Join Pastor Skip as he gives his first devotion of 2021. Today's message speaks of the hope we have in Christ and the excitement of looking forward to what He is going to do in our lives this year.
To watch this devotion, click below.
“Show Me Your Glory”
During 2021 I will go through a wonderful book by Steve Lawson titled, “Show Me Your Glory.” The thoughts will be Steve’s and worth pondering. He is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and trains pastors to faithfully proclaim the Bible. The truths he unpacks contain deep insight into the character of God. This is not idle speculation, but based on what God says and does in response to Moses asking in Exodus 33:18, “Show me Your glory.” I will refer to him as Steve. I got to have dinner with him and some other pastors in 2019. What a blessed time it was. I have benefitted from his wisdom and teaching.
Steve tells a story about R. C. Sproul, who in the early days of Ligonier Ministries, worked with a consultant to develop a vision and strategy. When asked, “What is the greatest need of people in the church?” Sproul quickly responded, “People in the church need to know who God is.”
This will not be an exercise that just gives your brain cells a workout. “The trajectory of our lives is directed by our understanding of God. Moreover, our eternal destiny hinges on our relationship to Him and who we believe He is. If we are to live as He intends us to live, we must know who He is and what He is like.” Steve echoes J. I. Packer when he adds, “There is nothing more important in our lives than knowing God and living for the glory of His great and awesome name…Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, every moment is to be lived for the glory of God…Living for the glory of God is the beginning and end of all things. This divine glory is the blazing sun around which our lives must revolve…Only in the pursuit of the glory of God will our lives count for time and eternity.”
We need the same thing Moses needed – a deeper knowledge of God. “If we are to live life to the fullest, we must know the God who has made us in His image. If we are to meet the many difficulties before us, we must know Him who has an eternal purpose and plan for our lives.”
I hope you will eat up Steve’s words for many months to come. As the words will be his, I will not be writing this in the letter form I have used since March. I might add a question or two at the end for you to ponder. Written devotions will be posted on Monday and Thursday with a video devotion on Wednesday.
Pastor Gillikin
Join us for Pastor Skip’s daily devotion.
Join us for Pastor Skip’s daily devotion.
Click below to watch Pastor Skip’s Wednesday Devotional video.
Click below to watch Pastor Skip’s Wednesday Devotional video.
Join us for our Wednesday Video Devotions with Pastor Skip. Click below to watch!
Dear Church Family,
It has been two days since you heard the first of two sermons on the beautiful doctrine of adoption. I trust a search of your spiritual DNA reveals your identity rests secure in the saving work of Jesus and that you know God has adopted you as His beloved child.
Without doubt, Jesus commissioned His ambassadors to proclaim the Gospel – the fact that Jesus came to redeemed sinners by faith in His atoning work on the cross. Until He returns this glorious proclamation remains the primary work of preachers. I believe the second most important task of one in the pulpit is to assure God’s people of their identity as an adopted child of the Creator God.
Of course, Satan cannot stand the idea that the all-powerful God cradles His chosen children in His loving arms; that they can call out, “Abba, Father”; that they pray to the Heavenly Father; and, that they enjoy great blessings unique to those who by grace claim membership in the eternal family of God.
Therefore, the evil one must do something to deceive them and lead them away from their Father. Remember Satan has used the same lies since the Garden of Eden. He will challenge the authority of the Bible – “Did God really say?” – to bring doubt about the intimate relationship God has with His children. He then piles on by wondering why God would adopt someone like you because of the bad things you did at some point earlier (even years ago) and that must disqualify from ever being a child of God. He might appeal to our pride. Imagine Satan whispering to you that you are a self-sufficient adult and you do not need to be dependent on anyone or anything.
Sadly, people will buy into the lies and miss out on the blessings of being a child of God. We forget the glory of the Gospel of grace. Not one person deserves the favor of God. Paul puts the lies of Satan in the dumpster when he writes in Romans 5:8, “But while we were yet sinner Christ died for us.” Salvation comes by grace alone and so does adoption. It must always amaze us that God loves us. Grace has a way of doing that. So live as a child of God today and forever.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Dear Church Family,
In my video devotion yesterday I mentioned that a friend of mine, who I never met, had died. I talked about Alex Trebeck, who hosted Jeopardy for 34-plus years and died over the weekend. Yesterday I learned that a hero of mine almost died last month. Ryan Bomberger runs a Bible-based foundation that seeks “to creatively affirm that every human life has purpose.” He describes himself as a “passionate factivist” whose “life defies the myth of the ‘unwanted’ child as he was adopted, loved and has flourished.” Here is some of his story and some what God taught him.
