“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

We are so very blessed to live on this side of the cross. They had the promise of a Savior. We have the Savior! Those Old Testament heroes of the faith we see listed in Hebrews 11 “… were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (v39).

What was that something better that God had planned for us? We have Jesus! Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!! We have God Himself coming to earth in the person of His Son, as a human, living a perfect life; the gift of His sacrificial atoning death, His miraculous resurrection, and His ascension to Heaven to resume his place sitting at the right hand of His Father. And because of this, we know that we too, we who believe, will also experience resurrection to live in eternity in unity with God. Praise God. This is our hope, and there is no other.

How should we then live? We should live in the truth of the resurrection: that this world is not our ultimate destination. Whatever we experience in each moment of our life on earth is preparation for our eternal life in Heaven. We can persevere because we already know our future. We have these words to live by from the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:54-58):

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality,

then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

How should we then live? “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Jesus himself gave us these commandments, which Matthew recorded:

• “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, ’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).
• “And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:39-40).
• “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Note: “How Should We Then Live” as a title and question in this devotional is borrowed from the title of a book by Francis Shaeffer.

In Christ,

Judy

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13).

Subtitle: Getting Off the Bench and Into the Game

As I write this, I am still celebrating the UT-Vols men’s win over South Carolina to secure the SEC Title. Now on to the SEC Tournament, then the NCAA Tournament, a/k/a March Madness. I am not a sports fanatic, but I do enjoy the contest between athletes. I played some sports in my early years, but now I mostly participate vicariously through my children and grandchildren. And because of my interest, I also appreciate the many sports analogies in the Bibie. I have included a link to a wonderful Table Talk article about this.

My two sons and their families are active in both individual and team sports. Some of my observations from watching them and from my own experience include the following:

First, you have to get off the bleachers and into the game. I go to the kid’s games—both soccer and basketball as well as their swim meets. There is a vast difference between being on the bleachers as a spectator and being on the field, court, or pool as an active participant.

And once in the game, you have to want the ball. In their first years of basketball at ages 5-6, my grandkids had as much fun (maybe more) sitting with their teammates on the sidelines as on the court. But my high school age granddaughter is amazing on the soccer field, yelling for the ball, and running her route to aggressively go after it. She hates being on the bench. It is like the difference between going to church occasionally and sitting in the back, slipping in, and slipping out, hoping not to be noticed, vs. showing up for every service and signing up to serve in some capacity. In other words, throw me the ball, coach, put me in!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Second, it is not all about the event itself. Most of the work is done in the preparation. Staying fit, learning the rules of the sport, and practicing so as to be ready when the whistle blows and the competition begins. One of my sons and his family also participate in various levels of triathlon events. They workout, run, swim, and bicycle daily with little exception, pushing themselves constantly; and as a result, they invariably “make the podium” for their events. I know I am bragging, but I am proud of them and the discipline they exhibit. Their example is a picture of what Paul tells us to do in 1 Timothy 4:7a-10:

“…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Third, at some pre-determined point, the event will end, and the score will be tallied. The shots after the buzzer do not count. The laps after the finish line do not matter. In our earthly games, we know how many minutes are in the game, we know how many miles we must run to get to the finish line. In life, we do not know when the race is over. Only God knows.

Why am I making such a big deal of this? Because Paul does in these Scriptures. His focus is not on sports themselves, but on the metaphor for our participation in the Christian life. We are using sports metaphors, but the better comparison might be to warfare. In sports, it is a friendly competition, but in war it is life and death. And so it is with us as believers. In sports we have an opponent; in warfare we have the enemy. In sports we should shake hands in the end, no matter who wins; in Christian warfare, there is no shaking hands. First we want to win souls to our side, the winning side. Then we want to vanquish the enemy. This takes the desire to go to battle and the discipline of preparedness.

God has placed us in a mission field with other Christian warriors. We are all on the same team with the same mission. Let us each do our part to diligently prepare ourselves for our mission and to eagerly play our role in this great cosmic battle, serving as a soldier of the cross. It is March; it is March Madness. It is two and one-half weeks until Holy Week, Good Friday, and Easter. Very shortly, we will be celebrating the sacrificial death of Christ in atonement for our sins, and His glorious Resurrection with its promise of Eternal Life for all of us. Our charge is to strengthen our own walk and share this wonderful news with everyone God puts in our path. Put me in, coach!!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In Christ,

Judy

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

In these recent devotions, we have been talking about our posture—the various ways in which we position ourselves in relation to God and others: kneeling, sitting, standing, climbing, and now forward movement. I use this label rather than either walking or running (although these are definite implications), because the Bible is clear that regardless of our physical mobility, we are either moving toward or away from God. There is no in-between. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

Walking with God is not always a piece of cake. The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, is a wonderful allegory, told as a dream, about what it is like to journey through life from the “City of Destruction” to the “Celestial City,” otherwise known as Mt. Zion. There are all kinds of side-tracks, pitfalls, dangers, temptations, etc. along the way. This allegory is an accurate description of our life, from birth to death. It has always been a helpful way to describe my “walk” with the Lord, as a pilgrimage with my destination as eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

So, let us be purposeful in our forward movement.

