by Norm Sawyer | Sep 6, 2023 | Devotional
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I was working out on the rings at the gym, and someone came up to me and pointed out the dangers of getting hurt (for someone my age). The implication is that I should be more afraid of hurting myself because I’m older than most of the people at the gym and it can take longer to heal if I get hurt. I thought, sometimes new routines can be challenging and there are moments of uncertainty, but I just do it afraid until I’m not. Then, eventually, I’ve got the new routine down. I think that goes for anything in life. How do we overcome fear and life’s obstacles unless we are experiencing them and learning how to defeat them? The explorers and trailblazers would never have gone anywhere had they not gone out to the wild unknown. Had they allowed fear to stop them from overcoming all the odds against them, they would not have accomplished anything. We all need to have a trailblazing attitude toward the things that scare us, otherwise, we will never go forward and overcome anything worth accomplishing.
The word overcome implies that there will be a struggle to conquer something challenging or sometimes fearful. We need to overcome the fears and challenges of life. We were created to face confrontations, hardships, and difficulties by finding ways to keep our lives and bodies healthy, wise, and inquisitive through the hardships of life. We were created to create. With God’s directions, we were created to take charge of the world and manage it for the good of all. Gen. 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Whether we realize it or not, there is a lot of responsibility in ruling over all of creation. Some of the world events and scenarios are going to cause fear and present an opportunity to be afraid just because of the overwhelming difficulty of managing it all. We will need to learn to do it afraid until we are not. Knowing that the Lord is encouraging us forward will help us rule by faith. Will we make mistakes? We sure will, but with God, we will improve in our decision-making. Isa. 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
The Lord asks us to spread the good news of not needing to live in a constant state of fear. Isa. 35:4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Yes, we can be strong in the Lord. When the children of Israel were stuck between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s chariots coming fast upon them, fear was the prevalent feeling among the people. Ex. 14:10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. They were afraid but had to overcome the fear by believing God’s word of deliverance given to them through Moses. Ex. 14:13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. They might have been apprehensive to go forward but they went through the Red Sea on dry land and did it afraid until they were not.
The Psalmist says it best. Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? What have you partnered with that keeps you in fear? We are encouraged to let the Lord be the stronghold of our souls so that we overcome fear. If you have partnered with anything other than God to get through life, then chances are you will struggle and be fearful most of the time. The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear. Christ Jesus has given us His redemptive strength to be courageous in the battle of life. Plus, He has given us His armour to wear so that we defeat the attacks of the enemy that will come our way. Eph. 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
It is God’s will that we learn to trust Him when He says not to fear and believe that He is going to be with us wherever we go. Josh. 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” For a lot of people, this is going to be a hard thing to learn and believe. Therefore, do it afraid unto you are not. Learn to grow in faith and become trusting in your relationship with the Lord until one day you are declaring, I will not be afraid!” Psalm 118:6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Blessings and peace.
by Norm Sawyer | Aug 30, 2023 | Piadosa
Proverbios 12:25 La congoja abate el corazón del hombre, pero una buena noticia lo alegra.
Buenas noticias no quiere decir que nadie fue afectado para que la noticia sea buena noticia. Cuando una guerra finalmente termina, es una buena noticia para los que ganan la guerra. De todas maneras, los que ganaron la guerra, su ejército vencedor sigue llorando a sus muertos tanto como los que perdieron la guerra. Cuando los residentes de un pueblo frente al mar sobreviven un huracán catastrófico, eso es una buena noticia para los que sobrevivieron, pero tienen que pasar la devastación de empezar a construir todo lo que se perdió. Buenas noticias para algunos no siempre es buena noticia para otros. Hemos visto que la buena noticia para algunos ha sido una devastación para otros cuando el partido político gana una elección y los perdedores amenazan con rebelarse contra los resultados y a veces amenazan salirse de Canadá.
La palabra Evangelio es traducido de dos palabras griegas que se encuentran en el Nuevo Testamento – euangelion, que quiere decir “buenas noticias” y euangelizomai, que quiere decir, “el proclamar la buena noticia.” Nosotros que estamos en Cristo tenemos una buena noticia para compartir. El mundo está lleno de malas noticias y la ansiedad que produce es palatable. La necesidad de una buena noticia realmente cierta, es el número uno en la lista de deseos para la gente. Prov. 12:25 La congoja abate el corazón del hombre, pero una buena noticia lo alegra. Solo una buena pequeña noticia puede ir muy largo. Dejarle a la gente saber que el cielo no se está cayendo los hará sonreír. Prov. 17:22 El corazón alegre es un buen remedio, pero el ánimo decaído seca los huesos. No se necesitan muchas buenas noticias para hacer cambiar la perspectiva de una persona.
