by Jim Brummett | Feb 14, 2018 | Devotions
Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven…
This phrase is the introduction to what is often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus offered this prayer in response to His disciples’ request to teach them to pray (see Luke 11:1). Many excellent books have been written on this prayer, but let me share a couple of simple thoughts with you.
The One to whom we pray is not a distant deity or a mystical power, He is our heavenly Father. As Father He who infuses His own Spirit into His offspring, shares an intimate relationship with His children, and looks after us in a paternal way. As our heavenly Father, He is Almighty, the Beginning and the End, compassionate, deliverer, eternal, faithful, good, holy, immutable, just, kind, loving, merciful, near, omniscient, powerful, qualified, refuge, sovereign, truth, unsearchable, victorious, wonderful, and zealous. He is all that and more. That is pretty impressive, don’t you think?
Let’s sing: “I’m a child of the King, child of the King, with Jesus my Savior I’m a child of the King.”
by Jim Brummett | Feb 7, 2018 | Devotions
Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Our community is reeling from the news of a third deputy sheriff murdered while serving in the line of duty this year. As Christians, we can see that the issues threatening our community are spiritual at their very core. Jesus said “Satan comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Galatians 5 shows how a heart unrestrained to sin will impact a community with hatred, selfishness, sexual perversion, idolatry, witchcraft, drugs and alcohol. Galatians 5 also shows the positive impact a Christian can have by demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit.
Our culture is unraveling, and the Church is in position to provide the answer to stop the insanity. Our message is clear: there is life and hope in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Take this message to your school, workplace and neighborhood. Don’t be rude or offensive, but do not be ashamed of the message. 1 Peter 3:15 states “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
I would ask you to pray for the families of the three fallen sheriff’s deputies who were murdered. Deputy Zackari Parrish leaves behind his wife Gracie and their two daughters; Deputy Heath Gumm leaves behind his wife Natasha; Deputy Micah Flick leaves behind his wife Rachael and their seven-year-old twins. We also pray for the larger community of first responders. Police officers, sheriff’s deputies, fire fighters, EMT’s and others who place their lives on the line every day to protect you and me.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
by Jim Brummett | Jan 31, 2018 | Devotions
Joshua 1:11 (ESV) “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
Joshua and the Jewish people were on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. For decades, the people had held to the promise that God was going to give them the land. From where they were camped, they could look across the Jordan River and see Canaan.
Joshua acted responsibly by sending two spies into Canaan and having them return with a report on what the people could expect. The spies fulfilled their assignment and returned and in less than a week the people miraculously crossed the Jordan River. It is an incredible story you can read for yourself in Joshua chapters 1-3.
The Jews didn’t just enter the Promised Land, they eventually possessed it. In so doing, they demonstrated faith that God had spoken clearly to leaders like Moses and Joshua, trust in God’s commitment to honor His promises, and obedience to His instructions.
Possessing the promises of God still require us to demonstrate faith, trust and obedience. In fact we will never experience anything significant for the Lord without them. Challenges are opportunities. Opportunities for us to demonstrate faith, trust and obedience. Opportunities for God to do what only He can do.
On most Sunday mornings at our church we recite our conviction that “the promises of God’s Word belong to us” and “what God has done before He is going again…”
Let’s sing: “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array; let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray. Salvation’s helmet on each head, with truth all girt about. The earth shall tremble ‘neath our tread and each with our shout. Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory that overcomes the world.”
by Jim Brummett | Jan 24, 2018 | Devotions
Genesis 27:36 (ESV) “Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”
The name Jacob means supplanter, one who schemes or deceives others. In his youth Jacob schemed and manipulated to get what he wanted and in the process hurt those close to him and proved himself to be a man not to be trusted. Along the way, he had an incredible encounter with God who changed his name and identity from Jacob to Israel (see Genesis 35). The deceiver became known as the man wrestles with God. The nation of God’s chosen people would carry the name of Israel, the former deceiver.
The story of Jacob is a lesson that a life of blessing can arise from an inauspicious beginning. Other people in the Bible illustrate the same principle. Moses spent 40 years on the back side of a desert thinking the sins of his youth had disqualified him from significant service for God. On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter wept in the agony of shame for publicly denying his relationship with Jesus. Days later we find Thomas isolating himself from friends and family because unanswered questions brought him to a place where he questioned his faith. These four men overcame great challenges and finished their lives with distinction. Coincidentally, the defining moment in their lives was a personal encounter with God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
by Jim Brummett | Jan 11, 2018 | Devotions
Let’s look at three men in the book of Genesis and consider the impact of their influence because of their commitment to spiritual integrity.
In Genesis 6:9 it states “Noah was a righteous man among the people of his time and he walked with God.” This is impressive considering mankind had become so vile in his sin that God had no other choice but to eliminate the human race and start over with Noah and his family.
Starting in Genesis 12 we read of the story of Abraham. Abraham grew up in a culture steeped in idolatry and moved to Canaan where he found communities so wicked God destroyed. Like Noah, Abraham withstood the sinful mores of his neighbors and maintained his spiritual integrity in the eyes of God. In the New Testament, Abraham is presented as the supreme model of faith and as the prime example of the faith required for the Christian believer (Galatians 3:6-9; 4:28).
Beginning in Genesis 37 we read the story of Joseph who was rejected by his brothers, slandered by his boss’s wife, and taken for granted by a man Joseph helped while living in prison. Joseph had every opportunity and excuse to develop a bitter spirit, yet he maintained his spiritual integrity and was used by God to bless millions of people. One of the great testimonies of all time was said of Joseph, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38).
All three of these men demonstrated unwavering faith in God and commitment to spiritual integrity. We, like they, live in a culture that has drifted far from God and His Word. We, like they, are in position to influence our culture for the cause and glory of Almighty God.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
