Monthly Archives: February 2017

Does God’s word offend you or convict you? (John 6:61-64), February 8, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
There is an interesting test to see where you might be spiritually. In just a moment, I’ll share that test with you. Stick around.
Scripture
1. John 6:61-64
2. Jesus: Has My teaching offended you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascend to return to where He came from? The Spirit brings life. The flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have been teaching you are spirit and life, but some of you do not believe.
Devotional
1. I don’t think Jesus would have to even ask that question today. He would make headline news blasted through every media available. Jesus offends another group. They don’t like His message because He says they shouldn’t do something else they want to do.
  1. He says we should take care of orphans and widows and elderly and the infirm. How are we doing on that account? Not so well. They are the throwaways of society
  2. He says we should help the poor, not seek after great wealth just for the purpose of seeking wealth, we should use our assets to help others. How are we doing on those? Not so well. We believe in getting all we can get for ourselves
  3. He says love your neighbor as you love yourself. How are we doing on that? Not so well. We don’t tolerate anyone that doesn’t think, look, or act the way we do.
2. Has my teaching offended you?
  1. Difference between being offended and convicted
  2. To offend: cause to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful.
  3. To convict: to find or prove to be guilty; to convince of error or sinfulness
  4. Which do you feel when you hear God’s word?
  5. Says a lot about who you want to be in charge of your life, God or you
3. When we realize we can’t do anything about the guilt we carry around because of our disobedience and the depth of our depravity, we are convicted and ready to face the truth of our sinful condition before God. He can do something about it, we can use that conviction and come to Him repentantly and be cleansed from our sin and our guilt can melt away. We can enjoy real life eternally.
4. When we think we can live without God and make our own way through life, we feel upset by God’s word, annoyed that anyone would try to tell us we are wrong, resentful that someone, even God, would try to dictate our behavior or our thoughts. We remain aloof, snub our nose at God, remain unrepentant, and face death, eternal separation from the only one who can give us life.
5. So the question remains, when God speaks are you offended or convicted? You control your emotions. You decide what you will believe. You determine whether you will allow God into your life. Choose the right path. Choose the Spirit and life.
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.