• “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).
• “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
• “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Let us move forward with the right sense of urgency.

• “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
• “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

And let us move forward, in step with God.

• “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).
• “But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). 

And a final word of encouragement. Not only does the Lord go in front of us, He also goes behind us. His Hand is on us always. We are never alone on our pilgrimage. Whether we see Him or not, He is there, both guiding and protecting us. I love this part of the Exodus Story, when the Israelites were approaching the seemingly insurmountable barrier of the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his chariots on fast their heels: “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long” (Exodus 14:19-20). And we all know how that turned out!

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5).

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

In Christ,

Judy

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

In these recent devotions, we have been talking about our posture—the various ways in which we position ourselves in relation to God and others: kneeling, sitting, standing, climbing, and now forward movement. I use this label rather than either walking or running (although these are definite implications), because the Bible is clear that regardless of our physical mobility, we are either moving toward or away from God. There is no in-between. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

Walking with God is not always a piece of cake. The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, is a wonderful allegory, told as a dream, about what it is like to journey through life from the “City of Destruction” to the “Celestial City,” otherwise known as Mt. Zion. There are all kinds of side-tracks, pitfalls, dangers, temptations, etc. along the way. This allegory is an accurate description of our life, from birth to death. It has always been a helpful way to describe my “walk” with the Lord, as a pilgrimage with my destination as eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

So, let us be purposeful in our forward movement.

• “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).
• “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
• “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Let us move forward with the right sense of urgency.

• “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
• “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

And let us move forward, in step with God.

• “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).
• “But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). 

And a final word of encouragement. Not only does the Lord go in front of us, He also goes behind us. His Hand is on us always. We are never alone on our pilgrimage. Whether we see Him or not, He is there, both guiding and protecting us. I love this part of the Exodus Story, when the Israelites were approaching the seemingly insurmountable barrier of the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his chariots on fast their heels: “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long” (Exodus 14:19-20). And we all know how that turned out!

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5).

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

In Christ,

Judy

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights” (2 Samuel 22:34).

Since beginning this series on “posture” three weeks ago, I have become intrigued with the concept of “standing.” Just like “kneeling” conveys submission and “sitting” conveys community, “standing” conveys steadfastness and power. Who is standing when others fall? There are so many situations in which we are to stand. We stand trial. We withstand the tests of time. We stand in line, stand in for others. I loved the old song, “Standing on the Promises.”

For a person who is well-known and respected, we say they have “standing” in the community. That means they are someone to be listened to and followed. “Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz” Ruth 2:1).

Standing firm is an emphatic positioning meaning (literally and/or figuratively) “I’m not going anywhere.” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (Exodus 14:13). Nashville Rescue Mission is standing firm in its physical location in Nashville, and in its stance on the Gospel. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

We stand in reverence. “Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up” (Nehemiah 8:5). “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds Lord” (Habakkuk 3:2a).

To stand in a setting can imply a place of honor and responsibility.
“At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today” (Deuteronomy 10:8).

It can also imply strength. “No one will be able to stand against you. The Lord your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go” (Deuteronomy 11:25).

Standing does not convey lack of humility or community; in fact, it implies both of those things. One of the most inspiring scriptures in the Bible is in the passage in which Stephen is being stoned to death. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Remember that after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God. The visual of this scripture, seeing Jesus stand to recognize the complete giving over of Stephen’s life to follow Jesus, Stephen’s willingness to die for Jesus, fills my heart. Jesus is not submitting to Stephen in any way, but he is standing in recognition and welcome to his brother.

There are so many examples of God giving us a place to stand. “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2).

So many examples of where God calls us to stand up. “l stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts” (Habakkuk 2:1).

Most of all, we stand in hope, in the confident promise of our LORD and Savior. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:12-14).

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).

In Christ,

Judy

“Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land” (Proverbs 31:23).

Sitting is a common posture. We read examples in the Bible of people sitting at home, sitting on a donkey, sitting at a gate, sitting in judgment. We sit all the time—at work (well, some of us), at home, at church, in restaurants, etc.

I want to focus on three types of sitting. Think of this posture as an element of the setting and intention of the activity.

In class – The assumption here is that we are sitting in class or in church to learn from a teacher, pastor, or supervisor. Our posture should be to sit attentively, to eliminate distractions, and to engage appropriately with the leader of the session. Even though we are not the one speaking, we should participate with our attention and nonverbal reactions.

