Serving Jesus Christ

Welcome to Saturday, July 31st!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Let's Negotiate!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

  Let's Negotiate!

When buying a house, some land, or even something at the market, you may have said, "Can we negotiate on the price?" This is an expected practice throughout the world.

Negotiation is a discussion that resolves an issue in a way that both parties find acceptable.

When purchasing our current car, the dealer stated a price, and after consulting with my wife, we offered a lower price. He then consulted with his boss and proposed a purchase price somewhere in the middle. Our negotiation resolved the price issue in a way that both of us found acceptable.

Years ago, I visited many flea markets. If you didn't haggle on the price, the vendors thought you were odd. They expected a negotiation discussion to take place.

Can you think of a situation where negotiation is not possible?

That's right! We cannot negotiate with God. We cannot do as I did with the car dealer in which we offered one thing and expect that God will come back with a proposal somewhere in between.

Christians sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that their relationship with God operates on give and take. As a result, they treat their relationship with God more as a negotiation than a relationship between a sovereign God and His creation.

This is dangerous ground because one can end up falling into the trap of believing that you have the right to set aside those commands and ordinances of God's Word that you dislike.

Listen to the words of Elijah as he faced the nation of Israel during the time of Ahab and Jezebel.

1 Kings 18:19-21 NAS95

"Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."  [20]  So Ahab sent a message among all the sons of Israel and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel.  [21]  Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word.

The people were trying to straddle the fence. I remember doing this as a kid on the edge of the corral fence; one leg on one side and the other leg on the other side. By definition, I was neither on one side or the other.

Elijah tells the people it was time to make a decision. Either the Lord was the only living and true God, or Baal was. Elijah’s point was that they could not keep jumping back and forth between the two.

When I remind Christians that they must choose between honoring the world or honoring God they respond with, “It’s not that simple!” Their response of “It’s not that simple!” means they are contemplating some compromise in their lives.

Compromise is a danger to all of us because it is so subtle.

Satan did not come right out and say that God wasn’t good or hadn’t provided for Adam and Eve.

However, what he did was to plant a suggestion in Eve’s mind that she was missing out on something.

I believe that Satan is incredibly active within the times we live. Therefore, opportunities to compromise face us many times a day. If you are one who believes that he can negotiate with God for a permissible lifestyle, you are in danger of shipwrecking your faith.

I implore you to Stand firm in Christ!

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

May we never entertain compromise in our lives.

Help us to more fully comprehend who You are and what You have done for us.

May we joyfully obey and live for You.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Friday, July 30th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Accumulating Treasure!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

Welcome to the Friday, July 30th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

This is Pastor Swanson.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

Accumulating Treasure

One of my most prized possessions or treasures is an antique cast-iron U.S. mailbox bank that my grandfather purchased for my father in the 1930s. He, in turn, gave it to me in the early 1960s when I was quite young.

My father said that he would be given a penny once in a while to put into his bank. It made him seem rich each time he could drop another coin into the bank. Then, once in a while, he would be allowed to remove a couple of pennies and spend them on candy.

The idea of finding treasure interests all of us. If we are honest, most of us have a secret wish of finding or winning a great jackpot treasure. Amateur treasure hunters often find great treasures around the world.

My wife could tell you that I sometimes tell her that I would love to win one of those big 300 to 400 million dollar lotteries. This is especially true on those days when I would love to retire.

However, my wife takes all of the fun out of my wish by reminding me since I do not buy lottery tickets, the odds of winning one is rather slim.

However, you and I already possess more treasure than we could imagine!

Matthew 6:19-21 NAS95

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  [20]  "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  [21]  for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

These are the words of Christ in which He expresses His concern that we guard against making earthly possessions and treasures the center of our lives.

Everything on this earth ages or decays and wastes away; it is not lasting.

As a pastor, I have officiated at several hundred funerals over the past three decades, and I have yet to see anyone take any earthly treasures or belongings with them!

How might we define the word “treasure?”

We hear this word used within various contexts, such as Treasure Island or Pirate’s Treasure.

A treasure is that which has value and is worth something to someone.