The advantage of living now (John 6:53-58), February 7, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We sometimes forget the advantage we have living on this side of the cross when we read the words of Jesus. We think it would be so easy to believe if we could have seen Him in person and listened to Him speak while He walked the earth. But was it so easy then?
Scripture
1. John 6:53-58
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth; unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you will not know life. If you eat My flesh and drink My blood, then you will have eternal life and I will raise you up at the end of time. My flesh and blood provide true nourishment. If you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you will abide in Me and I will abide in you. The Father of life who sent Me has given life to Me; and as you eat My flesh, I will give life to you. This is bread that came down from heaven; I am not like the manna that your fathers ate and then died! If you eat this bread, your life will never end.
Devotional
1. The words Jesus shares with the crowd that day were hard words for them to accept.
  1. The last Passover supper was a long time away.
  2. Covenant with His disciples had not yet been announced
  3. Death on the cross that explained His sacrifice and symbolism of His flesh and blood was still in the future and unseen by all those around Him
  4. How could they understand
2. Why would Jesus give these words that would drive people away from His message of love and forgiveness?
  1. Christianity is not an easy life
  2. Must count the cost to serve Him
  3. More will hate your message than like your message
  4. No watered down, easy road, do as you please religion
  5. Prepare us for what is to come
3. Message He gives the crowd that day
  1. If you consume what the world offers, you die
  2. If you consume what He offers, you live
  3. Hard to understand sometimes, but that is the mystery of God
  4. Beyond our knowing because He is God and we are not
4. In a battle for our lives
  1. Satan lies and is the father of lies
  2. Listen to God’s truth
  3. Trust His word and follow His direction
  4. Obey and live
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 Jesus condone cannibalism? (John 6:43-51), February 6, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Cannibalism is one of the most taboo practices throughout the civilized world. We revolt at even the thought of the action. What would you do if Jesus hinted at the practice when He talked to you? That’s just what some of those around Him were thinking one day.
Scripture
1. John 6:43-51
2. Jesus: Stop grumbling under your breaths. If the Father who sent Me does not draw you, then there’s no way you can come to Me. But I will resurrect everyone who does come on the last day. Among the prophets, it’s written, “Everyone will be taught of God.” So everyone who has heard and learned from the Father finds Me. No one has seen the Father, except the One sent from God. He has seen the Father. I am telling you the truth: the one who accepts these things has eternal life. I am the bread that gives life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died as you know. But there is another bread that comes from heaven; if you eat this bread, you will not die. I am the living bread that has come down from heaven to rescue those who eat it. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. The bread that I will give breathes life into the cosmos. This bread is My flesh.
Devotional
1. If you studied much history about the settlement of the west, you’ve heard of the Donner Party. George Donner led 89 pioneers out of Springfield, Illinois in April 1846 on their way to California. They took a new, supposedly shorter route scouted by a guide that led them into some pretty treacherous terrain. The party became trapped in the high Sierra Mountains in late October due to heavy snowfall and the legends of the day continue that the party survived only by resorting to cannibalism. They finally arrived in California the next year.
2. Why bring up the Donner Party?
  1. We still remember their means of survival 160 years later.
  2. We view cannibalism as a most heinous crime
  3. Jeffrey Dahmer, Peter Bryan, Ed Gein (serial killer which inspired the character for Silence of the Lamb
  4. Wikipedia 50 reports between April 2000 and August 2016, 28 since 2010
  5. We’re revolted by the thought
3. Imagine the reaction when Jesus gave these words, “Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. The bread that I will give breathes life into the cosmos. This bread is my flesh.
  1. Sounded like cannibalism to those who heard His message on the surface
  2. Without listening to all He had to say and trusting Him, His message caused revolt
  3. The world hated His message when they thought He talked to eating His flesh
  4. How would you react?
4. We live on this side of the cross and understand the symbolism Jesus shared with those who heard His words that day. We understand He gave Himself for us and we partake in the remembrance of Jesus’ death through the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist, whatever name you choose to call that special remembrance of God’s sacrifice for us. Can you understand why the world, without faith, hates us? Can you begin to see why non-believers revolt at the mention of Jesus’ name?
  1. Never condoned the practice of cannibalism
  2. Must understand He wants us to consume Him, the word, God’s message, the reason for His coming, devour everything He brings to us
  3. Become a spiritual cannibal
5. Until we believe that Jesus’ words are true and draw close to Him in faith, we will not enjoy the life eternal He promises. Until we begin to consume Him in every part of our life, we cannot enjoy all He has in store for us.
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.”

Eternal life and Dr. Phil (John 6:32-40), February 5, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today’s words from Jesus made me think of a bizarre episode from Dr. Phil. In just a minute I’ll tell you why.
Scripture
1. John 6:32-40
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: Moses did not give you bread from heaven; it is My Father who offers you true bread from heaven. The bread of God comes down out of heaven and breathes life into the cosmos.

Crowd: Master, we want a boundless supply of this bread.

Jesus: I am the bread that gives life. If you come to My table and eat, you will never go hungry. Believe in Me, and you will never go thirsty. Here I am standing in front of you, and still you don’t believe. All that My Father gives to Me comes to Me. I will receive everyone; I will not send away anyone who comes to Me. And here’s the reason: I have come down from heaven not to pursue My own agenda but to do what He desires. I am here on behalf of the Father who sent Me. He sent Me to care for all He has given Me so that nothing and no one will perish. In the end, on the last day, He wants everything to be resurrected into new life. So if you want to know the will of the Father, know this: everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will live eternally; and on the last day, I am the One who will resurrect him.