Estamos inundados de malas noticias todo el día, porque por alguna razón, las malas noticias se venden mejor en un lugar de anuncios o en plataformas de medios. Las fuentes de ingresos noticieros dependen de la noticia que va de mal a peor. Entonces, cada evento depende del grado de interés periodístico sea catastróficamente lo más posible, para que cada mala noticia pueda salir al noticiero. Entonces el psicólogo del mundo, debate la razón del porqué la gente se siente agobiada por la ansiedad, depresión y temor. Lucas 21:26a Se desmayarán de terror los hombres, temerosos por lo que va a sucederle al mundo.
Hay buenas noticias a nuestro alrededor, de todas maneras, tenemos que buscar donde Dios dice que pueden ser encontradas. El Señor espera de nosotros que busquemos por las buenas noticias de su Reino y que vivamos sobre sus principios como si esta buena noticia en particular sea valorada como todo lo que hemos deseado. ¿Porqué? Porque es “todo” lo que el hombre necesita, es el regalo que Dios nos ha dado a todos! Entre más nuestro corazón desee lo que Dios tiene para nosotros, mejor recibimos lo que Cristo nos ha dado gratis. Solo que le demos valor a la buena noticia como una perla de gran precio, no perdamos lo que Dios tiene para nosotros. Mateo 13:45 »También se parece el reino de los cielos a un comerciante que andaba buscando perlas finas. 46 Cuando encontró una de gran valor, fue y vendió todo lo que tenía y la compró.
Lo que Jesús hizo por medio de su sacrificio en la cruz para toda la humanidad es una buena noticia, porque es de un valor eterno. Esto no es algo como una actividad religiosa en que se vota en la convención anual de una denominación. Jesús, se ofreció Él mismo y obedeciendo a muerte en la cruz por nuestros pecados, esto es una buena noticia verdadera que salva al perdido de alma y también trae saneamiento a todo aquel de existencia cansada de lo que el mundo le está ofreciendo. El mundo ha estado ofreciendo la misma religiosidad vieja que viene desde la aparición del pescado en el mundo. Ahora tenemos mejor para escoger. Desde el primer anuncio del nacimiento de Jesús, Él fue declarado como una noticia buena para todo el mundo. Lucas 2:10 Pero el ángel dijo: «No tengan miedo. Miren que traigo buenas noticias que serán motivo de mucha alegría para todo el pueblo. 11 Hoy ha nacido en la Ciudad de David un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor.
Tenemos que salir de esa nube oscura que el mundo perpetuamente promueve, para que lleguemos a ser agentes de la buena noticia del Señor. Isa. 61:1 El Espíritu del Señor y Dios está sobre mí, por cuanto me ha ungido para anunciar buenas noticias a los pobres. Me ha enviado a sanar los corazones heridos, a proclamar libertad a los cautivos y la liberación de los prisioneros. Lo que nos dice es, “No se puede conseguir saneamiento en desesperación cuando la gente encuentra consuelo en ella.” Como cristianos, podemos vivir entre la buena noticia total de Cristo, a punto a que todo aquel que nos ve, aquel que vive en desesperación quiera querer las bondades de Dios para ellos mismos porque ellos nos ven viviendo satisfechos desde muy dentro de nuestro ser. Ésto, eso es una buena noticia!!
by Norm Sawyer | Aug 30, 2023 | Devotional
Job 22:28 When you make a decision, it will be carried out, and light will shine on your ways.
The problem with the problem is that everyone involved in the problematic situation knows there is a problem but is often overwhelmed by it and has difficulty finding a solution. When the situation becomes dire, people stand around discussing the problem and reinforcing the fact that the problem is bigger than they can manage. There are solutions to all problems, but it seems these people spend more time focusing on the mess. We can all think of family members, acquaintances, or company managers who are in a constant vortex of facing problems that go on and on because these same people are the ones who caused the troubles. These people are always trying to fix a problem they created with a new set of problems that they are instigating. A never-ending cycle of bouncing from one crisis to the other. 2Tim. 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Years ago when I lived in Queensland Australia. A brother in the Lord asked me for some help. Micheal had a brother who did not believe in God nor was friendly toward those who did believe in God. Michael asked me to come out to his brother’s papaya plantation to see if I had some ideas to help his brother get out of debt. As well as the papaya plantation, this man also had pigs he was raising for the market, and he was supplementing his farm income by working welding jobs on the side when he could get the work. The reason for all the debt was the considerable mortgage on the farm, the high cost of fertilizer and weed control chemicals, the expensive pig food, and the lack of customers who needed welding done.