He writes, “I nearly died on October 12 from a pulmonary embolism that resulted in dangerous blot clots to my lungs. I couldn’t breathe, and it was terrifying. I was rushed to the ER.” He admits that he ignored warnings that his body sent, after all, he was doing kingdom work while still being fully engaged with his wife and four children. He admits like many who work diligently, “I wasn’t taking care of myself the way I should have. I always looked at rest as something you do when everything is done. But rest is what you do so you can get things done. Rest is a spiritual weapon, too.”
He shares good news: “It will be a long journey of recovery, but we’re praying and believing for a God detour to complete healing! It’s easy to be overwhelmed by my fragile state, but I’m looking forward to being overwhelmed by what God will do through all of this.” I love the hope that he shares.
His near-death experience led him to reflect on what Joseph went through with his brothers. “These words from Joseph, in Genesis 50:20, are a new life anthem for me: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is being done, the saving of many lives.” I nearly died …, but God had different plans! I know I was meant to be. And I’ll continue to fight, through whatever circumstance (Phil 4:13), to rescue the ones left to perish in our cultural pits.” He likens the year 2020 to what Joseph endured. Notice Ryan’s use of those glorious two words “but God” which he employs twice. Joseph felts hopeless and we at time may have felt hopeless during the pandemic, but God… I can’t wait to see what God will do long-term through the events of 2020.
Ryan closes with words of thanks and hope that we can use as well, “I’m grateful to God to be alive at this moment in time. I’m beyond thankful that my precious wife and kiddos still have me in their lives, and I have them. We’re facing this crazy upside down reality together as a family who will unite with the Body of Christ to help bring our culture right side up.”
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Join us for Pastor Skip’s Daily Devotion. Click below….
Dear Church Family,
Today I have a presbytery meeting, and though I no longer serve as the Stated Clerk, I do attend meetings. With the press of sermon preparation in a busy week, I pass on to you a prayer by Ed Stetzer, who directs the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. We can each echo these words of praise and petition to our Heavenly Father.
“Father, I pray for God’s people on this call, in this conversation, people who will watch later or who are watching and sharing right now. Father I pray that they would be bearers of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“Father. We come before you today and we acknowledge your Holiness and goodness. We acknowledge that the thing we can do that is most important, more than anything else, is not to flip on the news and to see where the electoral counts are, not to see where the votes are coming in.
“Right now, the most important thing we can do is to say ‘Holy, Holy Holy.’
“All of you pray with me out loud, the three-part ‘Holy.’ Let’s say it out loud together.
“Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The whole Earth is full of your glory. In places where the vote has been counted-- full of your glory. In the places where votes have not been counted--full of your glory. In places where people are afraid—full of your glory. A place where people are excited--full of your glory.
“Lord, we know this truth literally shook the thresholds in Isaiah 6 and it shakes the thresholds of our world today…
“We pray for our nation. That you might forgive us when we haven’t valued the unborn. We pray as a nation that you would forgive us when we haven’t cared about racial injustice. We pray that you would forgive us for when we have celebrated the wrong and pushed aside the good.”
“Father, forgive us for relying on politics for what only Jesus can do.
“Father, I pray for God’s people on this call, in this conversation, people who will watch later or who are watching and sharing right now. Father I pray that they would be bearers of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Dear Church Family,
I’m not sure where I found this quote, though I think it has been written since the pandemic stated. It should make you chuckle, at least, and maybe even give you a little perspective on life. Here it is:
“The best thing about being a pessimist is that I've never tested positive for anything.”
If you did not laugh a little, then perhaps you fall in the pessimist category. Just to make sure I checked a dictionary that calls pessimism “the doctrine that the existing world is the worst possible (and/or) the belief that the evil in life outweighs the good.” Yes, wordsmiths view pessimism as a doctrine! A second definition says it expects “misfortune or the worst outcome in any circumstances.”
