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December 23, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus Their Savior

Jesus Their Savior

With Christmas two days away, pray that those who don’t know Christ will meet him this year.

You and I know many people who we long to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Family members, friends, co-workers. You’ve been praying for some of them for years. Yet, their hearts are still cold to Christ.

In Luke 13, Jesus told people to “strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24 ESV)

Jewish people in that day were wound up in their traditions. The Scribes and Pharisees amplified that and taught that tradition (rule-following) was the path to heaven. Their legalism was adopted by the common Jew.

Before we scoff at the Scribes and Pharisees, consider that society today isn’t that far off. While the average person doesn’t keep a written laundry list of cleansing behaviors, there’s one thing that most people feel will get them into heaven: good works.

That’s where your unsaved friends live today. They live with the false belief that they are doing enough good things that God will accept them into heaven. It has nothing to do with faith but everything to do with keeping the “law.”

In reality, they are not bound for heaven. Jesus describes their destination: “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Luke 13:28 ESV)

How agonizing. Complete absence of God is a horrifying eternal destiny for your friends who do not know Jesus.

Jesus is their Savior . . . when they accept his gift of eternal life. However, it must be on his terms, not theirs. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction.” (Matthew 7:13 NIV)

The gate is narrow, but Jesus opens it.

Are you agonizing over the salvation of your lost friends and family? The thought of their eternal destiny in hell should drive you to heart-wrenching prayer. For me, I don’t pray enough like that. However, as I read Luke 13, the Lord moves my heart and soul.

Will you pause right now and pray through that mental list of needy people? Pray that God will soften their hearts. Pray that they will see that doing good does not give them entry into heaven. Pray that they will surrender to Jesus, who has opened the narrow door.

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus, available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).

August 22, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on The Encouragement of God’s Love

The Encouragement of God’s Love

This is amazing! He created everything out of nothing. He threw the universe into existence. He caused the sun to rise and set and has done it every day since he set the earth into motion. He created man and every living thing.

And he loves you.

The God of the universe, the Lord and creator of all, loves you. If that isn’t downright shocking, I don’t know what is.

Sometimes I pinch myself to realize this truth. I can wander through my day without ever thinking about his everlasting, sacrificial, deep, unchanging love for me. When I do stop and ponder it, my heart announces, “This is fabulous!”

He loves us so much that, when you and I accepted his gift of salvation, he adopted us into his family. Really? Why you? Why me? Certainly not because we deserved to be adopted, but because he chose us. He chose to shower his love on us as a Father.

Years ago, there I was, ignoring God and living for myself. Out of the blue, he decided to adopt me. He did the same for you.

Be encouraged by these loving benefits as God’s adopted child:

Eternal life. You get to live with him forever. This adoption is permanent.

Acceptance. You don’t have to earn his love, just like your kids don’t have to earn yours.

Forgiveness. Good-bye guilt. Hello peace of mind. When you accepted God’s gift of his Son and confessed your sins, you were forgiven. Forever.

Family. You’re part of the biggest family ever. Every other person who has been adopted by God is your brother and sister. You share some pretty high privileges.

Wise, loving direction. God offers his wisdom to you whenever you need it.

Known. Every hair on your head is numbered by God. He sees you as an individual and knows your every desire and thought.

Care. Like a shepherd cares for his sheep, you’re cared for by God, day and night.

Blessings. Your blessings as a family member are too many to list here. But try these for starters:  peace, hope, inheritance and the Holy Spirit inside you.

Faithfulness. One thing you always can count on is God’s faithfulness. Here’s just one example: “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)

God isn’t a force far away. He is personal. He is a loving Daddy who is near to you. Take a few minutes and reflect on your encouraging privileges as an adopted child of the Heavenly Father.

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Encouragement. Available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions.)


May 31, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus My Brother

Jesus My Brother

Have you ever thought of Jesus as your brother? 

Lord? Yes. Savior? Yes. But brother? Yes again!

It’s often hard to comprehend that the Lord Jesus Christ is also your brother. How can it be?

Think about James, Jesus’ brother in the flesh. He was perplexed, too. Jesus was his brother but, after the resurrection, he also regarded Jesus as his Lord. He was a devoted early church follower of his own brother.

Jesus makes this statement, “He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Mark 3:34-35 ESV)

When you were adopted into God’s family through salvation, you immediately became a brother of Jesus. Although you’re considered a brother by adoption, Jesus doesn’t see it that way. He sees you as his full-fledged brother. This spiritual relationship is far more important to Jesus than the physical relationships of family.

