Lord's Day Devotion - Shame - Free

 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16 ESV)

The gospel is there, available, ready and waiting for everyone.  Those who believe, receive. It is not just for one group of people either.  No one needs to work for it.  There is power in the gospel.  There is no need to be ashamed of the gospel; Paul, the writer of this verse, was not.

Some people do hide their faith in Jesus.  It's safer for them.  We call these people secret Christians.  But the power of the gospel cannot be hidden in our lives.  The truth will come out in our actions and even in our speech.  Eventually, our salvation will be known, similarly as to how Peter's manner of speech gave him away that he was a friend of Jesus' (see Matthew 26:73).

This is different than being ashamed of the gospel.  It means you have the faith or appear to certain people as having it but don't want certain groups of people, perhaps schoolmates, or other employees where you work.  Still, the truth may be eventually revealed.  Light cannot be hid in the dark.

Fear of being ridiculed and/or receiving mild persecution may keep us trapped in shame and fear.  But Jesus paid the cost of the gospel of salvation, received through faith and belief in His work on the cross.

Being trapped in the fear and shame of the gospel is crippling and stunts our spiritual growth and our testimony to others.  Let's pray and ask the Lord to free us from such fear so we have the boldness and courage to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ from rooftops.

This Lord's Day, as we remember Jesus in His death and resurrection, let's remember what it cost Him to gain our salvation for us.  Also, remember there is power from God that can enable us to shed our fear of man, and replace it with the fear of God and open life in Christ.

As we remember, reach for and partake of the broken bread and drink from the cup of wine, those symbols representing His sacrifice.  He openly hung on a shameful cross to bear our shame and set us free from it.

Adam and Eve's naked shame was covered with an attempted fig leaf covering. However, it was not enough and they still felt shame, as they should have.   In contrast, Jesus covers our shame by the power of His blood, death and resurrection.  Know this power and be set free.

Lord Jesus, once again we cannot thank You enough for going through all the suffering and sacrifice of the cross to buy our pardon and offer the gift of salvation.  Thank You for this power of God now in us, and working through us.  May we have the courage and boldness to openly declair Your name and live for You - shame free.  I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, amen.

                                                      ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 1:16 ESV.

Sing, His Robes For Mine, along with Hymns of Grace 2021.

God's Fellow Workers (1 Corinthians 3: especially vs 6-9 ESV)

 

When we have the mind of Christ and understand that His mind is the top mind that can never ever be surpassed by any mere human being, we begin to have some wisdom.

What's more, we will know that when and if we plant and water something it is only God who causes it to grow.

I got some clippings from a friend a couple of weeks ago.  I planted them and watered them and they did grow.  They especially liked being put out in the rain to let God water them.  He really encouraged them to grow well.

So the planter person could not boast of that growth.  We realize that ...

" ... neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV).

So let's apply this to doing God's work.  We may have a smaller or a bigger part in it but we need to let God do His part too.  He's the one to supply the growth.  We cannot boast or take sides with the one who plants nor the one who waters.  We can only boast in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

This is something the apostle Paul addressed with the Corinthians who had been taking sides with their favorite leader, whether Apollos, Paul or Cephas, respectively causing divisions and quarrels.

We do well to realize that they, and we in our day, are

 "God's fellow workers ... [His] field and [His] building" (vs. 9).  

Ownership belongs to Him.  Draw near to Him and so maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We belong to Christ and not to any one particular leader.  Boast in Jesus alone.

                                              ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 3: especially vs 6 & 9 ESV.

Sing, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Good and Helpful Answers (1 Corhinthians 2: especially vs 14-16 ESV)

 

We have the mind of Christ because we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us.  That is, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, He indwells.  This does not necessarily mean we fully understand our Lord's mind.

"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him"                              (1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV).

A natural person cannot, a spiritual one, may, that's why obedience to HIS instructions are imperative.  He knows the full picture, we only partially know and understand.

