Just Another Dog Devotion

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23 NIV

Danni has been sick.  We took her to the Emergency Veterinary Hospital and she hid under the chair as the veterinarian discussed her symptoms.  It was believed that her diarrhea, vomiting, licking, and lack of appetite was due to the fireworks followed by storms.

Not much improvement was made over the week as pills and food were force fed.  Her lethargy worsened and she went back to her veterinarian.  A different diagnosis was presented. More medicine was given to sprinkle on food she will not touch.  Another visit to the vets is in the immediate future.

To diagnose is to identify the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.  A history of the patient and problems that are experienced is collected and  an examination follows.  Further testing is often required and a diagnosis is presented along with a treatment plan.

Unlike the veterinarians who have seen Danni, God has no problem diagnosing what ails humankind.  As soon as the fellowship Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden was broken, God pronounced the cause of our separation from him as sin.  It didn’t take long to assess the situation.  Where once they walked with God, now they hid from his voice (Genesis 3).

As he killed the first animal to himself cover our nakedness, he presented the treatment plan.  Galatians 4:4 says in the Contemporary English Version, “But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him.  His Son obeyed the Law”. “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).  Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.  Jesus Christ is the treatment plan for our sin.  He died in our place so that we might live with him.

Is something not quite right in your life?  Present yourself to God.  He knows your history and mine.  He is the perfect prescription for whatever ails us and he hears and answers your call 24 hours a day.

 

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Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.  This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God’s word is not chained.  2 Timothy 2:8-9 NIV

A dog rescuer had posted a picture of a dog who had been rescued and was living the life with his new, furever family.  It was a case that he always remembered, as would I once I heard the story.

All his life, the dog had been chained on the same chain along with another dog.  Eventually, his companion died on the chain.  Life went on for the dog, but each time he moved or went to the bathroom, he had to drag his deceased companion along with him.  Finally rescued, he is enjoying life.

There are many who work diligently to save dogs from an abused or neglected lifestyle.  Unchain America is an organization that is helping to free chained and penned dogs all across the country.

The apostle Paul knew what it was like to be chained.  He wrote much of the Bible’s New Testament from prison.  Even though he was in chains, he proclaimed that the word of God was not chained.

The word of God brings freedom.  II Corinthians 3:17 tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”.  John 8:36 states, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.  Galatians 5:1 proclaims, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:35 that, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.  In 1995, according to Guinness World Records, the Bible is the bestselling book of all time.

Unchain America is actively freeing chained dogs in America but Jesus has been in the business of setting prisoners free for over 2,000 years.  Are you dragging a past of bondage along with you wherever you go?  Do you feel chained to a heavy burden?  Jesus is there waiting to free you from the weight of your sin.  Call out his name today.  He alone has the key to unlock the chains that bind you.

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“I am the vine;  you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 NIV

Danni seldom sleeps with us.  She may lay there a few minutes, then disappears until morning; choosing to sleep somewhere she can stretch out in comfort.  She waits for us to be home and is exuberant in her greeting but when all are safely gathered in,  she wanders off to one of her many spots. She loves you and showers you with affection but Danni does not cuddle for long periods of time.

This was not always the case.  Danni’s confidence has grown over the years since her rescue from being abandoned in a motel room.  She knows she is loved and that she has a family.  She can be herself without fear of being left alone.

Our dogs are dependent on us for their safety, their food, their comfort, their love and many other things.  Dependence is defined as requiring someone or something for financial, emotional, or other support; a person who relies on another.

We are a part of God’s family.  He loves us and has forgiven us.  We need not fear being ourselves as we can give it all to God knowing he will never leave us or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).  John 15:5 tells us to stay attached to God for apart from him we can do nothing.  Acts 17:28 states, “For in him we live and move and have our being”.  We are dependent on God for everything.

Our dependence on God frees us to live independently.  We can go out into this world as Christ’s representatives having the freedom to express ourselves as God’s children.  God is the vine, we are the branches, producing fruit for the kingdom.

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For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:8 NIV

I purchased a product to stop a dog with bad behavior.  It produces a high pitched sound that only dogs can hear.  The advertisement said it would not hurt the dog’s ears but it would get their attention and stop the bad behavior.  So whether it would keep Mallory from barking at another dog on the television or Danni turning into a doggie maniac, I ordered the product.

The problem is, I have had it for over a week and it is still in the box.  I haven’t read the instructions and I definitely do not know if it will have the desired results.  As long as my doggie training device stays in the box, it will prove ineffective.