Devotional
1. My wife is a Dr. Phil fan and the other day she was watching one of his programs she captured on our DVR and a young lady’s conversation with him captured my attention. I’m usually reading something whenever Carole listens to Dr. Phil, but when this you lady said she was pregnant and Jesus was the child, I perked up.
  1. Six home pregnancy tests
  2. Two clinic pregnancy tests
  3. Sonogram on television
  4. Still didn’t believe the results
  5. Knew she was pregnant with Jesus
  6. Mental illness causing her to think bloated belly meant pregnancy and could let go of delusion until her belly flattened one night in an institution Dr. Phil sent her to for help.
2. Jesus came to share the truth God wanted us to hear
  1. Many followed only for the miracles He performed
  2. Many followed out of curiosity to see what He would do next
  3. Many liked what He said but fell away when the pressure was on (including His closest disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane)
3. Jesus calls us to believe
  1. Not just because of the wonders He performed
  2. Not just because of the testimony of others
  3. Not just because of the evidence of scripture
  4. Exercise faith and allow His spirit to confirm who He is
4. When we exercise enough faith to believe Jesus is the Son of God who came to rescue us from the penalty of sin, death, He forgives our sins and grants us eternal life to be enjoyed with Him in heaven.
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 way to real riches (John 6:26-29), February 4, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Do you ever get junk mail asking you to double and triple and quadruple your money? All you have to do is invest in the sender’s guaranteed get rich investment scheme and you’re on your way to financial independence. It’s a shame it doesn’t work that way. But Jesus has a better idea.
Scripture
1. John 6:26-29
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth—you are tracking Me down because I fed you, not because you saw signs from God. Don’t spend your life chasing food that spoils and rots. Instead, seek the food that lasts into all the ages and comes from the Son of Man, the One on whom God the Father has placed His seal.

Crowd: What do we have to do to accomplish the Father’s works?

Jesus: If you want to do God’s work, then believe in the One He sent.

Devotional
1. I get these emails several times a day from some money management firms that I somehow managed to get on their list. I’ve tried to get off their list, but so far have been unsuccessful in getting rid of their advice.
  1. Best investments
  2. Multiply my money
  3. Stocks, bonds, commodities
  4. Changes every day
  5. If I had invested as they told me to I would be independently wealthy by now
2. Schemes remind me of Jesus’ words
  1. Get rich quick
  2. Chase after things that don’t last
  3. Try to satisfy life with the latest fad
  4. Doesn’t work
3. In Matthew, seek first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be given to you as well.
  1. Riches? Maybe, probably not earthly riches because it’s easy to get your eyes off God
  2. Friends? Absolutely, real friends
  3. Joy
  4. Peace
  5. Contentment
  6. Forgiveness
  7. Relationships that count and continue eternally
  8. Purpose in life, God’s purpose for which He created you
  9. Work worth doing, God’s work
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.”

Jesus calms our fears (John 6:20), February 3, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
My kids had a few nightmares when they were little. I would come to their rescue and calm their fears. Jesus calms our fears but in a much greater way. Today we hear one story of how he did it.
Scripture
1. John 6:20
2. Jesus (to the disciples): I am the One. Don’t be afraid.
Devotional
1. I remember when my kids were little, they would sometimes have nightmares in the middle of the night. I would hear them cry out and I would go to their room to see what was wrong. Sometimes they would see monsters in the shadows or they would just know that someone was peering in the window just waiting to come in and get them.
  1. My presence calmed them
  2. My voice let them know they were protected
  3. My assurance took away their fear
2. Grandkids spend the night and do the same
  1. Same thing happens
  2. Simple explanation and presence takes away fear
3. Disciples found themselves alone in a storm
  1. Real danger this time
  2. Not their imagination
  3. Expected to drown in the storm
4. Jesus comes walking calmly to their side
  1. His presence calms their fears
  2. His voice gives assurance that all will be okay
  3. He lets them know He will protect them from the storm
5. We face storms in life
  1. He will come and bring assurance to us the same way He did for His disciples
  2. We must listen above the wail of the storm
  3. We can trust Him to bring calm to the trouble waters in our lives
  4. We do not need to be afraid
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.”

