Monthly Archives: January 2017

What’s it like being born? (John 3:3-8), January 20, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Do you remember what it was like being born? I don’t and it’s probably a good thing. But maybe we should remember some of it so we can understand what it’s like to be born again. The Christian life isn’t all fun and games if that’s what you’re looking for.
Scripture
1. John 3:3-8
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: only someone who experiences birth for a second time can hope to see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus: I am a grown man. How can someone be born again when he is old like me? Am I to crawl back into my mother’s womb for a second birth? That’s impossible!

Jesus: I tell you the truth, if someone does not experience water and Spirit birth, there’s no chance he will make it into God’s kingdom. Like from like. Whatever is born from flesh is flesh; whatever is born from Spirit is spirit. Don’t be shocked by My words, but I tell you the truth. Even you, an educated and respected man among your people, must be reborn by the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. The wind blows all around us as if it has a will of its own; we feel and hear it, but we do not understand where it has come from or where it will end up. Life in the Spirit is as if it were the wind of God.

Devotional
1. Born again. You’ve probably heard that term all your life if you grew up in the church or around Christian people. Those in the Christian community know what it means. Or at least they think they do.
  1. Dying to self
  2. New life in Christ
  3. Reborn into a new way of life with God’s plan and purpose in mind
2. Have you ever thought about how this sounds to someone outside the church?
  1. Nicodemus
  2. Question wasn’t unreasonable
  3. How would you explain this relationship you have with God
  4. What is being born again like?
3. Too often we talk just about the happy moment of forgiveness and forget the rest
  1. Make people disillusioned when they begin their Christian walk
  2. Childbirth is hard for both mother and baby
  3. First breath is great, but come out into a cold, brutal world
  4. Times of joy when held in mother’s arms
  5. Times of fear, aloneness, inability to express thoughts and feelings, unable to communicate
  6. So much unknown
  7. So much to learn
4. Jesus tells us to weigh the cost
  1. Christian life is a hard one
  2. Costs everything
  3. Misunderstood and hated
  4. Unbelievable reward in the end
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Is it our problem when people are about to embarrass themselves? (John 2:4)

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Is it our problem when someone forgets or miscalculates or does something that will cause them embarrassment? Jesus asked that questions, and then answered it with actions instead of words.
Scripture
1. John 2:4
2. Jesus: Dear woman, is it our problem they miscalculated when buying wine and inviting guests? My time has not arrived.
Devotional
1. So what do you think about Jesus’ conversation with His mother?
  1. I would have been slapped silly or told “wait til your father gets home!”
  2. Feminists cringe at His language
  3. Have a hard time getting past the way Jesus addresses His mother
  4. Different day and time
  5. Jesus was an adult male in a male dominant society
  6. Mary addressed Him in public which was pretty taboo in His culture
  7. Gentle but reminded her of the culture, Dear woman!
2. Let’s get past the address between Jesus and Mary and look at the next piece
  1. Is it our problem they miscalculated?
  2. Is it our problem they ran out of wine?
  3. Is it our problem they can’t get their act together?
  4. Is it our problem they will embarrass themselves in front of all these guests?
  5. Reminiscent of Cain’s question to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Do I need to be responsible for him? Do I need to bail him out when he’s in trouble? Do I need to be accountable for his actions as well as my own?
3. You might think Jesus brushes her off with His comments to His mother, but she knows Him well.
  1. We know the rest of the story
  2. First miracle
  3. Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do
  4. She is confident He will take care of the wine problem
  5. She is confident He will keep the host from embarrassment
  6. She is confident He will take care of the needs He finds around Him
4. What lessons should we learn from Jesus’ encounter
  1. Don’t address your mother the way He did, that was a cultural difference your mother will probably not tolerate, nor should she in this country and this time
  2. Like Mary, we should be sensitive to the needs of those around us
  3. Like Mary, we should take those issues to Jesus whether we created the problem or not
  4. We can help others learn from their miscalculations, but we can also help and keep them from embarrassment, failure or worse
  5. Jesus shows us we are our brothers’ keepers
5. Go do something good for someone today
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Are you a truth-teller? (John 1:47-51), January 18, 2017

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2017-01-18-devotional-

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Do people know you as a truth-teller? How can they tell? And do you know who is looking? Is it just your boss? Your family? Your pastor? Who might be looking that you don’t know about?
Scripture
1. John 1:47-51
2. Jesus: Look closely, and you will see an Israelite who is a truth-teller.

