Category: devotional

Ecclesiastes 12 is becoming more and meaningful.  I can feel its cold breath on my neck.  I have been in denial.  But the latest sign could not be denied.  It was simple and yet dramatic.  I got out of the car and was halfway to the supermarket when I heard a horn.   A friendly sounding man called out, “You might want to close your car door.”  As I twirled around I saw it.  There it was standing wide open.  I had opened it, gotten out and just walked away.

I am so thankful for Isaiah 49:15.  Isaiah assures us that God will never forget us.  We need that verse because in Daniel 7 He is called The Ancient of Days.  Apparently God handles His age better than we do.   Unlike some gray bearded old guy on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel He is eternally young.  Before there was anything He was.  Abell 1835 IR1916 is His creation and is over 13 billion light-years from us.  Our telescopes are time machines showing us not what is but what was. The name Ancient of Days doesn’t even begin to describe Him.  He always was, is and always will be and He will never forget us.

When times become difficult, and they will,  He remembers you.  When you’re feeling down, and you will,  He remembers you.  When you seem to be forgetting everything, and you will,  He remembers you.  He knows what you need and in His infinite wisdom He will give you what you need.  What I needed was someone to tell me to close my car door.  Maybe it was Him.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 13, 2013

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

If you are old enough to remember the cartoon strip Li’l  Abner you might also remember Joe Btfsplk.  Joe was a regular character in Li’l Abner and always had a dark cloud over his head.  Wherever he went the cloud was sure to be there to cause trouble.  It had no silver lining.  For almost six hours this afternoon I felt like Joe.   This afternoon we drove from Philadelphia to our home in central Massachusetts and it rained hard the entire trip.  The storm moved up the east coast at the same rate we moved up the east coast.  We managed to stay right in the heart of it the entire way fighting our way through the blinding clouds of water generated by hundreds of semis.  Needless to say it wasn’t a pleasant trip.

While crossing the George Washington Bridge at New York City I remembered a church member I had in my very first pastorate.  She was Joe Btfsplk in the flesh.  There was nothing in her life that was right.  After visiting with her I would have to go home and eat ice cream or do something to lift my spirits.  I have to give it to her she was gifted.  She could take any blessing and turn it into something bad.  I would try to point out good things to her but she always bested me with her gloom and doom.  One of her horrors was none of her children ever became Christians.  Really?  I wonder why?

It is just as easy to find the bright side to something as it is to find the dark side. Happiness is a choice.  Sharing Jesus with others is a happy choice.  If it isn’t a call to a better more abundant life then it really isn’t a choice at all.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March12, 2013

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94547

Rogerbothwell.org

Yesterday my wife was visiting an elementary school and while she was washing her hands she said to a little girl, “We wash our hands to kill germs so we don’t get sick.  We get sick from germs.”  The little girl responded, “I have a cold but I didn’t get it from germs.  I got it from my cousin.”

And so we are confronted with a dilemma created by Jesus.  A. Birds of a feather flock together.  It’s an old adage that is supported by massive amounts of data.  And B. “This man eats with publicans and sinners” is an accurate description of Jesus’ friends and activities.  How does a person like you and me, well at least me, hope to be like Jesus and associate with publicans and sinners and not catch their habits, their vocabulary and their attitudes?  We catch all manner of thought patterns and outlooks via the conversations with have with others.  Thus we are told by our parents to be careful with whom we make friends.

This also points out the necessity for spending time each day with Jesus via His word.  Studying the life of Christ should whet our appetites for wholesome intellectual input.  There is the issue of the inner presence of the Holy Spirit.  That is a huge help in educating us.  So often we use the text about training up a child in the way he should go in regards to our children.  In God’s eyes we are His children so it doesn’t matter how old we are.  We need to be training ourselves in the way we should go.

Then there is the issue that most publicans and sinners don’t want to be bothered with someone who doesn’t join in.  They might catch something from us.  (Isn’t this a smug devotional?  I’m assuming we are not publicans and sinners.  Alas, what a self-deceived snob I can be.)

