Author: Chet Bandy

I live in Bloomington, Illinois with my wife Shannon and 4 children. I grew up in Central Illinois with Lutheran roots. We moved to the area in 2011 and began attending Eastview Christian Church where I now lead a Small Group. It's been awesome to see God's plan for our lives and our growing thirst for knowledge of His Word and a closer relationship with Jesus through our move to Bloomington. Professionally, I'm a wealth management advisor with Northwestern Mutual.

The Standard

Today’s reading is 1 John 2.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

From the time we were very young children, we were already being shown through commercials, advertisements, and all the world around us that the desires of flesh, eyes, and pride of life as John calls it are what’s most important. As many of us reading this being parents ourselves now, we do not do this intentionally and purposely teach our children to want and prioritize the wrong things, but it is a part of the world we live in and we are so inundated in it..we don’t even realize it. I’m not even going to list the ways I do this and model this wrongly for my children because it is almost too painful and shameful to do so.

On the flip side, Jesus is the standard. He did not love the world but instead prioritized the Father and His mission first. John plainly tells us if we say we love and follow Jesus then we must live differently the way He did.

Whoever says, “I know him, but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him; whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.

1 John 2:4-6

If we say we know and love God, then we must live and act differently and not as the world and everyone else does. So, I ask myself, do I? Am I modeling the way He lived? Am I becoming, or even attempting, to be more like Him?

1 Peter 1:14-1 also echoes these instructions…

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Again, Jesus is the standard. We will fall short which is why 1 John 2:2 says He is “the propitiation for our sins.” And yet these verses tell us we are called to not live as the world teaches but to live as He lived.

Let us ask ourselves today, what is one thing I can change right now in how I live which will move me closer to being more like Him instead of the world?

Gratitude

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 4.

Have you ever thought about why Christians in the US receive so much ridicule for their beliefs, and why Christians across the world in countries like Nigeria are being killed right now for their beliefs, more so than any other religion? If you sit back and think about it, the answer is pretty simple… Christianity is the only religion that is true. This is why Satan is constantly working against Christianity to the point of death for some Christians. Other religions are working right along with his game plan by leading people away from Christ. We hear and see other religions must be given more freedom to be spoken, but yet somehow the Gospel of Jesus must be silenced for the sake of the freedom. Something doesn’t add up.  The Bible tells us is Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Reading 2 Corinthians 4 makes me very grateful for Paul and so many others over the last 2,000 years who have been willing to speak the Gospel so that myself and my children, and someday my grandchildren, know Jesus. Paul writes the following…

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12

Pastor Brandon Grant once said, “The Gospel is just one generation away from extinction.” This is heavy when you think about it. This statement fills me with gratitude for Paul and those who have lived and spread the Gospel since then before me and yet also carries the weight of responsibility..not only to advance the Gospel with my children…but with others I interact with or meet each day.

Paul puts things in perspective in this chapter as well..

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

While Paul and all those who have spread the Gospel since deserve our thanks and gratitude, Paul also puts things in perspective..

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

God, thank you for continuing to pursue us and please continue to give us courage and use us as your instrument to spread the Gospel until Jesus comes again. May you receive all the glory and the praise.  Amen

 

Deuteronomy 32

Today’s reading is Deuteronomy 32 where we read the Song of Moses. In this song, Moses gives a strong witness to the power and glory of God.

Earlier, God told Moses in Numbers 20:12 that he would not enter the Promised Land. Moses can even see it here from Mount Nebo, but after 40 years of faithfully leading the Israelites, God’s people, through the desert…he will not enter. Why? Moses disobeyed God. Earlier in Numbers 20, God specifically instructed Moses to speak and water would come out of a rock Meribah Kadesh when they were suffering from thirst. Instead, Moses struck the rock twice. Does this seem a little harsh to you after the faithful serving and leading Moses has done that just because he struck the rock versus speaking to it, he will not get to enter the Promised Land? If I’m truthful, it does to me. Let us remember though that God is  just. As far as we are told in the Bible, Moses did not complain about his fate and that he would not enter the Promised Land. He doesn’t say, “But God, what about all the other ways I obeyed and things I’ve done to serve you?” He understood God is loving, and He is also just. How did Moses react? He wrote a song we read here in this chapter to glorify God. He gives a warning to the people is in Deuteronomy 32:46 to make sure they teach God’s word and law to their children.

Moses gives us a great example to live by. We may not like what God allows to happen in our lives or the outcomes. Not only does Moses not show animosity towards God for God’s decision to not allow him to enter the Promised Land, but Moses even still continues to serve and lead for God. He continues to glorify God and be a witness to future generations.