Nathanael (overhearing Jesus): How would You know this about me? We have never met.

Jesus: I have been watching you before Philip invited you here. Earlier in the day, you were enjoying the shade and fruit of the fig tree. I saw you then.

Nathanael: Teacher, You are the One—God’s own Son and Israel’s King.

Jesus: Nathanael, if all it takes for you to believe is My telling you I saw you under the fig tree, then what you will see later will astound you. I tell you the truth: before our journey is complete, you will see the heavens standing open while heavenly messengers ascend and descend, swirling around the Son of Man.

Devotional
1. Do people know you as a truth teller?
  1. Jesus saw Nathanael from a distance and told those around Him that he was a truth-teller.
  2. Announcement sounded like truth-tellers were rare.
  3. Something about Nathanael made him different than others around him.
  4. Can you tell the difference when you see truthers versus liars? Can they see the difference in you?
2. Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree enjoying its shade and eating its fruit.
  1. Truthers enjoy the simple things in life
  2. Recognize the beauty of creation in and of itself
  3. Find pleasure outside the norms of society, within the norms of nature
3. Watched him interact with others while sitting under the tree
  1. Shade at a premium so a gathering place for discussion
  2. Others seek out people who speak the truth in love
    1. When they need real answers to problems
    2. When they need help
    3. When they want to know God
  3. Others avoid those who are not truth-tellers
    1. Flat out liars
    2. Half truths
    3. Truths that only help themselves and not the asker
    4. Speak truth, but in condemnation and judgment
  4. Expect Nathanael provided truth from scripture, experience, wisdom freely but with love
1. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What does McDonald’s and the Post Office have to do with our spiritual walk? (Luke 24:41-49), January 17, 2017

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2017-01-17-devotional-What does McDonald’s and the Post Office have to do with our spiritual walk? (Luke 24:41-49)

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We have developed a real problem today when it comes to building a relationship with God. Our problem is related to McDonald’s, Intel, and the Post Office. Stick around and see why those things cause us problems in our spiritual walk.
Scripture
1. Luke 24:41-49
2. Jesus: Do you have anything here to eat?

They hand Him a piece of broiled fish, and He takes it and eats it in front of them.

Jesus: I’ve been telling you this all along, that everything written about Me in the Hebrew Scriptures must be fulfilled—everything from the law of Moses to the prophets to the psalms.

Then He opens their minds so they can comprehend the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Jesus: This is what the Scriptures said: that the promised Anointed One should suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, that in His name a radical change of thought and life should be preached, and that in His name the forgiveness of sins should be preached, beginning in Jerusalem and extending to all nations. You have witnessed the fulfillment of these things. So I am sending My Father’s promise to you. Stay in the city until you receive it—until power from heaven comes upon you.

