Leaving Everything Behind To Follow God

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

– Ruth 1:16-17

This dialogue made Ruth the great grandmother of King David and an ancestress of Jesus Christ. I grew up in a culture where women followed their husbands in almost everything including their religious beliefs. But Ruth's husband's family was a disaster. Every male person died including her husband. Furthermore, they were strangers in Ruth's country. Now, her mother-in-law Naomi had to return to Bethlehem. She wisely counselled Ruth not to follow her because Ruth can be with her people (and her real mother) and their gods, and possibly marry again. Her sister-in-law Orpah had taken the counsel, but Ruth refused to go back to her people and their gods.

In other words, Ruth had forsaken the lifestyle of a heathen and false religion. She decided to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, Naomi's God. No matter how hard the journey may be; how uncomfortable the place may be; how strange the people may be; how demanding God may be; how solitary life may be; how death may come; she chose to follow the life Naomi had modelled for her. She promised to follow even after the death of Naomi. What a role model she had in this woman Naomi! But what a greater model of conversion and decision-making we see in this young woman Ruth!

Ruth had literally given up her world for God and God's people, in particular for Naomi. Thus, God did not only bless her with a rich godly husband, but also chose her to be the ancestress of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit had recorded her story of faith in the Scripture. Is there anything we cannot leave behind to follow God? Are our careers and our comforts more important and grandeur than what God has promised to those who obey Him? Would you, like Naomi, choose to love not only God but His people (the church) too?

Devoted to Seemingly Uncaring God in Trying Times

“Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

– John 11:32 Legacy Standard Bible [2021, New Translation]

The story of Mary is one of the best illustrations of devotion to God. Her devotion to Christ (anointing Jesus’ feet) came as a rebuke to the disciples and even to her sister (sitting at Jesus’ feet). Even in this account of raising Lazarus from the tomb, we see Mary’s fervent devotion to seemingly indifferent Jesus. First, Jesus healed a lot of sick people, but He wasn’t there for them. Second, Jesus delayed 2 days in coming. Yet, when Mary knew of Christ’s arrival, she ran to Him. Mary was utterly right that Lazarus wouldn't have died, had Christ been there in Bethany when he was sick.

However, Mary was also absolutely wrong to have said in that manner. When she said those words, she was saying, in fact, “It's unfortunate! It's a mistake that You were not able to be here! If you had been here, this would not happen!” However, we now know that it wasn't a mistake. Jesus purposefully let it happen (v4-6). It was not to torture Mary or Lazarus, of course. It was to strengthen their faith when He restored life to Lazarus. A thousand years ago, Abraham was called upon to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham didn't think it to be a mistake. He was devoted to God and decided to sacrifice his son, believing that God could raise him again (Heb.12:19). God confirmed his faith.

Few months ago, I bought a new laptop. It often got hanged 2, 3 times a day. And I often got annoyed thinking, “This is a mistake. Why would the Lord cause me to choose this deceitful laptop among many?” We know, God commits no mistake. I still have not found the exact reason why, but I have learned a lot about the need for patience already! After all, pastors should be known for their gentleness and patience, right? [I wrote this devotional piece months ago. At the time of publishing this blog, my PC has been working very smoothly for more than a month already. I thank God!]

Has it been for you that the Lord seems indifferent, unkind, and uncaring to answer your prayers? Remember, God’s compassion for us is exceedingly abundant than we can ever imagine. God allows all circumstances in life to strengthen us in our faith in Him. Would you practice to trust and rest in Him who knows all things and works for our own good?

Courage in Persecution

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

– 2 Timothy 1:12

A strong conviction is required for any act of courage in times of adversity and persecution. Paul wanted Timothy to have a strong conviction by reminding the works of God. Apparently, Timothy was not courageous as he should be. Paul was slandered and arrested. Timothy could be charged too. Paul was exhorting Timothy not to be afraid of the persecution. He must proclaim the gospel, even if it would take him to prison like Paul.

In this verse 12, Paul understood his suffering as a divine calling, something to be endured joyfully, never to be ashamed of, no matter what everyone might say or think. A call to suffer is for all Christians, according to Philippians 1:28-29. Paul drew attention to the trustworthiness of Jesus Christ. Jesus wasn't afraid of suffering. He was slandered, mocked, beaten, crucified, and even bore the damnation of God for the gospel of Salvation. 

In Jesus, we see not only the pattern of suffering and trustworthiness, Paul reminded Timothy of the power of God to preserve us forever. Jesus warned us not to be ashamed of Him, but to suffer for Him. Peter denied Christ three times in one night. Jesus, the true Shepherd, forgave him and reinstated him to be a leader of His mission. Indeed, no one can snatch a Christian away from His hands (John 10:28). Not even our sin can make us slip, nor can we jump out because God's hand is stronger than anything.

This is our God, Saviour, and Lord. Nothing in life is outside His sovereign plan. Therefore, we need not be timid because of the adversaries, nor be afraid of our own weakness; rather we are to put our trust in God for who He is and His promises. Are you a timid Christian? Do you feel ashamed of following Christ publicly? Think of Christ and His Apostles, their warnings, examples, sufferings, and assurance of faith!

