Finding Security: October 2nd Devotional

Finding Security

October 2nd Devotional

Romans 8:38-39

 

     On this day in 1950, the comic strip Peanuts was introduced to the world.  Peanuts was the creation of Charles Schultz.  Charles was born in Minnesota and was an only child.  His uncle gave him the nickname Sparky, a name that would live with him his whole life.  Schultz developed a love of drawing at a young age.  He would spend hours drawing the family dog, Spike.   He would go on to serve faithfully during WW II.  After the war, he moved into a small apartment with his father.  Charles was struggling with depression and loneliness which stemmed from his mother’s death shortly before he left for the military.  It was during this time that he started to draw a weekly cartoon for the Saint Paul Pioneer Press.  The comic strip was called Li’l Folks.  It only earned him $10 a week but he found great joy and fulfillment in it.  He drew that cartoon from 1947 until 1950.  This comic strip would be the one that introduced the world to Charlie Brown and it had a dog that looked very similar to Snoopy.  Finally, in 1950 a large newspaper syndicate signed a contract with Schulz to produce cartoons under the name “Peanuts.”  Schulz originally bulked at the offer because he wasn’t allowed to name the new comic strip and he despised the name of the strip throughout the remainder of his life.  Peanuts first appeared in seven national papers and took a while until it gained traction.  Soon names like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Linus, and countless others became household names.  At its height Peanuts was published in 2600 papers in over 75 countries.  Charles would draw nearly 18,000 Peanut comic strips over the course of its 50-year run.  During that time, he only took one vacation.

      My personal favorite character in the comic strip was Linus van Pelt, the brother of the brutish Lucy who often tormented poor Charlie Brown.  Linus was Charlie Brown’s best friend.  He would often serve as Charlie’s own personal sage, philosopher, and resident theologian.  Linus was extremely wise and intelligent for his youth.  Charlie Brown’s life was fraught with anxiety and failure.  Linus would often be that anchor of advice and good counsel.  But despite all of his confidence Linus always clung to his blue blanket.  Almost every depiction of Linus in the series has him totting his security blanket.  The blanket is often a target of attack by Snoopy.  Snoopy engages in some entertaining, albeit crazy schemes to relieve Linus of his blanket….to take his security.  We also have an enemy who is constantly trying to steal the confidence of our security in Christ; his name is Satan.  The Bible gives overwhelming evidence that once we are saved we are secure.  Our salvation isn’t a trifle that can be lost nor can it be stolen or forfeited.  But that doesn’t mean that Satan won’t bring us to moments when we doubt if we truly are saved.  It’s good at times to reflect and be grounded in the reality of our salvation.  Indeed we have to be sure that we are saved by grace through faith.  We want to know that we are saved, but once we know, we can’t afford to allow the assaults of despair and doubt to strike us.  In our defeat and failure Satan will whisper in our ear that God has rejected us, that we aren’t truly saved, and that we are not a child of God.  He will scheme to try to pry us away from the assurance that we have in Jesus’ finished work for us.  How can we respond?  Paul gives us a solid reminder in Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Paul says he is convinced that NOTHING will ever be able to separate him from God’s love.  Satan will shoot fiery dart after fiery dart attempting to get us to question our salvation.  Respond with the truth of the Scripture,  NOTHING can separate me from my God’s deep and endless love for me!

The Great Mission: September 25th Devotional

      

The Great Mission

September 25th Devotional

Acts 1:8

      On this day in 1949, a 30-year-old evangelist named Billy Graham stepped to the pulpit in Los Angeles.  This would be Billy Graham’s first major city-wide crusade.  A group named Christ for the greater Los Angeles area invited the aspiring preacher to come and share the Gospel for three weeks.  They encouraged the churches in the area to pray for weeks in advance of the crusade.  The crusade was originally held under a rented circus tent that held 6,000 people, but they quickly outgrew the tent.  They expanded it to house 9,000 and then countless more because of the size of the crowds.  The crusade would go on for 8 weeks, the final message being delivered on November 20^th.  It is estimated that over 350,000 people attended this crusade with over 3000 of them trusting Christ as their Savior.  Some of the people that were saved were prominent businessmen, sports stars, mob bosses, and others.  People were weeping and crying out to Jesus for salvation.  It was considered to be the greatest outreach since the times of Billy Sunday.  This crusade made Billy Graham a household name.  This young pastor who once wasn’t supposed to amount to anything became the instrument of Christ.  Billy Graham would go on to have 417 total crusades, not to mention countless other opportunities to speak at much smaller venues.  He preached in over 180 countries (some via tv only) and preached to an estimated 250 million people in his lifetime.  His longest crusade would be held in Madison Square Garden.  It lasted for 16 weeks.  His largest single audience was in Seoul Korea; an estimated 1.1 million people came to hear him preach.  Graham had spoken to every US president post-WWII except for Joe Biden (13 presidents in total).  Billy Graham remained faithful to the message of the cross until his passing in 2018.  He is considered one of the greatest if not the greatest evangelist of all time.