Devotional
1. How impatient have you become in this technological age?
  1. TR 80
  2. Apple iiC, 128 kb memory
  3. Transmissions measured in bytes per second, not megabytes or gigabytes
  4. Open programs, get coffee
  5. Now complain if more than 15 – 20 second start-up
2. Fast food grew up with McDonalds and Wendy’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken
  1. No long waits in restaurants
  2. Short menus
  3. Already mostly cooked
  4. Warmed up and served
  5. Not very nutritious, not very good, but fast
  6. Happy because we don’t wait
  7. Complain if it takes five minutes to get food
3. Complain about speed of delivery
  1. Used to expect seven days for a letter
  2. Ten to fourteen days for a package
  3. Now expect not more than two day delivery, even on weekends and holidays
  4. Can’t wait that extra day for delivery even though it’s something you probably never had before and don’t really need
4. Need to get over our impatience when it comes to knowing God
  1. Stay until
  2. Pray until
  3. Wait until
  4. Until what
5. You are as close to God as you want to be. How long does it take to get as close as you want to be to Him?
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Did you ever try to teach someone and fail? (Luke 24:25-26, 38-39), January 16, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and they just didn’t get it? How did it make you feel? I bet Jesus got pretty frustrated at times, too. Particularly when His time was running out.
Scripture
1. Luke 24:25-26
2. Jesus: Come on, men! Why are you being so foolish? Why are your hearts so sluggish when it comes to believing what the prophets have been saying all along? Didn’t it have to be this way? Didn’t the Anointed One have to experience these sufferings in order to come into His glory?Jesus: Why are you upset? Why are your hearts churning with questions? Look—look at My hands and My feet! See that it’s Me! Come on; touch Me; see for yourselves. A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you can see that I have!
Devotional
1. Sometimes I’m a really terrible teacher. I enjoy teaching most of the time, but occasionally I’ll teach a subject that comes pretty easily to me and I think it should to everyone. I forget that it doesn’t. All of us have things like that, of course.
  1. I’ve had people try to teach me how to fix cars. It’s a hopeless cause.
  2. Plumbing is the same way
  3. I’ve learned to hire others to do some of those things around the house because it’s a lot cheaper than doing it myself
2. When I think something should be crystal clear and it isn’t
  1. Try to restate in other ways
  2. Try to review in ways to solidify in memory
  3. Try to relate to things they know and understand
  4. If unsuccessful, patience runs thin
3. End of the story with two men Jesus met on road to Emmaus
  1. Talked on the road
  2. Knew the news about crucified Galilean
  3. Knew rumors of Messiah
  4. Jesus kept hinting about the tie in between the prophecies and the Galilean they heard about
  5. Connect the dots
4. Are you guys stupid? What have you already said? Wake up!
  1. Finally put things together
  2. Finally understood
  3. Then recognized Jesus for who He was
  4. We sometimes think these guys are stupid. Why didn’t they recognize Jesus?
    1. Weren’t expecting to see Him
    2. Maybe saw Him on the cross, broken and bleeding
5. How different are we?
  1. We have all the evidence of who He is, but don’t recognize Him
  2. We don’t believe what He says
  3. We don’t trust His words
  4. Are we stupid or something?
  5. Maybe we need to pay more attention to His classes
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Trusting to the very end (Luke 23:46), January 15, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
A bet all of us use to play a game when we were little that helped us learn about trust. Jesus showed us how to trust to the very end. Listen to what He said.
Scripture
1. Luke 23:46
2. Jesus (shouting out loudly): Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!
Devotional
1. I remember playing a game with my dad as a kid that I played with my kids as a dad and I’m sure it’s one that many dad’s have played for centuries. I’d stand on the stairs or porch or couch or something that I knew was as high as the Empire State Building. Dad would hold out his arms, and I would leap into space with full confidence I would not hit the floor. I knew my dad would catch me. My kids knew the same thing. They knew I would catch them every time.
