Category: Daily Walk with Christ

What I Don’t Understand is…

August 16, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

Actually, there is much I don’t understand about our God. I don’t understand how He could love such a sinner as I. I don’t understand why He doesn’t wipe evil from this earth. I don’t how He can be eternal. The Trinity. Where is heaven? Hell. I honestly feel like a three year old with endless questions.

I admit it. I’m not very wise. Yet, I do take sweet comfort in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. To think that He died and then defeated death and hell so that you and I could also conquer death and hell… I am dumbstruck.

Try telling it to a hundred people, though, and you risk all one hundred finding you a fool. The Apostle Paul warned us, though. He told us that would happen.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Where are the wise? I submit to you that the wise are not in political parties, not in Congress, not on college campuses. The wise are teaching Sunday school, preaching the Gospel, and filling the altars.

Wisdom is found in His Spirit, knowledge in His Word, and power in the cross.

Daily Devotion for 12 August 16 – Standing Alone?

August 12, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

There are few people in history like Job. He lost everything, his livestock, his servants, and his ten children. Later, he loses his health; his body is covered in boils.

He shaved his head, ripped his clothing and went into mourning. His three closest friends mourned with him, sitting silently for seven days.

When Job finally spoke, he cursed the day he was born. His friends, however, had their own ideas about Job’s problems. One believed that Job was being punished for unrepented sin. Another believed that Job had exhibited evil behavior and should have endeavoured to be more righteous. Still, another believed that Job likely deserved far greater punishment than that which he had already received. With friends like that…

Job defended his innocence to his friends and proclaimed that there is a Redeemer in heaven who would vouch for him (Job 16:19, 19:25). He longed for an intercessor, someone to speak to God on his behalf. Amazing, isn’t it, that this man of God, who lived perhaps 600 years before Christ, could so succinctly sum up the role of Christ, who now sits at the right side of His Father.

There are many lessons and insights to be gleaned from the book of Job, and one that is often overlooked is this: Job turned to his friends for help, and they were no help at all; instead, they frustrated him. Yet, he stood beside them, and reminded them that he was a better friend to them than they were to him. In the end, Job stood alone and even defended his friends before God.

Job’s patience is often the topic of discussion, but it is his faith that we should learn from. He trusted in God before there was a Bible to read. He believed in a Redeemer before mankind had been redeemed. And, he had faith that if he trusted in God, God would remain faithful to him.

We worship a God of infinite might and never-ending mercy, and His Spirit lives in the heart of every one of His children, given to us so that we may experience firsthand that for which Job could only long. He is our Comforter, our never-failing, True Friend. With Christ in our hearts, we never really stand alone.

Daily Devotion for 11 August 2016 – 4 Ways to Help the Toxic Christian

August 11, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

You have known them, I’m sure; everyone knows a Christian who is toxic. He or she is so negative, so irritable, so hateful, and usually so self-righteous that no one, not even the pastor, can stand to be near them. Every church has at least one person like this. The church I attend does, and we have a congregation of less than 100.

What can you do to help the toxic Christian enjoy life more, and make life more pleasant for those nearby?

Pray for the toxic Christian. Most people like this have become so worn down by the stresses of life that they experience no joy. Pray for this person, that his or her joy will be restored.
Tell him or her that you love them, and give them a hug. I come from a hugging church, one with many huggers. Rita, a good friend is known for her hugs. Last year when we moved our membership to a new church, I was thrilled to meet Joy, a hugger just like Rita. Everyone needs a hug once in a while. Everyone needs to experience Christian love.
Invite him or her to dinner. Get to know the toxic Christian. Perhaps… just maybe, they only became toxic after feeling alienated. Maybe he or she simply needs a friend.
Ask their opinion. By including the toxic Christian in serious conversation, and asking their opinion, you will demonstrate respect. Sometimes, all it takes to melt a heart is love and respect.

Christ tells us that if we believe in Him, then rivers of living water will flow from our hearts. Share that living water with those who thirst most.