Pathways Press.com

Written by Mark Robers, a contemporary writer.

In Philippians 2 we encounter a stunning story. Jesus Christ descends to the lowest point of all, dying on a Roman cross. Yet from there God lifts him up to the highest place where he is worshipped as LORD, as the one true God. As followers of Jesus, we are called to worship him, not just with our words and not just in church, but in all that we do and in all places in which we live.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor and author. This is an excerpt from his book “God Is With
You Every Day.”

The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: grace. We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. At church grace graces the songs we sing and the Bible verses we read. Grace shares the church parsonage with its cousins:  forgiveness, faith, and fellowship. Preachers explain it. Hymns proclaim it. Seminaries teach it. But do we really understand it? Here’s my hunch: we’ve settled for wimpy grace. It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no? Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Softened by grace? God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret-riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid-to-die to ready-to-fly. Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:17]

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Written by Uli Chi, a contemporary professor and author on leadership.

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are grateful for and astonished by your deep love and compassion for us and for your creation. Forgive us for neglecting that which you have entrusted to our care. Help us to learn to love and to have compassion on all that you have made. Help us particularly to pay attention to those on the margins of our leadership. Grant us open hearts, open minds and open hands. We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord is good to all. [Psalm 145:9a]

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Written by Lauren Miller, a contemporary author, speaker, and life coach. 

A method to help open up the ability to hear the voice of God in your life is this: Ask a question that you are wondering about and imagine what Jesus would say to you. For example, a colleague has shared with you some negative feedback which triggered you into discouragement. Ask the question: “Jesus, how do you want me to respond to this?” Quiet the noise and repeat Samuel’s request: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Perhaps a Scripture comes to your mind or a trusted mentor to seek counsel from. It is in the humble stillness of our requests for discernment that God steps in and provides the guidance we seek. You may find yourself camping on your question for several days or longer before the directive from God drops in. God always responds to our humble requests for guidance, although many times, our EGO may not like the response. Continue to pray and reflect on what is yours to own, to grow and learn from.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. [Philippians 2:13]

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Written by Francis De Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva who was known for his gentle approach to religious divisions resulting from the Reformation.  This is an excerpt from his book “Introduction to the Devout Life.”

You can express spiritual desires to God by short, ardent movements of your heart. Marvel at his beauty, implore his help, cast yourself in spirit at the foot of the cross, adore his goodness, converse often with him about your salvation, present your soul to him a thousand times during the day, fix your interior eyes upon his sweet countenance, stretch out your hand to him like a little child to his father so that he may lead you on, place him in your bosom like a fragrant bouquet, plant him in your heart like a flag, and make a thousand different motions of your heart to provide you with love of God and arouse in yourself a passionate and tender affection for this divine Spouse. If our mind thus habituates itself to intimacy, privacy, and familiarity with God, it will be completely perfumed by his perfections. There is no difficulty in this exercise, as it may be interspersed among all our tasks and duties without any inconvenience, since in this spiritual retirement or amid these interior aspirations we only relax quickly and briefly. This does not hinder but rather assists us greatly in our daily tasks.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  [John 15:4]

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Today’s devotional is from the Godtube website.

Legendary comedian Jeff Foxworthy spoke in front of a large crowd and shared a powerful message about not being ashamed of the Gospel or the name of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ can take anything and everything and make something beautiful out of it. It could be the worst situation imaginable, and God can use it for good and the building of the Kingdom. Or it could be a seemingly insignificant, hilariously awkward speaking engagement that can be used to change the lives of others.  In a clip posted on social media, Jeff mentioned how he was invited to speak at a wild game dinner in his home state of Georgia. Jeff told a friend of his that, for some reason, he believed God was calling him to speak at that event.  When Jeff got there, it wasn’t exactly what he expected. He made a startling discovery. There was no stage, light, or microphone. But thousands of people did show up to hear Jeff speak. So, on a makeshift stage, Jeff did some comedy and then talked about Jesus Christ. Years later, God revealed to Jeff how his appearance at the odd gathering made a difference in someone’s life. While at church, one man informed Jeff that he had attended that event and gave his life to Jesus Christ that night.  Jeff encouraged the audience to listen to God whenever He speaks to us, pushing us to act and do something for Him. “So, whatever it is you do in your life, be bold for Him,” Jeff said. “Do not be ashamed of the name of Jesus Christ because He is our only hope.” Jeff added that we must be bold for Him because there is a lost and dying world that needs to hear about the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [Romans 1:16]

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Written by John Henry Jewett (1864-1923), British preacher and author.