  1. You’ve probably played the game
  2. Common around the world
  3. Meant to build trust in those we love
  4. Heard of a few bizarre parents that let their kids fall to the ground to teach the opposite
2. We are built for relationship
  1. God created Adam, the first human, for a relationship with Him
  2. Created Eve, the second human, for a relationship with both Him and Adam
  3. Told the two of them to populate the world and gave them a desire to live in community
  4. We break that fellowship and community when we disobey God’s commands for us
3. Jesus came to help us reignite that relationship with God
  1. Watch His life from the beginning
  2. Announcement of His birth – Spirit came upon Mary, God coming to man
  3. At twelve, in the temple doing His Father’s business
  4. Continually found alone in prayer
  5. Surrounded by others
  6. Welcoming children
  7. Depending on the Father for everything
  8. Any wonder He would announce from the cross – “I entrust My spirit into Your hands
4. What can we learn from Him?
  1. If we are to be like Him we must:
  2. Build relationship with Him
  3. Build relationship with others
  4. Trust the Father with everything we have and hope to have
  5. In every circumstance, no matter how grim or glorious, entrust our whole self to God
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What is paradise, anyway? (Luke 23:43), January 14, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Did you ever wonder where Jesus and the thief on the cross went when they died that day? Jesus said they were headed to paradise that day. Well then, what is paradise anyway?
Scripture
1. Luke 23:43
2. Jesus: I promise you that this very day you will be with Me in paradise.
Devotional
1. Have you thought much about Jesus’ comment to the thief hanging next to Him at Golgotha?
  1. Criminal
  2. Evil enough for crucifixion
  3. Cruelest form of execution
  4. Today join Jesus in paradise
2. Paradise
  1. Wikipedia – Paradise is the term for a place of timeless harmony. The Abrahamic faiths associate paradise with the Garden of Eden, that is, the perfect state of the world prior to the fall from grace, and the perfect state that will be restored in the World to Come. in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, a land of luxury and fulfillment.
  2. Is it heaven?
  3. Has the thief already faced judgment and entered into eternity with the triune Godhead around the throne?
  4. Does John’s Revelation and other eschatological writings agree with or refute what Jesus says to the thief?
3. Arguments by believers and non-believers alike
  1. Does everyone go here awaiting judgment or just believers?
  2. Is this like the lobby to heaven where you get the appetizers before dinner?
  3. If Jesus talks about a judgment day, then what is paradise? A place between death and heaven?
  4. Will good people, but non-believers stay here instead of hell?
  5. Is this the opposite of purgatory for those who earn a better place than the flames or eternal separation from God?
4. No one knows this side of heaven. We do know some things.
  1. Death is not the final victor, there is something after that – Jesus talks about that
  2. There is a heaven and hell – Jesus talks about both
  3. There will be a judgment day – Jesus talks about that
  4. We determine by our faith and actions now whether we will spend eternity in heaven or hell – Jesus talks about that
5. What is paradise? We don’t really know this side of the curtain we call death. But for believers, whether we are ushered into an anteroom of heaven with Jesus awaiting the judgment that He called paradise when He talked to the thief, or whether we face judgment immediately, or whether time just stops and doesn’t matter anymore once we pace from this life to the next, does it really matter? As long as we are with Him, who cares? We don’t need to be concerned about what paradise is or when it is or what it looks like or if it’s part of heaven or not. Who cares? Just be ready when He comes and you’ll hear Him say, “this very day you will be with Me in paradise.”
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