While doctrine might be too strong a word to use to define pessimism, I think we can agree that many people, even Christians, hold to it. From a Biblical perspective we freely admit the curse of evil affects everything in the world. Genesis 3 clearly tells us God has put enmity between Satan and humanity, childbirth will be painful, work became difficult and death entered the world. Anyone can make a list quickly of five things that mar life. I was tempted to make such a list, but have resisted.
I resisted because I strive to live with an optimism based on the redemptive work of Jesus. Even in our fallen world, God’s glory can be seen now and will be seen for all eternity. The evil one works to blind us to the truths of the Gospel. We fall for his lie that we can be like God.
In contrast, God’s people can test positive for many things. A spiritual test reveals a new heart, a new mind and a new will for by faith in Christ we become new creatures – the old is gone and the new has come. We have faith, hope and love rooted in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us the best is yet to come. Even now we enjoy eternal life and life to the fullest. We have sung a hymn with the lyrics, “To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus; For my life is wholly bound to His.”
I encourage you during these pessimistic times to be radically optimistic because your hope rests in your Lord and Savior. Will you test positive?
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Dear Church Family,
I used a quote by Nancy Pearcey two Sundays ago in reference to the use of our Spirit-led minds to the glory of God, in contrast to the mind set on the sinful nature. I gave it a hearty “AMEN!” when I first read it and hope you will do the same as I look at it in a little more detail now. Here are her words.
Having a Christian worldview means being utterly convinced that biblical principles
are not only true but also work better in the grit and grime of the real world.
A worldview “refers to a comprehensive conception of the world from a specific standpoint.” It frames how a person understands reality. Therefore, it “the basis for making daily decisions and is therefore extremely important.” A Christian worldview sees all of life as Christian. The Bible forms the foundation for what one believes and how one lives.
Some basic truths guide the Christian worldview. In keeping with the Bible, God created all things by His power; God made man in His image; our first parents rebelled against God in the garden and the resulting curse due to sin has affected the entire world; God sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty of sin; only by faith in the atoning work of Jesus can on be redeemed; and , one day Jesus will come again and restores all things to perfection. This stands in stark contrast to worldly philosophies that deny God as Creator by putting faith in evolution – this reducing life to a cosmic accident – and establishing “man as the measure of all things.”
Either the Christian worldview is true or the secular worldviews have merit that shows them to be true. We need not blindly accept either worldview. God’s people have minds that allow us to know the truth that sets us free. Only the Christian worldview accepts the affirmations of the Bible. It rejects the “hollow and deceptive” speculations of worldly philosophies. It holds onto eternal truths rather than the shifting sands of human feelings and opinion.
Since the Christian worldview has the King of Kings at its core, it has application to all of life. True life and blessings come as one lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and not in opposition to His kingly rule. The Christian worldview and its biblical principles remain eternally true and allow God’s people to live to His glory in our fallen, yet soon to be redeemed, world. Can I get an amen?
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Join us for Pastor Skip’s Daily Devotion. Click below…..
Dear Church Family,
At last Election Day 2020 has arrived. In a year that will go down in history for many reasons, today will be the most cited days for years to come. Most experts call it the most important election in our country’s history. Yet almost every trip to the polls in the four-year voting federal cycle since my youth has been granted that distinction. In the history of the world a certain election must be seen as the most important because it changed the world many years after the one voter cast His vote.
I cannot give you an exact date of the election. Ephesians 1:4 simply states, “He chose us in Him before the creation of the world…” At some point before God in the space of six days by the power of His word spoke all things into existence, God held an election in which He had the sole vote. This act of choosing or predestination took place at the pleasure of the sovereign God and for His glory per Eph. 1:12.
While clearly taught in Scripture, this doctrine continues to be denied by many Christians who deem it unfair. Paul answers this thought in Romans 9:14-15, “Is God unjust? Not at all! For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’” Paul then adds this act of love depends not “on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” This reflects what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 7:7 as he tells Israel. “The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers…”
Predestination shows the world and His people His great love. Not one person deserves to be chosen by God. Only God’s incredible act of grace allows anyone to know the salvation that comes from His love. Therefore, no one can brag about anything they did to merit grace for grace is God’s unmerited favor. Being elect gives God’s people a sure identity as 1 Peter 2:9 states, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of His who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” The elect have an eternal identity as children of God and a purpose to live by – worshipping God in praise and holy conduct. Even Jesus told His disciples in John 15:16, “I chose you to go and bear fruit.”
