The Wisdom of the Wise Men

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are some to worship him.

Wisdom is a wanting commodity in the lives of today's Christians. Wisdom is a vital ingredient to the success and spiritual growth of any child of God. Let's look briefly this Christmas season at the evidence of the wise men's wisdom.

First, they sought the Lord. They sought Him with proper motives in their hearts, not selfish reasons of the flesh. They sought Him for who He was, not what He could do for them.

Second, they came to worship Him, and worship Him they did. Oh, to worship the Savior! To have one's soul moved toward Heaven in love and adoration!

In verse 10, we see they rejoiced in Him. They lifted their voices in joy at the presence of Christ. There obviously is a reason for rejoicing when one comes to Jesus for peace, pardon and the pleasure of His presence.

Finally, their threefold wisdom is exemplified in the fact that they gave to Him. They gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They gave gifts that honored Him because He was worthy of their sacrifice.

May God help us to increase in our wisdom and emulate the wise men as they went home "another way" after coming in contact with Him (vs. 12). Merry Christmas!

Surviving Winter

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Titus 3:12-13 I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Snow, ice, stalled cats, heating bills, and below-zero temperatures await many of us in the days ahead. For some of you snowbirds--well, you can quit laughing up your short sleeves now and just thank God you're in a land of palm trees and sand fleas!

In our text, Paul has written to Titus and is requesting something from him, Zenas and Apollos that all of us can use in our lives. His initial desire is for Titus to come and spend the duration of winter with him. Paul is seeking companionship. The great apostle Paul needed the warm countenance of his friend to help endure the cold blasts of winter. Oh, to have a friend like that! Oh, to be a friend like that!

Paul desires that Zenas, a lawyer, accompany Titus to the warmth of his fire. Another word for lawyer is counsellor. Paul is seeking the shelter of good counsel amidst the storms of life. I caution you to be careful about making life-changing decisions in the midst of a wintertime experience.

Finally, Paul desires a "warm up" from Apollos. This young protege was mighty in the Scriptures. We need the glow of God's Word during the icy days of the winter solstice. The warmth of spiritual advice is like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day.

As the blizzards blow and the ice breaks the limbs of life, may this volume warm you today.

A Cup of Coffee

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

While staying in a home as a guest, I was given a cup of coffee to help pry open my eyelids! Inscribed on the cup were these words: "Faith is holding onto God's dream... and finding your own fulfilled." I trust these thoughts encourage you today on your path of life.

It is a grand and glorious occurrence when the desires of God's heart and yours are one and the same. Getting to a place where what you want to do coincides with His perfect will brings perfect peace and the knowledge of the holy. This does not come about by God's changing, but by your and my responding to the Refiner's fire, the Potter's wheel and the grindstone of grace as He works, molds and perfects us according to His image and will. It matters little how we arrive at the place of blessed bliss--just get there!

Faith is seeing the unseen, touching the unfelt and knowing the unknowable. Faith is arriving at the juncture of decision with no alternate plan. Faith is the luxury of the Lord's people amid the poverty of doubt. Faith is doubt that blossoms into fact in the soil of God's vineyard. Faith is God's vision becoming our picture on the vista of a life lived in constant fellowship with a loving God.

Whatever the situation today, trust God and submit to Him; and as He brings His perfect wil to pass in your life, you will get your perfect will, too.

Some truths to ponder...

You can't give by faith what you don't have until you give by sacrifice what you do have.

God is too wise to make mistakes, too loving to be unkind and too faithful to disappoint.

Walking with God

Devotional by Tom Palmer; from Glow in the Dark

Micah 6:8 And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

If we were to create a list of the "Ten Most Famous Men in the Bible," Enoch would not have much of a chance to make the list. There are less than ten verses in the whole Bible that even deal with him or anything about his life. However, Enoch stands out because it is twice said in Scripture, "Enoch walked with God" (Gen. 5:22, 24). Little is said about sermons he preached, songs he composed, or miracles he performed, and yet God wanted us to know that his walk with God was good.

It is interesting that the word walk has such significance in the Bible. We are never told to sprint, or run, or even jog with God. Why? Because most of us could never do it for the long haul of life.

Suppose I wanted to get from Philadelphia to Chicago on foot. Could I sprint? No way! Could I run? Not a chance! Could I jog? Probably not! Could I walk? Actually, most likely I probably could. Oh yes, it would take time, and at times it would be a slow process of "one step at a time," but it would be possible. Though walking might not be spectacular or sensational, it is possible to cover a lot of territory over an extended period of time. I think this is why God chose this unique term. The Christian experience is not a dash, or even a marathon for that matter. It is a lifetime of staying in step with God.

As one step of obedience is taken, the next step appears before us. The progress may seem slow, but progress is not measured in time, it is measured in distance.

Just Do It

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

No, this is not an advertisement for an athletic shoe company. However, it is good advice to follow when the Lord Jesus Christ bids us to do or attempt anything. Just do it!

When it comes to obeying Him, we are not dealing with a babe in the manger or, as in this case, as untried miracle worker. Neither are we admonished to obey a man hanging on a cross. The command today is to just do what the risen Lord and soon-coming King is commanding. Really, when you analyze it, after Calvary, no matter what He asks of us, we ought to JUST DO IT!

I know many of us have trouble with certain areas of separation and even realms of service. But after what Christ has done for you, your family and others you love, no matter what the request, no matter how odd it may make one appear, no matter how much it costs, just do it! No desire of the risen Lord and Savior ought to go unanswered by you. Whatever He demands or whatever He delights in from you ought to be responded to favorably. All that He wants should be forthcoming from you. JUST DO IT!