Give Us Clean Hands

As a few of you may know I work at a bank full time. I deal with tons of germy people and germy money. So every teller window always has a heavy supply of hand sanitizer that we all use religiously. I constantly find myself turning to it to grid myself of the filth and germs I constantly come in contact with. Well today while I was trying to think of what I wanted to post as a devotional for Inflamed I caught myself starring at my bottle of Purell Hand Sanitizer. How is it that I can barely make it 5 minutes at work without getting another dose of sanitizer, but seemingly can go hours, days, (and let’s get real and honest, months) at a time without feeling the need to cleanse myself spiritually?

If you’ve been a born again, child of God for any length of time you probably understand what I mean when I say backslidden. We all from time to time fall back into sin and distance ourselves from God, not meaning to. It always seems to go this way (for me atleast), just when I’m my closest with God, Satan does everything in his power to knock me down and distance me from God. He knows exactly which sins I struggle with most and always seems to push the right buttons. Before I know it I can’t even feel God’s presence anymore. I need sanitation, but not for my hands, but Purell for the heart.

James 4:7-10 NKJV
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

In order to clean up your heart and purify your spirit you must realize that there’s nothing you can do on your own power. The only individual who can cleanse your soul is the same God who has saved your soul. Therefore we must submit/give in to God’s leadership. As you submit to God and allow Him to lead, you’ll soon realize how much easier it is to resist Satan (because it’s God acting through you). James also says that we must return to God, drawing near to Him. The beautiful thing about that is that God never left, He is stationary, never leaving us. If we are distanced from God it’s because we ran in the opposite direction. And when we do decide to turn back and draw near to God, He doesn’t stay stationary; He says that He will draw near to us, meetings us in the middle each time with open arms. (DISCLAIMER: Don’t mistake this “meeting in the middle” as Him compromising with us and giving in to us…that’s not what is meant here.) Yes He will run towards us and welcome us with open arms because He is a gracious and loving God. But He is also a just God. Meaning that we may endure some “growing pains” due to our sin and disobedience, but I can testify that each time Satan tore me down, when I came back to God, our relationship was stronger and more stable each and every time.

So the next time you feel filthy due to any germs, dirt, or grime and go to reach for that favorite bottle of hand sanitizer, think of your heart and your current relationship with God. Maybe you’ll notice that your heart needs just as much sanitation as your hands do…

Bro. Austin Chapman is the Youth Minister

at Sugar Creek Baptist in Murray, KY and founder

of Inflamed Church Ministries.

The MATT 18:22 Principle

I’ve heard a definition of forgiveness stated this way: forgiveness is “giving up my right to hurt you, for hurting me.” (reference). When I first read it took me by surprise. When I choose to forgive someone do I really think of it as me giving up my right to hurt them back?? Is that really how we think? Although I’d love to disagree but at some level it’s true. Albeit it may be a very innate thought for some of us, we still have that mentality. Someone has hurt me and the only way to make things right,is to get even and hurt back. Or we can choose to take the high road and forgive the individual that wronged me, giving up that opportunity to hurt them back. Now we’ve all heard the question and answer “How many times am I to forgive someone?” “Not just seven times, but seventy time seven (meaning always).” That is not what this devotion is about (no need to drive that point into the ground). We all know we should always forgive, yet we still have trouble in the execution. But before we dive in head first let’s look at the Scripture.

 
Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Now I’m going to assume that none of us deal in talents and denarii on a regular bases and may not know the US dollar equivalents. The ten thousand talents owed to the king was worth several million dollars. Whereas the one hundred denarii equates to two thousand dollars, still a large sum of money, but nothing in comparison to several million dollars. How is it then that the king could show forgiveness to the servant for millions of dollars in debt, but that same servant held a grudge and demanded payment over two thousand dollars in debt? Some would argue that millions to the king wasn’t as much as a couple thousand to the servant. But I’d disagree. I think the dollars and cents are important to see how much more difficult forgiveness would’ve been for the king versus the servant. But regardless, I don’t think the dollar figure was the key to forgiveness.

