“I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7,9).

Doors are important. Doors provide privacy. Doors provide security. Most of us shut and lock our doors, at least at night, to be sure we are safe. We even describe being outside as “out of doors.” The difference between inside and outside in this context is a door.

Doors also provide access. You want the correct door. If you are going to an office building or a school, for example, you are likely to be concerned about which door you enter. It is such a relief to find the right door, and to find that it is unlocked; and that when you enter, you have found the right place.

Adam and Eve had to have been traumatized to find they were locked out of the Garden of Eden after they sinned. “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24).

On the other hand, after entering the ark along with all the animals, Noah and his family were probably relieved when “the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7:16b). They had built the ark according to God’s instructions, probably with some wonderment. Then the floodwaters came, a phenomenon they had never-before experienced, and which must have been frightening. But as relieved as Noah and his family may have been, just think how hopeless all the remaining people must have felt as they saw the floodwaters rising and the door to the ark shut tight.

When Moses was instructed to build the tabernacle to house the ark of the covenant, we again find cherubim, now guarding the Most Holy Place. This time images of cherubim were woven into the fabric of the veil or thick curtain, a “door” of sorts which served as a barrier to make sure that man could not carelessly and irreverently enter into God’s awesome presence. “The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” (Exodus 26:33b) “Aaron must wear it (a special robe) when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die” (Exodus 28:35).

And then, when Jesus died on the cross, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51a). Now, according to Hebrews 10:19-20, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body….” This access, which had been denied since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden, is now available because of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Now, not only has Jesus opened the way for us to enter into his presence by his death on the cross, but He is also seeking us. In Revelation 3:20, he invites us to let him in. Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (And if you are following the I AM theme in this series of devotions, remember that the first devotion was on Jesus as the Bread of Life. So, we are continuing that eating/food metaphor also.) Jesus not only knocks on the door, He is the door. And He watches over us as a shepherd to protect his flock from predators.

It was our sin that created the barrier to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, to the ark for everyone except Noah and his family, and to the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. And it was Jesus who tore down the barrier, who became the door to eternal life by his atoning death on the cross.  “I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9)

We learned in elementary school that our sun is the origin of our light, and that even the light from the moon is only reflected light. So how can it be that God spoke light into existence even before he created the sun, moon, and stars? Genesis 1:1-5 reads:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”

It was not until the fourth day of creation that He created the sun, moon, and stars. How can it be? It is because God himself is the light. “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Fast forward to the Book of Revelation at the end of the Bible when the new heaven and earth is revealed. The new Jerusalem comes down from heaven and “shines with the glory of God.” “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23).

Light represents God’s glory. In both James 1:17 and 1 John 1:5, God’s essence and personality are equated with all that is “light.” In the Bible, darkness often symbolically refers to evil, sin, and corruption. Therefore, light represents goodness, honesty, purity, wisdom, glory, and love—everything that God is. (Reference)

Therefore, Jesus acknowledged his divinity, his role in creation, and his role in our redemption when he said in John 8:12 – “I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

What is the takeaway for us as believers? Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that as believers and disciples, we are the light of the world. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Like the moon that can only shine the reflected light of the sun, we as believers can only shine the reflected light of God the Father and God the Son. This is important because Jesus told us to let our light shine before men so that our good deeds can be seen which will give glory to our Heavenly Father.

Fellow believers, we are to shine our lights!! Even though we are mere mortals, we have the power of the light in us. The physical nature and power of light is such that one drop of light can dispel the darkness. We have such a unique and valuable opportunity as Mission staff to be the light of Christ to those we serve; to dispel the darkness that plagues their lives; and to provide Hope for Today, Hope for Tomorrow, and Hope for Eternity.

 “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6b).

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

“Taste and see that the Lord is good….” (Psalm 34:8).

At the time this devotional is published I am on vacation with friends, and one of our most cherished activities is eating together. Even though we are at a state park in separate cabins, we share resources to prepare and eat several meals together. God did endow me with a major love of eating, and I just love the whole “bread” metaphor in the Bible.

God in his wisdom created man with a need for bread. Every nationality has different dietary customs, but I think each one has some equivalent of bread on the menu. It is universal. The first mention of bread in the Bible was when “…Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High… (Genesis 14:18). Shortly thereafter, in Genesis 18:6, “… Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. ‘Quick,’ he said, ‘get three seahs (approx. 27 quarts) of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.’”

And we all know of how God provided manna (bread) for the entire Exodus journey from the Mt. Sinai until they crossed over the Jordan River to the Promised Land (Exodus 16:35). God sustained Elijah and the widow of Zarephath for three and one-half years through the miraculous provision of oil and flour (1 Kings 17:13-14). Those are just a couple of the stories where bread plays a major part in the action.

