifying the Lord in the situation.   What a gift being able to readily forgive is!

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Sunday April 22

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Today’s Scripture is at the end of the devotional

Yesterday I had the joy of watching part of our granddaughter’s soccer game.  Other than the fact that it was 37 degrees, breezy and raining – it was a great time.  I did my grandfatherly duty by taking her younger sister to our van and sat with her in it with the heater on for 10 minutes during the game when her toes got too cold.

Fortunately I had on hiking shoes that are warm, lightweight and waterproof.  I was dressed warmly, with a winter hat, gloves and coat and of course my favorite big golf umbrella.  While it was still cold and wet out, and my face was getting the brunt of it – I was prepared for it. The ‘gear’ that I had protected me from the elements.

Think of being out there with wet shoes and wet cold feet; no hat and soaked to the skin by the rain and shivering in the cold.  Your little umbrella got turned inside out by the wind and is over in the trash can.  Your nose is running and you’re sneezing and the game just seems to be going on without end.

Does this scenario bring back memories to you?  It sure does to me!  Times when at outside events the weatherman couldn’t have gotten it more wrong – or we failed to take note of updated forecasts and we didn’t have the ‘gear’ we needed to protect ourselves.  Whatever, we became wet, cold and miserable.  Of course if it was a sporting event and out team won it made it a bit better!

This morning when I got up, the Lord brought to mind one of the greatest gifts that He has given us.  It is an absolutely vital component of our spiritual ‘gear’ that provides incredible protection regardless of the ‘inclement’ spiritual situations we encounter.  Better still, this gift can become such a part of our lives that it automatically kicks in whenever we need it.  What is this gift?

It’s the ability to forgive!  No matter what we encounter; no matter what kind of hurt, disappointment, offense or insult – our ability and practice to immediate forgive provides a priceless protection to our lives.  It frees us to respond righteously to whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.

Un-forgiveness has been described as putting arsenic in your own body with the intent to get even with someone else.  It’s imperative that we recognize just how vital forgiveness is to our spiritual wellbeing.  It keeps us dry, warm and healthy no matter what kind of inclement spiritual storms we encounter.  Let us renew our commitment to this truth Jesus taught us Luke 11:4 that describes how we are to live:

“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong]. And bring us not into temptation but rescue us from evil.” (AMP)

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Saturday April 21

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Don Schmidt

1 John 2:16  Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.  (MSG)

This morning I was reminded of a wonderful little book that I read years ago – one that has had a lasting impact on my life.  Its title is My Heart, Christ’s Home by Robert Boyd Munger.  What a treasure this is!  It tells the story of a young man who invites Jesus into his life.  The storyline presented in the book is one of Jesus coming to live in his house (heart) with him.

I recall in the story Jesus going through the rooms (of his heart) one by one over the passing days and dealing with the things he found there.  The young man was thrilled.   Remember when we met the Lord we experienced a marvelous house cleaning too.  It was like Jesus had a crew that just went through and got rid of all kinds of junk.  The cleansing and refreshing were amazing.  But then time passes – and the things of this world seep back in.

Picture your heart having a library and Jesus going in and picking up the very books or magazines that you are embarrassed for him to see.  Imagine him going into your entertainment center and out of hundreds of movies he just pulls one off the shelf and it’s not one that you would want to sit down and watch with him.

I remember seeing a ‘great’ movie in the year following my becoming a Christian.  I was home from college at the time and told my mom about it.  She said she would like to see it too.  Well my mom loved the Lord and to this day I can remember her repeated reactions to the little ‘negatives’ in that movie.  I was mortified as I recognized the stuff I had missed.  We got up and left in the middle of it.

I think the thing that is most painful in the book is when the young man becomes busy – too busy – to spend time with the Lord.  Here Jesus is waiting for him each day, to spend time together, and the things of the young man’s life just don’t leave him the time to do it.  As he goes rushing out the door, he has pangs of regret and the intention to make it right – but somehow the days and weeks just seem to go by.  May we recognize just how easily the world can seep into our lives and isolate us from our Lord.

