Monthly Archives: January 2017

A simple message that changed the world (Luke 52-53), January 10, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Does God have a mission for you that might just change the world? Sometimes He gives someone a simple message that does just that.
Scripture
1. Luke 22:52-53
2. Jesus: Do you think I’m some sort of violent criminal? Is that why you came with swords and clubs? I haven’t been hard to find—each day I’ve been in the temple in broad daylight, and you never tried to seize Me there. But this is your time—night—and this is your power—the power of darkness.
Devotional
1. In just a few days we will celebrate Martin Luther King Day in the United States. This year it is on January 16th if you don’t have a calendar handy. Through the years there has been some controversy about whether or not we should have a holiday celebrating his birth, but there is a lot of controversy today about celebrating Jesus birth, too. A lot of difference in the two, but there are a few similarities, too.
  1. Spiritual leader in the sixties
  2. Divided the nation about how we should understand humankind
  3. Promoted peace, not violence
  4. Understood there would never be an end to violence this side of eternity
  5. Life snuffed out because of his preaching
2. Martin Luther
  1. Named after great protestant reformer
  2. Baptist preacher
  3. Decried injustice between blacks and whites in the 50’s and 60’s
  4. Became the symbol for peaceful demonstration to demand equality
  5. Never wanted violence and consistently condemned those who did
  6. Was willing to die for the cause he supported
3. Jesus’ words today remind us He came in peace, too.
  1. Preached daily
    1. Kingdom of heaven is here
    2. Repent and be saved
    3. Believe in the Son of God
  2. Only act that approached violence was turning the tables over in the temple and driving out the money changers
  3. Career was one of healing, forgiveness, salvation
  4. Openly shared His mission, given to Him by the Father
  5. Was not afraid of death
4. Am I as committed to the mission God has given me?
  1. Sharing His
    1. Love
    2. Forgiveness
    3. Mercy
    4. Grace
  2. Testifying of what he has done for me
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.

How to face the toughest tasks (Luke 22:40-42), January 9, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
What is the one thing you hate doing most of all? So why do you do it? Out of a sense of duty, fear, responsibility, love, all of those? We all face those tasks at some point, Jesus taught us how.
Scripture
1. Luke 22:40-42
2. Jesus: Pray for yourselves, that you will not sink into temptation.

He distanced Himself from them about a stone’s throw and knelt there, praying.

Jesus: Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me. Yet not My will, but Your will, be done.

Devotional
1. Jobs you just don’t want to do.
  1. Dusting
  2. Dishes
  3. Yardword
  4. Painting
2. We do them most of the time without too much complaint even when we don’t want to
  1. Sometimes talk others into doing them
  2. Sometimes swap with others
  3. Sometimes hire out the work
3. Every once in awhile get tasks that no one can do but us
  1. Our responsibility
  2. Can’t shirk or put it off
  3. Must be done
  4. But nothing like what Jesus faced
4. He wanted out of His task
  1. About to bear the weight of the world’s sins on His shoulders
  2. Pay the penalty required for each of our sins
  3. Guiltless but paying anyway
  4. Asked if there was any other way to let Him take that alternate way
5. Resolved to do what the Father wanted rather than what He wanted
  1. May ask us to do some things we don’t want to do
  2. May be unpleasant or difficult
  3. Can be sure they will never be as difficult as what Jesus did for us
  4. He will help us accomplish whatever He tells us to do
  5. He understands our reluctance to do difficult things because He’s been there
  6. He also knows the importance of doing what the Father asks, because He’s been there
6. Not my will but Your will, can you say that from your heart
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.

Ever make a big promise you didn’t keep? (Luke 22:31-38), January 8, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Ever make a big promises that you didn’t keep? Peter made a whopper of a promise. Jesus caught him in his failure in less than half a day. Remember what that promise was?
Scripture

Devotional
1. Peter is like a lot of us.
  1. Think we can stand the test
  2. Make promises we can’t keep
  3. Crumble under the intense pressure against us
2. Honest with ourselves
  1. We’ve done the same
  2. Failed to honor Him in the tough times
  3. Kept silent when He said to speak
  4. Went the path of least resistance
  5. Denied Him when the pressure was on
3. Jesus says something important
  1. I have prayed for you
  2. That you faith will hold firm
  3. That you will recover from your failure
  4. That you will become a source of strength for your brothers
4. Peter still failed that night and many other times recorded in the New Testament
  1. Recognized his failure
  2. Repented
  3. Learned from his errors
  4. Became stronger in his faith each time
  5. Finally was executed for his faith
5. Jesus prayer extends to us as He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us
  1. That our faith will hold firm
  2. That we will recover from any failure
  3. That we will become a source of strength for our brothers and sisters
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.

