A. Little Devotional

“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There’s a great scene in the Christian sports movie Facing the Giants about unbelief. The coach is talking to his team about their next opponent and the players don’t think they can win. The coach leads one of the players through a grueling blindfolded death crawl to prove to him that all he has to do is overcome that fear and unbelief to achieve his goal. The coach had asked the player if he could crawl 50 yards with someone on his back, and the player insisted he wasn’t able to. But while the player was supposed to only crawl 50 yards, the coach leads him in going the entire 100 yards. It’s an inspiring scene. (*I placed the link below.)

I’m reminded of the account in Mark when a father wanted his son healed of demon-possession. The disciples had tried and failed to help him, so Jesus intervened. Jesus told the father all he had to do was believe. I love the father’s response: “I believe; help my unbelief!” It’s such a genuine moment that we’ve all experienced. We believe God is able, but sometimes we put our own limits on Him because of our fear and doubt. Even when the disciples were unable to heal the boy, Jesus called them faithless. As Jesus told the boy’s father, all things are possible if we believe in Him. However, just as the folks in Nazareth when Jesus came through, we can limit what happens in our lives if we harbor unbelief (see Matt. 13:58). So whatever you’re believing God for – healing, restoration, deliverance, etc. – don’t put the 50-yard limit on Him. As the kids would say, keep it 100 with your faith in God. And watch Him change things because you fully believed He could.

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

One of my absolute favorite movie music montages occurs in Rocky IV. After Rocky decides to avenge Apollo by fighting Drago, he argues with his wife, then he takes a drive while reflecting on his life and the challenge that lies ahead. During this montage, “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper is playing, and it’s a great song about perseverance. It really hammers home the point that Rocky really has no choice. He has to fight Drago. And, whether Robert Tepper realized it or not, it also sends a message to believers about trials.

One of David’s most memorable and cherished Psalms is Psalm 23. Much time could be spent digging into each of the verses, as they all hold valuable truths. But take a closer look at verses 3 and 4. David says that God leads us in the paths of righteousness (verse 3). Then he also says that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (verse 4). While these verses let us know that God is with us through it all, they also point out that the paths to righteousness indeed take us through valleys. In the midst of trials we often question God and even contemplate giving up. But we have to remember that a refining has to take place in order for us to become righteous. So count it all joy (James 1:2-3), and take heart in your troubles (II Corinthians 12:10). For there may not be an easy way out, but we can make it out because of the Way.

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My wife and I were recently watching a TV show and one character asked another a very introspective question – “what do you want?” Since we felt it was such a thought-provoking question, we asked each other. After a few moments, I told her I wanted to be successful, though maybe not the way the world defines it. I want God to be pleased with the man I am and constantly strive to be. I want my family to be saved. I want to do my part in spreading the gospel. If those things happen, I will feel successful.

Paul said something similar in Acts. Here he addressed the elders of the church at Ephesus. During his message, he recounted the work he had done and shared that trials and tribulations usually awaited him on his journey. But he wasn’t moved by this. Regardless of whatever he faced, his life was meaningless if he didn’t finish the work that God had given him. It’s the same work that we all have, and, while we may have earthly endeavors, we should always be mainly concerned with doing the work God has given to us. Only then will we hear God say “well done” (Matt. 25:21).

That’s what Paul wanted. So, what do you want?

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Y.O.L.O. (Or YOLO) is a popular acronym that stands for You Only Live Once. The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, but derivations of it can be traced all the way back to Latin with carpe diem (“seize the day”). In the last decade it became popular once again due to rapper Drake’s use of it in his music. Regardless of who came up with it, the phrase is rather inaccurate for us as believers. We, in fact, don’t live only once.

As Paul writes in the verse above, we currently live in earthly houses or tents (our physical bodies). But one day, this tent will be destroyed. However, as believers, we know that our story doesn’t end there. We will live for eternity with God (John 3:16). In fact, the Bible even tells us that our true citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20). We not only live twice, but the second life, the best life, starts after this first one ends! So YDOLO may not sound as cool in a song or look as cool on a t-shirt. But even Drake knows that “God’s Plan” is the coolest one. #YDOLO

“Let all that you do be done with love.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I have always been somewhat of a math nerd. To this day I still remember many of the theorems and properties that we learned in algebra, geometry, calculus, etc. One of my favorites is still the Transitive Property of Equality. It says that if A = B, and B = C, then A = C. It makes so much sense, and it’s one of the easiest to work into normal conversation. 🙂

For example, in the above verse, Paul is wrapping up his first letter to the Corinthians. After addressing the sin in the church, Paul concludes by simply telling them to do everything they do with love. Now if you do a little reading in I John 4, you’ll learn that God is love (I John 4:8). The writer even states that those who abide in love abide in God (v. 16). So, if everything that we do should be done with love, and if God is love, then we can conclude that everything that we do must be done with God. And everything means everything. So, reflect on everything that you do. Is it done with love? Is it done with God? If not, you may want to consult the Book to get your math right. And talk to the Teacher.