Is there anything wrong with acquiring earthly treasures? The simple answer is “No!” However, if they dominate our lives over our spiritual perspective, then it is a problem.

Why are we so caught up in acquiring earthly treasures? For one thing, we can see and handle them. We can look at our spreadsheets or handle our gold and silver coins. 

However, the need for laying up heavenly riches is a critical admonition for all of us, both believers and unbelievers.

Jesus goes on to say:

Matthew 6:24 NAS95

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

In the end, every man and woman has either committed their lives to the things of this world or the things of God. Their energies are directed toward one or the other. We cannot serve two masters.

Make sure that your true treasure is being stored in heaven.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We often are captivated by the shiny things of this world.

Help us to heed the admonition of Christ in these verses.

Help us to make any necessary corrections in our lives.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Thursday, July 29th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Don't You Trust Me!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

Welcome to the Thursday, July 29th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

This is Pastor Swanson.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

Don't You Trust Me?

The word faith is an interesting term. We use it in so many ways in our daily and spiritual lives.

Sometimes, we use the concept seriously, such as Have faith in God or flippantly like Don't you trust me?

Years ago, we lived next to a large skydiving company. Hundreds of people went up thousands of feet and then jumped out of perfectly good airplanes.

Every spring, several hundred jumpers engaged in this act of faith per day. Planes carrying 15-20 people took off every couple of minutes.

Jump clubs practiced intricate aerial maneuvers almost every weekend. Sometimes, more than a hundred jumpers would jump at a time and then come together to form a design thousands of feet in the air.

Sometimes, we would sit outside with binoculars and watch them jump.

Every jumper showed faith in the one who packed his parachute, the pilot of the airplane, and his fellow jumpers. He had faith that everything would work.

I believe I can safely say that typically, faith in people and products is not something that comes naturally to us - no matter what it is or who it is!

Faith in God certainly does not always come naturally.

Hebrews 11:1 is the only place that the Bible ever defines faith. Yet, time and time again, the Bible discusses faith and its great importance.

Hebrews 11:1 NAS95

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We often describe Hebrews chapter 11 as the Hall of Faith. This is because the chapter lists the prominent men and women who genuinely believed in God throughout the centuries.

God calls us great men and women of faith if we have faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we have faith in Jesus, we have standing with God.

Romans 5:1-2 NAS95

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  [2]  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

The world, however, says that the only one we should have faith in is ourselves.

Having faith implies giving up some of the control over our lives. Now, it is good to have faith in ourselves when it comes to many areas in life.

However, trusting in ourselves for our eternity will not produce good results. We can do nothing to cause God to let us into his heaven apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

1. Do you sometimes struggle with having faith?
2. Do you also wonder what you should do about it?

I would describe these times as feeling like one's anchor and convictions are slipping.

I have found that just shoving the doubts away doesn't solve the problem. A better solution is to bring your doubts before the Lord in prayer.

We live in a time when a lot of ideas are bombarding our hearts and minds.

Though you might not always feel like praying, I encourage you to offer up the doubts and pray for a single-minded commitment to God.

That, in and of itself, is an act of faith.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

I pray for every individual listening who is struggling with doubts.

Prompt their heart and mind to draw close to You through Your Word and prayer.

Grant them assurance of their position in the present and that which is to come in eternity.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

Welcome to Wednesday, July 28th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

That's Not My Cup Of Tea!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

Welcome to the Wednesday, July 28th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

This is Pastor Swanson.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

That's Not My Cup Of Tea

If you recognize the phrase, That's Not My Cup of Tea; you are probably a little older. That's not a bad thing; it just means that you and I grew up in a slightly different era.

The younger generation converts this phrase into; I am not really into that! However, many of us have now appropriated this version in our own lives.

There are times when people invite us to do something or to engage in a particular behavior, to which we respond, "I am not really into that."

There is nothing wrong with answering in this way.

Where it becomes problematic is when we associate this idiom with certain aspects of our Christian faith.

Saying things such as:

You know, telling people about Jesus is not my cup of tea. So I'm not really into that.

Or,

I know that I should do it, but reading and studying the Bible is not my cup of tea. I'm not really into that.

Do we have the option of opting out of specific requirements concerning our Christian faith?

