Category Archives: devotional

Did Jesus condone cannibalism? (John 6:43-51), February 6, 2017

Today’s Podcast

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.”

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

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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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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.”

You have a commission, so what does that mean? (John 5:30-35), January 31, 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.
A commission is an important document. It gives the holder the authority to act on behalf of the one who issues the commission. How does that affect us as followers of Christ?
Scripture
1. John 5:30-35
2. Jesus: I have not ever acted, and will not in the future act, on My own. I listen to the directions of the One who sent Me and act on these divine instructions. For this reason, My judgment is always fair and never self-serving. I’m committed to pursuing God’s agenda and not My own.

If I stand as the lone witness to My true identity, then I can be dismissed as a liar. But if you listen, you will hear another testify about Me, and I know what He says about Me is genuine and true. You sent messengers to John, and he told the truth to everyone who would listen. Still his message about Me originated in heaven, not in mortal man. I am telling you these things for one reason—so that you might be rescued. The voice of John the Baptist, the wandering prophet, is like a light in the darkness; and for a time, you took great joy and pleasure in the light he offered.

Devotional
1. In May of 1976, I raised my hand and took an oath of office as an officer in the United States Army accepting a commission issued by Congress.
  1. I serve to support and defend the constitution against all enemies
  2. I serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States
  3. The commission is for life, it doesn’t expire, and remains in effect unless withdrawn by an authority appointed by the President
  4. The commission gives the scope and boundaries of my authority as an officer in the United States Army representing the President and the United States as I fulfilled the responsibilities outlined in that document
  5. I proudly served on active duty for thirty years and continue to support my country under the authority and responsibility of that commission
2. Jesus had a commission from the Father while He breathed the air we breathe and stood on the dirt on which we stand
  1. Came to save that which was lost
  2. Came to be light to the world
  3. Came to heal and forgive
  4. Came to show the Father’s love
  5. Came to give a new covenant
  6. Came to introduce God’s spirit
3. Gave His followers a commission before He left to ascend to His Father
  1. Go
  2. Make disciples
  3. Teach them
  4. Do the things He did
  5. Live within the boundaries of the commission He gave
4. How are you doing with the commission God gave you? Are you living up to the terms of the commission He presented to you? Only you and God know the answer, but He will ask the question one 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.”

What would this place be life if Adam had obeyed God? (John 5:25-29), January 30, 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 thought about what our world would be like if Adam and Eve had not disobeyed God. What would this place be like if Adam carried out God’s plan from the beginning?
Scripture
1. John 5:25-29
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: a new day is imminent—in fact, it has arrived—when the voice of the Son of God will penetrate death’s domain, and everyone who hears will live. You see, the Father radiates with life; and He also animates the Son of God with the same life-giving beauty and power to exercise judgment over all of creation. Indeed, the Son of God is also the Son of Man. If this sounds amazing to you, what is even more amazing is that when the time comes, those buried long ago will hear His voice through all the rocks, sod, and soil and step out of decay into resurrection. When this hour arrives, those who did good will be resurrected to life, and those who did evil will be resurrected to judgment.
Devotional
1. That phrase in Jesus’ words today, “the Father radiates with life; and He also animates the Son of God with the same life-giving beauty and power to exercise judgment over all of creation”… made me think about those opening questions today.
  1. What if Adam had not disobeyed?
  2. What would our world be like?
  3. What did God really want from humankind?
2. The Father radiates with life
  1. Triune Godhead present at creation
  2. Created life, not death
  3. Death entered the cosmos as a consequence of man’s disobedience, not God’s creative act
  4. Intends for us to live, not die
3. The voice of God penetrates even dead, inanimate objects, death’s domain, to restore life
  1. Think about how seeds burst from the ground using nutrients from dead and decayed plants and animals
  2. Life comes from death by a creative act of the Father
4. Jesus talks about an amazing time to come, though
  1. He will return
  2. The dead will be resurrected
  3. The good to life
  4. The evil to judgment
5. God never intended for us to die. That was our doing through disobedience. But God’s plan is to restore those who believe in His restorative plan. Those who will follow Him and worship Him will be restored to life eternally. It’s our choice to believe or not. What’s your choice 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.”

