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The below devotion was written in 2019 by George Whitten for Worth Devotionals. Worthy Devotionals are wonderful and have taught me so much! You can sign up for them here 🙂

“A story is told of Peter Miller, a plain Baptist preacher of Pennsylvania, in the days of the Revolutionary War. Near his church, lived a man who maligned the pastor to the last degree. The man became involved in treason and was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. The preacher started out on foot and walked the entire way to Philadelphia roughly seventy miles away to plead for the man’s life. George Washington heard his plea, but he said, “No, your plea for your friend cannot be granted.” “My friend!” said the preacher. “He is the worst enemy I have.” What!” said Washington, “you have walked nearly seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon.”

Like this precious pastor, although we don’t go out looking for enemies, we somehow seem to acquire them just by doing the work of the Lord! Many of you know how many times we’ve been attacked by hackers since we moved to Israel. These people probably spend weeks — not hours, not days — but weeks or even more trying to figure out pass codes and configurations in order to destroy our sites and all the work of the Lord going on there! It can be extremely upsetting to see someone steal away years of your hard work like that. You just want to know who?! and why?! and what did I do to deserve this?!

Last Thursday and Friday, quite a few people sent emails asking where their Worthy Brief was. Last Wednesday night, hackers hijacked my email credentials and sent out 300,000 spam messages in my name! This happened just before a speaking engagement in California. Even though our servers were never hacked into, hackers were able use my good name to send spam — in essence using my good reputation in order to flood the web with spam.

I’m sure many of you are experiencing your share of enemy assaults too and can relate to what I’m saying! But how should we react to these assailants? Should we curse them and hunt them down to get our revenge? This pastor had every earthly right to be satisfied with this man’s sentence. After all, this man probably destroyed his reputation — perhaps even his entire ministry! But this wise pastor saw right through the man. He realized that the offense committed did not originate with the man who slandered him. This man was merely a pawn in the hands of a cruel and crafty adversary, Satan himself. Clearly, it’s our ultimate enemy, Satan, who is out to slander us, to steal from us, hurt us, lie, kill and destroy us and he’ll use any means possible to do it.

In the same way, we must realize who is truly our enemy and come against him the best way we can — determine to press forward for God’s Kingdom even more than before!

When we strive to do the work of the Lord, we will undoubtedly gain some enemies! But we must ambush our archenemy who is manipulating these people and situations! How? By praying more! Learning the word more! Sharing the Gospel more! Forgiving more! Becoming wiser and stronger in the Lord! Becoming more like Yeshua (Jesus)! Press forward toward the Kingdom of God today — your great reward will be with Him!”

Remember Moses and the Burning Bush?  I wonder sometimes if we would believe in the Ten Commandments if Moses shared them with us now?  Or would the media desperately try to come up with a reason, any reason, so that we wouldn’t believe that the Ten Commandments came from God?

Or what about Paul? In the Bible it tells us of Paul:

“And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.  And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.”

“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,  Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.  And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.  For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” -Acts 22:6-16

Would we believe Paul/Saul or would be find a reason to disbelieve him?   Or would the media find it for us?

Faith is a choice.  A choice we need to make every morning.  We either believe that the Bible is True, or we don’t.  We either believe that Jesus is a liar, or our Savior ?

The days of being in-between or on the fence are over.  We need to choose a side and “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” ?

^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 [a]gentleness, self-control” – Galatians 5:22-33

We all suffer at times.  Sometimes it’s an illness or someone we love – leaves…War, hunger and poverty all cause great suffering…Worry, anxiety and fear, can also cause great suffering.  Sometimes it’s a crisis of faith that causes great pain and fear.

Jesus knew that in this world there would be “troubles”.  Because God loves us so, He sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort and help us during these times.  To lift us up and out ?.  To lead the way ?

When it feels like the “chips are down” and pain or fatigue overwhelms us, this is a great prayer:

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” – Psalm 51:12

God sent us the Holy Spirit for a reason, call upon Him today.  Be lifted up ?

“The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.” -Isaiah 50:4

It’s hard to encourage someone who is weary if we don’t know how. God’s Promises are many and filled with Hope, but in order to share that Hope, we have to know those Promises!

