Traveling Companions
By Ben Furman

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”         (Joshua 1:9)

Jesus walked an estimated 3000 miles during His 3-year public ministry. (I’m not sure if that includes His walks on water.) He walked most of those miles with company, usually His disciples. Jesus had a special relationship with the twelve men He specifically called to follow Him.

The disciples had a deep desire to follow Jesus and learn from Him — in essence, they wanted to KNOW Him. They spent lots of time with Jesus, including many hours and miles traveling the dusty roads.

Do you ever wish you could walk with Jesus just like those first disciples? To hear His preaching, experience His miracles, and pray alongside the Savior of the world? But if you were walking beside I’m, He’d see all your faults, wouldn’t He?

The greed in your heart that holds back your giving spirit.
The addiction that rears its ugly head when no one is watching.
The angry shutdown mode you turn on when you just don’t want to deal with your family struggles.

Jesus saw the shortcomings of His disciples too — plenty of them! At times, His disciples argued, didn’t listen, acted like children in front of children, and got upset when they would instead have shown compassion. But there were also incredible moments of teaching and learning, healing, and prayer. Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness were real for those disciples, and they are just as real for you today!

Jesus never fired His disciples, and He’ll never fire you, either. Instead, He frees you from the chains of sin. You can take comfort in the same promise He gave to His disciples:

“I am with you always, to the end of the age.”        (Matthew 28:20)

Ultimately, we never travel alone — around the house or around the world, on good days or bad days. Our Savior is present. His never-ending forgiveness is always here and everywhere. Enjoy spending time with Him . . . Hour by hour, mile after mile.

PRAYER STARTER:
Jesus, I yearn to walk with You just like Your first disciples. Strengthen my faith. Show me Your grace and use your Word to guide me . . .

Making Memories
By Pastor Ben

“Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they
have been from of old.”        (Psalm 25:6)

If you ask people born before 1965 to share some favorite childhood memories, plenty will share stories about family vacations. Often, their time spent traveling together was as memorable as their destination. Here are a few favorite pre-technology memories some of you might appreciate:

Windows open, no air conditioning, eating PB&J sandwiches wrapped in wax paper.
Laying up in the window of the back seat/License plate & alphabet games.
Getting truckers to blow their horns/Photos taken with Polaroid cameras.
Full-service gas stations w/oil checks, window washing, and free maps.

Granted, not everyone has positive vacation memories. Arguments, awkward silence, unmet expectations, frustrations, or bad accidents can make for unhappy vacation baggage.

In Psalm 77, the writer shares a variety of emotions tied to his memories. He has his own baggage filled with complaints, size XL. He cries out to God, wondering if the Lord is even listening or traveling along with him. But then, he puts his complaints on hold:

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy.”                            (Psalm 77:11-13)

At this point in his prayer, the psalmist realizes God’s direction is best. Have you ever had an “a-ha” moment like this? You pour out your soul to God and He draws your heart back to His holy heart. Like the psalmist, you can once again see God’s goodness, power, and grace, active on your behalf.
Then again, maybe moaning and groaning is the only way you can pray authentically right now. The struggles of life hang like a heavy fog and you can barely see the road  right in front of you. Rest assured, God hears those prayers too. Because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, God offers you comfort, no matter how many bad memories you’re trying to forget.

I pray that the goodness and grace of our Savior will open your eyes to focus on the good, see the victories, and experience the blessings of traveling with our Lord Jesus.

PRAYER STARTER:
Holy Spirit, help me to recall and give thanks for Your unending goodness. What a difference those memories make in my travels throughout each day . . .

Planning To Be Spontaneous?
By Pastor Ben

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”
                                (Psalm 119:15)

A note in my weekly planner says to take a spontaneous trip to Lexington to see my daughter — next Friday at 5:00. (OK, so maybe I’m not the most spontaneous guy.) My wife, Torrie, on the other hand, has no problem deciding to take a vacation with just a day or two notice!

Wise decisions often follow meticulous planning as we travel through life as God’s faith-filled people. But the wise man Solomon reminds us:

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
                                (Proverbs 16:9)

While we make plans, using our God-given discernment and gifts, we also recognize and appreciate that the Lord’s wisdom far outweighs our human judgment. We wisely, though sometimes reluctantly, ask the Lord to lead us in His way, even if that takes us in a different direction than we planned.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ — yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. . . .Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”                    (James 4:13-15)

We pray tat our planning process involves looking to God’s will first and our own often-flawed reasoning second (or not at all!) If you’re a spur-of-the-moment kind of person, remember ‘tis: the Lord can use our faith, compassion and wisdom in the spontaneous decisions we make throughout each day, too.

He may surprise us with opportunities to show empathy to a struggling co-worker, to pray with a stranger, to listen with heartfelt concern to the needs of a family member, or to gladly forgive, as the Lord has graciously forgiven us.