We can get wisdom, knowledge and understanding imparted through the Holy Spirit.  There is need then to be still and listen for His guidance and direction.

Some things, I'd say, we'll never fully know or understand in our life time.  God is so BIG and no one can fathom His mind.  But when we go to be with Him, I believe either it won't matter so much or He'll give us the full scope when we meet Him.

So, the element of trust in Him comes in here.  Trust that He will always know what's best for us and in that trust we can rest, abide and obey Him.

The other day I told a friend I wanted to pick her brain for a specific reason.  She was willing and gave me some helpful answers.

I think that because we have found a Friend in Jesus, that we can 'pick His brain' for some specific reasons too.  We may not always get the exact answer we were looking for but there will be helpful direction.  His mind is the most brilliant of all - they will be good and helpful answers. 

 I trust Him.

                                             ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 2: especially vs 14-16 ESV.

Sing, Trust and Obey, along with The Celebration Choir.

Benedictions that Warm the Heart (Hebrews 13:20 & 21)

 

Do you like benedictions?  I do.  They are so caring.  My church began adding them after the closing prayers.  I always feel blessed by them and leave with a happy smile on my face and a warm heart within.

Aaron, the first High Priest of God over Israel, used to say a good night benediction over the nation.  He'd raise his arms and bless them saying,

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace ..." (Numbers 6:22-26 ESV).

It was said nightly like a bedtime prayer.  Night-night, tuck you in, sleep well, of course, but it was so much more.  By so doing, God told Moses that Aaron would be putting His ...

" ... name upon the people of Israel, and I [He, God] will bless them"                  (Numbers 6:27 ESV).

The writer of Hebrews wanted to bless the Hebrews too.  It would resignate, with them deeply because of the High Priests' nightly benediction pronounced over them.  This is something that even though they'd become Christian Hebrews, they could understand and appreciate it and be heart-warmed.

But this benediction also had an exhortation imbedded in it.  We don't just have the privelege of being blessed, we have responsibility too - a two-sided coin portfolio.  Each follower of Jesus Christ has been blessed with this benediction too.

Peace is pronounced over us in the name of the God of peace but part of the blessing stems from being equipped ...

 " ... with everything good that [we] may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ ..." (Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV).

So, as we go forth we may experience the happy smile and warm heart but we need to be equipped and use what God has given us through our faith in Jesus Christ for the good and benefit of the congregation of believers and beyond, and do His will, thus giving all glory and honor to Him forever and ever.  

                  GOD BLESS YOU!

                                                     ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Hebrews 13:20 & 21, Numbers 6:22-27 ESV.

Sing, A Mother's Prayer (Numbers 6 :22-27) Cry Out Worship.  Also, Numbers 6:22-27 - The Bible Song.

Boast In Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:1 KJV and especially vs 10 & 17 ESV.

 Have you ever published something?  Perhaps a magazine or newspaper article, or a book?  Was it self-published or had the writings gone through a publishing house?  Some people do self-publish books.

But as we begin to read 1 Corinthians chapter 1, (and other of Pauls' opening lines of letters he wrote) we see he didn't exactly "self- publish" his letter.  His authority came from God.  He greeted them, 

"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and Sosthenes our brother ..." (1 Corinthians 1:1 KJV).

He establishes his right and authority to "speak" to his Corinthian audience by telling them, #1, he was called to be an apostle by Jesus Christ Himself, and #2, through the will of God.  It's important to note this especially.  You'll see why as we move through the letter.

God and Jesus Christ were his witnesses, so to speak, and the One who ordained him.  Therefore, he writes in confidence and expectation that the Corinthians will heed his words of wisdom.  He is not just spouting off offhand.

There forever being enmity between God and Satan, Satan can't leave well enough alone.  The Corinthian church had been happily established but now division came.  Satan was using the 'divide and conquer' method.