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Friday April 20

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Don Schmidt

2 Peter 1:19  We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts. (MSG)

I get up quite early each morning to write these devotionals before the day gets going.  I begin by making a fresh pot of coffee.  While at the kitchen sink this morning I heard what sounded like a bird chirping convention outside.  It was still dark out so I couldn’t see anything but I could sure hear them.  The first thought through my mind was a statement about faith that I have written in the front of my Bible.

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark” (Tagore). There are a couple things about this experience that really blessed me.  The first was to experience something entirely normal – birds chirping when it’s dark out – and my mind immediately going to a statement about faith.

The second blessing in the experience was the reminder to respond in faith even though things might seem dark – not evil, just reflecting our inability to see.  Those things or situations we’re praying for or waiting for God’s intervention / provision haven’t happened yet, but this experience refocused my mind and heart upon the faithfulness of Jesus.  No matter what happens – or doesn’t happen – God is faithful.

In terms of the statement above, our attitudes and actions can reflect a belief that the ‘dawn’ is never coming; darkness is here to stay.  We become ‘me’ oriented, centered in disappointment rather than keeping our focus on the Lord.  I love the faith response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to Nebuchadnezzar,

17 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”   Daniel 3:17, 18

“But even if he does not…”  WOW!  Isn’t that powerful!!!  Our faith is in our God, no matter how ‘dark’ things might be.  Our faith is not predicated upon Him rescuing us.  Whatever He has for us or allows to come, our faith is in Him.

Let’s also remember Paul and Silas, in the Macedonian jail, in the middle of the night, having been beaten and flogged; they were “praying and singing hymns to God”.  Another WOW!!!  Our focus is upon Jesus.  He enables us to sing praises to Him, in the midst of darkness because He is the light of our lives.

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Thursday April 19

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Ecclesiastes 9:9a  Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love 

I am the richest man in the world – at least I feel like I am because I have Donna.  When she smiles at me or I hear her laugh I want to thump my chest like Thumper the rabbit thumped the ground in the Bambi movie.  He was in love and that was a prime method of him expressing his joy and excitement.  I know it sounds goofy but what can I say. 

I don’t know how the Lord chose us for each other but I’m so glad He did.  Yesterday I was struggling with some of the adventures we’re going through and she was just a priceless antidote.  Her smile, her joy, her laughter, and the love that she showers on me make it awfully difficult to get sidetracked by “stuff”.  Best of all is her passion for Jesus! 

She responds to situations and opportunities for prayer and praise so naturally.  While she loves me, there is no question that the reason I am so incredibly blessed is that Jesus is the first love of her life.  The more she loves Him – the more she loves me and everyone else.  Her life simply becomes an ever increasing love letter for all to read and experience. 

I enjoy Donna so!  Simply being near her is special.  Better still is that I get to love her – every day of my life.  And I do love her.  Never, in my wildest dreams did I ever think that the love relationship between a husband and wife could be like what we have.  But it doesn’t happen by accident.  As so many things in life it requires effort, obedience to Scripture and commitment.  It also helps to decide that there is no plan “B” and mean it. 

I wish Donna had $10 for every time I’ve had to say “I’m sorry” and ask for forgiveness, or acknowledge that I was wrong and she was right.  But such communications are simply a vital fact of life – like lubricant in an engine – they enable it to run smoothly.  A Godly marriage is worth every ounce of effort! 

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of marriage in God’s scheme of things.  Think of it – Scripture uses marriage to represent the relationship between Christ and the Church, His Bride.  In the perverted view of the world which unfortunately has affected so many Christians, marriage is perceived as something akin to fool’s gold.  It might have some attractiveness but its value is overstated.  It’s not perceived as the pearl of great price, worthy of our best efforts.

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Wednesday April 18

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Don Schmidt

John 15:14  You are my friends if you do what I command.

Friends.  Have you ever considered what a broad spectrum that word covers?  People we see and speak to at church, at school or at work.  People we hang around with.  Our neighbors or the people in a small group we’re a part of.  From people we enjoy seeing and being with – to those who are important in our lives – to those we absolutely treasure.