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 14, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Have you ever desired to be a doppelganger?  If you select the right person being a doppelganger can be a wonderful thing.  Just in case you don’t know what a doppelganger is that’s why I am writing about it.  It’s new to me.  Being a doppelganger is looking exactly like someone else but not being a twin.

A few years ago while waiting to board an airplane a doppelganger of my father came and sat across from me.  He was even wearing a fedora and had a cigar in his mouth.  I wanted to go over and hug him.  I’m sure he wondered why I continually stared at him.   Many years ago in a bookstore I saw a doppelganger of my wife. After a while I realized that if I did not stop following her from bookshelf to bookshelf I would be arrested for harassment or stalking.

By this time you know where I am going with all this doppelganger talk.  The name Christian means to be Christ-like.  Wouldn’t the best thing in the world to hear if someone said to you, “Because I know you I now know what Jesus looks like”?  Realistically speaking that would take a long, long time for most of us.  That’s why we need eternity.

In John 14 Jesus spoke of His doppelganger.  While speaking about His Father, He said, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”  He went on to speak of doing His Father’s will.  So there it is.  If you wish to be a doppelganger of Jesus, the way is plotted out.  Do His will.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 13, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

Before David became King of Israel, before Saul died, when David was a fugitive warrior, a raiding party of Amalekites burned Ziklag and kidnapped David’s wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, and the wives and children of David’s raiding party.   David with 600 warriors pursued them, found them and defeated them, taking much plunder while rescuing their loved ones.  During the pursuit 200 of David’s men wearied and could not continue.  Upon returning with all the loot the 400 did not think the 200 should receive anything except their wives and children since they had not engaged in the battle.  But David would not have it so.   The men who stayed behind with the supplies received the same as the fighters.  Every fighting force needs a support team if they are to be successful.

Therefore, the principle was set.  Each has his or her role to play and each will be rewarded.  At times we look at the rock star preachers and evangelists and think they will have so much more reward than the rest of us.  Not so.  God does not play favorites.  Just because someone is up front does not make them more worthy than the ones listening.  The ones listening are the ones making it possible for the one up front to speak.  Without their offerings and their attendance the big names would only have the shower in which to “sing their songs.”  God is an equal opportunity lover.  He loves the little old lady in the back as much as the elder in the front.

This is righteous because everyone makes it by grace.  No contributions on our part count lest we spend eternity boasting.  See Ephesians 2.  Scripture is plain. Salvation was God’s idea and His task.  We are the blessed ones.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 12, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I received some eloquently written messages today chastising me for yesterday’s exaltation of procrastination; therefore I am turning a new leaf in my old age.  Henceforth I will instead speak of the incredible benefits that are derived from being on time and doing things on time.  From now on I shall begin my classes when the big hand reaches the 12.   I will send in my taxes before April 15 and I will get my wife’s birthday present on time.

Jesus did say in Matthew 24, “But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”  His message was one of being ready at anytime, always, for the end.  Here in New England we drive on a lot of icy roads which are the cause of many deaths.  I have no guarantee that I will make it to the grocery store.  In these days of mass shootings I don’t know if someone will shoot me while I am sniffing a cantaloupe.  Therefore, be ready.

But what does that mean?  The answer is really very simple.  Jesus made it very clear in John 5:24, “I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  Before being beheaded Sir Thomas More said to his executioner.  “Do not be afraid of your office.  You send me to God.”   He is then asked, “Are you so sure?”  His answer rings through the ages, “He will not refuse one who is so blithe to go to him.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 11, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, Ca 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I have a clock on my desk that didn’t need to be changed this morning.  No, it’s not a modern one that automatically updates when the time changes.   This is the old fashioned kind.  I just never bothered to change it last fall so it’s correct once again.  This stirs me to speak in favor of procrastination.  When I was a student I learned that if I studied all semester, I still had to review the night before a test.  So why not just wait until the night before the test and then learn it.   It’s fresh and never needed reviewing.  If I finish preparing a sermon on Monday or Tuesday for the coming weekend I have a problem.  Once it is ready, I am ready.  I am like a race horse at the gate waiting for the bell.  If I don’t finish preparing until the end of the week then I am not anxious all week.  So don’t bother to change your clocks.  They will be correct again in six months or so.