Those chosen by God can live with confidence for when Jesus returns “He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens” per Mark 13:27. In the meantime, by grace alone we rest in the perfect rule of our Holy King who rules forever over those He chose and for whom He died. This is the most important election ever!
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Dear Church Family,
I grew up in a family that sang. Rarely did my parents turn on the radio as we rode in the car. Sometimes we talked, but usually we sang. Neither my mom nor dad allowed us to sing loud except for certain songs. They allowed us to belt it out as we sang a part this song. Here are the lyrics with the part I would shout in all caps and bolded. Feel free to sing along and shout if you wish.
The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s that book for me; I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!
God’s Word shall never fail, never fail, never fail. God’s Word shall never fail, NO! NO! NO!
My parents taught the family that the Bible could be trusted because it contains the inspired Word of God. It was true when it was first inspired by God and it remains eternally true. Yet Satan’s number one tool of temptation remains in use today – he casts doubt on the authority and truth of the Bible. He began his conversation in the garden with four simple words to Eve, “Did God really say?”
Life will disappoint everyone at some point. We will fail. Others will betray us. Death, sickness, loneliness, job loss, financial pressure, and more will take their toll on us. In those down times the evil one will lead us to question God. In the good times Satan will whisper that we are doing great without God and we might be come self-reliant. Ultimately people who turn from the authority of the Bible replace it with a dependence on self as the basis of truth.
Every person has a list (spoken or unspoken) of what they believe. Janie B. Chaney writes in WORLD that asking someone why they believe provides a great opening to a deep sharing of ideas. She points out, “credos are an excellent place to begin a conversation. Many of us adopt beliefs without knowing why—sometimes, at least in part, because those beliefs are breathed in with the atmosphere. Sometimes, in part, simply to fit in with the cultural milieu.”
Trusting in Scripture alone as the only rule of faith and practice transformed the world five hundred years ago with the Reformation. We must continue to be reformed and ever reforming as God’s truth takes deeper root in us as we “stand alone on the Word of God.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Dear Church Family,
I had outlined another topic for today, but a 90-minute interruption changed that. I received a call that informed me I faced criminal charges for drug dealing. The caller hesitated to give me any details of when and where I engaged in this illegal activity. She then passed me on to her supervisor in the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). He thanked me for my cooperation and let me know all my finances would be frozen in the next few days. With his help he indicated some of the problems could be lessened.
Surprise and confusion filled me. Other then picking up a prescription at CVS or other drugstores, I have never trafficked in drugs. His tone changed when I asked where this drug dealing occurred. He let me know I had been seen at two locations in El Paso, Texas. I breathed a sigh of relief as I have never set foot in that city. But the DEA agent then let me know I was still on the hook for financial crimes as my Social Security number had been used on over 20 credit cards and multiple fraudulent loans. I faced up to 30 years in prison as well as fines and payment of restitution.
To shorten the story, I realized this was nothing but attempted identity theft. I will spare you the details, but my bank has set up a fraud alert and I do not plan to lose any sleep over this. I might get LifeLock to protect against further scams.
At last I could relax a little. My thoughts went Biblical. I realized Satan relishes his evil role as an identity thief. In Matthew 4:6 he tempts Jesus by questioning His divine identity with, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.” Satan then misquotes Scripture (a favorite tactic today) to persuade Jesus to jump off the highest part of the temple. Of course, Jesus responded as He did to all three of the temptations Satan brought to Him with Scripture. Jesus’ rooted His identity in what the inspired Word of God said.
Satan will try to rob us of our identity in Christ. He might get us to doubt the truth of the Bible. He could tell us our sin is so bad God will never forgive us. He has a warehouse full of tricks that lead us away from remembering that Jesus has died for our sins and that God has adopted us as His children. He will try with all his might to get us to deny the words of Romans 8:38-39 that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I hope you and I can learn from the attempt to steal my identity today. It would be terrible to have to get all those matters put back in order. Remember, your identity in your Savior and Lord is secure!