Responsible Family Member

 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

– 1 Timothy 5:8

Paul has a high view of the family. He requires that unless a man shows proven leadership in his home, he cannot be a public (church) leader. He further says that unless a man is a responsible family member, he cannot be possibly a church member (a Christian). In fact, he is worse than an unbeliever. Does this not come as a rebuke to many of us? We want to be leaders in the church or in society when we actually don't demonstrate a sense of responsibility in our own homes. Some are often saints outside their homes and devils in their homes.

The Christian instruction is that first and foremost, as an individual, each of us must pursue personal sanctification. Unless we are transformed by the Spirit to live a responsible life, how can we possibly help others? And unless we are taking care of our own family members, how can any outsider trust our message that we love them? Parents must bring up their children to maturity – that includes their physical needs, education, life skills, and instruction in righteousness and godliness. Children must grow up in obedience, and they should learn to repay their parents when they grow old.

The issue is not about how much they can provide (quantity) or the level of comfort they can give (quality). The issue is concerning the responsibility and the priority one has for his household. Paul expects even the unbelievers to follow this principle because God has written it on our conscience and in the fabric of human society. Sure, a believer may identify with other believers, but his responsibility towards his own family, even to the unbelieving family members, does not decrease. Rather, a Christian has an increasing responsibility not only to his household of blood but of faith too.

Are you having a good relationship with your family members? Have you been neglecting your family (or your spouse) because of your work? Take heed to the words of Apostle Paul. Would you please have a high view of the family?

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Admiring Jesus Our Superstar

 "When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed."

– 2Thessalonians 1:10

        We are thrilled to watch very competitive sports and games. Some of us are even die-hard fans of some of the top players. We admire them and celebrate their wins. We love to sacrifice our money, time, and our strength in cheering for their cause – to win. Sometimes fans make out a rivalry of their stars. A Messi fan doesn't like to be in the stadium of overcrowded Ronaldo fans, and vice versa. We enjoy the company of like-minded people. Imagine a world of only like-minded people, how wonderful it will be! 

        Might I suggest more wildly? Think of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to take us to the prepared place yonder! Now, the world may continue to mock our Lord and our Christian ethics. They may persecute us, they may even kill us, but on that day mockery and persecution will cease, and we will have our reign! We will celebrate the victory of Christ because His victory will also be ours. And we will be the undisputed champions and conquerors along with Him. Everyone's a believer there; no more non-believers, no more atheists, no more persecutors; we, ourselves are perfected. No fighting, no argument, no ill-treatment, no sin, nothing evil! Paul pictures this hope for us in this verse.

        I long for that day! Everyone will give Jesus the glory He deserves. Everyone will admire Him and proclaim Him, He is Lord. And each of us will receive a crown from Him. I am sure, this imagination (crown) is much better than the autograph of Messi or Ronaldo or any star. And of course, I long for non-believers also to admire my Lord from this present life.

Personal Reflection:

• Am I ready for the appearing of my Lord? Will I be embarrassed or be confident at His appearing? Do I expect from Him, “Well done, my faithful servant?”

Personal Commitment:

• In the trials of life, to think often of the coming of Christ.

Prayer:

        Lord, thank You for calling me to be with the people for your glory. Come soon, Lord, Amen!

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Image Scripture - John 5:24

 A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

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Can Humans Live Without God?

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

– Judges 21:25

The first couple disobeyed the word of God. Then they blamed God for their suffering. Then mankind refused to worship God. Nowadays, many don't even seem to know that God exists, they have ignored God. But can man live without God? In other words, can humans live by themselves? This verse reveals to us the failed experiment of Israelites without God's law. It is a commentary on the sinful and chaotic lifestyle of the Israelites after the death of Joshua and before the days of the kings of Israel, particularly on the incidents of the Levite's concubine and the following massacres.

This is not to say that every Israelite behaved in a responsible manner to do what was right. It means they lived as they liked what Moses had forbidden them in Deuteronomy 12:8. (An identical commentary appears in Judges 17:6, where they decided to worship God as they liked). This was lawless, reckless, messy, and sinful. The Scripture says, "The heart is deceitful above all things," and "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags." This verse comes as a lament on life without God. Because God is the true King of Israelites, in fact, the ultimate King of the Universe. Israelites refused to have God as their king, and they did not have a human king at that time. Even with their human kings, their spiritual, social, economic, agricultural, and political situations were more disastrous. Life without God as our King is a sinful life.

Who dictates your life: The government? Your boss? Your intuition? Your mood? God has created us for Himself. Then He bought us again in Christ. Our life is no longer ours; would you live for Him following His precepts written in the Scripture?

Can Human Live with (Serve) God?