When we hear the word, but do not do it, there has been a defect in our hearing. We may listen to the word for mere entertainment. Or we may attach a virtue to the mere act of listening to the word. We may assume that some magical efficacy belongs to the mere reading of the word. And all this is perverse and delusive. No listening is healthy which is not mentally referred to obedience. We are to listen with a view to obedience, with our eyes upon the very road where the obedient feet will travel. That is to say, we are to listen with purpose, as though we were Ambassadors receiving instructions from the King concerning some momentous mission. Yes, we must listen with an eye on the road.

Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey. [Deuteronomy 5:27]

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Written by Henry Drummond (1851-1897), a Scottish evangelist, biologist, writer, and lecturer. This is an
excerpt from his work “Pax Vobiscum.”

Two painters each painted a picture to illustrate his conception of rest. The first chose for his scene a still, lone lake among the far-off mountains. The second threw on his canvas a thundering waterfall, with a fragile birch tree bending over the foam; and at the fork of the branch, almost wet with the cataract’s spray, sat a robin on its nest. The first was only stagnation; the last was rest. Christ’s life outwardly was one of the most troubled lives that ever lived: tempest and tumult, tumult and tempest, the waves breaking over it all the time until the worn body was laid in the grave. But the inner life was a sea of glass. The great calm was always there. At any moment you might have gone to Him and found rest. And even when the human bloodhounds were dogging Him in the streets of Jerusalem, He turned to His disciples and offered them, as a last legacy, “My peace.” Rest is not a hallowed feeling that comes over us in church; it is the repose of a heart set deep in God.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11:28]

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Written by Vivian Bricker, a contemporary writer.

Fear is all-encompassing if we allow it to be. Within a relatively short amount of time, fear can control our entire lives. By allowing fear to control our lives, our quality of life will be ruined by whatever is causing us to be afraid. When this happens, we have made fear our “god.” Instead of making fear the “god” of our lives, we have to ensure we keep God as the true God of our lives… Overcoming fear will take time, but the first step is turning to God in prayer. As you are praying to God, you need to pray for a fearless heart. A fearless heart can be yours as you lean more on God and trust Him with your life. No longer do you have to possess a heart of fear. There can be freedom from fear by turning to God in prayer.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  [Isaiah 41:10]

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Written by Cathy Irvin (1946-2011), an American writer.

When you think about Independence Day, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think about a day off from work with picnics, fireworks, and those red, white, and blue flags displayed in front yards along your neighborhood. This is all good, but the one word that comes to my mind is freedom. It is a fact that we live in the United States of America where we can voice our opinions freely and can vote for the people of our choice. These are very good reasons why we should never take our freedom for granted. Each year, I notice that some people really go all out decorating for every holiday. For Independence Day, I display my flag in the yard for the entire month. The flag means a lot to me because of those in my family who have been in wars. I have also had friends who served our country, and I have known some who did not come home in the past and present war. My father served in World War II. My mother was a Red Cross volunteer during that war. My niece and her husband served in Desert Storm. I also have had loved ones in the Vietnam War and a friend recently in Afghanistan. Because of their contributions in keeping us all free, I proudly display the flag. Have you thought about the American flag and all that it stands for? This emblem of the greatest nation on earth is placed on the graves of our honored dead who fought for us to remain a free nation, and it flies high during times of peace, as well as war. “Old Glory” is its name. There is another real freedom we can have. We can display it every day of the year, and that is our freedom “In Christ” to live a life to glorify Him, so that His banner of love, truth, and peace can be seen by all. It is a flag flown high in the castle of my heart (taken from a song). We can be free in our spirit to serve the Creator of the whole universe and that my friends, is True Freedom. Just like the flag that represents freedom, Jesus is a banner over us, protecting and shielding us. He is the “Glory and the Lifter of our heads” at all times. Let freedom ring out in your heart today.

For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.   [Romans 8:2]

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