We arrived at the farm and I noticed some quarter-inch round, four-foot-high and eight-foot-long metal rod fencing panels leaning against the shed. The owner of this farm described all his woes, and how he could not catch a break because everything was so expensive and no one wanted to help him. I could see why he did not have many customers for welding jobs and why people would be reluctant to help him because he came across as hard-nosed – don’t tell me what to do, I know what I’m doing – type of person.
An idea came to me, and I explained that if he, by welding, made some four-foot high by seven-and-a-half-foot square cages out of the metal round fencing panels, he could put a few pigs in each of the cages and place the cages between the papaya trees that were planted eight feet apart. He and his wife could pick up a cage with one person on opposite sides and move it along to the next square patch of weeds, grass, and ground cover so the pigs could eat and the land would be fertilized simultaneously. This process would naturally enrich the soil thus helping the papaya trees to produce better yield. Michael was so excited about this possible solution that could help his brother bring down some of the costs on the farm. Michael’s exuberance was loudly expressed, “Wow, what a great idea because the cost of pig food, fertilizer, and weed killer would go way down and the extra money saved could go toward the mortgage.”
Michael’s brother then said, “That is the stupidest idea I have ever heard! That will never work, you don’t know anything about growing plants.” I was not saying that this idea was the be-all to end-all, I was pointing out that with what he had available on his property this might work better than what he was doing. Illumination had been shed on an idea, but the choice to go forward with it was within the property owner’s choice to work the plan that could get rid of some problems on the farm. Job 22:28 When you make a decision, it will be carried out, and light will shine on your ways. But there it was, as we were driving back home, Michael said, “What an incredible God idea that was, if only my brother would have thought it through, but he has always been a fool and has destroyed everything he has ever put his hands to doing because the problem is that he is the problem.” Prov. 27:22 You can beat a fool half to death and still never beat the foolishness out of him.
Yes, often the problem with the problem is us. How many times have we rejected the counsel of God and fallen flat on our faces then turned around and asked God why He let us fall? The fact is, had we obeyed we would have solved the complications we found ourselves to be in. Heb. 4:14 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. King Solomon’s son Rehoboam was counselled by the elders of the land to lighten the load of the people, but Rehoboam rejected the counsel. 1Kings 12:8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. Rehoboam became a problem for the nation as he made the load upon the people heavier than it had to be. 1Kings 12:11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions. This eventually caused a rebellion and people got hurt.
We see this reenactment of terrible leadership throughout history. Despots, dictators, and tyrants are the cause of so many wars and problems they created. Their solutions are just as problematic, resulting in lost generations of people who end up slaughtered. Self-made problems need solutions. Humility is needed so that the one who caused the mess can humbly ask for help. Jer. 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Looking back to that day at the papaya plantation, all Michale’s brother had to do was take a moment to think things through and look at the possible solution available to him at no cost, but his stubborn disposition and anti-God beliefs kept him blind to some simple ideas that could free him from debt. If your problems are mounting up then ask God for help who gives wisdom freely to those who trust and love the Lord. James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
Let us not be the reason for the problems, but rather let us be the anointed solution by solving with God’s help the problems that come our way. May we all find the grace needed to be victors and not victims of the foolishness running rampant throughout this world. Keep asking God for the answers because He has them. Blessings.
by Norm Sawyer | Aug 23, 2023 | Piadosa
Proverbios 10:6 El justo se ve coronado de bendiciones, pero la boca del malvado encubre violencia.
Hemos sido coronados con bendiciones. Prov. 10:6a El justo se ve coronado de bendiciones. No solo estamos coronados con bendiciones, pero el Salmista, cuando expresa la admiración al amor de Dios para la humanidad, dice que estamos coronados con gloria y honra. Salmos 8:5 Lo hiciste poco menor que los ángeles y lo coronaste de gloria y de honra. Eso es una imagen impactante para envolver nuestras mentes. El hecho que Dios todopoderoso pone sus manos sobre nuestra cabeza en amor y pone una corona sobre nosotros, es mucho para absorber, pero es una escena de gozo.