Consider this promise: “For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.” (Hebrews 2:11 ESV)

Jesus calls you his brother. 

When I think about this, it melts my heart. It doesn’t change the fact that I worship my Lord and Savior. However, there are times that I need a brother to pour my heart out to. I need someone, like my brother Bob, that I can bounce off ideas, share my struggles, ask advice and just spend time with.

Jesus is the best brother you or I can ever have. He’s the perfect brother. Is your mind spinning as you think about this? The Lord of the universe has come down to relate to you as your brother. He lowered himself to assume that role. Because he loves you.

Treasure your relationship with Jesus as your brother. Enjoy it! Enjoy him.

What is it that you value in a relationship with a brother? Make a mental or written note right now. Then, throughout the next few days, speak to Jesus as your brother. He wants to hang out with you. Through thick and thin, Jesus your brother is by your side.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God; 30 Days With Jesus. Available in Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon).

May 4, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus my Friend

Jesus my Friend

Last summer, our kids hosted a good-bye reception for us before we left Colorado for North Carolina. Spending more than seven years in the Rocky Mountain state, we had developed many good friendships. 

I was feeling down with the thought of celebrating our departure. I just wanted to slip away rather than go through the pain of saying good-bye to many people we had done life with all those years. 

It was also the last day with my brother and his family, who lived just an hour away. We’d be giving up family get-togethers with them. Then there was our son and family, who hosted the open house. We had lived in the same town for three years, developing a strong bond.

Saying good-bye isn’t easy. 

If you’ve moved away at some point, you know what I mean. I was sad to leave family and friends.

Then I remembered Jesus. He’s a great friend. He would be going to North Carolina with us, just as he had done in our move from California to Colorado several years earlier.

Jesus told his followers, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15 ESV)

When I think of Jesus as my friend, a warmth soothes my soul. Maybe it’s because I picture this King of Kings and Lord of Lords stepping down off his throne and sitting beside me. Friends sit next to each other or across from each other and this is what Jesus does with us.

The great hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, goes through my mind:

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!”

Jesus is a friend who has done much more for you than any other friend you have ever had. He has borne your sins, grief, anxiety, pain — everything that weighs on your heart! 

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)

Jesus is a friend who has given his life for you. He continues to be there to bond with you as you do life together. He’ll celebrate your victories and put his arm around you in your losses. 

I’m not sure if you’re going through separation, loneliness, betrayal, grief, anxiety, suffering or some other pain right now. I do know that Jesus is your friend. He sits beside you. He is your faithful friend who gave his life for you and continues to give and give and give.

If you feel like you need a friend these days, you’ve got one. Jesus. Thank him for his friendship.

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus. Available on Amazon.

April 12, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Prayer for Your Family

Prayer for Your Family

Oops. I forgot to pray for my wife today. In fact, it’s been several days. And our kids, too. Then there’s our grandkids. I haven’t prayed for them either.

Can you relate to my confession? We forget to pray for our own family members. Don’t beat yourself up over it. You can change that.

When you pray for your family, you’re having a more powerful impact on their lives than perhaps any other person. You probably know them better than anyone else and can pray in detailed ways that others can’t. While their friends pray for the obvious things, you can go to a deeper level with God.

What are some of the deep needs your family members are facing today? If they’re with you in your home, sit down and have a conversation. Find out what they are dealing with. Let them talk freely. You’re not on a mission to get prayer requests. You’re discovering what’s on their heart that can begin to be on your heart in prayer.

Often, we detect prayer needs in casual conversations with family members or simply by observing them. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and how he brings things to your attention.

If you have family members who don’t live with you anymore, give them a call. Catch up with them. Let them know that you’re praying for them. That will encourage them and it could be exactly what they need at the moment.

As you engage in prayer for your family, ask them for updates about those requests from time to time. Of course, if you’re praying for sensitive things you’ve noticed but they haven’t shared, you may not want to ask for an update. Just keep observing and praying.

It helps to write things down so you’re not just praying general prayers. People who came to Jesus for help were very specific about their needs. Be specific in your prayers for your family.

As you pray, your love and care for your family members will grow. You’re investing your time and heart in them. God will bring you closer to them.

One of the ways you can stay consistent is to write their names and requests in a prayer journal, notepad or index card. Or it could be as simple as a list on your phone. Half the battle is remembering. These ways will help.

Your family members have been given to you by God. No matter what quirkiness there may be, or even estrangement, you have the opportunity to bless them through prayer. Watch God change their lives. And yours.

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Available on Amazon.)

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