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Join us for Pastor Skip’s Daily Devotion. Click below….
Dear Church Family,
In writing about the “one another” verses in the New Testament, I have written much about what I think comprise the three most important of those commands. “Love one another” remains securely in the top spot as Jesus Himself said this forms the greatest commandment after loving God with all we have. It is also the most stated of the passages. Scholar D. A. Carson observes, “I suspect that one of the reasons why there are so many exhortations in the New Testament for Christians to love other Christians is because this is not an easy thing to do.” They may not be easy, but it is our privilege and call as the body of Christ to love one another.
The next two I rank high and have written about may be seen as subjective choices, but I think I could make a solid argument for saying the commands to build one another up and to pray for one another should be in close competition for the second and third slots. We live in a fallen world. We continue to battle temptation and sin. We yearn to see the Kingdom of God come in its glorious fullness. Each of God’s people needs edification and prayer. God has designed His church to provide these blessings to other parts of the body.
The remaining twenty “one another” passages can be broadly divided into two categories. One can be called commands of service and the other can be seen as relational. I will list them below with the reminder that these remain commands and not mere suggestions.
Commands of Service:
Serve one another – Galatians 5:13; Receive one another – Romans 15:7; Care for one another - 1 Corinthians 12:25; Comfort one another – 1 Thessalonians 4:18.
Commands of Relationship:
Be at peace with one another – Mark 9:50; Be of the same mind toward one another – Romans 12:16; Give preference to one another – Romans 12:10; Greet one another – Romans 16:16; Esteem one another as better than yourself – Philippians 2:3; Be devoted to one another – Romans 12:10; Admonish one another – Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16; Show tolerance toward one another – Romans 15:1-5; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13; Be kind and forgiving to one another – Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Submit to one another – Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5; Encourage one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Be compassionate with one another – 1 Peter 3:8; Confess your faults to one another – James 5:16; Accept one another – Romans 14:1; 15:7; Be truthful with one another – Colossians 3:9; Do not take one another to court – 1 Corinthians 6:1-7.
A quick glance shows these important commands focus on the relational side of life. That takes work bathed in prayer and the Word of God. This makes us the essence of what a pastor called “Life Together” in a classic book. God intended our life together as brothers and sisters in Christ to reflect the union we have with our Savior and Lord.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
Dear Church Family,
Chew over these wise words from writer Jen Pollock Michel, “A solitary Christian who thinks he can live independently of the church functions about as well as a thumb severed from its hand”. Obviously a thumb has no value or use should it be severed permanently from its hand. The same could be said about a finger cut off from a hand or a toe cut off a foot.
Mrs. Michel shows the folly of any Christian thinking he can be an island unto himself. God designed His people to live in community. I wrote two weeks ago, “As a church family we must fight any urge we have to live in isolation from other Christians.” Life during this pandemic may lead us to think that we must live without others to stay safe and that has become the new normal. I strongly want everyone to take measures to keep safe in the pandemic, but please remember the pandemic must be seen as temporary (yes, it could last many more months) and as abnormal (not the usual state of things).
James 5:16 points us to a powerful activity that we can practice while physically apart from each other. It says, “Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” This almost sounds too simple. Well, I confess to being a simple guy. God gives us the resource of time. What better use of time than to spend it in prayer! You may want to pick out two or three people in the church for whom you will pray each day. Here are a few ways to pray for them:
1) 2 Peter 3:18 to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2) Ephesians 1:18 “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you…”
3) Ephesians 3:18-19 “that you may have power to grasp how wise and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love the surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” and
4) Philippians 1:11 “May you be filled with the fruit of the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”
These prayers may seem radical or out of character with how you usually pray. They come right from Scripture and how Paul prayed for the saints he loved. I encourage you to look through Paul’s writings and use other prayers to inform how you pray. You then might want to let those for whom you are praying know that you are praying for them and what words from the Bible you are using. This will be a blessing for you and for them! Though separated by the pandemic, you will be connected to your fellow Christians and not be a thumb severed from the hand.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin
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