What is the main difference between the king and the servant? Don’t think of social status, power, etc. Just consider their responses. At first the king had the same response as the servant. But what changed? Look back at verse 27: “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.” The key to forgiveness is compassion. It’s because of the king’s compassion that he forwent his “right” to get even or hurt the servant. You’d think the compassion the king showed the servant would translate and the servant would then also show compassion in the same way to his fellow servant. Sadly that’s not always the case, as is proven in this example. Because of how the servant treated his fellow servant, the king withdrew his compassion, Verse 32-34: “Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.” If someone forgives you, remember those who have wronged you…shouldn’t you forgive them as well?

We should always forgive others. In order to do that we must have compassion for them and their situation. Compassion is something that comes from the Lord, and something that we can only truly understand once we’ve entered into a relationship with Him.

Bro. Austin Chapman is the Youth Minister

at Sugar Creek Baptist in Murray, KY and founder

of Inflamed Church Ministries.

I Am Jonah: Part 5 - Bonus Devotion

This is a continuation of previous devotions. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to read the previous devotions.

I Am Jonah: Part 1 - The Runner
I Am Jonah: Part 2 - The Prayer
I Am Jonah: Part 3 - The Message
I Am Jonah: Part 4 - The Reaction

During these past four weeks I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my personal life vs Jonah’s. I’ve looked at our similarities and differences to see how true the statement “I AM JONAH” is. As much as I’ve declared that statement I realize that I don’t want to be Jonah. Yes Jonah was amazing Prophet who did some great things, but when you think of Jonah you don’t think of the good, you think of the bad. I’ve asked myself this week, if we were still in Biblical times and someone was going to write a book of the Bible based on my life (The book of Austin) and my decisions how would I want it to read? What message would I want to leave readers with? How would I ultimately want my story to end.

I could end with a Question Mark (?)
Look at the final few verses in Jonah 4:

6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?” (Jonah 4:6-11 NKJV)

Jonah’s story ends with him angry and fighting with God. We as readers are left with no resolution to their conflict, Jonah’s heart condition is still in limbo. Although Jonah did great things, his story ends with uncertainty. If my life story were to come to an end now, would my relationship with the Lord best be described and punctuated with a question mark?

I could end with a Period (.)
If my story were to end right now would I peace in my heart knowing I was secure in Christ? Would people who read my story be able to tell my heart condition based off my actions and the life I lived? Ending a story with a period shows certainty, security, and a knowledge that all things have been resolved. Image how Jonah’s story could’ve ended:

1 And it pleased Jonah exceedingly, and he became filled with joy. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, I knew you were able to save them; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, I offer this sacrifice to You as an offering of praise, worship, and thanksgiving.” 4 Then the Lord said, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
*All underlined portions show where the story was changed.

If Jonah’s story had ended like this, how do you think people would remember Jonah? Probably as the guy who ran at first, but after a time of repentance turned back to God and served Him whole-heartedly. What an example and testimony that would be for all of us. Wouldn’t we all be pleased to have our story end on a positive note, with our relationship with God not in question, but for everyone to know our heart condition and want to model their lives after us, the “Biblical Hero.”

I could end with an Explanation Mark (!)
Most of you are probably thinking, “I’d be pleased with the Period, why go any further?” Because I don’t just want to “squeak by, or barely pass the test.” I want to leave this word having “Aced the Test!” No none of us are perfect, but if my story were to end now I’d want to be on such a Spiritual High that there’d be no other way to describe it than with an explanation mark! Instead of the story not truly ending (like with the question mark), or ending on a good note (with the period), I’d want to go out with a bang (like with an explanation mark)! To have that we must be on fire for God. Meaning we must cleanse ourselves of worldly things and ideals, by constantly filling ourselves with God’s Word. This isn’t a result you get by just choosing God, or just going to church. This isn’t even a one day, one week, one year decision. I’ve had some amazing revival week “explanation mark” experiences in my life…but that’s the problem. It was just one week. It’s not enough to get on fire for God when your local church declares “revival.” You must take it upon yourself to allow God to take control and constantly fan your spiritual flame. Is it easy? Of course not. Is it possible? Only with dedication, determination, and God’s help.

