Tag: Todd and Amy Blanchard

Never Be Shaken

* New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 15
*Psalms Reading:  Psalm 62
Old Testament Reading:  Numbers 4-6

At first glance, the obvious place to focus today is 1 Corinthians 15 (The Resurrection Chapter).  It even says that it is of first importance – Christ died for our sins, he was buried, he was raised on the third day.  Our hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom is based on Jesus’ resurrection.  This chapter is a biggie and I really hope you read it and take to heart all God has to say here.  This chapter also has some wonderful verses that could be whole devotions individually. 

  • Verse 33 – Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
  • Verse 52b – For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 
  • Verse 58 – Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

But, Psalm 62 has personal meaning to me, so I want to focus today’s devotion here.  There was a time when I experienced the betrayal of a very close friend.  I knew bad things were said about me and lies were spread.  I desperately wanted to counter them; to defend myself and prove my character.  I wanted to prove them wrong, and in doing so, make sure others knew their wrongs (sounds like revenge to me).   I had the opportunity to have a few days of solitude at that time and God brought Psalm 62:7 to me, “My salvation and my honor depend on God”.  I was convicted that I didn’t have to defend myself.  God would defend my honor if needed, and He did.   I only needed to concern myself with what God thought of me, not other people.  That became a life verse for me over the next few years.

The rest of this Psalm also lifted me up at that time. 

Verses 1 & 2 brought me peace and hope.  My world had been shaken, but my faith and my standing with God was not. 

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Verse 8 gave me a place to vent, to question, to rant (I knew God could handle it). 

Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

God helped me walk a path that didn’t come naturally.  In doing so, He also revealed His goodness as He protected me from me – from seeking revenge hidden in the cover of defending myself.  Once God had my attention and knew that I was following His path, He also helped me to forgive.  I know that isn’t in this passage, but it is.  It’s in every passage.  The whole of Scripture is showing us how to be restored to a relationship with God.  That is found in Jesus.  In his death and resurrection.  He died for me.  He died for you.  Because we need forgiveness.  Therefore, we need to forgive. 

-Todd and Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there someone you need to forgive?  Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness from?  Make the choice to forgive today.  You may need to make that choice daily for a while but, I promise you, it is worth it. 
  2. If you need to find rest (verse 1), you may need to find a place where you can silence all of the noise, the voices, the distractions of life.  Rather than try to make sense of things, just believe.  Rather than trying to do, work, or act, be quiet and listen.  Rather than go your own way, choose to go God’s way. 
  3.  What character trait of God do you need to hold onto today? 
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Stay in the Shelter of the LORD

New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 14

*Psalms Reading:  Psalm 61

Old Testament Reading:  Numbers 1-3

I really enjoy a good thunderstorm.  Sometimes in the spring and summer in Minnesota we can watch the sky turn dark and see and feel the lightning and thunder.  I find it incredible, and it causes me to praise God for his awesome power and might.  I should clarify, I enjoy it when I am in the safety of my home.  If you have ever been trapped outdoors during a powerful storm it is amazing how weak and helpless you can feel.  The first four verses of Psalm 61 remind me of a time when that happened.

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! (ESV)

Amy and I were out fishing in Canada when a powerful storm swept in out of nowhere.  Being outside in a thunderstorm is scary enough but being in what amounts to a 16-foot aluminum lightning rod brings it to a whole new level.  We were far enough from camp when the storm started that I knew we couldn’t make it back before the serious weather hit.  In the middle of the lake, you are the tallest thing, especially if your wife is short.  As it turns out, what we did is not advised but it worked out for us.  We headed toward shore and pulled the boat under a large rock overhang and waited out the storm.  It was still nerve wracking but being protected under that large outcropping gave a feeling of safety and security that would not have been found had we stayed in the middle of the lake.  It’s good to know that in the storms of life, the only safe, reliable shelter is the rock that is higher than I.  Our God is a strong tower against the enemy that we can take refuge in.  Once we are there, verse 4 should be our heart’s cry:  Let me dwell in your tent forever!  Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

