Category Archives: devotional

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

Today’s Podcast

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.”

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.

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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Today’s Podcast

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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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Today’s Podcast

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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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Today’s Podcast

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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 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.”
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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.
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