Thankfully for us, God is just…and He is also loving. Yes, even one sin should separate us from God and keep us from entering the eternal “promise land” of Heaven. But, God sent us a Savior in Jesus who took the punishment that should have been ours and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Isaiah 53:5). Three days later He was raised on Easter. Because He lives, we will live too and enter the eternal “promised land” of Heaven.

One Name

Today’s reading is John 14.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

These words spoken by Jesus himself in John 14:6 make it crystal clear there is only one way to Heaven and that’s through Him and Him only. He is the only true Gospel and the only one who can forgive sins to bring us together with our Heavenly Father. Paul warned us and predicted false religions who would claim there would be another ‘gospel” and another way to Heaven in Galatians 1:8.

But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Jesus and his disciples spoke Aramaic. They would not have pronounced his name the way we pronounce it today in English. They would have actually pronounced it, “Yeshua.” The name Yeshua means, “The LORD saves.” Matthew 1:21 says, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.” Jesus must save us from our sins..it’s not only what He came to do but it’s actually in His name. There is only one name that is higher than any other name and has the ability and who actually saves us from our sins, Jesus.

Because of this, He is the only name we should pray to. Because of this, He is the only one worthy of our worship and praise. And because of this, we should want to live our life for Him in obedience to Him. One name.

He’s Always There

Today’s reading is Exodus 40.

For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 40:38

In this chapter, God gives the Israelites instructions for building the tabernacle of the tent of meeting which was a portable structure to travel with them that above all things housed the ark of the covenant which held the Ten Commandments. The verse above tells us they knew the presence of the Lord was there to lead them through a cloud during the day and fire by night. There are also times when the Israelites would leave stones or build an altar so that they, and most importantly future generations, would remember what God had done for them. We know this from Joshua 4:20-24 where they left stones at the place they crossed the Jordan River into the promised land after God dried it up and also in Exodus 17:14-16 where Moses built an altar to remind them of their victory over Amalek.  Jacob also built an altar at Bethel in Genesis 28:18-22, and Samuel set up a stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 calling it Ebenezer meaning, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

We may not have the benefit today of “seeing” the Lord’s presence in a cloud or pillar of fire, but when we develop a relationship with God and grow closer to him, we notice how he’s shows up and the blessings He gives us that are not coincidences. We reflect on things like the business he helped us start from scratch or our career, a child’s laugh, your spouse, noticing the car running the red light and stopping just in time, the health tests that came back clear, or even the friend or parent that introduced your to Jesus. While your health, your marriage, your job/career, or other things may not be perfect, we can find blessings in most all of them and how God provided if we reflect on them. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” While James was not writing related to this context, I believe it still applied. I had someone close to me who struggled dealing with challenges he faced in life. He would consistently focus on what he didn’t have like a spouse or children. Sadly, he struggled on being grateful for what God did provide for him like a mother and later brother who loved and cared for him and that he didn’t have to worry about money at all through qualifying for disability income through multiple sources. I’m blessed to have an amazing spouse and children, so it saddens me he didn’t have the same and can’t blame him for struggling that he didn’t have this. Yet, what I’ve witnessed in others is that when they grow closer to God, they notice and are able to focus on and be grateful for the countless ways God has blessed them despite their challenges. This also allows them to know when they are lonely and fearful, God is still there and He will help them as He did in the past.

So, my questions for you and myself today are the following….

  1. What are we doing to grow our relationship with God?
  2. Have we reflected how God has showed up and provided in our lives?
  3. Have we “set up stones” to be able to tell our children and others about God’s presence and what He’s done in our lives, so will we will remember to trust Him with the uncertainty of our future?

 

Perspective

Today’s reading is Matthew 5.

A pastor could preach on Matthew 5 for years and a devotional writer could write for the same. This chapter is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount which is the greatest sermon or speech ever written or given. My assignment is to write on the injustices and how the Spirit is promoting us to respond.  With this in mind, I’ll focus on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12.

““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:3-12

These verses highlight sacrifices, struggles, or injustices we may experience or even one could say for some of them, “suffer” in this life. People experiencing these are not typically people we would call blessed. The ones we would typically call blessed are those raising a trophy, winning an award, driving a luxury car, living in the large house, or making lots of money.

Thinking about this reminds me of a piece of a sermon from one of my favorite pastors, Francis Chan. He pulls out a rope that seems to be endless with a very small piece of black tape on it. He highlights that this small piece of black tape represents our life on this earth, while the rope that just seems to keep going and going forever as a eternity. He puts them in perspective by saying that most of us are living for the little black piece of tape and not the rope! This seems so silly when you think about how small the tape is and how the rope goes on forever! What a great perspective this brings. Shouldn’t we be living for the rope?