-Todd and Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt very near to God?  What were the circumstances that brought you there?  Are you still there?  If not, why?
  2. Unfortunately, often we are closest to God when we are in dire circumstances.  What can you do to find/maintain that closeness with God in your everyday life?
  3. How did God show himself to you today?
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The Most Excellent Way

* New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 13
Psalms Reading:  Psalm 60
Old Testament Reading:  Numbers Introduction – see below

1 Corinthians 13 (The Love Chapter) actually begins at the end of Chapter 12 with these words, “And now I will show you the most excellent way.”  Paul has just wrapped up his lists of Spiritual gifts, reminding us that we, as Christians, are all members of the body of Christ.  After telling us that we should desire the higher (more essential or useful) gifts, he states that there is an even better way to be useful to the body.  The most excellent way. 

Chapter 13 begins with an IF.  IF I am great, IF I can do great things, IF I can understand great things, IF I make great sacrifices…. 

What are you really good at?  Known for?  Everyone in our church knows Todd is phenomenal with numbers.  He has often said it’s too bad he can’t make a living impressing people with his quick math skills.  Everyone is good at something, but that might not matter in the big picture.

The IF part in the first three verses is followed each time with “but have not love”.  You can be the greatest at everything, but if you don’t have love you are “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal”, “nothing’, “gain nothing”.  That’s pretty powerful.  What motivates us to do what we do obviously matters a great deal.  Paul is trying to communicate with us the overriding importance of love. 

You’ve probably heard verses 4-8a read at a wedding.  A beautiful description of how to love.  One that we cannot fully accomplish in our humanity.  Pulling from different translations, here is the description of true love:

Love is:  patient; kind; rejoices with the truth; bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things; it always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres; it never ends or fails. 

Love is not:  it does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant, proud, or rude; it does not insist on its own way; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing.

Love won’t end.  Spiritual gifts, and our need for them will end.  Prophecies will end.  Speaking in tongues will end.  Knowledge will end.  Love will not end. 

Keep in mind as you read these lists that God loves us like that.  God loves YOU like that.  John 13:34-35 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  We are to love others how God loves us.  It’s what shows the world we are His.

-Todd and Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you KNOW that God loves you with a love that is described here?  Do you FEEL His love?  What steps might you need to take to assure yourself of that love?
  2. On a scale of 1-10, how well do you love others (following the description of love in this chapter)? 
  3. Which of the “Love is” or “Love is not” traits do you see from God in your life right now?

NUMBERS INTRODUCTION

The book of Numbers gets its name from the census that was taken both at the beginning of the book, while the Israelites were still at Mount Sinai, and also at the end of the book, when the Israelites were on the plains of Moab near Jericho 38 years later.  And in case you’re wondering why it took the ancient Israelites so long to travel from Egypt to the Promised Land, you’ll find out in chapters 13 and 14.  And by the way, this wasn’t just a small group of people walking through the desert – there were millions of them.

As you read through Numbers, you will see repeatedly that there are consequences for complaining and rebellion – and they aren’t good.  Punishments range from fire from the Lord to the earth swallowing people alive to plagues to snakes.  There will even be punishment for Moses’ striking a rock instead of speaking to it – because he didn’t obey God’s command.

You will read about Moses begging God repeatedly to spare the people, when God wanted to wipe them out because of their rebellion – reminding us of what Jesus is doing on our behalf in heaven right now.  You’ll also read about a bronze snake lifted up on a pole, which Jesus compared with himself.

The story of Balaam and his talking donkey show that God can use anyone, even a donkey, even me, even you.  You’ll also read about how Balaam told the Moabites what to do to cause God to curse Israel – even after Balaam had blessed Israel.  And you’ll read that he paid with his life.

Numbers is filled with excitement, and also with examples – both good and bad.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:6, “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”  So pay attention as you read.

I’ll close with Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

-Steve Mattison

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As HE Chose

* New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 12
Psalms Reading:  Psalm 59
* Old Testament Reading:  Leviticus 25-27

My parents tried very hard to treat me and my sisters equally.  Especially when it came to spending money or giving gifts.  The idea that one might get more or better than the other, or perceived more or better, has made gift giving stressful for them.  And now there are grandkids and great grandkids!  We chose to handle gift-giving a little differently.  Of course, we try to be close in what we spend, but if a gift is found that someone really wants or needs we go with it.  Whether it’s a little more or less than the others. 

