Our Sunday School class is studying Ephesians right now...verse by verse. It's really difficult to create devotions without either repeating or stealing the thunder of the instructor, so we'll take a break until January.
Please check back then!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
2 Corinthians -- Comparisons
Read 2 Corinthians 12-13
Today's Devotion-- 2 Cor 13:5-7
5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When I was a teenager I was a member of a local church where many of my friends attended. As with many new believers, I was devout and fervent in my faith. But on a church-sponsored senior trip with my friends, I found out that many of the people I looked up to as Christians often made poor choices. Some of the 'most Christian' kids in the youth group were talking about life one way in class and living another way in their daily lives. Even some of the adult sponsors weren't being as perfect as I presumed they were (and expected them to be). I became frustrated with this 'Christian' thing and and pretty much gave up on religion for more than 15 years.
This passage is convicting to me. Instead of looking into my own heart and examining my faith (which was obviously pretty weak), I judged others and used their examples as an excuse to stop doing what was hard (maintaining faith in a self-centered world) and to go along with the crowd. Don't get me wrong, compared to most I was still a 'good girl' (although I don't know why I feel obligated to say that...maybe because my Mom reads this!), but I didn't make choices that glorified God.
Over the years I realized that Christians are far from perfect, and that I shouldn't be judging their faith. Most importantly, I shouldn't be evaluating my faith by looking at others. God has expectations for me alone, and I need to be living up to those...nothing else.
It's still really easy to judge myself and see my failures more than my successes, but I know that God loves me no matter what I do....which makes me want to do his will even more! I won't be a 'perfect' Christian until the day I stand in front of the King and Jesus himself steps in front of me to cover my failures.
It's scary to think, though, that there may be new Christians out there, just like I was, watching my actions to see if I stand up to the 'perfect' example they expect. I know that I will fail. I pray that God gives them the grace and the wisdom to not use my failures as an excuse to step away from the faith.
Today's Devotion-- 2 Cor 13:5-7
5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When I was a teenager I was a member of a local church where many of my friends attended. As with many new believers, I was devout and fervent in my faith. But on a church-sponsored senior trip with my friends, I found out that many of the people I looked up to as Christians often made poor choices. Some of the 'most Christian' kids in the youth group were talking about life one way in class and living another way in their daily lives. Even some of the adult sponsors weren't being as perfect as I presumed they were (and expected them to be). I became frustrated with this 'Christian' thing and and pretty much gave up on religion for more than 15 years.
This passage is convicting to me. Instead of looking into my own heart and examining my faith (which was obviously pretty weak), I judged others and used their examples as an excuse to stop doing what was hard (maintaining faith in a self-centered world) and to go along with the crowd. Don't get me wrong, compared to most I was still a 'good girl' (although I don't know why I feel obligated to say that...maybe because my Mom reads this!), but I didn't make choices that glorified God.
Over the years I realized that Christians are far from perfect, and that I shouldn't be judging their faith. Most importantly, I shouldn't be evaluating my faith by looking at others. God has expectations for me alone, and I need to be living up to those...nothing else.
It's still really easy to judge myself and see my failures more than my successes, but I know that God loves me no matter what I do....which makes me want to do his will even more! I won't be a 'perfect' Christian until the day I stand in front of the King and Jesus himself steps in front of me to cover my failures.
It's scary to think, though, that there may be new Christians out there, just like I was, watching my actions to see if I stand up to the 'perfect' example they expect. I know that I will fail. I pray that God gives them the grace and the wisdom to not use my failures as an excuse to step away from the faith.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
2 Corinthians -- Sharing the Gospel
Read 2 Corinthians 10-11
Today's Devotion 2 Cor 10:10-11
10For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." 11Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When you think of Paul, what kind of speaker to do you imagine he was? I presumed he was all 'fire and brimstone', powerfully admonishing sinners and proclaiming the salvation of Christ. He may be reflecting his modesty in this passage, but I imagine he's repeating things that he's heard others say about him. What if his speaking was monotone, unimaginative, and, well, downright boring? Hard to imagine, but even if it is true, he had an amazing impact on the people who heard him speak.
The real value we are able to gain, though, is from his letters. They are pretty clear and to the point with truths from the Gospel. If we have trouble understanding his meaning, we are able to go back again and again to learn more.
Do you have difficulty sharing the gospel with others? Maybe Paul's idea here would work for us, too. If we took the time to think through the message we want to share with a specific person, we could write it down. That way we wouldn't be distracted or deterred from completing our thoughts. In addition, the person who receives the letter will have the opportunity to go back to it again and again, allowing him or her to reflect on the message and ask questions for clarification. Yes, it's possible that the letter may get thrown away, but in the process of writing you may have the chance to solidify the message in your own head so you are better prepared to speak it in the future!
Who in your life who would benefit from a heartfelt letter about Jesus? I challenge you to write it...and send it!
Today's Devotion 2 Cor 10:10-11
10For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." 11Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When you think of Paul, what kind of speaker to do you imagine he was? I presumed he was all 'fire and brimstone', powerfully admonishing sinners and proclaiming the salvation of Christ. He may be reflecting his modesty in this passage, but I imagine he's repeating things that he's heard others say about him. What if his speaking was monotone, unimaginative, and, well, downright boring? Hard to imagine, but even if it is true, he had an amazing impact on the people who heard him speak.
The real value we are able to gain, though, is from his letters. They are pretty clear and to the point with truths from the Gospel. If we have trouble understanding his meaning, we are able to go back again and again to learn more.
Do you have difficulty sharing the gospel with others? Maybe Paul's idea here would work for us, too. If we took the time to think through the message we want to share with a specific person, we could write it down. That way we wouldn't be distracted or deterred from completing our thoughts. In addition, the person who receives the letter will have the opportunity to go back to it again and again, allowing him or her to reflect on the message and ask questions for clarification. Yes, it's possible that the letter may get thrown away, but in the process of writing you may have the chance to solidify the message in your own head so you are better prepared to speak it in the future!
Who in your life who would benefit from a heartfelt letter about Jesus? I challenge you to write it...and send it!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
2 Corinthians -- God's Blessing
Read 2 Corinthians 8-9 (yes, we skipped 6-7, you can go back and read them if you want!).
Today's Devotion -- 2 Cor 9:6-11
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In the news this morning I saw that the OPEC countries have decided to reduce production amounts, which will lead to more increases in the cost of gasoline (NOTE: Remember yesterday's devotion? Don't take my word for it or panic over this info...check it out for yourself to be sure I'm reporting correctly!). Of course this may lead to additional increases in the cost of other things we buy, like food and household supplies. Unfortunately, no ones' income is rising at the same rate.
When your expenses increase and your income doesn't, how do you balance your household budget? Do you cut back on extras like eating out, cable/satellite, and fun things like entertainment, gifts, and vacation? Do you increase the amount you charge on credit cards? Or do you cut back on your saving and giving?
It sounds like people in the Macedonian churches and the one in Corinth were dealing with difficult financial situations, too. In fact, Paul talks about the Macedonian churches giving out of their extreme poverty and they saw it as a privilege to share.
God doesn't intend for us to go into debt to pay our tithes, but he does intend for us to live within the income level he's provided. Sometimes that means we have to make tough decisions about what and where we eat, what we drive, and even where we live. Often our choices define our circumstances, but we continue our costly habits while we hurt our future by not saving anything and increasing our debt. And we stop giving God back a portion of what he's given us.
God promises that he will give us what we need (but not necessarily what we want). However, we have to be responsible with what he gives so we can honor him with the way we live. This passage gives us two promises we can count on
-- he will make all grace abound in us so that in ALL things at ALL times we have ALL we need so we can abound in every good work (presuming we use it wisely), and
-- We will be made rich in every way so we can be generous on every occasion.
That doesn't mean we get increased income (although he can do that if he wants), but it means we will always have enough to share. How is he asking you to share today?
SHAMELESS PLUG: If you are having difficulty making ends meet or would like to find ways to give what you would really like to give, a new Financial Peace University class will be starting this Sunday. Send me a note and I can give you more information. This class isn't just for folks who are in debt (although it helps immensely if you are), it can help you plan ways to give, save, and prepare for the future while enjoying what you make today. More information is available at www.daveramsey.com.
Today's Devotion -- 2 Cor 9:6-11
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In the news this morning I saw that the OPEC countries have decided to reduce production amounts, which will lead to more increases in the cost of gasoline (NOTE: Remember yesterday's devotion? Don't take my word for it or panic over this info...check it out for yourself to be sure I'm reporting correctly!). Of course this may lead to additional increases in the cost of other things we buy, like food and household supplies. Unfortunately, no ones' income is rising at the same rate.
When your expenses increase and your income doesn't, how do you balance your household budget? Do you cut back on extras like eating out, cable/satellite, and fun things like entertainment, gifts, and vacation? Do you increase the amount you charge on credit cards? Or do you cut back on your saving and giving?