Hopefully, we all have some friendships that are in the ‘treasured’ category.  Typically, we don’t have many and to have even one is beyond a blessing.  Some friendships move into this treasured category because of shared hardship.  One of you, or a couple, was going through a very hard time and you were there with them – or they were there with you.  Praying together, crying together, hurting together – friend letting friend know they are important and loved!  It is a refining process that brings forth a quality and depth of friendship that wouldn’t be there without it.

I never cease to be blessed by the treasured friends Donna and I have who enjoy us as much as we enjoy them.  They love to bless us as much as we love blessing them.  They enjoy being with us as much as we enjoy being with them.  The joy and pleasure we experience when we see that a call or text or email is from them.  They brighten our lives.

This is the nature of the friendship that Jesus offers us.  It’s not just being one of the group.  It is an opportunity – an open door to a relationship that He wants to have with us.  It is not just a theological truth.  It is real – something that He wants to manifest in our lives.  It is the stuff that dreams are made of – dreams that can come true!

Treasured friendships are priceless and Jesus offers each of us the best one we can ever have – a friendship beyond imagining.  All we have to do is love Him.  Thankfully He has given us His commands so that we can know that we do love Him.

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Tuesday April 17

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Luke 10:33  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan in answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”  The story was used by Jesus to help his questioner identify who his neighbor was, since we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves.  When Jesus finished, the questioner rightly concluded that of the three travelers, the Samaritan was the neighbor of the man who fell into the hands of the robbers, because the Samaritan had mercy on him. 

Our focus today is on the Samaritan – not the other two who failed to respond.  Note that when the Samaritan saw the man in need, he took pity on him.  It wasn’t a matter of the Samaritan having an internal argument within himself on what was the right thing to do in this situation.  His kindness and generosity were expressions of his life. The Samaritan was a loving man. 

We Christians want to be the same kind of loving people that he was.  We want our love to be genuine – a love that moves us to respond with right hearts.  This is something that we grow in.  By responding to the situations we see, Jesus opens our eyes to see more.  God is working within each of us so that kindness and generosity will be natural responses that we make to situations we encounter.  This is how we love those around us – how we love our neighbors.   

Do you realize that we can be the answer that God sends in response to the prayers of those in need around us?  That’s want He wants!  Maybe they don’t pray or think about God, but because of the kindness through us, they will take note of our love and wonder where it comes from.  Think of the joy and honor of being asked by someone, “Why are you so different?  Why are you so thoughtful and kind?”  To which we can answer, “Let me tell you about Jesus.”

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Monday April 16

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Luke 19:9  Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

Isn’t it incredible how an encounter with Jesus can change your life?!!!  Zacchaeus had no clue how radically his life was going to be changed when he decided to try and see this Jesus who was coming through town.  Maybe he was hoping to see a miracle done or possibly just to see this man who was doing such amazing things.  Whatever his motivation, God’s work in his life became a main event of that day.

In reading about Zacchaeus I think of the jailer in Macedonia who was saved through the ministry of Paul and Silas (Acts 16).  Paul had been looking to go elsewhere but he received a vision of a man of Macedonia, standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  So they went.

Their ministry there seemed ‘normal’ until Paul cast a spirit out of a slave girl that enabled her to tell the future and earn her owners a great deal of money.  Then the uproar over this event turned Paul and Silas into public enemies 1 & 2.  They were drug before the magistrate, stripped and severely flogged and thrown in prison.  The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.

During the night a violent earthquake shook the prison, opening the prison doors and releasing all the prisoners from their chains.  The jailer woke up and saw this and was going to kill himself but he was stopped by Paul’s shout that everyone was still there.  Then he came and fell trembling before Paul and Silas, brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Paul & Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and all in his house.  Then, still in the middle of the night, they were all then saved and baptized and filled with great joy.  At daylight the magistrate sent men to release Paul & Silas – that they could go in peace.  Paul had a bit of a feisty response but the end result was they left Macedonia.