Have you ever felt abandoned in tough times? (Luke 22:28-30), January 7, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Have you ever felt like you had some dread disease when you were going through tough times? Did you feel like everyone abandoned you? Jesus had something to say about that.
Scripture
1. Luke 22:28-30
2. You have stood beside Me faithfully through My trials. I give you a kingdom, just as the Father has given Me a kingdom. You will eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will have authority over the twelve tribes of Israel.
Devotional
1. I had an interesting experience midway through my military career that taught me a good lesson about being there for people in all kinds of circumstances.
  1. 1987 Major’s promotion board – non-select
  2. Friends disappeared
  3. Didn’t know what to say or do
  4. Avoided me like it was contagious
  5. Records missing and went to relook, selected, and promoted on time
2. There were a few the called and stood by throughout the ordeal
  1. Right or wrong they were with me
  2. All knew me and my faith and knew I’d make it through the situation
  3. Others watched on the sidelines to see how I would react
3. Made me empathetic toward non-selects the next 18 years of my career
  1. Never shied away from them
  2. Knew how they felt
  3. Knew how to help them through the process if they chose to appeal
  4. Some of those have become closest friends
  5. Stayed in touch long after retirement if 10 years is a long time
4. Jesus looked around at those twelve around the table and felt the same way
  1. Many left because of His preaching
  2. Many left because of the ridicule they receive
  3. Many left because of the pressure from the religious leaders
5. Promises for those who remain through the trials
  1. Best news for me
  2. You will eat and drink at My table
  3. Eternity with Him
  4. 70 or 80 years of enduring what the world dishes out is not so much in terms of eternity, is it?
6. 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.
```

Servant or public servant, which are you? (Luke 22:25-27), January 6, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
The description Jesus gave the public servants of His day isn’t far from the description we could give the public servants of our day. Stick around and see what He has to say.
Scripture
1. Luke 22:25-27
2. Jesus (interrupting): The authority figures of the outsiders play this game, flexing their muscles in competition for power over one another, masking their quest for domination behind words like “benefactor” or “public servant.” But you must not indulge in this charade. Instead, among you, the greatest must become like the youngest and the leader must become a true servant. Who is greater right here as we eat this meal—those of us who sit at the table, or those who serve us? Doesn’t everyone normally assume those who are served are greater than those who serve? But consider My role among you. I have been with you as a servant.
Devotional
1. This past year during our election process we sure saw a lot of that gaming and muscle flexing, didn’t we.
  1. All those politicians talking about what good public servants they would be and how well they would serve our interests as citizens.
  2. Yet, somehow more than half of those long-term congressmen and women on just $174,000 annual salary becoming millionaires
  3. Is that really public service?
2. Talk a lot of how they will help us, but seem to help themselves a lot more than helping us
  1. Scandals in their internal banking system
  2. Scandals in travel accounts
  3. Scandals in abuse of privileges
  4. Scandals with congressional aides, pages, and staff
3. We do have examples of real public servants
  1. Police responding to crime and getting violent people off the streets
  2. Fire department responding to fires
  3. Medical personnel in multiple disciplines
  4. Counselors in a variety of specialties
4. Even among those real public servants, we find competition
  1. Chiefs
  2. Hierarchy
  3. Department heads
  4. Within those organizations the servants do a lot of infighting to get to the top
5. Jesus gives us a different way
  1. Greatest will be least, least will be greatest
  2. Servants receive the greatest honor
  3. He is our example
6. How do we stop the competitive spirit within us and become a true servant?
  1. Follow Jesus example
  2. Let Him into your heart
  3. Die to self let Him be Lord
  4. Only then can you really serve as He served
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.

An important memento (Luke 22:16-22), January 5, 2016

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We use a lot of things to help us remember important events in our lives. Jesus’ words today gives us an important memento to help us do just that.
Scripture
1. Luke 22:16-22
2. Jesus: It has been My deep desire to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. Know this: I will not eat another Passover meal until its meaning is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

He took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it.

Jesus: Take this; share it among yourselves. Know this: I will not drink another sip of wine until the kingdom of God has arrived in fullness.

Then He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and shared it with them.

Jesus: This is My body, My body given for you. Do this to remember Me.

And similarly, after the meal had been eaten, He took the cup.