It sounds like people in the Macedonian churches and the one in Corinth were dealing with difficult financial situations, too. In fact, Paul talks about the Macedonian churches giving out of their extreme poverty and they saw it as a privilege to share.
God doesn't intend for us to go into debt to pay our tithes, but he does intend for us to live within the income level he's provided. Sometimes that means we have to make tough decisions about what and where we eat, what we drive, and even where we live. Often our choices define our circumstances, but we continue our costly habits while we hurt our future by not saving anything and increasing our debt. And we stop giving God back a portion of what he's given us.
God promises that he will give us what we need (but not necessarily what we want). However, we have to be responsible with what he gives so we can honor him with the way we live. This passage gives us two promises we can count on
-- he will make all grace abound in us so that in ALL things at ALL times we have ALL we need so we can abound in every good work (presuming we use it wisely), and
-- We will be made rich in every way so we can be generous on every occasion.
That doesn't mean we get increased income (although he can do that if he wants), but it means we will always have enough to share. How is he asking you to share today?
SHAMELESS PLUG: If you are having difficulty making ends meet or would like to find ways to give what you would really like to give, a new Financial Peace University class will be starting this Sunday. Send me a note and I can give you more information. This class isn't just for folks who are in debt (although it helps immensely if you are), it can help you plan ways to give, save, and prepare for the future while enjoying what you make today. More information is available at www.daveramsey.com.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
2 Corinthians 4-5 -- Highly Illogical
Read 2 Corinthians 4-5
Today's Devotion -- 2 Cor 4:3-4
3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
There have been several situations lately where we've seen news accounts of people standing firmly for what they believe is right. There are boycotts, letters to the editor, and even occasional sit-ins sponsored by groups who have heard about situations and are voicing their displeasure. The sad thing is, many of these responses to situations are really responses to only one side of the story. People hear some news, are outraged, and respond without looking into the situation to understand the truth behind the story.
One example is the boycott of the Oprah show by a group of women in Florida. They are upset that she will not have Sarah Palin as a guest, presuming that Oprah is so much in favor of Obama that she refuses to promote the Republicans. What the women have failed to acknowledge is Oprah's commitment to not host any of the current candidates. Yes, she had Obama on the show, but back in 2006, before he was an official candidate. She has stated that she'd love to talk with Sarah on the show...after the election regardless of the results.
Other examples are the scary e-mail notes you receive that talk about terrible crimes, poison in our sodas or food, bug eggs on our lick and stick envelopes, etcetera. Stories with just enough logic in them that we get nervous and spread this 'truth' to everyone in our mailbox without first checking www.snopes.com to find out if the story has any reality.
The god of this age has blinded us to truth. We see something on the news, get a story forwarded to us in an e-mail sent by trustworthy friends, or even have someone we respect tell us of a situation. We jump right in and respond without checking it out.
The truth has been so maligned by rumor and one-sided newscasting that we no longer know how to find out what the real situation is/was. It's gotten so bad that the real truth of God's word gets lost or viewed as a fable because it doesn't fit into the logic of the world (which isn't very logical!).
God doesn't want us to make a choice to follow him based on logic alone. He's a jealous God, and he wants our minds AND our hearts. He needs us to trust that his way is the right way, then he removes the veil of confusion from our minds so we can logically see the reality behind his purpose. This makes it difficult for us to effectively witness to others, because we cannot possibly explain God's logic to others who are only capable of seeing the logic of the world.
The challenge, then, is for us to find ways to appeal to the hearts and souls of others. How do you help others see the illogical truth? Who helped you to see it, and what strategies did they use?
Today's Devotion -- 2 Cor 4:3-4
3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
There have been several situations lately where we've seen news accounts of people standing firmly for what they believe is right. There are boycotts, letters to the editor, and even occasional sit-ins sponsored by groups who have heard about situations and are voicing their displeasure. The sad thing is, many of these responses to situations are really responses to only one side of the story. People hear some news, are outraged, and respond without looking into the situation to understand the truth behind the story.
One example is the boycott of the Oprah show by a group of women in Florida. They are upset that she will not have Sarah Palin as a guest, presuming that Oprah is so much in favor of Obama that she refuses to promote the Republicans. What the women have failed to acknowledge is Oprah's commitment to not host any of the current candidates. Yes, she had Obama on the show, but back in 2006, before he was an official candidate. She has stated that she'd love to talk with Sarah on the show...after the election regardless of the results.