Bread was even an element of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Grain offerings were to be baked into cakes of bread for the sacrificial fellowship or peace offerings as described in Leviticus 7:11-16. According to the website GotQuestions.org, “Most sacrifices in the Old Testament system were not eaten by worshipers, but the peace offering was meant to be eaten—only a portion of the animal or grain brought to the altar was burned; the rest was given back to the worshiper and to the poor and hungry. The beautiful picture here is of God’s provision for His people, both physically and spiritually. His grace and goodness are present throughout the offerings. In the peace offering, God was providing what we need: a way to thank Him for His goodness and physical sustenance.”

When we get to the New Testament, the best-known story about bread is when Jesus fed the five thousand with five small barley loaves and two fishes (John 6). And when the crowd of people followed him to the other side of the lake, Jesus challenged them saying that they were only following him because he had filled their bellies. He went on to tell them that they should be seeking food that would not spoil—food that would endure to eternal life. “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’‘Sir,’ they said, ‘always give us this bread.’”

Then, in verse 35, “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”

As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life. He is nourishment for our soul, but we must partake to get the benefit. The bread on the shelves of the grocery store does us no good. The bread in our pantry does us no good either. It is not until we consume it that it nourishes us, that it saves our lives.

The breaking and eating of bread is especially good when we acknowledge the communal aspect. I admit that I eat far too many meals in my car (any is too many). It is not mindful, and the nutritionists will tell you that mindful eating is healthier. Food is meant to be enjoyed. We are meant to savor our food, to be aware of where it comes from. Jesus includes this acknowledgement of our Provider in his model prayer when he says “Give us the day our daily bread”. And during the Last Supper, Jesus models gratitude for his meal when he prays. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’”

So, whether we are alone in our car or around the table with family or friends, let us use the actual act of eating to invite Jesus to join in the celebration of our meal, to commune with us. Let us use this time to remember that while we are dependent upon God and therefore thankful for our food, we are even more dependent upon the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus and therefore thankful for the spiritual nourishment that comes from our Savior.

Break Thou the Bread of Life

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

In the Book of Exodus, when Moses meets God at the burning bush, God states his own name for the first time. He is telling Moses that this is my name, and this is how you are to introduce me to my people. It is an all-inclusive name. It conveys eternity: He is in every time, past, present, and future. It conveys self-existence; He is dependent upon no one and nothing for his existence. God is the Creator, and everything other thing that has ever existed was created by him. Unfathomable, unsearchable, truly awesome.

Essential and foundational to our faith is knowing God. Yet what a challenge! God is so much more than our human minds can grasp. In Romans 11:33-34 (quoting from Isaiah 40;13) – Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” This is the Apostle Paul speaking. If he is in awe of God, how much more should we be.

The best way to know about God is to read his Word to us in the Bible. We can read account after account of how God has accomplished great and good things; how he has made and kept his promises. Even Balaam, a pagan prophet, acknowledged that “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19). I especially like how our CEO, Glenn Cranfield, puts it. “God is who he says he is, and he can do what he says he will do.”

In the New Testament, when the crowds challenged Jesus as to his identity, they referenced Abraham. “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” (John 8:53). Jesus replied: “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). With this statement, Jesus invoked his own divinity as the second person of the Trinity. In other chapters of the book of John, Jesus makes seven “I AM” statements of his own:

1. “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)
2. “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
3. “I am the door.” (John 10:7)
4. “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
5. “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14)
6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
7. “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5)

Finally, three times in the Book of Revelation, Jesus tells John: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). In subsequent Chaplain Corner devotionals, we will explore these “I AM” statements of Jesus and how they relate to the message of the entire Bible of redemption and reconciliation.

The best way to know about God is to study His Word. The best way to know God is to believe what his Word says to us and to put that belief into practice. What does this mean for you and me? It makes all the difference to me when I pray. If I begin my prayer as Jesus instructed, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,” and when I ponder who he is and how he has kept his promises throughout all time, then I can pray with confidence, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” God is who he says he is, and he can do what he says he will do.

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).

This wonderful word from God is especially reassuring when we understand the context. Moses is prophesying to the children of Israel about future times if/when they become corrupt and begin to worship other idols. At that time, they will be scattered, exiled from the Promised Land to nations that worship other gods.  But, Moses promises, if from there (this place of exile) you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.

Well, brothers and sisters, if you define exile as anywhere outside of the Kingdom of God, as Peter certainly does in 1 Peter 2:11, then we are in exile here on earth even as our true citizenship is in Heaven.