We all know that the answer is no!

1. We are to live lives that are pleasing unto the Lord.
2. We are to also read and study God's Word, pray, and share the Good News with the world around us.

Matthew 5:13-16 NAS95

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.  [14]  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  [15]  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  [16]  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The world around us is in deep trouble. We, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, are the solution.

We are not given the luxury of just being saved and doing nothing else for the kingdom. These verses note that we are to be completely different from the rest of the world and are charged with penetrating, lighting up, and changing the world.

Before you make the statement That's not my cup of tea, or I am not really into that, remember that you are the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ in this lost world.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to joyfully fulfill the mission to which You have called us.

We pray for opportunity and boldness.

Strengthen our witness.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen.

Welcome to Wednesday, July 28th!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

Found Out!

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Old Testament Lesson - 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

This podcast is a ministry outreach of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argyle, Minnesota - United States.

* * * * *

Welcome to the Wednesday, July 28th Cross Talk 7-Minute Bible Study.

This is Pastor Warren Swanson.

Today's study is titled:

Found Out

Would you please pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing?

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Wednesday Bible Study, we consider the words of this week's Old Testament Lesson: 2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13.

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper analysis of the current passage. But, more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

Let's begin:

Last week's Old Testament Lesson illustrated the sin of David with Bathsheba.

The lesson ended with the people believing that King David was a hero for marrying the pregnant Bathsheba since her husband had been killed in battle.

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13 NAS95

Now when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.  [27]  When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.  [12:1]  Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said, "There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor.  [2] "The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.  [3] "But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, And was like a daughter to him.  [4] "Now a traveler came to the rich man, And he was unwilling to take from his own flock or his own herd, To prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him; Rather he took the poor man's ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him." [5]  Then David's anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.  [6] "He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion." [7]  Nathan then said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.  [8] 'I also gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!  [9] 'Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.  [10] 'Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' [11] "Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.  [12] 'Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.'" [13]  Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.

Sadly, we have experienced times when we think we have successfully hidden our sin. So when David heard Uriah was dead, he must have breathed a sigh of relief.

It doesn't take much of an imagination to reconstruct what David must have felt. Perhaps, he had not had a good night's sleep since it all started. But, on the other hand, maybe, he slept like a baby that night.

David even encouraged his general, Joab, not to give a second thought to what had been done.

2 Samuel 11:25 NAS95

Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab, 'Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and overthrow it'; and so encourage him."

After Bathsheba mourned for a month or so, King David married her. As far as the king's subjects knew, the baby was the result of relations with her husband. As I earlier noted, the people thought King David was a hero for marrying the pregnant Bathsheba after her husband had been killed in battle.

However, God knew the truth about what David had done.

2 Samuel 11:27 NAS95

When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.

The evil that David committed was horrendous. Not only had he committed adultery, engaged in monstrous deception to cover his sin – but he also took the life of Uriah and the soldiers who fought alongside him.

Throughout David's career, it seems that the prophet Nathan had been his advisor. Finally, after some months have passed, God informs Nathan of what David has done, and he is sent to confront David over his adultery and murder of Uriah.

When we sin, God pursues us and seeks to bring us to repentance. David, it seems, is perfectly content to allow this sin to pass into oblivion. He refuses to humble himself and confess his sin.

Like so many times in Scripture, a story conveys the point. So Nathan does not come charging into the king's presence, accusing him of his sin. Instead, he tells him a story about how someone who could afford to kill one of his many sheep for a guest takes the poor man's only sheep.

David thought that Nathan was relating a real-life incident.

2 Samuel 12:5-6 NAS95

Then David's anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die.  [6]  "He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion."

David wants this rich man to forfeit his life.  He also indicates what the restitution ought to be.

Can you imagine his surprise and horror at the following words that come out of Nathan's mouth?

2 Samuel 12:7-9 NAS95

Nathan then said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul.  [8]  'I also gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!  [9]  'Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

I imagine Nathan pointing his finger at David, and on behest of God Himself, accusing David of these awful crimes.

God had given everything to David. He had made him king, and blessed him with protection, wealth, and privilege. God even says that if that was not enough He would have given David even more.