Whether we are facing some of the challenges or just lack of glory highlighted in the Beatitudes during our time here on Earth, we will be rewarded when we get to Heaven if we are living for Him! And Heaven and eternity are a lot longer and matter more then this life on Earth!

Let’s respond by choosing to live for the rope!

 

 

Receiving The Gift..

Today’s reading is Psalm 37.
This last week has brought under the microscope the actions of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Regardless of where you stand on his actions, it is very clear that that those in the government, large corporations, and in high places (he did not act alone) have lots of power and control and may not always have the best intentions of those they lead and supposedly “serve.” It seems like constantly in the news someone in authority is being questioned on the legitimacy and intentions of their actions and decisions that effect those they lead or oversee.
While we will many times not know on this side of eternity whether the action of those in authority are good..in fact I’m confident there are many we hold in high regard and put on pedestals as heroes who actually were doing harm…the Bible is clear that evil doers will be brought to justice. Here in Psalm 37 alone we see it the following verses; Psalm 37:1-2, Psalm 37:9-10, Psalm 37:13, Psalm 37:15, Psalm 37:17, Psalm 37:20, Psalm 37:22, Psalm 37:35-36, and Psalm 37:38.
On the flip side, Psalm 37 is also clear the righteous will be rewarded in the following verses: Psalm 37:3-4, Psalm 37:5-6, Psalm 37:9, Psalm 37:11, Psalm 37:18-19, Psalm 37:22-24, Psalm 37:25-26, Psalm 37:28-29, Psalm 37:30-31, Psalm 37:33-34, Psalm 37:37, and finally Psalm 37:39-40.
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭
So, how do we become righteous? Is it through our actions? The Bible is also very clear in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” This is also told in Romans 3:10-12 and Psalm 53-1-3 that none of us are righteous on our own through our own actions. Romans 6:23 says His justice would condemn us, but the “free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus.” We don’t earn his mercy, we receive it.
How do we receive this gift?
In his recent Live Free podcast, Pastor Josh Howerton describes there are 3 types
of faith theologians discuss in Latin.
  1. Noticea: having knowledge of a fact about God.
  2. Assensus: agreeing the fact is actually true, not just knowing it.
  3. Fiducia: putting your trust and one’s life in that fact…not just knowing and agreeing with it.
This last one, fiducia, is what we must do to receive God’s grace and mercy to become righteous. Josh notes that even the demons acknowledge who Jesus is in the Bible and have the first 2, but they don’t possess the 3rd necessary saving faith. They don’t put their trust in Him and make Him the Lord of their life. Again, this how we become righteous, to actually receive the gift of His mercy by trusting Him.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

Megas

Today’s reading is James 4.
The first four verses of this chapter (James 4:1-4) challenge us to determine whether we are more of a friend of the world or God. I’ve heard pastors say that if you  want to see where your priorities lie, look at your bank/credit card statement and your calendar. This will tell you where your focus and your heart is. I can tell myself and others all I want that He Is my highest priority, but these would sadly tell a different story. Reviewing these would say I am a friend of the world. Verse 4 tells us that makes me an enemy of God.
What is my response to my enemies? I wish I could say something differently, but it is usually that I’m perfectly fine with seeing them stumble and fall. I want retribution for the wrong they have done to me or my family or to those I care about.
What is God’s response to me being his enemy by prioritizing the world over him? James 4:6 says he gives “more grace.” The Greek word before grace is actual megas which is like saying He gives us mega grace. Romans 5:8 says, “but God showed His love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” His love and mercy for us is truly incredible.
While we don’t need to do anything to receive His grace, James 4:7-8 tells us that if submit to God, the devil will flee from us. And if we draw closer to God, He will draw closer to us. In James 4:9, it goes on to say if we humble ourselves before God, He will exalt us.
Our sin exalted Him to be lifted up and nailed on a cross to die and suffer a painful death. Yet His grace creates a bridge that draws us in and brings us together with Him for an eternity.
In response to this, we are all called upon to not gossip and speak badly of others, but instead to give grace to them (James 4:11-12).
The question for you and me is, what will we do with it? Will we draw near to Him? Will we give others the “mega grace” He gives us we don’t deserve?

Conflict

Today’s reading is Galatians 2.

Galatians 2 is most famously known for Galatians 2:15-21 where Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia focuses on being saved by faith and not by works. Let’s talk a little bit more though about what led up to this in Galatians 2:11-14.

Here in these verses, Paul is upset with Cephas (Peter) at Antioch because he’s eating foods Jews don’t eat with the Gentiles (non-jews) and then as soon as other strict and influential Jews show up, he stops doing so. Although Peter knew the Gentiles were saved by faith and not by what food they eat, his pull back and return to only eating food Jews were allowed to eat seemed to imply again that someone can be saved by the law (works) and that you are not only saved by faith alone. Not only did Paul believe this was hypocritical and tore down the truth of the Gospel, you are saved by faith and not by works, but it also negatively influenced Barnabas to follow him. Our actions matter and lead others in a positive or negative direction.