La corona que El Señor asegura para nosotros por medio de su sacrificio en la cruz; es una corona de justicia y bendiciones que nadie puede quitarnos. Apoc. 3:11 »Vengo pronto. Aférrate a lo que tienes, para que nadie te quite la corona. Tenemos que estar vigilantes y listos para luchar la buena batalla de fe para mantener la corona que Dios nos ha dado.
Jacobo hizo todo lo que pudo para poseer las bendiciones de Dios. Él manipuló, luchó, trabajó e inventó estrategias para obtener las bendiciones de Dios sobre su vida. Él persiguió las bendiciones y finalmente luchó con Dios por ellas. Gén. 32:26 Entonces dijo: —¡Suéltame, que ya está por amanecer! —¡No te soltaré hasta que me bendigas! —respondió Jacob. La tenacidad que tuvo Jacobo para aferrarse a Dios hasta que él obtuvo que lo quería con pura terquedad de voluntad, que es algo que necesitamos tomar nota y ser tenaz para proteger nuestra corona de bendiciones. Gén. 32:28 Entonces le dijo: —Ya no te llamarás Jacob, sino Israel, porque has luchado con Dios y con los hombres y has vencido.
La perseverancia que Jacobo demostró para adquirir las bendiciones de Dios, no solo resultó en que Dios le dió su bendición, sino que también Dios le dió un nombre nuevo. Una gran manera de tomar la atención de Dios. Todo lo que Jacobo pasó para adquirir las bendiciones de Dios, ya todo eso lo tenemos los que estamos en Cristo. Tenemos estas bendiciones derramando sobre nosotros todos los días. Tenemos que realizar, que es por medio de fe en que recibimos las bendiciones que Dios ya nos ha dado. Ya están allí para cualquier persona que las quiera. Podemos preguntarnos, ¿Queremos las bendiciones de Dios tanto como las quería Jacobo?
Cuando pienso en lo que Jacobo pasó para recibir las bendiciones de Dios, tengo que pensar si yo hubiera tenido esa clase de carácter persiguiendo las bendiciones de Dios. Tendemos mucho a lo que Dios nos da por un hecho y no siempre somos agradecidos por muchas bendiciones que son derramadas sobre nosotros diariamente. Jacobo no asumió para nada, al contrario consumió la idea de tener las bendiciones de Dios en su vida. ¿Estaríamos tan dispuestos a posicionarnos y tratar de encontrar ese cielo abierto donde las bendiciones de Dios fluyen? Con todo su corazón, Jacobo quería ser bendecido y yo creo que esa era la clave para la bendición de Dios sobre Jacobo.
Jacobo demostraba su fe quitando la corteza de las ramas para manipular que la oveja nacida fuera manchada o rayada. Gén. 30:38 Luego tomó las ramas que había pelado y las puso en todos los abrevaderos para que el rebaño las tuviera enfrente cuando se acercara a beber agua. Cuando las ovejas estaban en celo y llegaban a los abrevaderos. ¿Estarías dispuesto a hacer algo que causaría tu fe crecer y creer que las bendiciones de Dios están por venir a tu vida? En el libro de Malaquias Dios nos instruye a probarlo al diezmar. Mal. 3:10 »Traigan íntegro el diezmo a la tesorería del Templo; así habrá alimento en mi casa. Pruébenme en esto —dice el Señor de los Ejércitos—, y vean si no abro las compuertas del cielo y derramo sobre ustedes bendición hasta que sobreabunde. Ésto es una llamada para actuar del Señor, para mantener las ventanas del cielo abiertas para que las bendiciones sean derramadas sobre nosotros.
Ya hemos sido coronados con bendiciones y tenemos el permiso de Dios para seguir buscando lo que Él tiene para nosotros. El Señor se asegura que no seamos engañados por el enemigo de nuestra alma. Así como el Señor hizo por Jacobo, Él lo hace por nosotros. El Señor mantiene viendo nuestras vidas para ayudarnos a ser bendecidos en Su salvación. Gén. 31:10 »En cierta ocasión, durante la época en que los animales estaban en celo, tuve un sueño. En ese sueño veía que los chivos que cubrían a las cabras eran rayados, manchados o moteados. 11 En ese mismo sueño, el ángel de Dios me llamó: “¡Jacob!”. Y yo le respondí: “Aquí estoy”. 12 Entonces él me dijo: “Fíjate bien y te darás cuenta de que todos los chivos que cubren a las cabras son rayados, manchados o moteados. Yo he visto todo lo que te ha hecho Labán.
Dios sabe la situación en la que nos encontramos, Él lleva la cuenta de lo que nos pertenece. Podemos estar asegurados. Ya que hemos sido coronados con bendiciones, caminemos en este favor que está presentado ante nosotros y llevar estas bendiciones a un mundo perdido que necesita muchas de las bendiciones de Dios posible. Esto es parte del buen mensaje. Dios quiere salvarnos y bendecirnos. Dios es bueno y Él es una bendición.
by Norm Sawyer | Aug 23, 2023 | Devotional
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
I would find it difficult to believe that I’m the only one to notice the trending anger and discouragement being expressed throughout the world. In North America, we can agree that many citizens have access to multiple creature comforts and appliances that do most of the hard work to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. These same people also have a steady and ready supply of food to eat at will. So the question arises. Why are these people some of the most discouraged, angry, lonely, and selfish souls on the planet? What have the nations with so much been buying into that keeps distracting them from expressing gratitude for what they do have?
How have we bought into a constant state of anger and discouragement so easily? Psalm 69:3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. Maybe the problem is – what has become the god you have been crying to, and waiting for help from? Have you put the security of your future into the hands of political parties, company CEOs, or medical pharmaceutical conglomerates? Some of these faceless organizations that are causing many of the problems in the world have no wisdom as to how to fix their mess, and the result is people remain in a state of angry existence because they trusted fully in them. The moment we put all of our trust in the ability of man, we are going to suffer great loss. Jer. 17:5 This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the person who trusts in mankind. He makes human flesh his strength, and his heart turns from the LORD.
Have you ever listened to a politician dish up a word salad of the same old meretricious monologue and had no idea of what they were talking about? Somehow you bought into the anger they were selling and now have a soul full of angry thoughts toward a certain people group you had not noticed until you were given permission to be angry at them. All this turmoil churned up within people’s hearts destroying their peace. We see it over and over again when political candidates use Christian buzzwords of righteousness to garner votes so they can get into power and then lead everyone to hell. Then the poor voters stand back in full agitated anger wondering how these circumstances happened right under their noses.
The word says that fathers are not to provoke children to anger less the children become discouraged. Col. 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Some of our civic fathers and leaders have provoked anger within people’s hearts to the point that these people are losing sleep. Eph. 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. Whether by accident or design, some of the leading fathers of our land and country have led many citizens into a discouragement that can be felt. A sense of hopelessness is prevailing causing a large part of the population to be angry at someone or something all the time.
How do we escape from the influence of this strategic and manipulative corruption being instigated? The first thing everyone needs to do is stop selling anger as a commodity and a solution that gets things done in solving all problems. This advice is toxic. No wonder God asks us to pray for our leaders. 1Tim. 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. You will notice that God does not say to pray for them only if you voted for them. He asks us to pray for our leaders and statesmen because they are dealing with monumental arrogance on all sides of the political aisle. They need God’s help whether they admit it or not. The reward for our faithfulness in obeying God when we pray for them, and one another is that we will live peaceful lives, which is a good start to getting rid of the anger that has built up in our souls.
When I approach God with these concerns, the Lord points out that I should become thankful, and offer words of thanksgiving as a cure that counteracts all the things that anger me. 1Thes. 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. All kinds of circumstances could cause rage to fulminate within me all day long if I let it. Let’s face it, people are a special kind of stupid and there is no end of things we could be angry at. The solution God is offering me so that I can get out of anger’s grasp is to take a moment and start offering thanks for the things I should be grateful for, then the anger will begin to defuse and eventually all the hot air that was in that anger and discouragement will eventually end up flat. This also gives love a chance to make its way into my heart. The more I focus on gratefulness the fewer things I have time to be angry about.
I know this is too simple for those who will fight for their right to be angry. It will be seen as too ridiculous, but how can we fix every terrible situation on Earth? We can only deal with our own issues and our own capacity to live in peace and isn’t that what everyone is looking for, a general state of peacefulness? We need to get off the bandwagon of those who are selling anger as the solution to the world’s problems. If anger was a solution, then Jesus would have said ” My anger I give unto you.” No saints. Jesus said, My peace, I give unto you!” John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. May the anger and discouragement fall off as we lift the name of our God in thanksgiving. Blessings be upon us all.