David had despised God's Word by committing these sins.

Nathan then spells out God's judgment.

2 Samuel 12:10-14 NAS95

'Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'  [11]  "Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.  [12]  'Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.'"  [13]  Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.  [14]  "However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die."

David’s child would die, several other sons would alsodie, one son would rape his sister, and another son would seek his throne. Finally, his son Absalom would commit public adultery with David's wives.

Psalm 51 records David's heartfelt confession and repentance. God forgives him and accepts him back. However, the consequences will be severe for the rest of his life.

When we sin, God does not doom us to hell. Instead, he reaches out for us, attempting to lead us to repentance.

But note this fact: just as David had to reap what he had sown, so we too will have to bear the judgment for our sin. If we sin, the hand of God's judgment will fall upon us.

God will discipline us to bring us back into His service. As true believers in the Lord, we are rebuked and punished by the Lord when we sin.

If there is some sin hanging over your head, confess it to the Lord; repent of your sin, asking God to forgive and restore you.

He is waiting to do so.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to never harbor sin in our heart.

May we understand that You are waiting to forgive us of our sins as we confess and repent of them.

We thank You for the forgiveness of our sins; for the provision of a Savior.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Tuesday, July 27th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Excuses!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

Welcome to the Tuesday, July 27th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today’s episode is titled:

Excuses

Have you ever provided or used an excuse to cover up or explain a failure in your private, public, or vocational life?

I imagine that we have all been guilty of this.

Sometimes, our excuse is justified or has some merit, while at other times, we use it just to cover up or explain a failure in one or more areas of our lives.

You probably know where I am going with this.

What if we move this conversation over into the spiritual realm?

Have you ever provided or used an excuse to explain a failure in your spiritual life?

A moment ago, I noted that excuses sometimes are justified or have some merit in our private, public, or vocational life.

However, when we talk about using excuses to cover up or explain a failure in our spiritual lives, they are not justified, nor do they have any merit.

For most of us, we hate being put on the spot when we have failed to do something and do it in the way we were instructed. But, the truth be told, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God’s leading and voice.

Think about this:

When we offer excuses for our failures to obey or to follow God’s leading, we are, in essence, telling Him that it is too hard to completely and faithfully follow and obey His voice.

The Bible is full of examples of people providing excuses. One such time that always comes to my mind is with Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3:8-13 NAS95

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  [9]  Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” [10]  He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” [11]  And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” [12]  The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” [13]  Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. They offer up excuses for their sin.

Moses offers up excuses when God calls him as the deliverer and leader of the Israelite nation in Exodus 3 and 4. When God addresses his concerns, Moses comes up with another.

God does not take no for an answer. The ending verses of Moses’ excuses are found in:

Exodus 4:12-16 NAS95

“Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”  [13]  But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”  [14]  Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.  [15]  “You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do.  [16]  “Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

God is not amused when we offer excuses.

Here’s something to remember:

When called by God to do something, most of us feel that we are inadequate for the task. I include myself in that statement.

However, God always equips us for the task.

God expects obedience - immediately - if we don’t obey, we are in danger of God’s wrath. This pertains to following both His commandments and His calling.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to always be obedient in all areas of our lives.

Strengthen our resolve to serve You.

Guide our hearts and minds this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Monday, July 26th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

It's All Mine!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

Welcome to the Monday, July 26th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

It's All Mine

In our nation, almost 250 million people identify themselves as Christians. Of those, only 1½ million regularly tithes. Within most churches, between 10-25% of the members provide most of a church's finances.

The question I want us to consider is:

"Does God have the right to demand my time, talent, and treasure for His use?"

Here's a truth attached to that question:

If we are honest, every one of us struggles with the giving of our time, talent, and treasure unto the Lord.

Of the three areas mentioned, the giving of our treasure is sometimes the easiest because we can write a check or drop some cash into the offering plate or box and feel we have fully honored God.

What about the other two areas – time and talent?

We often complain that all the hours of the week are filled with the necessary tasks of life. Life constantly pulls us in many directions at once. However, I have found, and maybe you have as well, that if I want to spend time on something, I find the time no matter how full my day might be.