Let’s turn the tables. What would you do if today 2016 were still Biblical times and someone was going to record your life story for the Bible? How would your story end if you were to die today? Would your story end on fire for God with an explanation mark (!)? Or would your story conclude in a positive tone, reassuring readers that you lived a good life with a period (.)? Or are you like Jonah. Are you currently wrestling with God, attempting to push your will above God’s? Would readers see your lifestyle and choices and question your heart condition? Would your story end with an unsure question mark (?)?

Bro. Austin Chapman is the Youth Minister

at Sugar Creek Baptist in Murray, KY and founder

of Inflamed Church Ministries.

How to Destroy a Church: Deceit (1 Peter 2:1b)

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:1).

It's full of tears and rips. It has oil and food stains all over it. It doesn't fit you anymore. Do you have a shirt like that? I know I do. And where should that shirt be? In the garbage. That’s what you do with old clothes—you take them off and put them in the garbage. That’s what Peter says to do with the sins listed in the verse above—to renounce them, to put them away from you, to stop wearing them, to be rid of them all together.

We've seen already that these sins are those that affect relationships with people, namely people in the church. These are not in random order, but he lists these here because they are sins that will harm our fellowship with other Christians. And renouncing these sins are absolutely essential to our sanctification—because sanctification cannot be done alone. 

The first in this list is malice, which we've seen already.

The second in this list is deceit.

Deceit is speaking or acting with a motive for deception. It is lying or living in a manner that is deceptive. We cannot live our lives together lying to one another, and we cannot live lives that are deceptive and untruthful. We must tell the truth in love, no matter how much it hurts. We must keep our word with other Christians. We are to be those who present God’s truth to each other and to the unsaved, both by our words and actions—we are to be lovers of truth, not deceitful. We must renounce and put away deceit far from us.

"No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes" (Psalm 101:7).

Do you have an issue with deceit? Do you live a truthful life? Are you honest with others when you mess up? Do you know a brother or sister in Christ that has a problem with deceit? Confront them in love and grace, but always examine yourself first. Pray that God would create in you a clean heart.

Seeking Christ,

Bro. Brandon G. B.

Bro. Brandon is the Associate Pastor

of Ohio Valley Baptist Church. His 

sermons, podcasts, book reviews, 

and other free ministry resources

can be found on Brandon's Desk.

I Am Jonah: Part 4 - The Reaction

This is a continuation of previous devotions. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to read the previous devotions.

I Am Jonah: Part 1 - The Runner
I Am Jonah: Part 2 - The Prayer
I Am Jonah: Part 3 - The Message

Again I have also provided a study guide and answer key for this week's devotion.

I Am Jonah: Part 4 - Study Guide
I Am Jonah: Part 4 - Answer Key

As we discussed in the last devotions, Jonah was a Prophet of the lord, he travelled and preached God’s message to different communities. This time Jonah was called to go to Nineveh, an evil and wicked city that hated God and God’s people. Jonah’s response was to run in the opposite direction which put him in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights. In order to be released from the fish Jonah prayed and repented. Jonah was given a second chance and this time Jonah chose to go and preach to Nineveh. Nineveh was quick to turn from their sins, repent, and accept God’s warning. Today we will look at how Jonah reacts to Nineveh’s response.

Let’s look into the scripture:

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?” (Jonah 4:1-11 NKJV)

Jonah never ceases to puzzle and entertain us. He is so real. Most prophets would rejoice at people repenting. Not Jonah. He became exceedingly displeased. What's even more amusing is that he accuses God of being "merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in faithful love". This is ironic considering the fact that Jonah would still be in the fish if not for these qualities of God. Hence we see the root of all Jonah's problems. He had unconsciously taken the mercy of God as something that should apply to him, and maybe people like him, only.

Jonah had already passed judgment on the people of Nineveh. He had concluded that they did not desire nor deserve God's mercy. He had completely overlooked the fact that he himself was a product of the mercy of God. Have you ever fallen into the same mistake as Jonah? Have you ever concluded that some people are not worthy of the mercy of God?

Jonah had a real attitude problem. He is one of those people who make up their minds about something and find it difficult to change. This kind of attitude borders closely on pride. Jonah offered to die rather than see Nineveh spared (verse 3). He went to sit outside the city watching to see what would become of it. It's as if he were daring God to show them mercy after all the effort he (Jonah) had put in to see their hasty destruction. Jonah hoped to see Nineveh’s destruction despite God’s most recent promise.