"But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.”” — Joshua 24:19

Exposition:

        Christian life is not an easy road. It is difficult, nay, impossible to become even a Christian. It is God who made us Christians, and it is God who helps us live our Christian life. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were distinctly called the people of God. In the New Testament, Christians are the people of God, comprising both Jews and Gentiles. This verse clearly demonstrates the impossibility of pleasing God in our strength.

        Joshua was a towering leader of the Israelites and was about to die soon. He wanted to leave a legacy of a life lived for God. His last influence he wanted to impart them was to “be jealous for God.” He gathered all the tribes of Israel and preached a powerful sermon—on how God chose them, delivered them, fought for them, and made them prosper—and exhorted them to serve God faithfully. In a climactic and dramatic way, he declared that he and his family chose to serve God, and gave an unmistakably persuasive choice to serve either idols or God.

        The exuberant response from them was to follow Joshua in following God. Joshua had to explain what it means to become the people of a holy, jealous, and consuming God. The word "cannot" is not a prohibition. Joshua was not even discouraging them. Rather, he wanted them to be for real. Like any euphoric crowd, there were lots of unconverted, unknowledgeable, and swayed people. They will not be able to serve God just because they had expressed their desire. 

        The desire to serve and the ability to serve are not the same things. They should turn away from idols. They would have to repent of their sins and live a holy life. They should fear God and be devoted to Him alone. And they were not able to do so, and therefore God took them into exile a thousand years later. Indeed, it is difficult to follow God, because sin is deceitfully sweet and temporarily satisfying.

        Furthermore, Joshua, being a man of God, anointed by God, knew that the ability to serve God comes from God. It was God who chose them in the beginning, and it was God who was leading them, and it is only God who will lead them to the destination. Even with God's leading, they rebelled and went astray, and many had died of plagues, serpents, and wars. Without God's help, it is impossible (unable) to live a God-pleasing life.

        This is also true for us who are Christians now. God made us alive while we were dead in sin (Eph.2:1). It is God who has enabled us to become Christians (John 1:12). It is God who empowers us to live a Christian life (Phil. 2:13; Gal.2:20). We cannot do anything without God. We aren't even Christians without God. Do you think you are a Christian because you are doing what the rest of the Christians seem to be doing? Are you thinking you can serve God when you are settled or retired with a fat salary; or are you planning to? I fear that you are like the crowd of Israelites. Would you ask God, "O God, am I even saved? Save me. Make me a Christian. Make me live a life that pleases You!"

        Whosoever believes that Jesus died for his sins and rose from the dead to save him, and turns away from a sinful life, and pursues to live a righteous life is a Christian. It takes faith in Jesus to be saved. It takes faith in Jesus to please God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb.11:6). Would you put your trust in Christ for salvation, assurance, and to live a Christian life?

Personal Reflection:

• Have I been living like I own my life when actually Christ has owned me?
• Have I always thanked God for whatever God-pleasing things I have done, and asked God’s forgiveness for all my shameful ways?

Personal Commitment:

• To renounce all idols, so as to have a clear conscience before God and man.

Prayer:

        Thank You, Lord, for Your great Salvation. Thank You for making me a Christian. Help me to pursue a life that pleases You, a holy, jealous and, consuming God. Increase in me a fear of You, Amen!

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Image Scripture - Joshua 24:19

  A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Block Diagramming (LHB)

Tree Diagramming (LEB & NKJV)

Are you truly Saved?

"Your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance."

– 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Exposition:

        Are you truly saved? If we believe the gospel, we are saved. Most of us with Christian parents growing up in a Christian community know what John 3:16 is, which is a very clear gospel message. We can recite it by heart and even profess to believe it, but are we saved? If you ask around, the answer will be mostly "No" or "I don't know." In this verse, we see Paul explaining how Thessalonians are truly saved.

        Salvation is the work of God. The preacher only proclaims the gospel, but the faith in the gospel (the kind of faith that saves us) is wrought unto us only by the Holy Spirit. Gospel is necessary for us to be saved, but we need more than the gospel, we need the work of the Spirit. That's why though many know and believe John 3:16 they are not saved. If salvation comes merely by hearing the gospel, almost everyone would have been saved by now because almost everyone has heard the gospel. That's why we see in the gospel narratives that most of the hearers even of our Lord Jesus Christ were not saved. Oh! How we depend on the Holy Spirit for the gospel to bring salvation.

        When you hear a sermon and when you read the Bible, are you convicted of your sins? Do you tremble before God and ask for forgiveness? Do you see your need for an advocate, Jesus, to save you? Do you cling to Him? Do you find deliverance in Him? Those are the works of the Holy Spirit. Then, you can say the gospel comes not only in word, but also in power. Paul thanked God because he had seen this true work of God in Thessalonians.

Personal Reflection:

• When was the last time I trembled while reading the word of God?
• As a preacher, do my sermons tickle people's ear or make them uncomfortable with their sinful disposition?

Personal Commitment:

• To beg for the work of the Holy Spirit in the reading and teaching of God's word.

Prayer:

O God, for the work of Your Spirit I pray, even as I read this devotional writing. Make me fear You and empower me by Your Spirit to live a resolved holy life, Amen!