“In the book All the Promises of the Bible, the author Herbert Locklear found 7,147 promises from God to man in the Bible. That is a lot of promises”-ChasingVibrance. And it is! Sometimes it can be hard for some to know where to start when reading the Bible. So if you are looking for a place to begin, look up God’s Promises 🙂

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”-Psalm 119:105

Remember all those Sunday School classes where we learned to memorize Bible verses? They were more important than we realized! Or the 25 Bible Verses to memorize from Focus on the Family? Or Veggie Tales? They all helped our children to memorize God’s Word in their Hearts. And because they did, they can share them with others 🙂

Whether it is illness or death, or simply the fatigue that can come from life, God’s Word can lift us up and help us keep walking. Just as God’s Promises can give us the Hope to hang in there. It is one of life’s greatest privileges to be able to offer both 🙂

The Rainbow belongs to God. It is a reminder for us that God Keeps His Promises 🙂. The Rainbow belongs to God. It always will because God made it 🙂

“Hide God’s Word in your Heart”, so that you can share it 🙂

^“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may ^[b]prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you^[c] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7-9

God told Joshua the above after His servant Moses died.    It was true then and it is true now!  One of the reasons God created these laws is because having created us, God knew what would help us to be happy and successful.

Let’s look at one example.  “Thou shall not kill”.  Killing doesn’t bring happiness to anyone.  Nor does it bring success.  But if we repent, Jesus forgives all. However, even if Jesus forgives us, we at times, find it difficult to forgive ourselves. And so the guilt and pain may stay with the “killer” long after Jesus has already forgiven them.

Yes, God does give us the “law” to teach us how to live a righteous life.  But part of the reason our Father teaches us how to live a righteous life is because He knows that it is a righteous life which will bring us happiness and success. 

Just as being with God, is all that we need ?.

Prepare, Watch & Pray.  Be Ready.  Our Time Is Coming…

Sometimes it is good to take a moment to remember the faith of our youth, whether it is the faith of our childhood, or whether it is simply the beginning of our faith (for example, if we came to faith when we were older).  When we are young in our faith, faith is simple.  And it is joyful. 

As we grow in faith, we begin to also take on the responsibilities of being one of the faithful.  And we begin to see the world as it is, instead of how we wish it were.  And because we do, we also begin to see that we have our own responsibilities in it.

At times, we hear this difference sometimes referred to as the difference between a “young” Christian and a “mature” one.  Both are needed!

So often, the “young” Christian brings the enthusiasm, energy and courage that we all need ?.  They have no doubts, no fear and no fatigue.  They question everything, but doubt not the Lord.  They are ready to climb any mountain, fight any fight, and pull us along with them.  They make every one around them smile.  They bring hope where hope is needed, just as they sometimes bring change where change is needed ?

Then there are the “mature” Christians.  They are just as necessary.  They have lived a long time with Jesus as their Savior.  Their Bibles often have turned corners and worn pages.  They pray often and long.  They known the Lord well, and the world well too.  They have experienced their share of suffering and survived with their faith intact.  They have learned how to turn to the Lord in their day of trouble and lean on Him.  And they have learned how to be in the world, but not of it. Their faith has stood the test of time, and they have much wisdom to share.

We need each other!

In a church, in a Bible study, praying together.  And praying for each other.  It matters not where we stand physically, but that we love God and each other always.

“The storm is strong; He will give you rest”, (Rest by Enterline).

In Jesus’ Name, Do Not Fear

“A little science estranges men from God, but much science leads them back to him.” – Louis Pasteur

What was God’s Greatest Promise? God Keeps All Of His Promises! But The Greatest Promise That God Ever Made was that we would find Him 🙂

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

And that is A Promise God will always Keep 🙂

In Jesus’ Name. Amen 🙂

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ² Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. ³ Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. ⁴ Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” -Psalm 105:1-4

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Phillipeans 4:7

We live in dark times, but God is the Light :). The Light we follow and the Light that fills our heart :). We need to Focus on God and all the good in our lives. We need to rest in His Provision for us.

It is important that we don’t allow the world around us to make us to weary now, for darker times are coming.

Watch, Prepare and Pray. Focus on God and all that is good. Be Ready 🙂

” Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” – Isaiah 60:1-2

As the world grows darker, many will seek the light-The Light of Christ, for it is Light of Christ who will lead them Home to Heaven.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

But sometimes those we love, and even those we don’t know very well, need our help to find the way:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Be The Light!

Some have asked me why my faith, in the face of so many challenges, remains so strong. It’s not something I did, but something God did :). Faith comes through prayer. And that’s why my faith stays strong, no matter what life brings.

I pray always. I pray when I feel like it and when I don’t. I pray when my faith is strong and when it is weak. And when I can’t think of anything specific to pray about, I pray the Our Father and the Rosary.

I pray when I am happy (I say Thank You a lot). And when I am angry or sad, I pray and ask God not to allow my heart to harden. And when I have been hurt and need to forgive someone, I ask God to help me.

But whatever is happening in my life; I never stop praying! And I pray like others breathe.

It has always worked for me, and it will work for you. Because God is that good and He loves us 🙂

Faith is not about how we feel on any given day, but about who we choose to follow every single day 🙂