How do you grieve? (Luke 23:28-31), January 13, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Jesus told the onlookers at His march to Golgotha not to weep for Him but for themselves. How do you grieve and are you ready to avoid the grief that will come at His return?
Scripture
1. Luke 23:28-31
2. Jesus (to the people in the crowd): Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me. Weep instead for yourselves and weep for your children. Days are coming when people will say, “Blessed are the infertile; blessed are the wombs that never bore a child; blessed are the breasts that never nursed an infant.” People will beg the mountains, “Surround us!” They’ll plead with the hills, “Cover us!” For if they treat Me like this when I’m like green unseasoned wood, what will they do to a nation that’s ready to burn like seasoned firewood?
Devotional
1. Military travel gives opportunity to observe various cultural differences in the grieving process
2. Native-American
  1. Tribes are different
  2. Some burial is not important and may not even bury the body but let nature dispose of remains
  3. Some bury observing the importance of a circle symbolizing the circle of life
  4. Most are not concerned about preserving the body, so embalming is not a concern but mutilation is taboo. Asking for native american to donate organs may be seen as disrespectful
3. Asian-American
  1. Very concerned about the body
  2. Watertight casket
  3. Warm clothing
  4. Stoic so might be depressed from internalizing grief
  5. Picture or plaque of the deceased along with personal items kept in the home as a memorial or shrine
4. African-American
  1. Family and friends gather
  2. Might express great emotion
  3. Cremation not as readily accepted as in other cultures
  4. Sharing meals with loved ones
  5. Wear white as symbol of resurrection
  6. Integration of church observances
5. Haitian-American
  1. Family and friends gather at home of deceased
  2. Wear dark clothing to funeral and as sign of mourning
  3. Share meals before and after the funeral
  4. Express great emotion
6. Hispanic-American
  1. Dependence on priest for arrangements
  2. Gathering of family and friends
  3. Many family and friends participate in procession and in service
  4. Family members often make promises in name of deceased
  5. Money gifts common to help defray expenses
7. European-American
  1. Family and friends comfort family at home of deceased
  2. Funeral director or clergy help in arrangements
  3. Dark clothing although now more color to mark celebration of the life of the deceased
  4. Funerals usually more somber
  5. Gather at home of survivors for meal or refreshments after funeral service and interment
8. Lots of forms of grief, Jesus says don’t grieve for Him, but for us. He’s coming back and we need to be ready when He comes. Imagine what that day must be like if those who are left will be asking the mountains to fall on them rather than face the events God has in store for them. We might grieve in different ways, but don’t be caught needing to grieve on that day. It won’t be a pretty sight grieving for yourself.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Maybe we should keep our mouth shut (Luke 23:3), January 12, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
When I get blasted with false accusations, my first thought is usually to strike back, argue, retaliate for the wrong done, but Jesus taught us a different way to handle those accusations. Listen to what Jesus did.
Scripture
Devotional
1. Back up to the rest of the story as we look at what Jesus says in this verse.
  1. Spent the night and early morning with the Jewish court, the Sanhedrin
  2. Beaten, humiliated, questioned until they found an answer they could incriminate Him on, they thought
  3. Took Him to Pilate because they couldn’t kill Him
  4. Tell Pilate Jesus forbids Jews to pay taxes to Caesar
  5. Tell Pilate He claims to be King
2. See the irony in their accusations and actions?
  1. At a time when defenders were still asleep
  2. Pilate didn’t care about their religion or leading others away from it
  3. Would probably encourage anyone to pull populace away from the strict adherence to Jewish tradition; got in the way of obedience to Caesar’s rule
  4. Said he forbade paying taxes when Jesus encouraged supporting government responsibility. “Give to Caesar…give to God.
  5. Stirring up discontent – only against them
3. Wrongfully accused by the Sanhedrin
  1. False witnesses
  2. False charges
  3. False accusations
  4. False testimony to Pilate
  5. Lies they knew were lies from the leaders bound by the Ten Commandment.
4. What did Jesus do?
  1. Listened
  2. Let them speak without recourse
  3. Went to the cross for us
5. What do we usually do?
  1. Argue
  2. Fight back
  3. Get even
6. Maybe we should learn from Jesus and keep our mouth shut. Look what a difference it made in the people who watched Him. It might do the same for the people who watch you respond with God’s spirit in you.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Are you one of those “show me” folks? (Luke 22:26-69), January 11, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Missouri is known as the Show Me state. It is said her residents don’t believe anything they don’t see for themselves. Do you know anyone like that? Are you one of those? Jesus met a few…in court.
Scripture
1. Luke 22:67-69
2. Sanhedrin: If you are the Anointed One whom God promised us, tell us plainly.

Jesus: If I give you an answer, you won’t believe it. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer it. But this I will say to you: from now on, the Son of Man will take His seat at the right hand of the power of God.

Sanhedrin: So You are the Son of God, then?

Jesus: It’s as you say.

Devotional

If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.