Do you fear death? (John 5:24), January 29, 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 fear death? I’ve seen too much death in my lifetime, but I’ve seen those who are incredibly afraid of death and those who accept it as just the passage from life to life with no fear in their countenance at all. What’s the difference in them? Stick around and we’ll talk about it.
Scripture
1. John 5:24
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: eternal life belongs to those who hear My voice and believe in the One who sent Me. These people have no reason to fear judgment because they have already left death and entered life.
Devotional
1. A few years ago I was suffering from some physical symptoms that scared my wife pretty bad. I couldn’t walk more than thirty or forty feet without stopping to suck in all the air around me. I just couldn’t get enough air to satisfy the needs of my body.
  1. Check for asthma
  2. Check for pulmonary edema or other lung problems
  3. Check for cardiac problems
  4. Check for neurological problems
  5. Found nothing except I couldn’t get enough oxygen
2. Family feared for me
  1. Several mechanical problems to be labeled as a disabled veteran
  2. Nothing life threatening
  3. Now I couldn’t get enough oxygen to pass into my blood to satisfy my body
3. For me, no fear, overwhelming peace
  1. Knew the status of my heart
  2. Knew my destination
  3. Knew the next step if i took my last breath
  4. Pain but comfort in pain
4. Eternal life belongs to those who hear My voice and believe in the One who sent Me. These people have no reason to fear judgment because they have already left death and entered life.
  1. Did I want to die
  2. Too much left to do and see
  3. Not anxious to get to the other side
  4. But not afraid of death
5. Good feeling to know death is not as frightening an experience as Satan tries to get us to believe.
  1. A lot of unknown
  2. Watch the faces of believers and non-believers
  3. Peace versus fear and anguish
  4. Personal experience from what should have been frightening experiences
  5. Death approaching is okay when God’s spirit is 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.”

The games children play (John 5:22-23), January 28, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
I love to watch children play games. They seldom care about the rules that come in the box. They just make up the rules as they go along and change them to suit themselves if it looks like new rules will benefit them. We’re a lot like that as adults sometimes, too. Perhaps we should consider Jesus words when we apply those rules to life, though..
Scripture
1. John 5:22-23
2. Jesus: The Father does not exert His power to judge anyone. Instead, He has given the authority as Judge to the Son. So all of creation will honor and worship the Son as they do the Father. If you do not honor the Son, then you dishonor the Father who sent Him.
Devotional
1. Children have a tendency to make up their own rules when they play games. Have you ever noticed that?
  1. Board games with grandkids
  2. Discard the rules quickly
  3. Make up rules that will help them win
  4. Change the rules in the middle of the game to suit them
2. We try to do that in life
  1. Rules are given to us by God in His word
  2. We discard them quickly or don’t pay attention to them just like my grandkids with their board games
  3. Try to make up our own rules or change God’s rules to suit us
  4. Creates a problem
3. Imagine baseball or football game where there is no referee or the referee changes the rules at a whim
  1. Create chaos on the field
  2. Rules provide order and direction and guidance in games and life
  3. In sports the referee is the judge for obedience to the rules
  4. In life, we set up courts with judges and juries to determine obedience to our civil laws
4. God gives us some civil laws to live by, but His word is primarily focused on our spiritual well being
  1. Relationship with each other
  2. Relationship with Him
  3. We will be judged based on the spiritual rules He has established and given to us in His word
  4. Jesus, His Son, God in the flesh, has been appointed as our judge
  5. Since He is our judge, it pays to learn and obey His rules
  6. You wouldn’t play college football without reading and understanding the rules, why do we think it’s okay to go through life without doing the same in matters so much more important, things with eternal consequences
5. It’s time we pick up that spiritual manual God has given us. Read it again and again. Get familiar with the things He expects us to do as we journey through this game of life. Then practice those things daily. He is the referee and will be our judge at the end of time. Knowing that, don’t you think it’s time to live by His rules instead of making them up as we go along?
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.”