Ineffective is defined as not producing any significant or desired effect.  Some of its synonyms are unsuccessful, unproductive, worthless and inefficient. Words that are not something we want to describe our Christian life.

2 Peter 1 starts out telling us that Jesus has given us everything we need to live a godly life.  Verse 5 states that we should make every effort to add to our faith qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love.  According to verse 8, if we possess these things, they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All of us want to be greeted by our Savior with a hearty well done and not to be found like the servant in The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  He buried his talents and nothing more was produced.  He was unproductive and the master was not pleased.

Like my doggie product left in the box is ineffective, so are we when we bury the gifts and talents God has bestowed on us.  He has given us everything we need to live for his glory.  Let us diligently add to our faith the Christlike qualities that will honor him and make us effective witnesses and a light to a darkened world.

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https://youtu.be/M0AyxEMFRbI

 

“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.  The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  Revelation 7:16-17 NIV

Mallory led me to her little wading pool after she had basked in the sun in contentment.  She stuck her nose in even though she could tell it was empty.  She had been hoping for a cool, refreshing romp and only found dry, hot plastic.  In disappointment, she wandered off, searching for shade.

People in ancient Rome called the hottest, most humid days of summer, “dog days”.  During the hot days of summer, the Sun shares the same region of the sky as Sirius, which is the brightest star visible from Earth.  Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, which means large dog or greater dog.

However the phrase came into being, the dog days of summer doesn’t sound enjoyable.  Nor does the tribulation spoke of in Revelation.  In Revelation 7, John writes of those who have made it through the great tribulation.  Verse 14 and 15 tells us they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Now they are before God’s throne serving him day and night and God is protecting them with his presence so they will never experience tribulation again.

It says they will never hunger or thirst and the sun will not beat down on them nor any scorching heat.  The Lamb will shepherd and lead them to living water.  God himself will wipe away any tears.  No dog days of summer for these overcomers.

We, too, are overcomers in Christ Jesus our Lord.  I John 5:4-5 tells us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

As overcomers, we can enjoy the dog days of summer.  There won’t be any dry, empty pools for us but he promises streams of living water.  Even though the sun might beat down on us and the heat is scorching, God’s presence will protect us.  We will never hunger and thirst as long as we hunger and thirst for his righteousness.   Put him first, pull out those sunglasses, and enjoy each and every day with Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12).

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LISTEN TO OVERCOMER BELOW

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“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah”. 2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV

I was being given instructions for my weekend with the granddogs.  “Ralph was getting fat so he only gets fed once a day now”, my son advised.  Poor Ralph; a fast had been proclaimed for his own good.  He had no say in the matter.

Jehoshaphat was told that the Moabites and the Ammonites with some of the Meunites had come to wage war.  The first thing Jehoshaphat did was to proclaim a fast throughout the country.  All of Judah came and gathered together as Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord.  He sought the Lord and was told that the battle was not Judah’s battle but God’s battle.  His part was to stand firm, not to be afraid or discouraged because God would be with him.

Jehoshaphat was instructed to march down against the army. He had to show up. He went bravely to face the enemy but was told he would not have to fight the battle but to take up his position and see the deliverance the Lord would give to him and his country.

Is there anything causing you fear?  Is something or someone ganging up against you?  What is causing you to be discouraged?  We all face battles but the battle is not ours; it is God’s.  You have the spirit of the living God.  You are never alone.

Proclaim a fast to prepare your heart to go before the Lord in prayer.  Lay out the situation honestly to God.  Show up, stand firm, and see the deliverance of the Lord.

 

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For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.  Psalm 138:6 New Heart English Bible

As owners, we are all proud of our dogs.  They obey the commands for Sit, Paw, and Stay, and we beam with pride.  We attend dog shows and clap as each pup makes it’s way around the auditorium.  We brush their teeth, search for the healthiest food, and buy toys to keep their minds active and alert.

Proverbs 16:18 tells us that, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”.  This tends to be true whenever I have a sense of pride in Danni, our little Rottie mix.  We ride in the car and she quietly observes all the dogs walking by and I think she has come a long way then, suddenly, one dog will get her attention and the Dr. Danni and Mr. Hyde appears.  She goes into a frenzy; barking and growling.

I hear a lot about pride lately.  Everyone is proud of who they are.  We are proud of our accomplishments, our education, and our careers.  There is a lot in which we can take pride.  As with Danni, whenever I think I’ve done something well in life, I blow it a moment later.  Pride truly does comes before a fall.