Other examples are the scary e-mail notes you receive that talk about terrible crimes, poison in our sodas or food, bug eggs on our lick and stick envelopes, etcetera. Stories with just enough logic in them that we get nervous and spread this 'truth' to everyone in our mailbox without first checking www.snopes.com to find out if the story has any reality.
The god of this age has blinded us to truth. We see something on the news, get a story forwarded to us in an e-mail sent by trustworthy friends, or even have someone we respect tell us of a situation. We jump right in and respond without checking it out.
The truth has been so maligned by rumor and one-sided newscasting that we no longer know how to find out what the real situation is/was. It's gotten so bad that the real truth of God's word gets lost or viewed as a fable because it doesn't fit into the logic of the world (which isn't very logical!).
God doesn't want us to make a choice to follow him based on logic alone. He's a jealous God, and he wants our minds AND our hearts. He needs us to trust that his way is the right way, then he removes the veil of confusion from our minds so we can logically see the reality behind his purpose. This makes it difficult for us to effectively witness to others, because we cannot possibly explain God's logic to others who are only capable of seeing the logic of the world.
The challenge, then, is for us to find ways to appeal to the hearts and souls of others. How do you help others see the illogical truth? Who helped you to see it, and what strategies did they use?
Monday, September 8, 2008
2 Corinthians -- Letters of Reference
We are going to finish up our trip through the Bible for a while after this next lesson on 2 Corinthians. In case you weren't there, the class decided that we would like to have more time to dive into the Scripture -- one book per week (and in some cases as many as three!) was just too fast to capture all the lessons we have to learn.
The chapters in 2 Corinthians are short, so today read chapters 1-3.
Today's devotion -- 2Corinthian 3:1-3
1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first three chapters of 2 Corinthians have some fun analogies. Did you find a parade? A new perfume? An escrow deposit?
In today's text, Paul addresses apparent doubts about his authority and dedication. Instead of letters of reference, he relies on the changed lives of those he ministers to.
If we take that same reference forward to current times, each of us is actually a referral for those who have shown us the truth of the Gospel -- everyone who had had a hand in the development of our faith since we first heard of God!
So what is your letter of reference saying today?
Junk mail -- tired and crabby from too much weekend and not very full of joy?
Unwanted bill -- letting others know how they must work harder to meet expectations?
Form letter -- a cookie-cutter Christian who shows a slick brochure to the world but who hides his or her 'real' life in the small print?
Handwritten card -- delivering the encouragement of God's love in a personal way to each individual?
What will those you meet today think about they type of mail you are delivering?
The chapters in 2 Corinthians are short, so today read chapters 1-3.
Today's devotion -- 2Corinthian 3:1-3
1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first three chapters of 2 Corinthians have some fun analogies. Did you find a parade? A new perfume? An escrow deposit?
In today's text, Paul addresses apparent doubts about his authority and dedication. Instead of letters of reference, he relies on the changed lives of those he ministers to.
If we take that same reference forward to current times, each of us is actually a referral for those who have shown us the truth of the Gospel -- everyone who had had a hand in the development of our faith since we first heard of God!
So what is your letter of reference saying today?
Junk mail -- tired and crabby from too much weekend and not very full of joy?
Unwanted bill -- letting others know how they must work harder to meet expectations?
Form letter -- a cookie-cutter Christian who shows a slick brochure to the world but who hides his or her 'real' life in the small print?
Handwritten card -- delivering the encouragement of God's love in a personal way to each individual?
What will those you meet today think about they type of mail you are delivering?
Friday, September 5, 2008
2 Maccabees -- History?
Read 2 Maccabbees 14 and 15
Today's Devotion - 2 Maccabees 15:27-39
27Fighting with their hands and praying to God with their hearts, they laid low at least thirty-five thousand, and rejoiced greatly over this manifestation of God's power. 28When the battle was over and they were joyfully departing, they discovered Nicanor lying there in all his armor; 29so they raised tumultuous shouts in their native tongue in praise of the divine Sovereign. 30Then Judas, who was ever in body and soul the chief defender of his fellow citizens, and had maintained from youth his affection for his countrymen, ordered Nicanor's head and whole right arm to be cut off and taken to Jerusalem.
31When he arrived there, he assembled his countrymen, stationed the priests before the altar, and sent for those in the citadel. 32He showed them the vile Nicanor's head and the wretched blasphemer's arm that had been boastfully stretched out against the holy dwelling of the Almighty. 33He cut out the tongue of the godless Nicanor, saying he would feed it piecemeal to the birds and would hang up the other wages of his folly opposite the temple.
34At this, everyone looked toward heaven and praised the Lord who manifests his divine power, saying, "Blessed be he who has kept his own Place undefiled!" 35Judas hung up Nicanor's head on the wall of the citadel, a clear and evident proof to all of the Lord's help.
36 By public vote it was unanimously decreed never to let this day pass unobserved, but to celebrate it on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar in Aramaic, the eve of Mordecai's Day.
37Since Nicanor's doings ended in this way, with the city remaining in possession of the Hebrews from that time on, I will bring my own story to an end here too. 38If it is well written and to the point, that is what I wanted; if it is poorly done and mediocre, that is the best I could do. 39Just as it is harmful to drink wine alone or water alone, whereas mixing wine with water makes a more pleasant drink that increases delight, so a skillfully composed story delights the ears of those who read the work. Let this, then, be the end. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
We have spent a week looking at the text of a book that was not officially placed into the canon of scripture that is used by protestant churches. 1 and 2 Maccabees are two of six books included in the Catholic Bible but not in protestant ones.
The Maccabees are obviously books of history (instead of books of wisdom or prophecy). Presuming they are a true historical report, why do you think they aren't included in our Bibles?
Have you received any new insights into God as a result of your reading this week?
Today's Devotion - 2 Maccabees 15:27-39
27Fighting with their hands and praying to God with their hearts, they laid low at least thirty-five thousand, and rejoiced greatly over this manifestation of God's power. 28When the battle was over and they were joyfully departing, they discovered Nicanor lying there in all his armor; 29so they raised tumultuous shouts in their native tongue in praise of the divine Sovereign. 30Then Judas, who was ever in body and soul the chief defender of his fellow citizens, and had maintained from youth his affection for his countrymen, ordered Nicanor's head and whole right arm to be cut off and taken to Jerusalem.
31When he arrived there, he assembled his countrymen, stationed the priests before the altar, and sent for those in the citadel. 32He showed them the vile Nicanor's head and the wretched blasphemer's arm that had been boastfully stretched out against the holy dwelling of the Almighty. 33He cut out the tongue of the godless Nicanor, saying he would feed it piecemeal to the birds and would hang up the other wages of his folly opposite the temple.
34At this, everyone looked toward heaven and praised the Lord who manifests his divine power, saying, "Blessed be he who has kept his own Place undefiled!" 35Judas hung up Nicanor's head on the wall of the citadel, a clear and evident proof to all of the Lord's help.
36 By public vote it was unanimously decreed never to let this day pass unobserved, but to celebrate it on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar in Aramaic, the eve of Mordecai's Day.
37Since Nicanor's doings ended in this way, with the city remaining in possession of the Hebrews from that time on, I will bring my own story to an end here too. 38If it is well written and to the point, that is what I wanted; if it is poorly done and mediocre, that is the best I could do. 39Just as it is harmful to drink wine alone or water alone, whereas mixing wine with water makes a more pleasant drink that increases delight, so a skillfully composed story delights the ears of those who read the work. Let this, then, be the end. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
We have spent a week looking at the text of a book that was not officially placed into the canon of scripture that is used by protestant churches. 1 and 2 Maccabees are two of six books included in the Catholic Bible but not in protestant ones.
The Maccabees are obviously books of history (instead of books of wisdom or prophecy). Presuming they are a true historical report, why do you think they aren't included in our Bibles?
Have you received any new insights into God as a result of your reading this week?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
2 Maccabbees -- Persecution
WARNING: Today's reading is pretty graphic...
Read 2 Maccabbees 5, 6, and 7
Today's Devotion -- 2 Mac 6:18-28
18Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. 19 But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, 20as men ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
21Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; 22in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
23But he made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God. He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: 24"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young men would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. 25Should I thus dissimulate for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. 26Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty.
27Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, 28and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws." He spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
It is so easy to forget that there are thousands of Christians around the world who are persecuted in painful ways, often killed, for their faith. Voice of the Martyrs (at http://persecution.com) tells of current day persecution:
A Saudi member of the religious police cut his daughter’s tongue off and burned her to death for converting to Christianity.
Hindu militants have launched attacks on Christians throughout the state, setting buildings on fire and beating and killing believers in at least 12 districts.
