Dan Bolin's Blog, page 22

The Ripple Effect

Nº 176 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - December 14, 2021

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world. - C.S. Lewis

Matthew’s Christmas story tells of Magi who traveled from the East in search of the Baby-King Jesus. “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1b-2) How did these wise men know to look for the coming Messiah? The answer remains a mystery. But 400 years earlier, Daniel and the other Babylonian exiles may have left some clues. Even though he was a captive in a foreign land Daniel’s life was exemplary and his wisdom extraordinary. By God’s grace, Daniel was placed in charge of all the wise men who advised the king and managed the Babylonian Empire. Daniel faithfully worked in Babylon, but he fervently prayed toward Jerusalem. He purposefully supported his political superiors, but he passionately served his God. Like Daniel, we may face frustrating defeats and disappointments. He longed to return to his homeland, but God had bigger plans. Daniel’s godly life was needed in Babylon to set in motion a caravan of curious Gentile worshippers who, 400 years later, arrived in Bethlehem and worshipped the Baby-King of ALL the world.

Dan BolinPresidentRefueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Leaps of Faith and Joy

Nº 175 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - December 7, 2021

The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross. - J.I. Packer

Mary’s world turned upside down when the angel announced that she would be the mother of Jesus. But other’s lives were upended as well. Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was pregnant with a miraculous baby, John. Mary visited Elizabeth to share her joyous news, and when she arrived Elizabeth said, “...when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:44) The focus of John the Baptist’s life was Jesus.

John baptized repentant Israelites as they anticipated their Messiah’s arrival. And he baptized Jesus who chose to identify with that faithful group. John magnified Jesus, telling his disciples, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) John wrestled with honest doubts. He questioned Jesus’ identity and sent messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:20)

Reflecting on John’s life and martyrdom, Jesus said, “...among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” (Luke 7:28) Maybe this Christmas, like John we should leap for joy, identify with Jesus, magnify Him, and wrestle deeply with who He is. And once that issue is settled, we will again leap for joy.

Dan BolinPresidentRefueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Who's in Control Here?

Nº 174 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - November 30, 2021

The roll of the dice, the fall of a bird, the crawl of a worm, the movement of stars, the falling of snow, the blowing of wind, the loss of sight, the suffering of saints, and the death of all — these are included in the word of God: “I will accomplish all my purpose” — from the smallest to the greatest. John Piper

Luke begins his account of Christ’s birth, “In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” (Luke 2:1) Caesar Augustus was the head of the Roman Empire. His great uncle, Julius Caesar, adopted him, and following his assassination, Julius’ titles, wealth, and the loyalty of his powerful army fell to the 18-year-old Augustus. Wars and intrigue followed but eventually, Augustus survived, and the Roman Empire thrived. The 45 years of Augustus’ reign are called the Golden Age of Rome. Roman control stretched from Spain to Egypt – including Judea. And then, whether for tax purposes or pride, Augustus decreed that all the world should be registered. Mary and Joseph returned to their ancestral home, Bethlehem, for the registration. They arrived just in time for Jesus’ entry into this world - the exact place Micah had predicted 600 years earlier. (Micah 5:2) Like a pawn on a chessboard, God moved the most powerful person in the world to achieve His purpose. An unreasonable governmental edict, military might, economic power, and political domination could not restrain God from demonstrating his love for us. Caesar Augustus sent a decree to all the world, but God sent His Son.

Dan BolinPresidentRefueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Giving Grace

Nº 173 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - November 23, 2021

Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays the most or fasts the most, it is not he who lives the most, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it. - William Law

After seeing 45 of their 102 members die during the first harsh winter, the Pilgrims’ dream nearly perished; however, they learned farming skills from Squanto and survived. In gratitude to God, the Pilgrims held a feast to give thanks for His provision. This week we commemorate the 400th anniversary that inaugural banquet and continue to give thanks for our undeserved yet deeply appreciated blessings. The Pilgrims could have become discouraged, angry, or embittered, but they chose to be grateful and turn toward God with hearts of appreciation. The church at Corinth was a mess. Sexual immorality, relational tension, disruptive worship, favoritism, and other negative influences permeated their community. Paul had some very honest and direct words for them; still he chose to not become discouraged, angry, or embittered. He started his letter to them, “I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.” (I Corinthians 1:4) Despite their sinful behavior, divisive actions, and impure conduct, the Apostle Paul chose to give thanks for them. Gratitude lifted his eyes above their sinful lifestyle and refocused his attention on the grace of God. And God’s grace is always cause for thanksgiving.

Dan BolinPresidentRefueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Speaking Of

Nº 172 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - November 16, 2021

God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them. - George Whitefield

This week marks the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood at one of the United States' bloodiest battlefields and delivered 271 words that capsulized history and inspired hope for the American people.Lincoln's speech was right about so much but wrong on one essential point. He said, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.” Yet 158 years later, the lines are still memorized by school children and analyzed by scholars.Words matter. Sometimes they evaporate into the ether, but many words are long remembered. Verbal intentionality is vital!Asaph, a Hebrew songwriter, reminds us, what our fathers have told us. “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 78:3b-4)We may not have the platform of an Abraham Lincoln, but we all influence those closest to us. Little eyes - and for that matter, all of those around us - will significantly note and long remember what we say and do. Intentionality is vital. Work to redirect the mundane conversations of life toward the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD and His power and the wonders He has done.

Dan BolinPresidentRefueling in Flight Ministries, Inc