Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 030

Romans 1:16–17 (ESV): For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

On this day, October 31st 502 years ago, an Augustinian Monk named Martin Luther hammered his 95 Theses to the castle church door in his home town of Wittenberg. This was not an act of rebellion, but rather an act of soul searching discussion concerning some terrifying issues with the Roman Catholic Church.

Indulgences were rampant and used to fund building extravagance at the expense of the common church goer. Luther’s sparks of debate unknowingly fanned the flame we celebrate today. The Protestant Reformation was birthed leading to the excommunication of Luther by Pope Leo X. But the sacrifice was all worth it as Luther saw the need for a reform of the Church of Rome and an elevation of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As the verses above make mention, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Not the Church of Rome, it’s Pope, or indulgences. But by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone is our hope for salvation. Luther understood this and our verse above led to his own conversion as he saw that the righteous shall live by faith. Out of the darkness came light and this light shines to this very day. May we take the time to celebrate this Reformation day and continue to reform according to the Scriptures! SDG!

October 31, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 029

Hebrews 10:22–25 (ESV): 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Let us consider the assembly of Christians in worship. Why is it important? Why can’t we just be Christian and worship God on our own?

The writer of Hebrews (for we know not the author) explains the expectation of gathering together. Throughout the New Testament, we see that gathering to be on the Lord’s day or the first day of the week (Rev. 1:10; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). Here in Hebrews we can assume the Church of the first century was under heavy persecution. So much so, many were neglecting the assembly of public worship.

The author here tells them to encourage one another during this time of tribulation. The encouragement is met with a expectation of the Day drawing near. What Day? The Day. The Day Jesus returns. That is encouraging!

Being under the shepherding of Jesus means to be in the fold with the other sheep. To assemble with other brothers and sisters who also follow and profess Christ as Savior is the duty of the Christian. We must gather together for we need one another. To uplift and to be uplifted. Do not be the lone deer in the midst of the lions, but be stronger together with your family who were also bought by the blood of Christ.

The world is cruel no doubt, and it hates our Lord. It also hates His people. Persecution is a real thing and will reveal its ugly head at any moment. Take heart that you have others who love you and love Christ who you serve. Do not forsake being with them because your walk with Christ will suffer if you do. Other Christians are here to support and encourage. To love and befriend. Stir one another up. Love and do good works. Don’t be a Lone Ranger Christian. Your heart will fail and you resolve will dwindle. You need to be with your family. You need to be with them who are in Christ. Go to church.

October 30, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 028

Luke 9:23–26 (ESV): And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

To take up your cross and follow Jesus is to say you are willing to go die as He died. To be mocked and ridiculed for the message you carry. A message of sin, repentance, and faith in Christ the Messiah. It means to sit down to consider what it is to follow Jesus. What it means to lose your life to gain life is to say, “I am willing to follow Christ and His commands even if it costs me everything, even my life.” To follow Jesus is to die to our wants and live for His! Such a sobering realization.

You may gain a great deal in this life as far as material gain is concerned. But you will never gain the whole world. Jesus says what would it profit you if you did and yet, still lost your life? To keep your life for this worlds gains means to lose your life ultimately.

This passage also deals with staying faithful to the Word of Christ. The message He taught. The very Scripture itself. If we are ashamed of Christ’s words, He will be ashamed of us when He come into glory before the Father and the holy angels. Could you imagine being ashamed before all the host of Heaven? Be faithful to God’s word and willing to lose your life each day for Christ sake if necessary.

October 29, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 027

Romans 2:4 (ESV) Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

God extends his mercies each and everyday. Forgiveness is lavished upon those who come to Him. All who are thirsty should come. Those who do come find His love and kindness to be refreshing to the soul and a help in life’s trouble.

There are those however, who would hold back and wait for the right moment to come to Christ. They presume that they have their whole lives to live and tomorrow is just as sure as today. By the end of their lives the assumption is they are pretty good. Good enough for God to favor them. He is love after all…

O how they have it all wrong! The mercy of they day is for their repentance. Not to give them solace, but help them see their sin! God withholds His wrath and His coming to grant sinners time to repent and believe the Gospel. We should not presume but fall prostrate before Holy God and ask for the forgiveness He so wishes to give those who would come.

But you must come. Do not wait. Today is the day of salvation. And if you be saved already, be glad He tarries for those who have not yet come. Pray for them that God would grant them repentance and faith to place in Christ alone. Don’t presume upon the kindness and the forebarence of God, but be sure of it! Run to Him!

October 28, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotion 026

“I believe in God!”

We have all heard such a statement. Of course they believe, everyone does. Romans 1:19 says, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (ESV). God has revealed who He is to all creation. He is the eternal creator and everlasting God (Romans 1:20). Yet, although all know there is a God and He is creator, all worship Him wrongly (21-22).

News flash! Even demons believe in God and probably have much better theology than most Christians.

James 2:19 says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!” (ESV). Consider the temptation of Jesus. Satan used scripture to tempt Jesus. The point here being, Satan knows the Bible.

But let’s allow the demons to testify who Jesus is for us shall we? Consider Luke 26-39. Here Jesus heals the man who dwelt among the tombs. A wonderful account. What was said by the demons here will focus in on our point. Once Jesus approaches, the man of the tombs says, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me” (Luke 8:28 ESV).

Did you see that? They not only know there is a God, but they also know Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus the God man who has power and dominion over them. Who can cast them into the abyss and torture them for their rebellion (31-33).

When confronted by Jesus, even the devils give proper testimony. Their rebellion and devices are exposed and they are at the mercy of Christ. They tremble.

Beloved, do we realize who we are dealing with here? Jesus Christ the Son of the Most High God! He has power and authority over all things. It would be good for us to declare this truth; and yes, even tremble!

October 25, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotional 025

Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV): 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

What is it to speak truth in love? Paul seems to find this most important in dealing with the body of Christ. The people Christ came to save and died for.

In Ephesians 4, Paul makes a case for the unity of brothers and sisters in Christ. Saying that each have their calling and ministry. An idle Christian the Bible knows not of. We are to work and do work for our Lord. Each one working properly and doing the task we are called to do.

With the call to work properly, there is also the assumption that at times the body will not work properly. Correction is needed. Getting into shape is needed. If your legs are weak, you work them until they are strong and function as you would like. So it is with the body of Christ. If one member is doing wrong or going astray, it is up to the mature in The Spirit to return them to the truth and build up the body (Galatians 6:1). The returning them also involves gentleness.

Paul here in our text says to speak the truth in love. It is important how we treat the body of Christ. How we approach and speak concerning the matters of faith tells a great deal about our love for the body. Christ is the bridegroom and his church is His bride. Be careful how you treat the bride! Better love her because Christ loves her.

Apollos was a bold speaker, but was corrected in doctrine by Priscilla and Aquila so he would understand more accurately (Acts 18:26). These two don’t hunt Apollos down and shame him, but rather they take him aside and explained. That’s love.

Of course it may seem harsh to the hearer. No one likes correction really. But a believer will appreciate it because it draws them closer to Christ helping them to better function in the body of Christ. Love is a powerful thing. Speaking truth in love does powerful things!

October 24, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotional 024

Luke 7:40–43 (ESV): 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

First of all, Jesus is the best story teller. His parables are packed with truth and this litte short is no exception.

Jesus is at the house of a Pharisee named Simon. Simon has not been too accommodating, but a certain woman had been. A woman of the city (37). This woman had been cleaning the feet of Jesus with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and anointing his head with oil.

Jesus projects this story into the narrative to make a point. This teacher of Israel has neglected love and servanthood. This woman of the city did not. It wasn’t even her house! She was a great sinner by the any standard and Simon was considered a holy man by the culture. Jesus sees the heart.

She loves much because her sins were great. Jesus forgives her of her sins (48). The Pharisee did not show such love to Jesus. He understood the concept, just didn’t follow in action (42). Not even the customary actions of hospitality (44-46). She continued to kiss and wash Jesus’ feet with her own tears. A stark contrast here.

This of course is not a license to sin more so you can love Jesus more. How silly. What this is an example of how one person sees their great need for the forgiveness of Jesus and they love and adore Him for it. She was forgiven much, and therefore she loved much! How much do you love Jesus?