The story of Jonah closes with God using a beautiful life example to get the truth across to Jonah. God prepares a plant to give Jonah shade from the harsh weather. Jonah was very grateful (verse 6). This alone reveals a lot to us about Jonah. At one time he is exceedingly angry (verse 1) and another very grateful (verse 6). His moods seem to swing from one extreme to another quite rapidly. It's fair to say that Jonah was a very emotional person.

Our emotions can often affect our judgment negatively. When God uses a worm to destroys the plant we see Jonah take yet another extreme mood swing, becoming angry (and probably depressed) to the point of desiring to die (verse 9).

God then points out to Jonah the contradictions in his judgments. The death of a plant had caused Jonah such anger while the destruction of a whole city had been his desire. Jonah's emotions had definitely clouded his judgment. God used a living drama to point this out to him.

What things are clouding your judgments and walk with God. Jonah might seem a funny character, but he is a good reflection of us today?

Bro. Austin Chapman is the Youth Minister

at Sugar Creek Baptist in Murray, KY and founder

of Inflamed Church Ministries.

How to Destroy a Church: Malice (1 Peter 2:1a)

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:1).

Every Christian undergoes a holy cleansing that takes place from conversion all the way to when he is at home with the Lord. This process of "holy cleansing" is known as sanctification. A fuller definition of sanctification would be "the process of God’s grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God’s righteousness."

In this passage (2:1-3), Peter wants his readers to live sanctified lives. And he writes about three ways in which the believer can live a continuously sanctified life. The first of these he takes up deals with renouncing and putting away sin. Hence, you have Peter beginning this passage with the verse above, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

He begins this passage on the believer's sanctification by commanding his readers to put away sin from their lives. They are to abandon sin, reject sin, and put it far from them.

And as you can see here, he gives a list of five things to put away, The kind of “putting away” he is referring to is putting something away for good. In the Greek, the command “put away” denotes something like “taking off and laying aside old clothes.” So Peter is picturing Christians taking these sins “off” like you would with old clothes, and then casting them far away.

That’s what you do with old clothes that are no longer wearable—you take them off and put them in the garbage. That’s what Peter says to do with these sins—to renounce them, to put them away from us, to stop wearing them, to be rid of them all together.

But what is it about those that Peter names in this verse? Why does he say that these sins are those that we should cast away? Well, notice that the sins Peter says we should cast away are sins that affect relationships with people, namely people in the church. Peter isn’t listing these here in random order, or just because he thinks these are worse than say, adultery or stealing. He lists these here because they are sins that will harm our fellowship with other Christians.

And renouncing these sins are absolutely essential to our sanctification—because sanctification cannot be done alone. Sanctification is meant to be done in the Christian community, the church! If we have these sins present in our lives, we are hindering our own sanctification and the sanctification of others. These are sins that will wreck and destroy a local fellowship.

The first of these in the list is malice. 

Malice is best defined as “the intention or desire to do evil.” It is like premeditated murder—it is planning on committing sin. Malice is a grave sin because it is the intention and desire to commit sin before we even do (which by the way, is committing sin already).

If we intend to gossip about a church member, or say something along the lines of "Man the next time I see them, I’m gonna . . .” Or if we intend to mistreat someone and disrespect them in the church, then we have a problem with malice. If we intend to speak harshly with someone in the fellowship, or desire to say things to them that would not build them up, we have an issue with malice. This intention to do evil to another member of the body of Christ should not be even named among the redeemed, for it was from this sin (and many others) that we were redeemed (Col. 3:7-8). Malice is a force that can destroy Christian fellowship. We must put it away and cast it far from us.

So what about you? Do you happen to notice even slightly that this sin may be present in your life? Does malice currently affect the way you view others? Pray now that God would help you to value others as He does, and that God would create in you a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within you.

Seeking Christ,
Bro. Brandon G. B.

Bro. Brandon is the Associate Pastor

of Ohio Valley Baptist Church. His 

sermons, podcasts, book reviews, 

and other free ministry resources

can be found on Brandon's Desk.