*This is part 4 of a 4-part series comparing some of my favorite movies to actual events that are shared in the Bible.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

In 2005, this movie was released as the first of three in the fantasy movie series The Chronicles of Narnia, based on the popular books written by C.S. Lewis. The movie follows the adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, a group of children who are sent to live with an eccentric professor during World War II. While staying in the professor’s house, the children come across an old wardrobe that transports them to the land of Narnia. In Narnia, they meet many different characters, including friends like Mr. Tumnus and the beavers, and enemies like the White Witch. However, the most dynamic character that they meet is Aslan, a great lion who eventually sacrifices himself to save Edmund from the White Witch. He then comes back from the dead to defeat the White Witch and save Narnia.

The parallels between cinema and real life are quite obvious all throughout this particular movie. Nonetheless, I still enjoy watching it and reflecting on the truths revealed through this story and these characters. In particular, I love how our great Lion sacrificed Himself for us just as Aslan did for Edmund. And just like Aslan, Jesus saved us even when we didn’t deserve it.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

What I love even more is how Aslan immediately forgives Edmund, and won’t even let anyone give him grief about his past mistake. God accepts us, loves us and forgives us, regardless of what we’ve done. And it doesn’t matter how bad we’ve messed up in the past. He gives us a clean slate through His sacrificial death on the cross. He died so that we could live. So, no matter where you are or what you’ve done, if you haven’t done so already, accept Him into your life today and secure your eternity (Romans 10:9-10, John 3:16).

It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. And that’s real.

*This is part 3 of a 4-part series comparing some of my favorite movies to actual events that are shared in the Bible.

CITY OF ANGELS

This film was released in the late 90s and was a huge success at the box office. It’s a romantic fantasy film in which the main character is Seth (Nicholas Cage), an angel who is tasked with watching over humans in Los Angeles with his companion Cassiel (Andre Braugher), and guiding them into the afterlife when they die. Seth eventually falls in love with Maggie (Meg Ryan), a human surgeon, and reveals himself to her. He decides to become human through a process known as “falling.” Now mortal, he finds Maggie and she learns that he gave up being an angel for her. They consummate their relationship, and everything is perfect, until Maggie has a bike accident that kills her. The movie ends with Seth accepting his new human limitations and learning to appreciate life. When I first saw this movie, my initial thoughts were of sadness at Seth’s situation. But then I began to wonder if this wild idea was even possible. Well, there’s a precedent. Sorta.

Following the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 and the genealogy of Adam in Genesis 5, we find an interesting narrative at the beginning of Genesis 6. People were multiplying on the earth, and some of these people were very beautiful women. The “sons of God” noticed these women and decided to take them for wives. From these unions nephilim were born.

“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.” Genesis 6:4

As in Job 1:6, we see the phrase “sons of God” used here and it likely refers to fallen angels. Daughters of man refers to human women. So, fallen angels were having intercourse with human women, and the result was the creation of the nephilim, a race of giant, mighty, angel-men warriors. These unique beings are mentioned in a couple other places in the Bible (e.g. Numbers 13 and Ezekiel 32). Though it’s not quite as romantic as the story in City of Angels, it’s nonetheless an interesting account of human and angel interaction.

One thing the movie did get right was the depiction of the unseen protection that angels offer us daily. As the Bible tells us, God sends his angels to protect us and keep us (Psalm 91:11). Not sure if my angels look like Nicholas Cage or Andre Braugher, but I’m very thankful for their very real presence.

*This is part 2 of a 4-part series comparing some of my favorite movies to actual events that are shared in the Bible.