I consider myself a seeker in this sense. I love to think about God. On my good days, He is everywhere I look: in nature, in the faces of my family, in the hands of our incredible staff. On my bad days, he is there, too. I just might not be looking for Him. Or maybe I am looking in the wrong place or in the wrong way or for the wrong things. Right?

Earlier this week I read a passage from Psalm 31 in which the Psalmist tells God, “My times are in your hands.” That is a figure of speech because, of course, God does not have hands. He is a Spirit. We attribute human characteristics to God to help us to understand him, but that is just because our human minds are not capable of comprehending the full scope of His Being. How can we as humans understand the omnipresence of God? Isaiah says, “he sits enthroned above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22).  At the same time, the Psalmist says he is present everywhere, to each of us at the same time (Psalm 139:7-12).

He is there when we are happy and when we are sad.

He is there when we are serving and when we are being served.

He is there when we are healthy and when we are sick.

He is there when we are at church, at home, in our car, at the park, or anywhere else.

He is there when we wish he were not, or even when we forget about him.

God is not hiding from us. All we must do is seek him, open our eyes (see the June 23, 2021, Chaplain’s Corner for a wonderful story about this). He is there in nature; he is there in the face of our loved ones. He is there in the chapel, in the dayroom, in the dining room, the dorms, the office, and the parking lot.

What is more, God sent his son, Jesus, to dwell among us. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).  Jesus, God Incarnate, has always been with us in spirit. But then he condescended to take on humanity to walk right alongside us. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14)

And then, when Jesus knew that he would be returning to heaven, he still promised us that he would be with us always. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:29b). And, to further provide us access to God’s presence, Jesus told us “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—” (John 14:16), which is of course, the Holy Spirit.

My advice is this:

1. When life is going great, give thanks and seek God. You need him more than you know.
2. When life is not going great, pray and seek God. He will provide for your needs.
3. At all times, practice seeking God, remembering who He is and what He has done for you.

“… God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5b).

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14

“…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,
declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Have you ever felt like you were being attacked from every side? Surrounded? If not by a person, then by circumstances? Have you ever felt alone, like no one is on your side? Or maybe you are just so tired and emotionally drained that your own mind and body are in distress? The Bible tells us that we are never alone, even when it feels that way. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Elisha in 2 Kings 6:13-17 when Israel was under continual attack by the King of Aram:

“’Go, find out where he is,’ the king (of Aram) ordered, ‘so I can send men and capture him.’ The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet (Elisha) answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them! Yes!! Even though we cannot see them, we need to know they are there—the vast multitudes of angel armies are arrayed in battle against the enemy. I take immense comfort in this.

There are many other stories in the Bible of God’s miraculous intervention to save his people during their battles against their enemies. Many times, God gave the people the weapons and strength they needed to overpower the enemy. Many other times, it was only by God’s divine intervention that victory was secured. I have included just a few below:

• When the children of Israel were escaping from Israel, God miraculously intervened to part the Red Sea, and to throw their pursuers into confusion and jam their chariot wheels.
• When the children of Israel were beginning their conquest of the Promised Land, God led Joshua to win the Battle of Jericho.
• Again, when Joshua was going up against the five kings of the Amorites, “After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.” (Joshua 10:9-11)
• When the Israelite army was cowering in fear of the Philistines, God helped David, a shepherd boy, to kill Goliath with a rock to defeat the powerful Philistines.
• Another time when God helped the children of Israel to defeat the Philistines: “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.”  (1 Samuel 7:10)
• God spoke to King Jehosophat of Judah: “Your Majesty and everyone from Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you don’t need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side! So, here is what you must do. Tomorrow the enemy armies will march through the desert around the town of Jeruel. March down and meet them at the town of Ziz as they come up the valley. You will not even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy. Do not be afraid. Just do as you are told. And as you march out tomorrow, the Lord will be there with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

In the New Testament, angels broke Peter’s chains and opened the gates of the jail so that he could walk out. You and I need to remember that with God all things are possible. His protection for his people did not end with the New Testament. He will still protect us. He will continue to empower us. He will always fight for us. We just need to realize that he can, and he will. Since we know that is true, then, as the song says, Whom Shall I Fear?

For as long as we are citizens on earth, we will have conflict, sickness, wars, disasters, and all kinds of troubles. That comes with being survivors of the Fall. In fact, Jesus himself told us that “in this world you will have trouble.” But that statement is in the context of what Jesus himself promised us: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Even when we cannot see Him, He is there, fighting against the enemy. Fighting for us. In Him, we will have victory. You will not even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7)

If you have read to this point, I would love for you to share a Bible verse that gives you comfort in times of trials and tribulations.

In Christ,

Judy

Psalm 19:14