Paul teaches us a great lesson here in Galatians 2:11.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

One of my mentors shared with me something he learned which was that you should “seek conflict.”  This may seem sound strange, but there is a difference between “creating conflict” and seeking it. What he meant is that when there are conflicts, talk about it and discuss it. Face it head on. Don’t let it fester..that will only make it worse. Also, don’t just talk about someone or something you don’t agree with behind their back..address it directly with them. Conflicts and disagreements will undoubtedly occur, and this is how you solve them. Paul models this and teaches us this important lesson.

Jesus also teaches us to face conflict with someone else directly.

5 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:15-17

Here Jesus not only tells us to face conflict with others, but He also tells us a 3 step process on how to do it. You face it with them privately, then with one or two others if they don’t stop, and thirdly, address it with the church.

Let us pray for wisdom for the courage to face conflicts head on and to do so in the manner Jesus outlined.

 

Even If

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 12.

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

As I’ve shared in the past, I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in my neck in 2018. This caused tingling in my spine, loss of coordination, and atrophy and loss of strength in my right and later my left hand. I was recommend to have a spinal fusion at Mayo but by the grace of God was connected by my sister-in-law Kim through her sister Diane to a doctor in Pittsburgh who fixed my issue through 5 minimally invasive surgeries in 2019 and 2021 without fusion and its negative side effects.

By no coincidence I’m sure, 2 Corinthians 12 has been my assigned writing multiple times since 2018. Below is an excerpt of a writing from November 2021 after my 5th and final surgery.

Paul states that his affliction (we are not sure what that affliction is) keeps him from being conceited. Is this the case for me? I don’t know..maybe. I know one thing..I’ve been blessed in my life with some things I don’t deserve that unfortunately not everyone has…loving parents, a loving and supportive wife, four healthy kids, financial blessings, and a stable career I love. If I didn’t have some “thorn(s),” would I even think I needed God? I realize God had His hand on my life when he led me into the field of financial planning, rather than dentistry/orthodontics, my original dream career which I was ready to apply for at the University of Illinois, which I would not be able to do with my hand issues. If these surgeries were not possible due to modern medicine, I would be like the man at the pool in the Bible..paralyzed eventually. He led me to a surgeon and surgery options by His grace that were better than what Mayo even proposed. I can still throw a ball with my kids and type on a keyboard which is needed in my career.  I’m extremely grateful for His provision through all of this. I’m also grateful these challenges are mine and not my wife or my children.

Most importantly, as I look down and see my puny, almost withered, right hand or need my wife Shannon or my kids help opening something or doing a button for me..I’m reminded what Paul says here in 2 Corinthians 12:10…when I am weak, then I am strong. His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in my weakness. It’s all that matters and all I really need in life. Ironically, as another Paul, my good friend and Christ follower Paul Kelly, stated the following to me recently in a text message dialogue after a sermon…

“My desire to be the best version of myself will never be good enough. So..it’s in our weaknesses that God unveils our greatest gifts..His love is incomprehensively good and although I’ll never be worth it…I will forever be grateful.”

Thank you, Paul…no truer words can be said.

I have never heard the audible words of God. But there are times where I have been 100% certain God was speaking to me through other ways. As we were pulling out of the driveway to go to Mayo for my consultation in the summer of 2018 and I was not certain what my future held when it came to my ability to walk or use my right hand, the song Even If by Mercy Me came on the radio. I broke down. It reminded me that God could fix my issues if he thought it was best, just like Paul, but if he didn’t…He was and is enough. Today, while my issues are “fixed,” I still have atrophy, weakness, and loss of some motor functionality in my right hand. As I stated back in 2021, the challenges I still have today make me extremely grateful for what I am able to do and how much worse it could have been…as well as how much different my life could have been if God didn’t lead me down my current career path. I’m extremely grateful for His infinite wisdom, provision, and plan.

Please read the lyrics to Even If by Mercy Me, as well as here is the link to the lyric video.

https://youtu.be/B6fA35Ved-Y?si=qZdheCOPt_gpYuid

Even If by Mercy Me

They say sometimes you win some
Sometimes you lose some
And right now, right now I’m losing bad
I’ve stood on this stage night after night
Reminding the broken it’ll be alright
But right now, oh right now I just can’t

It’s easy to sing
When there’s nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I’m held to the flame
Like I am right now

I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone

They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul

I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone

You’ve been faithful, You’ve been good
All of my days
Jesus, I will cling to You
Come what may
‘Cause I know You’re able
I know You can

I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone

It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul