Devotion back log

March 18, 2011
Do not look the other way
“If you see your neighbor’s ox collapsed, help him get the ox to its feet. Do not look the other way.” (Deu 22:4) Now that seems like common courtesy. How could you turn a blind eye to your neighbor in need? And yet, I do it every day. I get overwhelmed with the need. Since I can’t do everything, I do nothing. There are plenty of “collapsed oxen” in our world. Choose one and render aide! This is true religion in the sight of God to visit orphans and widows in distress (Jam 1:27). He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will cry himself and not be answered (Pro 21:13). He who shuts his eyes will have many curses (Pro 28:27). “He pled the cause of the needy and afflicted. Is this not what it means to know me?”(Jer 22:16, Pro 31:9)

March 19, 2011
Helping the helpless
Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans and widows (Deu 27:19). I sense a shift in the emphasis of my calling. For thirty years I have devoted myself to study and teach the Scripture in an attempt to create communities that will bring glory to Christ. I still believe this is my primary calling, but I sense God calling me into service, charitable, benevolent type of ministry. Truth be told, I’m a little frustrated with how “fat and sleek” we are and I sense that I have been “stepping over Lazarus” (Luk 16:19-21) for too long. Lord, continue to guide me as I seek your specific will in this area and prepare for a transition in my life.

March 20, 2011
What you don’t know
God chooses not to reveal everything to us (Deu 29:29). He is under no obligation to give us exhaustive understanding of his ways. We are not accountable for what we don’t know. We will, however, answer for what we do know. Mark Twain said, “It’s not what I don’t understand about the Bible that bothers me, it’s what I do understand!” Many base their decision not to follow Christ on the fact that there are things they don’t comprehend. The truth is, if we knew it all we would not longer need God. We would be God. O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me (Psa 131:1).