      Billy Graham shared Christ because of a deep spiritual burden for people’s eternity.  He loved Jesus and he loved people.  Billy always encouraged people that the greatest evangelists in the world were other Christians.  Billy was one man and would never be able to share Christ with every man, woman, and child.  He knew that each person was called by God to be ambassadors of Christ.  Jesus’ closing words before ascending into heaven in Acts 1:8 is “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”  There is not a single Christian who is exempt from sharing the message of Christ with those that surround them.  Each of us are supposed to be building relationships that lead to redemption.  You don’t have to be a Billy Graham to win people to the Lord, you simply have to be a willing servant who is burdened for your friends and neighbors.  This week intentionally pray for specific people in your life that are unsaved.

 

The Chief Cornerstone: September 18th devotional

      The Chief Cornerstone

September 18th Devotional

Psalm 118:22

      On this day in 1793, President George Washington lays the cornerstone for the US Capital Building.  Prior to this, the US government had met in 8 different cities but land was provided between Maryland and Virginia to be the future capital of the United States. Congress passed the Residence Act in 1790 officially designating the District of Columbia as the capital of the United States.   With the location of the capital established it was now necessary to build a place to house the government. Thomas Jefferson held a competition for the best design.  The winner was an amateur architect named Dr. William Thornton.  His prize?  $500.  Progress started on the building but Congress wasn’t officially able to first meet in the building until the year 1800 and even then only the North Wing was complete.  The structure continued to endure expansions and changes until it was burned by the British in the year 1814.  The building would have burned entirely to the ground if it was not for a well-timed storm.  The gutted structure underwent major reconstruction and would finally be used again in 1819 (but not fully until  1829).  Ironically the building went through one of its most extensive expansions during the years prior to the Civil War.  The building has continued to change over the course of the years.  The statue at the top of the dome (the statue represents freedom) was placed in 1863, electricity was installed starting in the year 1890, and continues to be remodeled and reworked.  Today the capital has 540 rooms.  The iconic dome is nearly 9 million pounds of cast iron.  Millions of visitors each year visit to see the two chambers of Congress.  The chamber that houses the 435 members of the House of Representatives sits on the left while the chamber that houses the 100 members of the Senate sits on the right.  Between them is the famous ‘Rotunda.’

      The cornerstone is of the utmost importance in a building.  It is the first stone that is set and all other stones are set in reference to that single stone.  In older structures, the purpose of the cornerstone was to be the main support, to bear the weight of the building.  It’s hard to compete against Washington laying the cornerstone of the capital, but there is a far more famous and important cornerstone.  Psalm 118:22 says “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”  That verse would have been extremely difficult to understand when it was written.  People would ask, what stone was rejected?  Who is the stone?  And how does the rejected stone become the cornerstone?  For years this verse would have been a mystery; that is until the time of Christ.  In Matthew 21 Jesus affirms that He is the stone that was rejected and indeed Jesus was rejected.  His own people, the nation of Israel, rejected and refused Him.  Not only rejected Him but demanded His death.  The Apostle Paul reaffirms that Christ is the  cornerstone in Ephesians 2:19-22 when he writes “Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”  Jesus is unquestionably the cornerstone.  He is the one upon which we build our lives.  Like the cornerstone of a building, we are supposed to do everything in reference to Christ our foundation.  Also, like the cornerstone, Christ bears the full weight for every one of us.  He bears and carries our burdens.  Ask yourself this vital question today, is my life built on the Cornerstone?  Are my words, actions, and responses based in reference to that Cornerstone?  The old hymnist said, “on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”  True, I think Scripturally we do not stand on Christ the rock, we are BUILT and anchored to the rock which is Jesus.