Have you ever been to a diamond mine? (John 5:41-47), February 2, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
When you find a diamond in the field, it’s not such a thing of beauty. So why does everyone want diamonds in the first place?
Scripture
1. John 5:41-47
2. This kind of glory does not come from mortal men. And I see that you do not possess the love of God. I have pursued you, coming here in My Father’s name, and you have turned Me away. If someone else were to approach you with a different set of credentials, you would welcome him. That’s why it is hard to see how true faith is even possible for you: you are consumed by the approval of other men, longing to look good in their eyes; and yet you disregard the approval of the one true God. Don’t worry that I might bring you up on charges before My Father. Moses is your accuser even though you’ve put your hope in him because if you believed what Moses had to say, then you would believe in Me because he wrote about Me. But if you ignore Moses and the deeper meaning of his writings, then how will you ever believe what I have to say?
Devotional
1. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a diamond mine or any place where you can find raw gems in the ground, but it is a fascinating experience. The first time you go there, you might expect to see something very different that what you will really see
  1. Expect to see shiny, glimmering, jewels
  2. Really find lots of dirt and a few rare off colored dull pieces of something
  3. Might think it is broken, discarded glass
2. Jeweler sees something different
  1. Sees potential after polishing and cutting
  2. Studies the stone for hours before first cut is made
  3. Angles facets just right to capture light throughout the stone and cause it to reflect within itself adding brilliance to the stone
  4. Dull misshapen piece of rock becomes a flawless, priceless jewel after much study, careful work, long hours
3. Same way with scripture
  1. Might just see a bunch of rules and laws from Moses and the prophets
  2. Dos and don’ts we must keep
  3. Study, careful work, long hours brings out the beauty and richness of God’s word
  4. Helps us capture the inner beauty of what He wants us to know about Him
4. Aim to please men and we’re left with just lumps of dirt, aim to please God but put no effort in it and we have those dull bits of colored rock, give our all to Him and work tirelessly to please Him and we find diamonds in life each day
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.”

Mistaken identity (John 5:36-40), February 1, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Have you ever seen a celebrity in a restaurant or out of character and not recognized them at first. What was your reaction? Did you finally wake up and believe it was them or blow it off and miss the chance to meet them?
Scripture
1. John 5:36-40
2. Jesus: There’s another witness standing in My corner who is greater than John or any other man. The mission that brings Me here, and the things I am called to do, demonstrate the authenticity of My calling which comes directly from the Father. In the act of sending Me, the Father has endorsed Me. None of you really knows the Father. You have never heard His voice or seen His profile. His word does not abide in you because you do not believe in the One sent by the Father.

Here you are scouring through the Scriptures, hoping that you will find eternal life among a pile of scrolls. What you don’t seem to understand is that the Scriptures point to Me. Here I am with you, and still you reject the truth contained in the law and prophets by refusing to come to Me so that you can have life.

Devotional
1. Growing up in Nashville
  1. Not uncommon to see country-western singers around town
  2. Treated like ordinary people with special talents instead of flocked by camera hounds
  3. Often would eat at a restaurant and overhear a fan talking about them
  4. Walk up to the table and be unrecognized
  5. Sometimes the fan would argue about identity
2. Star gives evidence of identity with information
  1. Birth statistics
  2. Favorite foods, color, songs
  3. Others might agree with identity
  4. Fan still skeptical
3. Might even sing to show fan that he is who he says
4. Jesus felt the same way
  1. John testified as to His identity
  2. Father testified with voice at baptism and descending of the dove
  3. Scripture testifies of His identity
  4. Still some refuse to believe He is the One sent by the Father, the Messiah
5. When a fan refuses to believe a singer or celebrity is not who they claim to be, they miss out on meeting a popular person; when we refuse to believe Jesus is the Messiah, the savior of the world, we miss out on eternity
6. Maybe we should be a little less skeptical and start listening to the evidence around us
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.”