The Macedonian jailer and Zacchaeus both had God come to them.  Both men had hearts ready to respond and God sought found them.  Neither of them knew they were lost, nor did they realize they were looking and ready to be found.  But both responded to God’s opportunity for them and salvation came to their homes.

It seems that the uproar, stripping and severe flogging of Paul & Silas were simply required by the Lord in order to reach the jailer and all in his house.  I treasure the picture of the two of them praying and singing hymns at midnight and all the prisoners listening just before the earthquake struck.  Paul & Silas never lost sight of the Lord and what they were about!

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Sunday April 15

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Luke 19:10  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Don’t you just love the story of Zacchaeus?  Here the guy was a crook!  As chief tax collector he was wealthy and had cheated all kinds of people out of their money.  He was a little guy, maybe the size of Danny Devito – and probably a bit feisty to deal with too.  The people called him a sinner and that was probably the nicest name they called him.

So here Jesus comes to Jericho and Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was.  But due to the crowd and his short size he couldn’t.  And given his reputation, I imagine the people weren’t exactly willing to let him through to see.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.  Zacchaeus didn’t know it but he was about to have a “divine encounter”.

So there he was in the tree and when Jesus got to that spot he was probably stunned to here Jesus call him by name; telling him to come down immediately because they were going to go to his house!  I can see him scrambling down, welcoming Jesus gladly.  But as they walked together to his house I bet his mind was filled with questions like: WOW??!!  How did he know my name?  How is this happening?  Why me?

Scripture doesn’t provide us with what Jesus said once there, but it seems that the presence of Jesus provoked the righteous response that is typical of a heart that ‘wants to be found’.  In Luke 19:8 we read:

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

What an amazing contrast to the rich young ruler?  Who when Jesus told him to sell what he had and give it away and follow Him, he turned away because he was wealthy.  Here Zacchaeus, in response to the presence of the Lord, freely gave half of his wealth to the poor and promised liberal restitution to all of those he cheated.  Zacchaeus was lost and ready to be found – and Jesus sought him out and found him!

May we too be led by our Lord to find those who are lost and ready to be found and introduce them to Jesus.

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Saturday April 14

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Don Schmidt

Mark 10:21  Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Yesterday, when I was pondering about the woman caught in adultery who was set free by the Lord with the command to “leave your life of sin”, I thought of the rich young ruler and a favorite movie.  The movie is Frequency, a 2000 science-fictiton film that contains elements of the time travel, thriller and alternate history, starring Dennis Quaid and James Caviezel as father and son.

In the movie, the father, Dennis Quaid is a fireman killed in a warehouse fire in 1969.  His son, Jim Caviezel is in 1999, and even though it’s 30 years later, he is still hurting from the death of his father.  He has his father’s ham radio and due to unusual aurora borealis (northern lights) activity, they are stunned to be talking to each other on the radio, although separated by 30 years.

For the father, the conversation occurs the day before the warehouse fire that kills him.  For the son it is the day before the 30th anniversary of that fire.  Though the father doesn’t believe that it’s his son that he’s talking to on the radio, the son is able to shout out a warning about the fire that took his life the next day.

Sure enough a day later as he tries to escape the burning warehouse he remembers his son’s warning to not go the way his instincts and training tell him to.  He goes the opposite direction that at the time looks like the worse alternative and escapes safely.  His original direction led to death; the alternate way led to life.  This time he made the right choice!

“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, followme.” For the rich young ruler, this was the alternate way out of the “burning warehouse”.  This was the way for him that led to life.  Unfortunately, due to his wealth he went away sad.  Jesus communicated a precise way to life that specifically addressed his situation.  Hopefully, he later repented and obeyed.

Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  She too was in a ‘burning warehouse” and the way she was going would result in death.  But Jesus gave her a way out that lead to life.  Jesus does the very same with all of us.  By His Spirit we are warned to turn, to repent, to follow Him in a new direction that leads to life.  He has redemptive, life giving paths for us to take no matter where we find ourselves.

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