We demonstrate our love for God when we spend time with him in His Word and prayer.

If God is truly number one in our lives, don't you think we should prioritize and set aside some of our time for him?

Each of us also has a talent that we can use for the Lord's work. God has indicated in His Word that He has provided His Church and its members with the necessary tools - that is – talents or gifts, to get the job done.

Ephesians 4:11-12 NAS95

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,  [12]  for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.

I have found that when a person steps out in faith and involves himself in ministry, his gift will often become apparent. This is because you have been given a talent that is a God-given gift. God expects you to use it.

The last in the list is our treasure. So much of our views concerning money probably came from our parents. Mine often discussed finances around the dinner table. My father grew up during the 1930s, when families had very little. He constantly told us to be careful with our money and to realize that one could only spend it once.

We are very prone to the thought of:

"I earned my money. No one gave me anything. I had to work for it."

It may be true that you put in long hours to get where you are. Yet it is God who created you in the first place and gave you the strength and talent to make money.

God's ownership of everything is a foreign concept to most of us. We like to think of it as our money and our possessions. Yet the Bible makes it clear that God owns everything.

I have seen the following thought expressed many times concerning how we view our money. It is illustrated through the following two statements.

1. "How much of my money shall I use for God?" or,
2. "How much of God's money shall I use for myself?"

Like our time and talent, God wants His portion. Therefore, we are to give of our treasure cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NAS95

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  [7]  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

if all Christians simply tithed, it would radically change the Church, and by definition, the world.

We must understand that we are only stewards of everything. If that is clear in our hearts and minds, our giving and ministry involvement will reflect our love for and thankfulness to the Lord.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We very easily fall into the trap of thinking we are the cause of all things in our lives.

Help us to give back the time, talent, and treasure that You have given us.

 Help us to be useful workers in Your kingdom.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Sunday, July 25th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

The Seed Decides The Fruit!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Sunday, July 25th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

The Seed Decides The Fruit

I grew up on a farm/ranch in the state of South Dakota.

We mainly raised corn, barley, oats, and milo. Most, if not all, of the grain, went for feeding the cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens.

Each spring, the fields would be prepared, the seed would be purchased, and then planted in the prepared fields.

If I had been asked, "What do you get if you plant a kernel of corn?" I would have looked at the person as thought he were daft.

The same would have been true if I had been asked, "What do you get if you plant a kernel of barley?"

Even a small child knows the answer to these questions.

Right!

Did you get the point?  If it wasn't clear, here it is! The Seed decides the Fruit — you get what you plant!

If everybody knows it is true, why do so many people forget this rule in life?  The Bible says that this principle also applies to us.

Galatians 6:7 NAS95

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

How many times have you and I looked back on something we did and just shook our heads?  How could we have been so stupid to forget about or not correctly understand the possible results of our actions?

History has validated the principle that the seed decides the fruit. It has demonstrated that cows produce baby calves, elephants bear baby elephants, and humans give birth to humans. The same goes for every seed or tree on the planet.

In a nutshell,

If you want watermelons, you don't plant potatoes.

Though we may plant one kind of lifestyle and hope to harvest the produce of another, we will be greatly disappointed.

Job 4:8 NLT

My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.

So many people are trusting that though they lived their lives as they wished, God will transform the results into something acceptable for eternity.

More accurately, it is as the plaque in my boyhood home which said:

Only what is done for Christ will last!

We will be paid the wages due us at the end of time.

Proverbs 11:18 NAS95 explains it well:

The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

At times, it does appear that evil people seem to prosper over the righteous, but history records that their riches are often unsatisfying and do not endure. Their riches will be of no value when it counts the most.

However, for the person who honors God, the rewards they are building up in heaven are real and permanent.

We can never fool God, though people try to all of the time.

As believers, we must not forget the principle of this devotional:

The Seed decides the Fruit — you get what you plant!

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

May we never forget the principle illustrated in this devotional.

May we never fall into the trap of thinking that we can fool You.

Help us to live lives that are pleasing unto you.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares a Sunday message titled,

God's On Your Side

Can faith survive - or more accurately, how can faith survive in the face of life's most tragic and trying circumstances?   Even as Christians, we sometimes wonder how we are going to make it through.