On August 5, Eritrean authorities locked eight high school students in metal a shipping container and burned hundreds of Bibles at Sawa Defense Training Centre. According to Compass Direct News, the students were imprisoned in the container after they objected to authorities confiscating and burning 1,500 Bibles taken from new students who arrived at the training center for the new 2008-2009 school year.
In America we wonder why God allows us to lose jobs, get sick, or die before we think it's time. In other countries, people are praising God because he gives them strength to stand strong while unthinkable things happen simply because they are believers.
Please don't forget to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Read 2 Maccabbees 5, 6, and 7
Today's Devotion -- 2 Mac 6:18-28
18Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. 19 But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, 20as men ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
21Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; 22in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
23But he made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God. He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: 24"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young men would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. 25Should I thus dissimulate for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. 26Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty.
27Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, 28and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws." He spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
It is so easy to forget that there are thousands of Christians around the world who are persecuted in painful ways, often killed, for their faith. Voice of the Martyrs (at http://persecution.com) tells of current day persecution:
A Saudi member of the religious police cut his daughter’s tongue off and burned her to death for converting to Christianity.
Hindu militants have launched attacks on Christians throughout the state, setting buildings on fire and beating and killing believers in at least 12 districts.
On August 5, Eritrean authorities locked eight high school students in metal a shipping container and burned hundreds of Bibles at Sawa Defense Training Centre. According to Compass Direct News, the students were imprisoned in the container after they objected to authorities confiscating and burning 1,500 Bibles taken from new students who arrived at the training center for the new 2008-2009 school year.
In America we wonder why God allows us to lose jobs, get sick, or die before we think it's time. In other countries, people are praising God because he gives them strength to stand strong while unthinkable things happen simply because they are believers.
Please don't forget to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
2 Maccabees -- An Historical Account
Read 2 Maccabees 1 and 2
Today's Devotion -- 2 Maccabees 2:19-31
19This is the story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, of the purification of the great temple, the dedication of the altar, 20 the campaigns against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator, 21and of the heavenly manifestations accorded to the heroes who fought bravely for Judaism, so that, few as they were, they seized the whole land, put to flight the barbarian hordes, 22regained possession of the world-famous temple, liberated the city, and reestablished the laws that were in danger of being abolished, while the Lord favored them with all his generous assistance.
23All this, which Jason of Cyrene set forth in detail in five volumes, we will try to condense into a single book.
24In view of the flood of statistics, and the difficulties encountered by those who wish to plunge into historical narratives where the material is abundant, 25we have aimed to please those who prefer simple reading, as well as to make it easy for the studious who wish to commit things to memory, and to be helpful to all.
26For us who have taken upon ourselves the labor of making this digest, the task, far from being easy, is one of sweat and of sleepless nights, 27just as the preparation of a festive banquet is no light matter for one who thus seeks to give enjoyment to others. Similarly, to win the gratitude of many we will gladly endure these inconveniences, 28while we leave the responsibility for exact details to the original author, and confine our efforts to giving only a summary outline. 29As the architect of a new house must give his attention to the whole structure, while the man who undertakes the decoration and the frescoes has only to concern himself with what is needed for ornamentation, so I think it is with us.
30To enter into questions and examine them thoroughly from all sides is the task of the professional historian;
31but the man who is making an adaptation should be allowed to aim at brevity of expression and to omit detailed treatment of the matter. 32Here, then, we shall begin our account without further ado; it would be nonsense to write a long preface to a story and then abbreviate the story itself. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
I don't have too much of a devotional thought to go along with this today, but I thought this portion of text was important so we would have a good understanding of the purpose for 2 Maccabees.
If you were to write a Biblical-style account of the Church and faith today, what key points would you include?
Today's Devotion -- 2 Maccabees 2:19-31
19This is the story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, of the purification of the great temple, the dedication of the altar, 20 the campaigns against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator, 21and of the heavenly manifestations accorded to the heroes who fought bravely for Judaism, so that, few as they were, they seized the whole land, put to flight the barbarian hordes, 22regained possession of the world-famous temple, liberated the city, and reestablished the laws that were in danger of being abolished, while the Lord favored them with all his generous assistance.
23All this, which Jason of Cyrene set forth in detail in five volumes, we will try to condense into a single book.
24In view of the flood of statistics, and the difficulties encountered by those who wish to plunge into historical narratives where the material is abundant, 25we have aimed to please those who prefer simple reading, as well as to make it easy for the studious who wish to commit things to memory, and to be helpful to all.