With Jesus as our travel companion, we set our itinerary. We make plans, trusting at the same time that the Lord will direct us to necessary detours and that the Holy Spirit will surprise us with opportunities for spontaneous acts of grace.

PRAYER STARTER:
Jesus, I love tat I can always plan on You to reveal your ways to me and lead me where You want me to go. Teach me to follow with a grateful heart . . .

WHAT ROUTE?
By Pastor Ben

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”    (Psalm 119:105)

Most trips offer drivers a variety of routes. Flexible travelers with a sense of adventure can usually make great memories on two-lane highways. Along with impressive scenery, those routes often carry descriptive names like, “The Road to Nowhere,” or “The Loneliest Road,” or “The Great River Road.”

Since scenic routes usually take longer, I’m guessing travelers often choose a different way home. Saving time seems wise and the thrill of adventure has evaporated.

The alternate route was also the way home for some men known as Magi, who traveled a long way on what could have been named, “The Starlight Path to Bethlehem.” After they worshiped the Christ Child, Jesus, God changed their travel plans:

“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the Wise Men] departed to their own country by another way.”                (Matthew 2:12)

To keep both His own Son and the Magi safe, God directed the Wise Men to take a different route home. To keep them faithful after they got home, He may have put their daily routines on a different route, as well. After meeting their true Savior, the Magi likely left their reverence for eastern gods by the side of the road in Bethlehem.
Is God nudging you toward an alternate route these days? Perhaps . . .

Your usual path of selfish pride has led to broken relationships;
Your preferred route of pet sins is comfortable but taking you away from God’s Word;
Your win-at-all-costs shortcuts have created outward success at the expense of your faith.

You may look up one day and find yourself lost on a lonely two-lane road to nowhere. But remember, it’s not too late to turn around. God has a path of repentance ready and waiting for you. Here’s His invitation:

“Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”                    (Joel 2:13)

Best of all, Jesus and His promises of forgiveness and new life follow you wherever you go. Forgiveness frees, lives change, faith grows, and hope triumphs for those who dwell in Jesus’ presence.

PRAYER STARTER:
Dear Jesus, change me. Forgive me. Renew my faith. Lead my life down the route You have chosen for me . . .

Cross-Country Trip!
By Pastor Ben

“He will be our guide.”    (Psalm 48:14)

Anyone up for a cross-country trip? What? Road trip! Count me in. Load up the car and let’s go! But wait. Reality check:
* Can we postpone this until the pandemic is over?
* My savings account is almost empty.
* I might get carsick or Oops, I should have checked with my spouse first.

Don’t worry — I’m not talking about leaving the house, neighborhood, or town. Here’s the plan for the next month: Jesus has invited us to follow Him, so we’re going cross-country. We’ll be taking in the extreme, sacrificial love He has for us and strengthening our faith mile by mile. Jesus will be our Guide, providing the plan, the means, and the resources we need. The adventure will lead us through homes, gyms, restaurants, sporting venues, the open road — wherever we travel throughout each day.
Following our Guide will include daily trips to the Cross, where Jesus gave His life as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for our sins and our salvation. We’ll stop there as our repentant hearts receive His full forgiveness. We’ll stand in awe at the resurrection tomb, where He shares the great news of His victorious, never-ending life.

He will take the lead, directing us by His Word and Spirit. No matter what challenges, temptations, and hurts we face in this broken world, He will bring us peace and joy.
Before we get going, be prepared. God may not always lead us along the route we want or plan to travel. Sometimes we may be absolutely oblivious of the itinerary! He may have to repeat His instructions countless times. But know this: God’s direction is always best. He knows all things. He has the entire plan already worked out, and He assures us that all of it will work for the good of His people.

Ok. We’re all set! We’ll be traveling confidently through each day, for “he will be our guide.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”                            (Proverbs 3:5-6)

PRAYER STARTER:
Show me your ways, Lord. Direct me down the road of grace that leads to a repentant heart and peace at the foot of Your Cross . . .

QUARANTINE ROAD TRIP
By Pastor Ben

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”                (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”                    (Psalm 25:4-5)

Start Your Engines — It’s Time for a Quarantine Road Trip!!
Hey church family! Tired of the quarantine? Tired of being cooped up & not being able to go anywhere? Well, maybe I can help with that. For the month of May, allow me to take you on a Quarantine Road Trip.

Everyone knows that traveling through life is rarely easy. But Christians have God’s direction to rely on — even during a pandemic — and His direction is always best. As the psalmist proclaims, “He will be our guide” (Psalm 48:14).

For the next month, allow me to take you on a devotional trip across the Grand Canyon of sin, past the roadblocks of everyday life, and into the perfect rest stop at the foot of the Cross.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the drive. Take in the sacrificial love of Christ. See His blessings work miracles. Watch Him strengthen your faith mile by mile. Live confidently, going in God’s direction! And remember,

GOD’S DIRECTION IS ALWAYS BEST!