October 23, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotional 023

When we are offended, do we not want to take matters into our own hands? When another does us harm or insults us, our first reaction is to go after them and make their name as shamed as our own. So it was with the account of David and Nabal in 1 Samuel 25:1b-38.

David had sent messengers to Nabal to request a feast for dealing kindly to Nabla’s shepherds and to ask for provision. Nabal disrespects the new anointed king and his men. David becomes furious and mounts up for battle!

Abigail, the wife of Nabal, comes to David with gifts after hearing of her husbands foolishness. She bows before David and asks for forgiveness and mercy. She speaks of blessing God because He had restrained the hand of David from “bloodguilt and from working salvation with your (David’s) own hand” (1Sam 25:26,33).

David received Abigail’s gifts and sent her home safely. But when Nabal heard of what his wife had done the next day, his heart died within him. The Lord struck him and he died ten days later (36-38). David blesses God for dealing with Nabal. He also blesses God for keeping his hand from avenging himself and doing wrong (39).

We can learn a great deal from this account here. Paul reminds us in Romans, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord'”(Romans 12:19). It really is not our prerogative to avenge ourselves. God will deal rightly and do as He sees fit for all. His vengeance is much more severe and correct than ours will ever be. Bless God when others persecute you and do not try to bring about salvation by your own hand.

When you ponder it more deeply, the offense to you was actually against our Lord. He will deal with sin. Either those who offend will spend an eternity in a devil’s Hell or their sin is forgiven by the blood of Christ. Either way, the vengeance belongs to God alone. His wrath is poured out, either on the individual in Hell or on His Son. Our wrath sounds quite silly considering this. Bless God that He avenges.

October 22, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotional 022

In John 21:15-19 we see Jesus asking Peter a very interesting question. In fact, Jesus asks him the same question three times. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answers back three times saying he does. Jesus instructs Peter to “feed my sheep” or close variations thereof.

Does this mean Peter needs to give up apostleship or fishing to go be a shepherd off of some distant hill In Jerusalem? No, not exactly. Jesus is telling Peter to love and feed those who Jesus has come to save. Those who have called upon the name of Jesus for salvation. Those who have chosen to follow the Christ. Peter is to love them and shepherd them.

The significance here is seen in light of the story of Peter in the coming day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Peter denied being a follower of Jesus three times just days before (John 18:15-18, 25-27). Here in our text, Jesus asks Peter three times “do you love me?” Jesus puts emphasis on the fact that loving Him is loving His people. To shepherd them and love them is to love Jesus Himself. Peter did deny being a follower before, but now Jesus tells him again just like at his first calling to discipleship, “Follow me” (John 21:19).

Do you love Jesus? Do you love His people? He is asking still, “do you love me?” If so beloved, love His people and follow Him.

Reflections on Joe Rollins sermon dated 10/20/2019. Link Here.

October 21, 2019 0

Beard Strokes: Short Devotional 021

Wisdom is such a mystical word in today’s language. As if it grants some sort of insight behind the preverbal curtain. As far as the Bible is concerned, this is not the case. In fact, biblical wisdom may seem as absolute foolishness to this world (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Hardly the sort of wisdom we esteem in our circles of everyday life.

Proverbs, Psalms, and John shed a grand light on wisdom. We see wisdom in Proverbs personified and calling out to the ones who will come to her. She is a lover of those who love her and her fruit is more precious than even fine gold (Proverbs 8:18). We see that wisdom has been even before the beginning. Before the earth and its majesty was formed (Proverbs 8:22-31).

This should trigger our minds to Psalm 19:10, 119:72, 127, Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1. All of these verses are tied within a context relating to the Word of God. Before the foundations of the world the Word was there. The Word was God and the Word proceeded forth creating all things. This Word became flesh and spoke to us teaching us all we must do (John 1:14 and Hebrews 1:1).

What is it then to be wise? The Bible seems to point to wisdom and it’s fruit as being one who is guided and directed by the word of God. It is to be Christlike and do as He commanded us do. He said if we love Him, we will follow His commands (John 14:15). J. I. Packer states wisdom is, “to cleave to him and live for him in the light of his Word through thick and thin” (Knowing God, 108). Let us do likewise!

October 18, 2019 0