26For us who have taken upon ourselves the labor of making this digest, the task, far from being easy, is one of sweat and of sleepless nights, 27just as the preparation of a festive banquet is no light matter for one who thus seeks to give enjoyment to others. Similarly, to win the gratitude of many we will gladly endure these inconveniences, 28while we leave the responsibility for exact details to the original author, and confine our efforts to giving only a summary outline. 29As the architect of a new house must give his attention to the whole structure, while the man who undertakes the decoration and the frescoes has only to concern himself with what is needed for ornamentation, so I think it is with us.
30To enter into questions and examine them thoroughly from all sides is the task of the professional historian;
31but the man who is making an adaptation should be allowed to aim at brevity of expression and to omit detailed treatment of the matter. 32Here, then, we shall begin our account without further ado; it would be nonsense to write a long preface to a story and then abbreviate the story itself. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
I don't have too much of a devotional thought to go along with this today, but I thought this portion of text was important so we would have a good understanding of the purpose for 2 Maccabees.
If you were to write a Biblical-style account of the Church and faith today, what key points would you include?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
1 Maccabees -- The Underdog in the Fight
Today's Reading -- 1 Maccabees 3 and 4
Devotion -- 1 Maccabees 3:17-23
17 But when they saw the army coming against them, they said to Judas: "How can we, few as we are, fight such a mighty host as this? Besides, we are weak today from fasting."
18 But Judas said: "It is easy for many to be overcome by a few; in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between deliverance by many or by few; 19 for victory in war does not depend upon the size of the army, but on strength that comes from Heaven. 20 With great presumption and lawlessness they come against us to destroy us and our wives and children and to despoil us; 21 but we are fighting for our lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before us; so do not be afraid of them." 23 When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly upon Seron and his army, who were crushed before him. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
At the end of yesterday's reading, Matthias, leader of the Jewish rebellion against the evil politics reigning in Israel, died and named his son, Judas (also called Maccabee), as the new leader of the Jewish army. He and his many brothers took on the challenge of war 'joyfully'.
At this point they have successfully killed many of the Samaritans who had attacked them, and now they are facing an immense army of Syrians, led by Seron. Their small band of men was dwarfed by the giant army of Syria and needless to say most were terrified of the fight they were facing.
As in the past, the leaders faith was greater than that of the followers. Judas knew that God was on his side and that they would prevail despite the way the situation looked.
The challenges we face usually aren't as drastic as death by mutilation, as these men faced. But in the midst of our daily lives, the difficulties that come at us seem just as scary. It doesn't take long for our imaginations to turn life challenges into giant armies waiting to attack. We find an unusual lump on our bodies and all of a sudden we are imagining how well we'd handle chemotherapy and hair loss. We lose a job and our minds immediately show us a stark picture of life in a homeless shelter. We fall once again into that sin we try so hard to avoid, and we can't comprehend how God would be willing to forgive us one more time.
Life can turn on us in a moment, and sometimes the worst things we can imagine actually come to pass. But if we face them alone we will be more terrified and less able to cope. Like Judas Maccabee, we must remember that God is on our side -- regardless of whether we win or lose the battle, He is in control. While that doesn't always make the battle easier to understand or to fight, there is peace in knowing that God will win in the end.
God helped the Israelites to victory in their battle, but they still had to go through the fight. As often as we wish he would just wipe our foes, our troubles, off the face of the earth, that isn't how he works. If you are in a difficult situation, turn to others who will join in your fight. If you aren't able to see God in the situation, find someone who can show him to you and who will take on the role of the faithful leader. If we stand firm in him and stay strong in our faith, he will help us to be victorious, too.
Devotion -- 1 Maccabees 3:17-23
17 But when they saw the army coming against them, they said to Judas: "How can we, few as we are, fight such a mighty host as this? Besides, we are weak today from fasting."
18 But Judas said: "It is easy for many to be overcome by a few; in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between deliverance by many or by few; 19 for victory in war does not depend upon the size of the army, but on strength that comes from Heaven. 20 With great presumption and lawlessness they come against us to destroy us and our wives and children and to despoil us; 21 but we are fighting for our lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before us; so do not be afraid of them." 23 When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly upon Seron and his army, who were crushed before him. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible
At the end of yesterday's reading, Matthias, leader of the Jewish rebellion against the evil politics reigning in Israel, died and named his son, Judas (also called Maccabee), as the new leader of the Jewish army. He and his many brothers took on the challenge of war 'joyfully'.