Jesus: This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant, made in My blood. But even now, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on this table. As it has been determined, the Son of Man, that firstfruit of a new generation of humanity, must be betrayed, but how pitiful it will be for the person who betrays Him.

Devotional
1. Time to think back about last year
  1. successes
  2. failures
  3. goals left undone
  4. happy memories
  5. sad memories
2. Establish tokens or mementos to remember those events
  1. Ticket stubs
  2. Photos
  3. Souvenir
3. Last Supper is the memento Jesus gave us to always remember the event that established the means for our salvation – His sacrifice on the cross
  1. Penalty for sin
    1. Eternal death
    2. Separation from God
    3. Blackness of isolation
  2. We all sin
  3. Jesus paid that penalty for us
  4. Institution of memento to remind us of the price He paid for us; gift He gives
4. In 2017, your church will no doubt participate in the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist, whatever name you call this sacrament several times in 2017.
  1. Remember why Jesus gave us this memento
  2. Remember the suffering He endured for your sins
  3. Remember the blood He shed in payment as the penalty you should pay
  4. Remember the death He experienced so you can have life eternal with Him
  5. It’s not just a ritual we go through, let it truly touch your life each time you share
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.

Guard your hearts (Luke 21:34-36), January 4, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
What does it mean to guard your heart? Have you ever thought about that? Let’s see what Jesus has to say.

Scripture
- Luke 21:34-36

So be careful. Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with the hassles of daily life. Then the day I’ve been telling you about might catch you unaware and trap you. Because it’s coming—nobody on earth will escape it. So you have to stay alert, praying that you’ll be able to escape the coming trials so you can stand tall in the presence of the Son of Man.

Devotional

Have you ever thought much about that command from Jesus? Guard your hearts.
We aren’t doing very well as a society.
- Description of what He said makes it heavy
- Moral laxity
- Drunkenness
- Hassles of life
Drag by day after day with heavy hearts, what does it mean?
- Sounds a lot like depression – listless, purposeless, everything hard
- Anxiety – worry about everything, anything that can go bad will go bad for you
- Frustration – things never work out the way they should according to your plan
- Despair – never get there, never succeed, never accomplish your goals
Direct result of some of those warnings.
- Think tolerance of all things would improve society, it hasn’t and it won’t
- Drunkenness loosens judgment, leads to moral laxity, creates the same problems
  - Nothing good happens after midnight
  - Never lose control of mental faculties unless under a doctors care
- Rut of daily life underwhelm and make us trudge through life
Military know how to guard things.
- Put barriers in place, physical and electronic, to keep the enemy out
- Put warriors in place to keep watch on all those barriers to make sure no one and nothing slips through
- Trains almost daily, even while in combat, to make sure they are ready to face the enemy and repel him
Do we know how to guard our hearts against the enemy?
Do we even try in these days? Sometimes I’m not sure we do as I look at the state of the world and our society.
- Back to Jesus warning – Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with the hassles of daily life.
- Moral laxity – rampant
- Drunkenness – 20% of all drivers on the road are intoxicated, that means over the legal limits, with drugs or alcohol, but over 65% of all drivers are on the road with a buzz or some sedation from drugs or alcohol. Drunkenness? Here!
- Hassles of daily life – road rage, gun sales, violence, hatred spring up everywhere
  - criticisms instead of complements
  - petitions instead of praise
  - complaints instead of thanksgiving
  - we live in a pessimistic, hate filled time surrounded by evil
How do we guard our hearts?
- Spend time with God
- Listen to Him from His word, hymns, devotionals,
- Pray – a lot
- Study His word, don’t just read it
- Keep garbage out
- Put up barriers to the things Satan would use to fill your mind
- Be aware of your weaknesses and watch carefully in those areas
- Did I say pray – a lot
- By the way – pray – a lot

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.”
Music exit

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.

Can you tell time without a watch? (Luke 21:29-33), January 3, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
- Can you tell time without a watch? Jesus tells us how today. Stay tuned to learn how.
Scripture
- Luke 21:29-33
- (continuing with a parable) Look over there at that fig tree—and all the trees surrounding it. When the leaves break out of their buds, nobody has to tell you that summer is approaching; it’s obvious to you. It’s the same in the larger scheme of things. When you see all these things happening, you can be confident that the kingdom of God is approaching. I’m telling you the truth: this generation will not pass from the scene before everything I’m telling you has occurred.Heaven and earth will cease to exist before My words ever fail.
Devotional
```
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.
```

Hold your head up (Luke 21:20-28) January 2, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

* Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk With God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
* Do you want to face the new year with your head up or with fear and foreboding? Jesus gives us a clue.
* music intro
* You can subscribe to the podcast, send me comments to let me know what you think of the devotional, and listen to past devotionals at richardagee.com. That’s richardagee.com.
* music intro
* Scripture
* In Luke 21:20-28, Jesus said, “Here’s how you will know that the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple is imminent: Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. When that happens, there’s only one thing to do: if you’re in Judea, flee to the mountains; and if you’re inside the city, escape; and if you’re outside the city, stay there—don’t enter— because the time has come for the promised judgment to fall. How sad it will be for all the pregnant women, for all the nursing mothers in those days! All the land of Israel and all her people will feel the distress, the anger, falling on them like rain. The sword will cut some down, the outsider nations will take others captive, and this holy city, this Jerusalem, will be trampled upon by the outsiders until their times are fulfilled.
* There will be earth-shattering events—the heavens themselves will seem to be shaken with signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars. And across the earth the outsider nations will feel powerless and terrified in the face of a roaring flood of fear and foreboding, crashing like tidal waves upon them. “What’s happening to the world?” people will wonder. The cosmic order will be destabilized. And then, at that point, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and blazing glory. So when the troubles begin, don’t be afraid. Look up—raise your head high, because the truth is that your liberation is fast approaching.
* Devotional
* Jesus could see what would happen to Jerusalem forty years away.
* Roman siege
* destruction of temple
* killing of innocents
* Jerusalem destroyed
* Gives warning to His disciples to avoid the city to save their lives
* Gives warning about the end of times, too
* Son of Man returning in a cloud with power and blazing glory
* heavens shaken
* signs in celestial bodies
* overwhelming sense of fear and foreboding
* Signs point to the end of time
* Liberation is coming fast
* Don’t be afraid
* Hold heads high
* Victory is near
* Look around
* signs are everywhere
* fear and foreboding seem to cloud the thinking of the whole world
* Syria
* ISIS
* terrorists
* US election
* Son of Man’s return is on the horizon
* Hold your head up, don’t be afraid, He’s coming soon
* music exit
* If you want to know 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.”
* music exit

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.

Why are there so many martyrs? (Luke 21:18-19) January 1, 2017

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

* Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk With God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
* Have you ever thought about this question, “If Jesus promised not a single hair of your heads will be harmed. Why are there so many martyrs and so much persecution for His followers?”
* music intro
* You can follow along in a year long Bible reading program at richardagee.com where you can also subscribe to the podcast, send me comments to let me know what you think of the devotional, and listen to past devotionals. That’s richardagee.com.
* music intro
* Devotional
* In Luke 21:18–19 Jesus said: But whatever happens, not a single hair of your heads will be harmed. By enduring all of these things, you will find not loss but gain—not death but authentic life.
* Promise of no
* persecution
* beating
* imprisonment
* execution
* More – gain instead of loss; authentic life instead of death
* Never more than today
* Middle east
* Africa
* Russia
* China
* India
* Even in United States beginnings of rights removed, persecution evident, followers hated
* All the same problems as everyone else plus persecution
* What does Jesus mean? Contradiction?
* We take out of context
* Forget what comes before and after these verses
* Want to use part of a discourse to our benefit
* Like to twist promises to suit our wants
* What does Jesus mean?
* Verses in the middle of end times discourse
* Signs
* Events
* Interlude to comfort disciples
* Picture scene
* surrounded by disciples
* listening intently
* growing fear of description
* Jesus sees fear
* Calms with promise of what happens for His followers during the end times
* Put verses back into context
* We have nothing to worry about
* Still hated by the world
* Still face persecution until He comes
* Still suffer as followers
* Notice He says “if we endure all these things”, means we go through them
* After the signs have come
* earthquakes, floods, drought, famine, disease
* wars, nations fighting against each other and fighting within themselves
* Then we enjoy the promises He gives
* Jesus comes again
* Returns victoriously
* No more suffering
* No more martyrdom
* No more persecution
* No more loss
* No more death
* Today’s words from Jesus:
* Encouragement that the end brings relief from the evil of this world
* …life everlasting
* …indescribable joy
* …eternal praise and worship of the King of kings in His presence
* Disciples needed that interlude of encouragement
* We need it today, too.
* music exit
* If you want to know 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.”
* music exit

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.