If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you are a son or daughter of the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and earth and as such are watched over and cared for by Him.

If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you can be assured of one great truth: God works all things out for good; He does this for those who truly love Him.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

The music "Be Thou My Vision", "He Is Lord", and "Blessed Assurance" are arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. 

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed, it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

Welcome to Saturday, July 24th!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

Feeding The 5,000

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Gospel Lesson - John 6:1-21.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

This podcast is a ministry outreach of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argle, Minnesota - United States.

* * * * *

Welcome to the Saturday, July 24th Cross Talk 7-Minute Bible Study.

Today's study is titled:

Feeding The 5,000

This is Pastor Warren.

Please pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing?

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Saturday Bible Study, we consider the words of this week's Gospel Lesson: John 6: 1-21.

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper analysis of the current passage. But, more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

Let's begin:

This week's Gospel Lesson is a favorite of all Sunday School students since one of the hero's of the story is a young boy with five barley loaves and two fish.

Creating faith and training the disciples continued throughout the three years of the public ministry of Jesus. Such events as the Feeding of the 5,000 would have significantly enhanced their faith and trust in Him.

The Gospel Lesson tells us that Jesus fed 5,000 men plus women and children; perhaps as many as 15,000 people, with five small loaves of bread and two fish.

More than that, not only were all the people satisfied – but there were also 12 baskets of leftovers - one basket for every doubting disciple!

Follow along as I read this week's Gospel Lesson:

John 6:1-21 NAS95

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).  [2]  A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.  [3]  Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.  [4]  Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.  [5]  Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?"  [6]  This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.  [7]  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little."  [8]  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, *said to Him,  [9]  "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"  [10]  Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.  [11]  Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.  [12]  When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost."  [13]  So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.  [14]  Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."  [15]  So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.  [16]  Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,  [17]  and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.  [18]  The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.  [19]  Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.  [20]  But He *said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."  [21]  So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

This passage in Scripture presents a portrait of Jesus Christ as the Bread Of Life and is the only sign recorded in all four Gospels (besides the resurrection of Jesus).

It says that the crowd had followed Jesus after either witnessing or hearing about His many miracles.

That makes sense. There have always been sick and diseased people. But, in that day, without any of our current medical remedies, such sicknesses and diseases could persist for years.

When Jesus sees the immense crowd, He is concerned about their needs.

The Mark account says that it was late in the day:

Mark 6:35 NAS95

When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and it is already quite late.

The compassion of Jesus is shown in His interest in and ministry to the multitude.

Christ is abundantly able to solve our problems when we yield our limited resources to Him and obey Him implicitly.

When preaching on this passage, I often point out the several different kinds of faith present.

First, there is the pessimistic faith of Philip.

John 6:5-7 NAS95

Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?"  [6]  This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.  [7]  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little."

All Philip could see was the hopelessness of the situation. He failed to realize whom he was talking to – who was present right beside him. Instead, Philip focused on the impossibility of the problem. He notes that not even 200 denarii – the wages of 200 days of labor for a typical worker would buy enough bread for so many to have even a little.

Andrew does a little bit better in the faith department. He, at least, looks for what is available.

John 6:8-9 NAS95

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, *said to Him,  [9]  "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?"

Andrew saw Christ's concern, so he went among the crowd and searched for food.  He found and gathered all of the resources he could.

But, even then, he also complains:

But what are these for so many people?

Christ Himself demonstrated for His disciples the kind of solid faith they were to have in God.

While the Feeding of the 5,000 is profound, I have always been struck by what happened once the meal was done in verse 13:

John 6:13 NAS95

So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

How many disciples were there? 12

How many baskets of leftovers? 12

Can you imagine the disciples looking down and contemplating the baskets of leftovers?

They knew that 5,000 men had been fed, along with many women and children, using only five loaves of bread and two fish.

As we see in later verses, many of the people missed the point. They saw only someone who could supply the ache in the stomach and not the ache in their souls.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the way You provide for our needs on an ongoing basis.

Help us to trust in Your compassion and ability to do so.

May our faith increase through our study of this Gospel Lesson.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!