Month: February 2017

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PWTE Daily Devotion

The Poison of Bitterness

Freedom to speak words of love to all.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I have not seen this mushroom often in my life, and only in some of the denser forests in the Rocky Mountains after a season of abundant moisture. This is a highly toxic mushroom (Amanita muscaria flavivolvata). It is very beautiful, but can cause a lot of damage if ingested—even death.

“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Hebrews 12:15 New Living Translation

One of the most touted freedoms in this country is the freedom of speech. People want to say what is on their mind, sometimes no matter what the consequences to themselves, their relationships or their community. While this freedom certainly has much value, it is so easy to let bitterness take root in the heart. The tendency to take everything personally so as not to allow differences in beliefs has run amok in our society.  We have lost our ability to truly relate to each other.

“These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.”
Jude 19 New Living Translation

As followers of Christ we are to watch out for the root of bitterness that can lead to poisonous words, whether that bitterness is found in others who do not have the Spirit living in them or whether it takes root in our hearts. We are to build up one another in love, not with poisonous words of hate. We are called to exercise our freedom to speak love.

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
Philippians 2:1-2 New Living Translation

Lord, help us to see every person as your special creation regardless of differences, and help us to remove all bitterness from our hearts so we may only reflect your love to all. Amen.

Copyright text and photo Desiree Bustamante

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Stuck in a Rut?

He lifted me out of the Mud!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  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 40:1-2

How deep are the ruts in your life?  How stuck are you in sin patterns, in nasty habits of selfishness?  How pervasive is your bitterness, your anger, your hurt?

And how often have you tried to pull yourself out of this sticky mess, as the saying goes, “by your own bootstraps?”  How many times have you started out with firm resolve that, “Today will be different!”, only to end the day in the same slimy pit of despair, guilt, and hopelessness?

Who will rescue you from your miry pit?  The answer is, “The Lord”.  When you cry to Him, He will lift you up out of the hopeless place, He will set your feet upon a rock, He will give you a firm place to stand.

It all begins with acknowledging that I am indeed stuck in my sin and I cannot rescue myself.  I must look to the Rock that is higher than me.  I must admit my helpless estate, and cry out to the Redeemer.

And He will save me.  Why?  Because of His great mercy in our Lord Jesus Christ, who came down into this slimy, mired down, sinful world and rescued me from my sin.  He was cast down into the earth, buried for three days, that He might rise again and lead you and me into life and joy and salvation.

In the midst of your sin and hopelessness, He will hear your cry.  And He will lift you up, up to the Rock of His salvation.

Lord, save me.  For the sake of Your great mercy in our Lord Jesus Christ, save me.  You are my only Hope. Amen.

Picture and Text Copyright Steve Nickodemus

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PWTE Daily Devotion

“Silly Rabbit!”

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Being courageous in a fear-filled world.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

The number of coyotes and foxes have decreased in and around our neighborhood, which has allowed the rabbit population to increase. Such was not the case a few years ago.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

We had a Japanese Chin, a small dog with a pug face. I took her for a walk on a pathway that leads to a community park. It was dark and the park was lit by a few pathway lights. I noticed a dog hanging out at the playground. Then I looked again. It was a coyote and it started following us. I guess it saw a meal on a rope.

I have not seen a coyote or a fox near our home for a couple of years. With the scarcity of predators, the rabbit population has exploded and they’re not frightened by much.

This rabbit sat in our flower bed while I added motor oil to my car. It stayed long enough for me to pull out my camera and take pictures of it. In fact, I took Ginger for a walk, passing near the rabbit, and it didn’t move.

I envy the rabbit. Both consciously and unconsciously, fear affects my decisions.

“This is my command– be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 New Living Translation

Joshua was at a crossroads in his life. Moses was dead and he was tasked with leading a group of former slaves who would soon become a nation. He had been groomed for this position for forty years and now it was time to step out of the shadow of Moses and become the leader God had prepared him to be.

He had reason to be afraid. He knew how stubborn the Israelites were, and how prone they were to complaining. “Be strong and courageous…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This promise to Joshua is ours through Jesus who said, “I am with you always, even to the end of history.” (Matthew 28:20). We might be leading little children and not a nation. We might be facilitating a cohort of fellow employees instead of running a massive corporation. In all circumstances of life, God is with us. We are not alone. We need not be afraid.

Text and picture copyright Douglas P Brauner