 

Losing Faith

 

Losing Faith

      I grew up as an only child in the corn fields of Mercersburg Pennsylvania.  Our neighbors were cows, cows, and yes, more cows.  There wasn't much excitement in our single-stop light town.  Needless to say, there weren't many kids out in our area and as an only child, I created many make-believe friends and pets.  I vividly remember wanting a dog for most of my youth.  I would ask, beg, plead, and might have been tempted to steal but I never got a dog.  I didn't have the pleasure of being a 'dog person' until this past year.  My wife's father died and a part of her heart died with the loss of that incredible man.  Her joy and laughter were diminished a bit.  The night seemed darker at times.  In the Spring of 2021, she suggested we get a puppy.  I was extremely hesitant because we are a family of five that is constantly on the go with missions work, but after a family meeting we all agreed, the time had come to become dog people.  God blessed us with a precious white Bichon-poo named Muffin (I know, an intimidating name for a male dog).  Muffin has enriched our home and brought back to life that which was stagnant.  We are thankful to be dog people.

      One unique feature that changed in my life since becoming a dog dad was noticing other dogs.  I know other people had dogs in the past but they were never on my radar until we had a dog.  Since then dogs magnetically seem to come up to us.  This past week my family was getting in the ministry machine (the name for our sweet minivan) when we noticed a King Charles Spaniel puppy roaming around in a busy parking lot.  As soon as she saw our dog Muffin she came running.  She was a gorgeous and playful pup.  She wanted nothing more than to get belly rubs and to give kisses.  This puppy was an expensive breed and we knew the owner would be looking for it.  We put her in Muffin's cage and off I went walking through the town praying that God would put the owner into my life.  After walking for about twenty minutes I saw a woman frantically calling out "Faith, Faith."  She was obviously looking for something.  A quick conversation confirmed that this was indeed the puppy's owner.  The owner was overjoyed to have 'Faith" back in her arms and we were grateful to have kept Faith safe until she could be returned.

      Driving away I found it ironic that the lost dog's name was Faith....lost faith.  How many people's paths do we cross each day who have lost faith in God?  How many people do we encounter that are struggling with their faith?  How many people are filled with doubts, despair, and questions?  Maybe it's the waitress at the restaurant, the teacher at our kid's school, the cashier, our co-worker, our neighbor,  maybe even the person we sit beside in church, or maybe the reflection in the mirror.  That sweet little puppy was all alone.  I wondered how many people passed by her feeling bad for her but did nothing for her.  I mean, someone must have seen her and said "someone should do something" but kept walking away.  When a person begins to lose their faith they will quickly find that the journey is terribly lonely.  They will pass other people, some even noticing them, but few if any actually engage them.  They are actively departing from the faith.  A faith walk can be hard, especially when we are alone...isolated.  Each of us need someone to walk the faith journey with, especially when doubts arise and the ground is quickly giving way under us.  We need someone to call, someone to encourage us, someone to challenge us.....someone to bring us home.  The sweet puppy named Faith was lost.  Are you losing faith?  Come alongside a trusted Christian and talk with them.  They are there to love you and help you.  Do you know someone losing faith?  Waste no time bringing them home.  Don't look with sympathy, be moved by compassion.  Come beside them and bring faith home.

Churches in Mission September 2022 Prayer Letter

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

      The warm days of summer are soon going to give way to cooler weather and the changing of the leaves.  One author once wrote that her favorite color was autumn, and I quite agree.  The Bible speaks frequently about the change of seasons.  The change of seasons reminds us of God’s sovereign control (Genesis 8:22).  We change with the seasons.  We go from shorts to hoodies, digging sand to raking leaves, and harvesting produce to canning it.  Our ministry changes from summer to fall.  We look back at God’s faithfulness but we start to busily prepare for another great year of trips, vacation Bible schools, and camps.  Most animals forage all summer to prepare for the winter, our family preps and plans during these next few months to get ready for a Christ-honoring summer season!

    We wanted to give a brief recap from our final few weeks of summer ministry.  Our family was blessed to speak at Calvary Bible Fellowship in Shamokin PA.  This precious church holds a very special part in our hearts.  They are so loving and missions-minded.  We are thankful to have the opportunity to fill the pulpit there when we can!  We also had multiple opportunities to speak at Locust Valley Bible Church.  This church is currently seeking a pastor.  Please be praying for them as they start a pastoral search.

     Our final major summer ministry was sharing a VBS at Chambersburg Bible Church.  God blessed us with nearly 30 children a night!  Those precious little ones sang, played, had snacks, painted crafts, but most of us all heard the Gospel of Jesus.  We talked with multiple children about Lord.  Pray that the seeds that were planted would take root and grow in their young lives.