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells us of God’s gifts.  The first important thing to note is that it says in verse 7 that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit..”  Everyone who is part of the body of believers has been given Spiritual gifts.  That means you if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior.  The end of verse 7 tells us why.  It says, “…for the common good”.  We are to use the gifts given to us for the common good of the church – to support, encourage, build up, protect, provide for, teach, etc.  This chapter describes many of these gifts.  We are told that there are many gifts, but that they all come from the same Spirit.  Verse 18 says, “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.“  As he chose.  He gives us what we need, what he wants us to have, not what we want or wish for.  Think for a minute about your church and the people in it.  This verse is telling you that God chose each member, that he arranged them (gifted them) just how he wanted.  Now think for a minute about where you might fit in.  You see, God’s plan only works when everyone does their part; when everyone uses the gifts God has given them for the common good of the body.  

Our passage in Leviticus demonstrates another parenting thought.  When we wanted our kids to obey a specific command, we let them know what good things would happen if they chose to do so (we really built it up big). We also told them what would happen if they chose to disobey (we tried to make this choice sound horrible).  We learned that oftentimes it is in the presentation.  God wants his children to obey Him at all times.  In Leviticus 26 God says, “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you….”.  He lists rain in season, abundant harvests, security, peace, victories, and His presence (verses 3-13).  He goes on to tell them, “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you:…”.  He then tells them that they will deal with panic, wasting disease, enemies eating their harvests, wild beasts, and be scattered among the nations (verses 14-33).  The list for disobedience is long and nasty.  It seems like such a “duh” decision.  Of course they, and we, want the blessings and good stuff.  But they didn’t always choose to obey.  We don’t always choose to obey.  Thankfully, God also provides a way for us to change our minds and make the right choice.  Verses 40-45 say, “But if they confess their iniquity….then I will remember my covenant with Jacob…and Isaac…and Abraham…that I might be their God…”. 

-Todd and Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1.  There are a lot of Spiritual gifts “tests” online.  And they can be fun to take.  However, one of the best ways to know what your gifts are is to try some different ministries or acts of service.  Which ones fill you up?  Which ones drain you?  Notice I didn’t ask which ones you were best at.  God will help you learn.  God will help you find courage.  He will provide opportunities for you to grow in your gifts, so you don’t need to worry about doing it really well right away.
  2.  What choices are you currently facing?  Do any of them have the “duh” right answer? 
  3. What traits did you find in today’s reading that describe God?
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The Snail that Dissolves into Slime

New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 11
*Psalms Reading:  Psalm 58
Old Testament Reading:  Leviticus 23-24

It is not easy to watch the wicked – those who don’t know God or choose not to follow God – prosper.  Whether it’s wealth or power or fame, it can be very frustrating and disheartening.  It’s easy to think, “That’s not fair!”. 

In Psalm 58 David describes the rulers as wicked, having hands that deal out violence, lying from birth, and having venom.  He follows that by asking God to deal with them….and not very kindly.  Verses 6-9 are David asking God to “break the teeth in their mouths”, “when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted”, “let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime”, and that God would “sweep them away”.   At first, verse 10 seems to speak of enjoying seeing the rulers fall, “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;  he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.”.  But it is not enjoyment, but rather an encouragement to the righteous to see God judge the wicked rulers.  An encouragement in that we can know that, even though they had the power in this life, God will judge them.  He ends this Psalm by encouraging the righteous, “Mankind will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth’”. 

