Along Bible Paths
Summer Devotions
Henry and Jody Neufeld
Energion Publications
P. O. Box 841
Gonzalez, FL 32560
www.energionpubs.com
Energion Publications
P. O. Box 841
Gonzalez, FL 32560
Scripture quotations marked HN were translated by Henry Neufeld for this book.
Scripture quotations marked WEB are from the World English Bible, available on the web at http://www.ebible.org/web.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, Copyright ©1973, 1978,1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version, Copyright © 1995 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
EPub Edition
Print ISBNs:
ISBN10: 1-893729-83-4
ISBN13: 978-1-893729-83-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010929365
Copyright © 2010, Henry and Jody Neufeld
All Rights Reserved
Dedication
To all the generations of our family
FOREWORD
May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed. According to his abundant mercy he has given birth to us anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance kept in heaven for you. We are guarded by God’s power through faith for the salvation which is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6You rejoice in this, though right now it’s necessary that you be distressed by many trials,7 so that the quality of your faith might be like precious gold, refined through fire and proven, and might be found to result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. You love him even though you have not seen him. You have put your confidence in him, even though you can’t see him now. You rejoice with an unspeakable and honorable joy,9 receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9
Today, more than ever, most of us need help navigating through each day with its uncertainties, stress, and responsibilities. The number of self-help books and publications produced to give the reader some sense of control and insight into their future decisions and subsequent consequences is staggering. Who has answers? What can be believed?
For the mountains may go away and the hills fall, but my gracious mercy to you will not go away and the peace agreement I have given you will not fall, says Yahweh who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
Henry and I bring together the tradition of “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6) and “See, I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) in the way we pursue our personal Bible study. I am always learning something new when Henry shares Biblical history and language nuances. I am always looking at how a passage applies to my life now, soaking up the timeless application of God’s Word. As you are searching for directions to the answers of your life’s questions, pray that you will find that it is in building your relationship with God that you live in peace and joy that is not dependent upon circumstances. If you come near to God with study of His Word and open conversation with Him, He will be found near to you. Come on in!
– Jody Neufeld
July 1
My Best Friend
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.”
John 15:12-15 (WEB, my emphasis)
It is a wonderful (that word does not really express my heart but I’ll use it) – a wonderful place in my life that I know that I am God’s friend and He is my friend! For many years, our relationship would have been described as acquaintances. Friendship means both parties not only want to be friends but are willing to put forth the effort it takes to make and keep the friendship. God’s effort was done when Jesus made the perfect sacrifice that covered all my sins. My effort is a daily choice to be His friend and live with Him as He lives with me. It is a life that is marked with hope, forgiveness, and love.
Do you know someone who speaks about or lives their life in hopelessness? Do they say they do not know how to forgive someone who has hurt or wronged them terribly? Maybe they do not know how to forgive themselves? Do you know someone who is desperately looking for love? Have you offered them Jesus? How long are we going to allow them to suffer?
There are as many ways to show Jesus to someone as there are – commercials for cell phones! I just have to be willing and loving!
Live my life as Jesus’ ambassador. Walk out my life in the spirit and truth of who Jesus is. That means that anyone who meets me – meets Jesus’ kindness, gentleness, compassion, and forgiveness. I am what I show myself to be. Not perfect – just forgiven! This is the primary way to share Jesus with the world and we have no excuse not to do it! However, I do not believe it is the only way. People are going to ask, “How do you survive?” or “You never seem to get frustrated in this job. How do you do that?” A shrug or suggestion to take up pilates is taking the easy way out and avoiding giving God the first credit for your life!
Share briefly how God has changed how you live or think. Everyone should have a three point, brief story to share about 1) how I was, 2) what happened/when I decided to make a change, and 3) how Jesus helped me to where I am now. It is not a sermon. It is a brief way to share that Jesus and your relationship with Him has made the difference that they see. You are not convincing them – you are sharing Who has changed you!
Suggest they might want to listen or read something about Jesus that has helped you. Maybe you have recently read a Max Lucado book or listened to a CD that you could suggest. I have discovered a website that is awesome for someone who maybe did know Jesus but has let their relationship slide away or they think Jesus could not possibly forgive them for what they have done. It is www.prodigalsonly.com. It is Jesus in the 21st century – inviting the prodigal home!
“I call you friends...” Come meet my best friend, Jesus. You’ll like Him.
July 2
Take a Step
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,...
1 Peter 2:21 (WEB)
I have been thinking about how Jesus leads me a step