The Grace Files

Devotional #3

To God Be The Glory! #3

by Charlie Armacost 

Jeremiah17:9 (NASB)

The heart is more deceitful than all else 

And is desperately sick;  Who can understand it?

Psalm 19:14 (NASB)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

Be acceptable in Thy sight,

O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 63:6 (NASB)

When I remember Thee on my bed,

I meditate on Thee in the night watches.

Psalm 119:97 (NASB)

O how I love Thy law!

It is my meditation all the day.

From Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Meditate/Meditation

1.  To contemplate or reflect.

2.  To focus one's thought on:  reflect on or to ponder over.

Exhortation:  

Jeremiah asks the question regarding the heart, "Who can understand it?"  The answer is in vs. 10, "I, the Lord...".  Proverbs 28:26 states, "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered."  The first step to walking wisely is found in Psalm 111:10a, "The fear (reverence for) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."  

Let's be clear,  God chooses us.  Gives us the faith to believe in Him.  He made our hearts tender enough to be saved.  That's only the start.  Now, that our heart is in God's hands, our heart is still deceitful and desperately sick as Jeremiah makes clear.  Other scriptures tell us that the heart is wicked, depraved and very hard.  Basically, it is one nasty and tough piece of meat!  

Now, what would we do to make a tough piece of meat tender?  Well, we would marinate it.  Soak it in juices until it becomes tender and more flavorful.  Let's picture this cooking analogy;  our heart is in God's hands, that's the crockpot.  Now, He starts to pour in the "water of the Word" through our reading of the Word.  This "juice" comes to cover our heart over time.  Yes, the reading of the Word is crucial... yet, there is more.  The common word in the Psalms above is meditate. Read the definition above, again.  Now consider this equation;  meditate = marinate!  So, for the "juice" to sink in and marinate, we need to meditate upon it as well!!  So now, we may ask... Well, how long will take for our heart to become tender enough?  Well, that will occur on "our day" or "That Day", whichever comes first.  

Folks, we live in a "microwave" world.  It takes work to be a "crockpot" Christian.  Yet, consider this...  Which meal tastes better?  The one from the microwave or the one from the crockpot?  We know that answer!!  

Devotional #2

To God Be The Glory! #2 

by Charlie Armacost 

1 Timothy 6:8 (NASB)

And, if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

Philippians 4:11 (NASB)

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

*From Websters 1828 Dictionary:

CONTENT, adjective [Latin , to be held; to hold.] Literally, held, contained within limits; hence, quiet; not disturbed; having a mind at peace; easy; satisfied, so as not to repine, object, or oppose.

Biblical/Historical Context:

In the first scripture, Paul is writing to his spiritual son, Timothy.  His letter contains advice and exhortations to a young pastor regarding his personal conduct and ministerial work.  In this section of the letter (vs. 6-8), he addresses the blessings of contentment.

In the second scripture, Paul is writing to the church at Philippi.  This church was doing well in many respects.  In particular, it was very appreciative and generous.  In this section of the letter, he talks of God's provisions; the promise of divine supplies for every need.

Exhortation:

Once again, we need to "examine" ourselves and ask, "Am I content?"  "Is my mind at peace?, Am I satisfied?"  If not, why?  Perhaps, it would do us well to start here.  To gain understanding regarding the difference between needs and wants.  We ask ourselves, "what about shelter?"  Well... Jesus had no place to lay his head.  He had no place to call home.  Yet, God always provided what He needed.  We know from the word, that God takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.  AND, that he cares for us so much more!  His word assures us that He is well aware of our needs and to put our trust in Him.    

Notice that Paul states that he had to learn be content.  He needed to be taught; we need teaching as well.  Let us be willing students!  Realize that this world bombards us with advertising and the core message is that we "need" this product to be happy.  Plain and simple.  It is also a lie!!  Note also, the definition of content does not contain the word happy... food for thought.

Let us put aside the "what about this and the what about that", way of thinking.  Realize that God has provided our needs and that which we have beyond that is due to His lovingkindness and His desire to give His children good gifts.  That is certainly worthy of praise!  

Devotional #1

To God Be The Glory! 

by Charlie Armacost 

2 Corinthians 5:20  (NASB)

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

First things first.  Two definitions from Websters 1828 Dictionary.

Ambassador (Embassador):

A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign.

Christian:

A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example and obey the precepts of Christ: a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety. 

Biblical/Historical Context:

In this portion of the letter to the church at Corinth, Paul is writing of the Spiritual Ministery of Reconciliation.  Affirming his status (and that of other fellow workers) as qualified/empowered in sharing the gospel.  For Corinth was a center of philosophical discussion.  As such, the church there was subject to being led astray from the truth.  Paul was also being slandered by those opposed to his teaching/preaching of the word.

Exhortation:

When we become a Christian as defined above, one our assigned roles is to be an ambassador for Christ.  To truly represent His power and dignity to the world.  You may ask yourself; how do I do that?  The answer lies within the definition of Christian.  You must study to follow the example and obey the precepts of Christ!  Simply put, you must read and study the Word!  Jesus is our perfect role model and it's only through the Word that we can become more like Him, to truly represent Him!  It takes effort...

Then comes the daunting part.  Examine yourself and ask, am I representing Christ well?  Do my actions and words match up with those of Jesus?  Of course not!  We are human, He is God.  Yet, that is our calling, our goal to strive for... until our day or That Day comes.  Take heart and be of good courage, it is a worthy task!