JUMPER

To me, the movie Jumper is pretty underrated with regards to the superhero genre, probably because it’s not about a hero in the more popular Marvel or DC universes. Nonetheless, the main character is very cool. Hayden Christensen, stars as David, a young man who is born with the ability to teleport. When his powers emerge in his teen years, he begins using them to travel the world, with money he’s gotten from teleporting into bank vaults. Teleportation definitely makes my top 5 list of coolest superpowers to have, but the writers of this film (and the book it’s based on) didn’t invent teleportation. An interesting form of traveling instantly from one place to another can actually be found in the Bible.

Check out the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Beginning with verse 26, we see Phillip being led by God to travel to the desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza. There he finds an Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah. The eunuch asks Phillip to help him understand what he’s reading. This encounter leads to Phillip’s preaching the gospel of Jesus to the eunuch, and then baptizing the eunuch in some nearby water. Something interesting happens right after that though.

“Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:39 NKJV

The Spirit took Phillip from that desert road and he ended up in Azotus, a town farther north. This is just one more reminder that we serve a God of miracles. I’m not sure how that happened or even how I would have reacted if I was the eunuch or Phillip. But I am sure of a few things I learn from this story. One, God will give us guidance as we do His work. He will even lead us directly to those who need to hear His Word. Two, God will equip us for the work of the Kingdom. Phillip knew exactly what the eunuch was reading and how he could minister to him. And three, one day, when we have completed our mission here, He will miraculously take us away to be with Him forever.

*This is part 1 of a 4-part series comparing some of my favorite movies to actual events that are shared in the Bible.

SHREK

Back in 2001, I was working as an elementary teacher in a program in Atlanta, GA. One afternoon we decided to take our classes to see the new animated movie Shrek. Initially, I really wasn’t looking forward to this movie, but it instantly became a favorite of mine. The main reason was the character of Donkey. Voiced by Eddie Murphy, Donkey is the hilarious sidekick of the main character, Shrek. One of his most bittersweet traits is his talkative nature. For Shrek, it proved to be both comforting and annoying to have his traveling partner to be such a gabber. For us, it was an animated reenactment of one of the most peculiar Bible stories.

In Numbers 22:1-41, we find the story of Balaam. During the tail end of the wilderness experience of the Israelites, the king of Moab, Balak, became afraid as the Israelites approached. He sent messengers and offers of great gifts to Balaam, who was a man who knew God, to persuade him to curse the Israelites. Balaam consulted God and was initially told not to go curse the Israelites. Feeling the pressure from Balak and the lure of the gifts he offered, Balaam persisted and God eventually told him to go. Along the journey, the Angel of the Lord appeared 3 times to thwart the journey, but was at first only seen by the donkey on which Balaam rode. The donkey attempted to halt the journey every time, and every time Balaam beat her.

“Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?'” Numbers 22:28 NKJV

Not only did Balaam’s donkey speak, but, just like Shrek with Donkey, Balaam actually debated with his donkey over all that had happened!

There are many lessons to be learned here, most importantly to obey God and heed His warnings when you’re on the path to unrighteousness. Another lesson I see is that our God will go to great lengths to aid us in obeying Him, even making animals speak to us. As the Word says, He is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9b). Shrek may be a fictional story on a movie reel, but the lessons we learn from the Balaam story in the Bible are very real. Thank God for His Word.

*This is the fourth post of a four-part Christmas series.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.” Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

One of my favorite songs to sing at Christmas has always been Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. When I was younger, I think I just liked to say “hark.” 🙂 As I got older, and my love for music developed, I realized I loved the upbeat tempo of the tune and it’s cool refrain at the end of every line (Hark! the herald angels sing / glory to the newborn King!). Nowadays, however, the song takes on a much deeper meaning in my heart. This song celebrates not only the lordship of God in our lives, but also the peace God gives to us through His Son.

When Isaiah wrote of the coming Messiah, he called him the Prince of Peace. But Isaiah didn’t mean the peace we think of as the absence of war. The Hebrew translation of peace used here is shalom, which means contentment, completeness and harmony. Isaiah is referring to an inner peace we have because we have peace with God. And we get that peace by accepting the gift of salvation that God offers through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. That’s why the song says “God and sinners reconciled.” Through Jesus we can now have peace with God because we are freed from our sins. And as the Bible says, since we have been reconciled to God, He gives us the ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18). It’s our job to spread the good news to everyone, so that we can all partake in His incredible gift.

So as this holiday season comes to a close, continue to shout the gospel everywhere you go. Sing with the loudest voice “Hail the Heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of righteousness!”

And just for good measure, throw in a “hark” every now and then. 🙂