Now that I have taken this stance I need to qualify it regarding salvation.  Just because God accepts deathbed confessions, it is not wise to wait.  You might wait too long and develop a condition that renders you unable to choose.  You could be suddenly killed in an accident or have drastic heart failure.   And of course, most importantly, you would spend a life without experiencing the joys of following Jesus.  He is wonderful.  He brings a peace that cannot be duplicated any other way.  Your relationships with others are better if you are like Him or becoming like Him.   Your health is better because of the lack of stress.  Folks, it is just the smart way to live.  The benefits of citizenship in the Kingdom begin now.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 10, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

While waiting in a pharmacy for a prescription I watched a four-year-old little girl come up to her mother with a penny she found on a counter.  When her mother told her to put it back there was not a moment’s hesitation.  She ran back to the counter and carefully put it back where she found it.  As she was returning to her mother she stopped and said to me, “Why are you smiling at me?”  I was a bit startled but then responded, “Because you were such a good girl.  You obeyed your mommy right away.”

I chatted a few moments with her mom and thought, “I think there are lots of smiles in heaven when we are obedient.”  There are many opportunities each day for us not to obey and God’s reputation is on the line.  He has maintained that we can overcome.  Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Satan is an accuser.  He delights when we fail and he can throw our failures in God’s face.  So when we do well Satan is frustrated and God is so pleased.  When we obey we give God the satisfaction of being able to say, “Well, done my good and faithful servant.”  And just like any proud parent He beams at our successes.  God has done so much for us.  It is grand to be able to do something for Him.  Today let’s give Him tons of opportunities to smile.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 5, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Each year on the week before Christmas dinner we go in search of fresh brussel sprouts because one of my sons loves them.  Scientific studies indicate that over half the population has a genetic dislike for brussel sprouts.  My son’s appetite for this obnoxious weed was not inherited from me.  I have checked with my sisters and they share my distaste for those little round whatevers.  My wife was an only child and her parents are gone; therefore we can only garner limited information on her side.  She will eat them but rarely cooks them for herself.  Surely brussel sprouts were not in Eden but grew outside the gate and became food as punishment for Adam and Eve’s transgression.

I have met people who are to me as brussel sprouts.  I just don’t like them.  I don’t want to be around them.  I am so happy Jesus never asks us to like others.  He does ask us to love others and there is a huge difference.  The word He used for love meant for us to care for others and to wish them well.  I can do that for people I don’t like.  I am not so naive to think everyone likes me.  I know they don’t; even if my mother never understood how someone would not like me.  I just hope they do not wish me harm.

I doubt very much that Jesus liked the people who beat Him before taking Him to the cross.  Surely there were places filled with evil people that very much repulsed Him.  But He still loved them.  He even asked His Father to forgive them because of their ignorance.   Before you go to bed tonight think of someone you don’t like and then pray for them.  It will be good for both of you.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 4, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

“For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard . . .” Song of Solomon 2.   I realize I am pushing it just a bit.  But spring will be here in just two weeks.  Daylight savings time does begin this weekend.  While it would be difficult to see any flowers because of a persistent foot of snow that won’t go away, I’m sure that deep underneath there are crocus thinking about pushing their heads above ground.  As for the dove, there was a very amorous fellow outside my window wooing and cooing the girl of his dreams. She was playing hard to get but there was no doubt he had the Song of Solomon in mind. This is not to say we will not get another blast of winter.  It could easily happen.  After all, we wouldn’t want Punxsutawney Phil to be wrong.  He did see his shadow.

Jesus did say, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for spring draws nigh.”  Well, not actually.  I did fudge the text just a bit.  He actually said, “your redemption draws nigh” which is much better than looking forward to spring.  Life is made so much better when we have good things to look forward to.  Thanksgiving is looking forward to the children and grandchildren gathering about the table.  Christmas is about looking forward to giving things to our loved ones.  Spring is looking forward to zephyrs and daffodils. And Jesus is about looking forward to an eternity filled with things to look forward to.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 7, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org