Psalm 138:6 tells us that God is near to the humble, but far from the prideful.  There is no room for God when we are full of pride.  He is not our portion, as we don’t need help.  We can do it ourselves so there is no need to depend upon the God of the universe, or so we think.  Paul wrote in Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”.

The only thing I can really be proud of is that God loves me so much that he sent his son to die for me (John 3:16).  Just as I am.  He has made me the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, my Lord (2 Corinthians 5:21).  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).  My God will supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19).  The emphasis is not on me, but on my God and Christ in me.

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Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.  Jude 22-23 NIV

Fire Hydrants are a universally accepted bathroom facility for canines.  Dog parks even put play ones on their properties to encourage and entertain your pup as they interact with other dogs.  Research shows that dogs will go potty on anything raised from the ground which is why trees are also a popular pup porta-potty.  Dogs do this as a way of marking their territory and love to sniff those who have gone before.

For humans, fire hydrants are connection points for firefighters to tap into water supplies.  Instead of being peed on, they are the water source to put out fires.  Paul encourages us to be firefighters in the book of Jude.  He tells us how to reach people for Christ by being merciful instead of judgmental.  He tells us to snatch people from the fires of hell.

We need to be connected to the water source.  Jesus himself promises us in John 4 that if we believe in him we will never be thirsty again because we will have springs of water that well up into eternal life.  In John 7:37, Jesus shouts out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink”.  In verse 39, John explains that Jesus meant the Holy Spirit would be received by those who believe in him.  When we are connected to the water source, the Holy Spirit will overflow and reach others, saving them from the fire.

Just as our dogs are drawn towards fire hydrants, let us mark our territory for Jesus.  Let us be firefighters at the gate of hell, quenching the thirst of the thirsty and saving them from the fire as we stay connected to the living water.

 

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https://binged.it/2wLkJOV   LISTEN TO “LIVING WATER”

New American Standard Bible  2 Corinthians 1:20
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

None of us like to be told “No”. Dogs are no different. They tuck their tail between their legs and hang their head. They know you are not happy with their behavior. On the other hand, when you praise them and tell them what a good doggie they are, the tails begin to wag and the puppy butts are going back and forth. The dogs prance joyfully knowing they have pleased their human.

2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that God replies yes to all his promises. He answers in the affirmative. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises God has made. Due to this, we shout Amen in response. Amen is defined as “So be it”. We are in agreement with the Holy Trinity that God is who he said he is and will do what he has promised. God is glorified as we let him live his promises and life through us as his children. We are in agreement with God.

God has given us many promises in His word. 2 Peter 1:4 tells us, “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires”. As we obey and seek God first, we know we have pleased God. We might not prance around wagging our tails but the joyful attitude of obedience fills us to overflowing. We clench the deal with an Amen to our heavenly father.

Hebrews 10:31 tells us that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the mighty God when we are not in agreement with him and have fallen by the wayside because of disobedience. Just like the dogs in our house, instead of no, I would rather receive praise from my father and hear his yes when I am in agreement with all his precious promises. Let’s respond with an emphatic, “Yes and Amen” to all of God’s holy word!

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The LORD will make you the head, not the tail.  If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.  Deuteronomy 28:13 NIV

Seneca lives in a railroad town which celebrates its heritage with a little red caboose in the park near the train station.  We often walk there as it conveniently provides all you need to clean up doggie messes.  It is frequented by lots of pups so it provides her a variety of smells to sniff and enjoy.

A caboose is described as a manned North American railroad car coupled at the end of a freight train.  Cabooses provide shelter for its crew.  The rear brakeman rides in the caboose, and often  watches for any signs of problems.

Deuteronomy 28 is full of blessings the Lord promises us if we fully obey God.  One of those blessings is that we will be the head and not the tail.  It goes on to tell us that we will always be at the top and never at the bottom.  Pretty heady stuff for those of us trying to climb the ladder of success.

God promises us our rightful place if we are obedient but we are not to try to climb over everyone with an arrogant, deserving attitude.  In Luke 14:7-11, Jesus tells the parable of the wedding guests and explains not to take the place of honor but to sit in the back.  Then you will be promoted by the host to the front and rewarded publicly for your humble attitude.

Isaiah 52:12 promises, “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard”.  Jesus leads us and protects us.  He is our caboose.  He is our shelter and our rearguard.  He is watching over us to see if there is trouble on the tracks ahead.  No obstacles or head on collisions will overcome us.  We are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

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 RANDY TRAVIS – GLORY TRAIN  LISTEN https://binged.it/2J7WBOw