As a student or disciple, we figuratively sit at the feet of our teacher, hungry to absorb all that he has to teach us. In the story of Mary and Martha, we learn that when Jesus visited the home of Martha, that “She (Martha) had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” When Martha complained about Mary to Jesus, Jesus replied: Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

I had a pastor tell our congregation one time that he noticed when we were sleeping or inattentive, and when we were engaged. He said our engagement really made a difference; it energized him. I have tried to remember that when I am sitting in any audience, I am a participant, not just a seat-filler.

In community – Another time we find ourselves sitting is at the table with our friends, either one-on-one or in a larger group, perhaps enjoying a meal or good discussion of some sort. In this posture or setting of community, let us be mindful that we are sitting with two kinds of people—believers and nonbelievers. That is the only distinction that matters. When we are sitting with our fellow believers, we should be mindful that every opportunity to gather with others is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, provide encouragement and edification, to console. And when we are sitting with nonbelievers (or if we are not sure), then our intention should be to point them to Jesus.

“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:15-17).

In a public setting – Most of us have experienced sitting in a doctor or hospital waiting room, sitting on the bus or plane, or some other office. This is my biggest missed opportunity. I tend to focus on the waiting, either fretting about the waste of time or selfishly retreating into a book or headphones. I so admire those who see this for what it is—an opportunity to speak life into a stranger God puts into your life who, like you, is also waiting. Being effective in a setting like this, more than any other, requires prayer and discernment, because we have no foreknowledge of the other person’s history or personality.

I have a friend who drives for Lyft, and she sees it as a ministry. She has had amazing and varied opportunities to interact with her passengers, including some that her life has not particularly equipped her for. However, if we, like her, pray for opportunities, they will come our way; and if we pray for guidance, the Holy Spirit will never fail us.

Whether active or passive, the point is this: we should be mindful of our setting and our purpose in it. Sometimes the temptation is to lose ourselves in a crowd, or the opposite—to stir up undue attention in a crowd. Remember, you always have something to offer, so be prayerful and mindful of how to apply the fruits of the Spirit and your gift of the Spirit, no matter the setting. Think about your day and the opportunities you will have and pray to God for his direction in each situation.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).

In Christ,

Judy

“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘He is good; his love endures forever’” (2 Chronicles 7:3). 

The Bible uses lots of verbs for our posture: standing, sitting, kneeling, lying down or prostrate, and verbs for our movement such as walking, running, and climbing. Sometimes we stand during a worship service, sometimes we sit, and sometimes we kneel. Sometimes during prayer we stand, sometimes we kneel, sit, or lie prostrate. Sometimes we raise our hands, sometimes we fold them. Does it matter? 

Let us take some time to explore what the Bible says. Today we will start with kneeling, sometimes with our face to the floor which is also called prostration. We are more familiar with kneeling, but it might be helpful to know that the definition of prostrate is to “lie face-downward in submission or despair.” A biblical example of this is included in one of my favorite stories about one of the most famous prophets in the Bible, Elijah. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah calls down fire from heaven in a showdown with the prophets of Baal.  

“At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!’” (1 Kings 18:36-39). 

I would submit that falling prostrate at this demonstration of God’s power was most appropriate. There are many examples of both kneeling and prostration in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments: 

Moses prostrated himself before God in intercessory prayer: “I lay prostrate before the Lord those forty days and forty nights because the Lord had said he would destroy you” (Deuteronomy 9:25). 

David prostrated himself before Saul, his King: “When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground” (1 Samuel 24:8). 

When Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream: “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell  prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him” (Daniel 2:46). 

And when the angel Gabriel came to Daniel in a dream: “As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. ‘Son of man,’ he said to me, ‘understand that the vision concerns the time of the end’” (Daniel 8:17). 

When approaching Jesus for healing: “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). 

When approaching God in prayer: “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed” (Acts 20:36). 

Kneeling and lying prostrate is a sign of submission and repentance, of being all in, total focus. Interesting side note: I had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the live studio audience when Beth Moore recorded her study on James. At the beginning of each session, she took prayer requests, and then fell to her knees, and then on her face (with all that hair and make-up) and prayed so earnestly to the Lord. I decided to take up that practice during my morning prayer. I was a little nervous about it because I tend to fall asleep when I just close my eyes. However, I have never fallen asleep when on my face in prayer. There is such a total focus that I feel more awake and in tune with the Holy Spirit than any other time. 

The ultimate point I will make is that our posture before God is more than a physical movement: It is a state of mind. Regardless of whether we are on our feet, on our knees, or on our face, our hearts should be in total submission and complete obedience and awe and reverence toward our Lord and Savior, the one true King, the ultimate power source and authority for our lives. Let us follow the example of Christ: 

“…Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8). 

In Christ, 

Judy 

P.S.: If you would like to talk more about any of these devotions or matters that concern you, please stop by my office, or call or text me at 615-804-3453 to arrange a time, and I will be happy to speak with you.