Don’t pray for bad things to happen to others.  Even those who make really, really bad choices.  Pray, rather, that God gives you the strength to stand firm.  Then you will be able to say, as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 11, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 

-Todd and Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Paul’s statement is a very confident one.  One I don’t feel comfortable making.  Maybe in some areas, but not overall.  What characteristics do you have that are good for others to imitate?  What areas might you need to more closely imitate Christ? 
  2. It’s easy to want bad things to happen to bad people.   It’s hard to wait for God’s vengeance to “give them what they deserve”.  Is there anyone you need to leave in God’s hands?  To trust in God’s timing and ability to judge rightly?  Pray that God will give you strength to trust He will take care of it.
  3. There were many parts of God’s character in today’s reading.  Which ones were you most drawn to?
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No one is all bad, they can always serve as a bad example

*New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 10

*Psalms Reading:  Psalm 57

Old Testament Reading:  Leviticus 21-22

Have you ever wondered why some things “made it” into the Bible?  Why do we need to hear about what people did thousands of years ago?  1 Corinthians 10 gives us one reason.  In verses 6 and 11 Paul writes that these things took place as examples for us.  He was referencing the Israelites as they wandered in the desert and telling us not to do the things they did (indulging in sexual immorality, putting God to the test, grumbling, etc.). 

Yesterday we talked about God’s expectations.  Sometimes rather than just giving us a list of do’s and do not’s He gives us examples of others’ choices and how that worked out for them.  We can look in the Bible and find a lot of examples of people who made good choices and bad choices.  We can learn from both of these. 

We can also learn from David’s example in Psalm 57.   Many of the Psalms tell us what the circumstances were when it was written.  This one says it was when David fled from Saul into a cave. 

Verses 1-3 – David cries out to God, believing He will save him

Verse 4 – David tells God some of his problems

Verse 5 – David exalts God

Verse 6 – David tells God more of his problems

Verses 7-11 – David tells God that his heart belongs to Him; he gives thanks and sings praises to God

It seems as if David does believe in God’s ability to protect him, but at the same time sees the big problems that are in his life at that moment.  He reminds himself of God’s faithfulness, but the fears and trials don’t go away.  He finally simply decides to praise God and recognize Him for his greatness, even in the midst of his difficult circumstances. 

-Todd and Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. What can you praise God for right now in your life, no matter what your circumstances are? 
  2. Whose example in the Bible do you want to follow?  Whose do you want to avoid?
  3. Are you being a good example of a faithful child of God for others to follow?
  4. What character trait of God did you see in today’s reading?
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Be Separated from the Peoples

*Old Testament Reading:  Leviticus 19-20
Psalms Reading:  Psalm 56
*New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 9

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What is the worst food you’ve ever eaten?  There’s been a few in my life.  Gamey lamb.  Bad goat cheese.  Beets.  Eggplant.  I can easily say I detested those things.  I wanted to spit them out, whether it was from taste or texture.  Detest – that’s a pretty strong word for not liking something.  Other translations for this scripture say abhor, felt disgust, loathe. 

Leviticus 20:23 says, “And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.” (ESV).  Our nation, our world, has a lot of customs (statutes, practices) that God hates.  There are many customs/practices that God detests.  There are the things we consider the “biggies” – abortion, homosexuality, pre- or extra-marital sexual relations – that our nation/culture says are good.  They say that they are right.  God says they are very wrong.   Leviticus 20:26 says, “You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.”   God says that if we have chosen Him, He has separated us from the peoples.  He has set us apart.  He expects us to be different.    But, before we get on a soapbox on the “biggies”, consider what other things are practices in our world.  Consider things like gossip, envy, untrustworthy, unmerciful, disobedient to parents, boastful, jealousy, discord, and selfish ambition (Romans 1:29-31, Galations 5:19-21).  These are in the same list as sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, and murder.  The Galatians passage says that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Wow!  That is how much God detests worldly behavior. 

So, how do we live like God has set us apart, separated us from the peoples?  We know, living in this world, we will be surrounded by things detestable to God.   Verse 8a of Leviticus 20 gives us an answer for that.  “Keep my statutes and do them”.  Sounds simple, right?  Simple, yes.  Easy, no.  If you read the other passages for today you will find some help.  In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul tells us that we need to exercise self-control and discipline ourselves.  Psalm 56 tells us to trust God.

I often say that people cannot meet your expectations if you don’t let them know what your expectations are.  God has given us His Word, His expectations are there for us to find.  When we accept Jesus as our savior and are baptized, we receive the gift of His Spirit.  His Spirit IS in us.  That’s what we need in order to act like we are separated from the peoples.  But we get to choose.  Every day we have to make choices.  We choose many times a day whether to follow God and His expectations or to follow the world.    Choose to run the race for the prize.  To discipline your body – your thoughts, attitudes, actions.  

-Todd & Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Paul’s description of an athlete in a race creates a picture of commitment.  Running a race takes lots of training.  Disciplining our bodies requires consistent effort.  Reading these devotions daily, and the Scriptures that go with them, is a great tool.  What other things are you doing consistently to be able to finish the race?  Are you surrounding yourself with others who are running the same race?  It’s not a competition, we need to encourage one another.
  2. What worldly attitude or action do you struggle with most?  Note that to struggle is an action; struggling with something means you are actively trying to overcome or change it.  What will it take for you to win the struggle? 
  3. What did God reveal of Himself to you in today’s reading?
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Work Together for the Truth

3 John

Friday, October 21, 2022

In the third and final letter from John, truth is once again evidenced in his thoughts.  

John is writing, in part, to commend a man named Gaius.  John said of Gaius that he was walking in the truth and that he was being faithful in providing support for strangers who were traveling around sharing the gospel (perhaps like modern day missionaries?).  

While there are many who are called to travel around sharing the gospel – to be missionaries – most of us are not.  That doesn’t excuse us from the responsibility of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”).  We can all come alongside those who are called to do such work by providing prayer, encouragement, and financial support.  This makes us the “fellow workers” that John talks about in verse 8.

John then goes on to contrast the faithful and loving behavior of Gaius with the selfish and subversive behavior of Diotrephes.  In verse 11 he tells Gaius, and us, “do not imitate evil but imitate good”.   It’s not enough to just not imitate evil, but it is commanded that we imitate good.  The one who does good is from God.  

-Todd & Amy Blanchard

Questions:

  1. Do you know who the missionaries we, as a church, support?  You can learn about them and our organization for supporting them, Lord’s Harvest International here:  http://lhicog.com/
  2. Who do you know that you could imitate?  How?
  3. Are the choices you make (attitudes, actions, words, etc.) worthy of imitation?
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Abiding in Truth

2 John

Thursday, October 20, 2022

For such a short letter, John really packs a lot into it.  The greeting, which, if I am being honest, often gets skimmed, offers some insight into what the letter contains.  He mentions truth or the truth four times in the greeting alone.  I think his point is that truth matters.  So, what is the truth that he is talking about?  Verse 9 talks about abiding in the teaching of Christ.  This is the truth that is empathized in his greeting.  Verse 7 says that a deceiver is one who does not confess (believe) that Jesus Christ came in the flesh – that he was a real man who lived on this earth.  No one likes to find out they were deceived, tricked, or made to look foolish because they believed a lie.  The truth is that Jesus is the Son of God, he did live on the earth, he did preach a message of the coming kingdom, he did die for our sins, he was raised up, and he will come back.  We are to abide in that teaching, in that truth.  

I looked up abide and was surprised at the many definitions it has.  Here are a few:

  • to accept or act in accordance with
  • to remain in a stable or fixed state
  • to continue in a particular condition, attitude, or relationship
  • to be able to live with or put up with

Not only are we to abide in this truth, but to NOT abide in it is to NOT have God.  That is a scary thought!

John provides a warning to us in verse 8 to “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward”.  He warns us because there will be “many deceivers” – many people who won’t be abiding in the truth about Jesus.  The only way to know if you are being told the truth or if you are being deceived is to “test everything” (I Thessalonians 5:21).  In order to do that, we need to know the truth ourselves.  We need to “test” what we are being taught against what is in God’s word, the Bible. 

  • Todd & Amy Blanchard

Questions:

  1.  Have you ever been deceived by someone?  How did you learn about the truth and what steps have you taken so you aren’t deceived in that way again?  
  2. How can you apply that to being watchful with regard to your faith walk (walking in the truth)?
  3. Being aware that knowledge of the truth prevents deception, how can you share your knowledge to help keep others from being deceived?
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