Paul had to pull them back, reminding them of their need to all agree in the name of their Lord Jesus Christ (vs 10).  They should not have divisions among them and that they should be united in the same mind and the same judgment (vs 10).

The leader among them to follow, was and should be, their same mind, Christ, not Paul, not Apollos and not Cephas.

Very likely these three were stalwart and godly men of God.  But they were human beings, not God.  They needed to make and maintain Christ as central to their service and worship.  Otherwise, Paul stated his fear that,

"...the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (vs 17 ESV).

Not that the cross and the work Jesus had done upon it would in and of itself be diminished but rather that the people would tarnish His name and word and so bring dishonor upon Jesus' work upon the cross and upon Jesus Himself and even upon the followers of Jesus Christ, for that matter, who were not showing too much brotherly love and had marred the unity of the Spirit.

Self-centeredness leads to inflated ego and boasting in self.  But Christ-centeredness leads to boasting in Jesus Christ and all He has done for us.  It leads to living for Him and being the light and salt in the world.  It leads to bringing others to Christ.  And it leads to unity in Christ and His Holy Spirit thereby resisting the devil so he would flee from them.  Then we'd have something to write about, and even publish.

                                                      ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 1:1 KJV and vs 10 & 17 ESV especially.

Sing, All My Boast Is In Jesus, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

HAIKU - Many Sparrows

 God's eye is on the sparrows.  He sees when they fall.  Know that His eye is also on you.  He sees and knows when you stumble and fall.  He knows when you are in trouble, alone and in despair.  he knows, He loves, He cares.  Let Him comfort you, hold you fast for He is a constant faithful friend who cares for you and me. 

"For you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:21-31 ESV).

Sparrows flutter and

flit, "Chirp, Chirp," hop, hop in the trees,

and upon the ground.

Foraging; peck, hop,

peck, hop, hop for seeds, flit

flutter, dust-bath clean.

Oops, a sparrow fell

out of the tree.  Sits stunned, still.

Drooping, dragging wing.

Poor dear sparrow, God

saw it.  Values it.  He made

it.  Fear not.  You see?

Do you see?  You are

worth more than many sparrows,

to God.  His eyes see.

                      ~ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 10:29-31 ESV.

Sing, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, along with Ethel Waters.

Validates and Vindicates (Romans 16 ESV)

 

It was quite the exercise to circle the park six times in one go.  After calculation it added up to only 4.8 km!  "Groan!" I said as I staggerd, half faintingly to the car to drive home.  That's not much compared to some people who can even jog, yes, that's right, jog, running circles around me ... zoom!  They flash by, again.

It was also quite the exercise to read my way through the letter to the Romans.  It's taken more than a month to accomplish.  I staggered through it, but persevered and found many nuggets of God's Word to enjoy.  Here I am at last, at the farewell salutations.

It is a relief to have something 'easier' and joyful to read.  All the greetings to this person and that, and even Paul's commendation of sisters Phoebe and Prisca, and brother Aquila, and many others named there.  I chuckle as Paul adds,

" ... but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well" (vs 4).

Why'd he have to addend that?  If you'd read through the whole book of Romans you understand the humor and irony in that statement, he facetiousness of it.  There is also the point that Paul was making throughout.

He was the 'minister' to the Gentiles and he validates and vindicates them.  He has also exhorted both Gentiles and Jews in the Roman assembly of believers, reminding them of their unity in Christ and all it had entailed.

Anyway, It amused me to see his choice of words.  And in the end they were to

 "greet one another with a holy kiss" (v. 16).  

In addition to that,  to show further solidarity Paul appended,

"All the churches of Christ greet you ..." (vs 16 ESV).

As Paul ends his letter, so I end this series of commentary upon the letter to the Romans, saying to my readers ...

" ... to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ.  Amen"                  (Roman 16:27 ESV).

All glory be to God.

                                                         ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 16 ESV.

Sing, Glory to God on High, along with Isle of Man Methodist Church.