     Our kids just started back at Heritage Academy.  Noah is heading into 5^th grade, his last year of elementary school!  Maggie is heading into 3^rd grade while Titus is entering 1^st grade.  They are growing so quickly!!  We are so grateful for a school that has loved our children and helped to train them in a way a child should go.  Please continue to pray for our kids as they pursue the heart of God.  Pray that they would learn the Word and live the Word each day. 

      We have lots of exciting things happening during the next few weeks.  Matt is returning to teach Good News Club in Chambersburg along with teaching youth group on Wednesday nights.  We are currently planning one more trip this fall (see insert).  We will be taking a trip to Welch WV to provide blessing boxes and Thanksgiving.  Look over the insert for more details in regards to how to help with those trips.  Matt has been invited to speak at an IFCA youth conference in Illinois.  He will be flying out on November 4^th and will be teaching 250 people from the book of Ecclesiastes.  We have also made contact with a church plant in New York City that desperately needs teams to work with children in their community.  Our family is planning on traveling to New York to do pre-field work.  The Lord has also been steadily filling out our calendar.  We do have two Sundays free in December.  Also, we have some free weeks next summer.  We would love to coordinate a trip for your church!  We would love to share a ministry update with your congregation!  Thank you so much for ‘holding the ropes’ for us.  We couldn’t minister without your regular gifts and prayers! 

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org      

Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

      mandtcim@gmail.com

Days of Infamy: September 11th Devotional

      Days of Infamy

September 11th Devotional

Colossians 2:13-14

      Some days in history need no introduction.  Some days in history are known tragically as days of infamy.  No matter what events have transpired in the past nor will transpire in the future, none will compare with the event of September 11^th, 2001, or more simply, 9/11.  Each generation has an event that will be permanently burned into their memory.  Images, sounds, and memories that will never fade.  September 11^th, 2001 started out as what would seem to be a non-historical day.  It was seemingly just another Tuesday.  Kids recently started back to school.  Men and women would begin their work day just like they would any other day of the week.  It was a sunny and clear day for most of the East Coast, but catastrophe struck unexpectedly.   Little did anyone know that 19 terrorists had highjacked four planes that morning.  Those plans were laden with fuel.  The terrorist's goal was to cause the economic destruction of the West while causing the most damage and death that they could.  American Airline flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46.  United Airlines flight  175 struck the South Tower at 9:03.  At 9:37 American Airlines flight 77 struck the Pentagon.  At 10:03 United Airlines flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville PA.  2977 people perished in the melee that day.  All of this transpired as our eyes were fixated on our television sets.  Our hearts and minds were in disbelief.  How could this happen?  Who could do this?  Flight 93 was destined for San Francisco.  The flight was delayed and the terrorists waited until 40 minutes after take-off to capture the plane.  The plane only had 33 passengers and 7 crew members.  Those forty people were already aware of the events that were transpiring.  Some of the passengers were already contacting family from the plane realizing the dire situation.  Most of them realized that they were going to die.  They voted and agreed to fight back.  One stewardess boiled water, others said their prayers, and a passenger named Todd Beamer said “Are you guys ready?  Let’s roll.”  Open lines could hear the commotion.  The terrorists attempted to fight back but quickly realized they were going to be overpowered.  It was then that they crashed the plane.  The bravery of those passengers and crew saved other people’s lives.  They sacrificed themselves to save others.

      Many people threw themselves into harm's way that day.  403 firefighters, police officers, and port authority officers died trying to save others.  They threw their own lives to the wind in order to try to rescue others.  Biblically we see a person who did the same thing but on a much grander scale.  Colossians 2:13 and 14 says When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  The Bible states without apology that we are sinners, far from God.  That sin contaminates all of us and leaves us hopeless and ‘spiritually dead.’  We need someone to rescue us, someone to take our place.  Paul says in Colossians that while we were still dead in our sin Christ brought us life.  Now just any life but life through Him.  How did He do this?  How does He cancel our sin debt?  How does He forgive our transgressions?  Why does He move us from being hostile to Him?  By dying on the cross.  He was the perfect Lamb of God that took our sin out of the way by taking the full price of our sin upon Himself.  He threw Himself headlong into our punishment for the purpose of rescuing those that were far away and helpless. Rejoice in God’s rescue plan.