The Story of Easter – Last Day
(Devotional by Pastor Ben)

As Jesus is poised on a mountain about to be lifted before their eyes into the heavens, He gives His band of followers the final strategy, which has become known as the Great Commission. Jesus calls us to a purpose bigger than ourselves and gives us power that is not our own with which to accomplish it.

 “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”        (Matthew 28:16-20)

    “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”        (John 21:25)

    “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”                                (John 20:31)

Just before Jesus leaves the earth for good, He answers one last question and gives one final prediction. Read Acts 1:1-9 as Jesus promises to give the power it takes to live the Christian life.

The Story of Easter – Day #11
(Devotional by Pastor Ben)

Jesus’ resurrection-light has opened the eyes of a woman blinded by tears, two followers blinded by their beliefs, and the disciples blinded by fear. Now, He appears just for Thomas, the disciple blinded by doubt.

 “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’

    “A week later, his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”                        (John 20:24-29)

Thomas was not the last person in the world to say, “Show me.” The apostle Paul speaks directly to other Thomases who doubt that the resurrection took place in 1 Corinthians 15:1-14. Read that passage.

It is a misty fisherman’s morning. Peter has just flung himself off his boat to swim ashore and get close to Jesus, and he is now drying off by a crackling fire that Jesus Himself built. The last time we saw Peter warming himself by a fire was when he denied he knew Jesus, and Jesus’ penetrating gaze sent him running from the courtyard in shame. Peter once again finds Jesus looking deep into his soul, this time offering him restoration, three times over.

 “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’

    ‘Yes, Lord.’ He said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’

     “Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’

    “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
    “Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
    Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’

    Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!”
                                    (John 21:15-19)

Jesus is lovingly reconciling with Peter, making sure he knows that his mistakes are not fatal and have not destroyed His love. None of us are mistake-free; we can’t possibly be good enough to earn God’s love. Read Ephesians 2:8-9 to see that God’s grace is all we need.

The Story of Easter – Day #10
(Devotional by Pastor Ben)

Later that day, two followers of Jesus are walking to a neighboring village, talking about this strange turn of events. The resurrected Jesus appears, walking alongside them, and asks what they are talking about with such sad faces. Mistaking Him for an out-of-town-er, they tell Jesus His own story!

 “One of them named Cleopas asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ ‘What things?’ He asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
    “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
    “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.
    When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
                                (Luke 24:18-32)

Jesus helps Cleopas and his companion re-interpret their beliefs. Once their minds are opened, their physical eyes are opened and they recognize Jesus. Another encounter from Jesus’ past draws similar comparisons between spiritual and physical sight; Read John 9.

Cleopas and his friend can’t get back to Jerusalem fast enough to confirm the good news the women had already reported. But the disciples  are huddled in hiding, knowing full well that Jesus’ disappearance could lead to their arrest for body-stealing.

 “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’
    When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’
    “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
                                (Luke 24:36-48)

The disciples lock themselves in a room, but the lock can’t keep Jesus out. Fear close them in, but love overcomes their fear. Read 1 John 4:7-21 for the behind-the-scenes description of how God’s love trumps fear.

The Story of Easter – Day #9
(Devotional by Pastor Ben)

HE LIVES!

Light upon light illuminates the graveyard. The soft light of dawn is brightened by the white garments of the angels, their faces like lightning as they announce the Light of the world is breaking forth. In contrast to the enshrouding darkness of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, the significant events of the weeks following that Easter Sunday take place in the full light of day. It is as if God is casting a heavenly spotlight on Jesus’ dazzling victory.
Yet, there is more than victory to be understood from these days with the risen Savior. The true nature of the kingdom of heaven is finally making sense. The disciples are mentally revisiting all of Jesus’ teachings and filtering them through this new realization of what He meant when He said His kingdom is not of this world. The darkness of their spiritual blindness is pierced with the light of the resurrected Truth. Interspersed with these revelations are tender reunions, doubt-dispelling appearances, and a very special one-on-one reconciliation.

Jesus died and was buried on Friday. The next day was the Jewish Sabbath, and a guard was posted to prevent any tampering with the body. So at the very earliest moment possible, three loyal women go to pay their respects, although they don’t quite know how they are going to do so.

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  (Mark 16:1-3)

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples:
‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.’ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid, yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.                (Matthew 28:2-9)

Mary Magdalene has done this before. She is believed to be the woman who anointed the living Jesus with costly burial perfume. Her sacrificial outpouring upon His feet was a picture of the embalming preparations she carrie to Him now. Read Luke 7:36-50.

Jesus broke many social barriers during His ministry, and now He does so again by appearing first to a woman. Mary Magdalene, her devotion giving her courage, is the only one looking for Him. Jesus responds to her love with His presence, His tender love, and His trust.

“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying/ Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (Which means ‘Teacher’). Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.”        (John 20:11-18)

Mary Magdalene wasn’t looking for Jesus because she had hoped He would be her political savior; she was looking for Him because she wanted to be where He was. Read how another Mary gives us a famous example of just such pure devotion in Luke 10:38-42.