At this point they have successfully killed many of the Samaritans who had attacked them, and now they are facing an immense army of Syrians, led by Seron. Their small band of men was dwarfed by the giant army of Syria and needless to say most were terrified of the fight they were facing.
As in the past, the leaders faith was greater than that of the followers. Judas knew that God was on his side and that they would prevail despite the way the situation looked.
The challenges we face usually aren't as drastic as death by mutilation, as these men faced. But in the midst of our daily lives, the difficulties that come at us seem just as scary. It doesn't take long for our imaginations to turn life challenges into giant armies waiting to attack. We find an unusual lump on our bodies and all of a sudden we are imagining how well we'd handle chemotherapy and hair loss. We lose a job and our minds immediately show us a stark picture of life in a homeless shelter. We fall once again into that sin we try so hard to avoid, and we can't comprehend how God would be willing to forgive us one more time.
Life can turn on us in a moment, and sometimes the worst things we can imagine actually come to pass. But if we face them alone we will be more terrified and less able to cope. Like Judas Maccabee, we must remember that God is on our side -- regardless of whether we win or lose the battle, He is in control. While that doesn't always make the battle easier to understand or to fight, there is peace in knowing that God will win in the end.
God helped the Israelites to victory in their battle, but they still had to go through the fight. As often as we wish he would just wipe our foes, our troubles, off the face of the earth, that isn't how he works. If you are in a difficult situation, turn to others who will join in your fight. If you aren't able to see God in the situation, find someone who can show him to you and who will take on the role of the faithful leader. If we stand firm in him and stay strong in our faith, he will help us to be victorious, too.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Maccabees
This week we are taking a little departure from our typical study. Next Sunday we will study the time frame between the Old and New Testaments. To prepare, we are reading 1 and 2 Maccabees our of the New American Bible version (used primarily by those in the Catholic Church). You can find the full text here. There are 31 chapters total in both books of Maccabees, so I'll just pull out a chapter or two per day.
Today, Read 1 Maccabees 1 and 2 (note -- two separate links to click).
Devotion -- 1 Maccabees 2:61-64
61 And so, consider this from generation to generation, that none who hope in him shall fail in strength. 62 Do not fear the words of a sinful man, for his glory ends in corruption and worms.
63 Today he is exalted, and tomorrow he is not to be found, because he has returned to his dust, and his schemes have perished. 64 Children! be courageous and strong in keeping the law, for by it you shall be glorified. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
The first two chapters of this book detail a rebellion by the Jews, an alliance with the Gentiles, and an overthrow of Jerusalem by others who had formed a fake alliance with Israel. There are Jews who visibly throw away their heritage, joining up with Gentiles and killing any who cling to their faith. Others fight violently to maintain their heritage, going so far as to forcefully circumcize any boys or men in Jerusalem who had not yet been circumcized.
Those who would remain faithful move out of the city and form a camp in the desert. After a massacre on the Sabbath (because they refused to 'work' on the Holy Day), the remaining faithful Jews vow to fight for their rights.
Despite the fact that they are over 2000 years old, these words in today's text hold true today. Regardless of how powerful our role models, President, world leaders, or talk show hosts may be, any glory they seek for themselves will fade away. Same goes for us...even if none of us achieve power or fame, any thing we do that does not glorify God will turn to dust. Only those things that give him glory and implement his will shall remain for eternity.
So be courageous and strong! Stand firm to the end, and God will lift us up.
Today, Read 1 Maccabees 1 and 2 (note -- two separate links to click).
Devotion -- 1 Maccabees 2:61-64
61 And so, consider this from generation to generation, that none who hope in him shall fail in strength. 62 Do not fear the words of a sinful man, for his glory ends in corruption and worms.
63 Today he is exalted, and tomorrow he is not to be found, because he has returned to his dust, and his schemes have perished. 64 Children! be courageous and strong in keeping the law, for by it you shall be glorified. (NAB)
taken from http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
The first two chapters of this book detail a rebellion by the Jews, an alliance with the Gentiles, and an overthrow of Jerusalem by others who had formed a fake alliance with Israel. There are Jews who visibly throw away their heritage, joining up with Gentiles and killing any who cling to their faith. Others fight violently to maintain their heritage, going so far as to forcefully circumcize any boys or men in Jerusalem who had not yet been circumcized.
Those who would remain faithful move out of the city and form a camp in the desert. After a massacre on the Sabbath (because they refused to 'work' on the Holy Day), the remaining faithful Jews vow to fight for their rights.
Despite the fact that they are over 2000 years old, these words in today's text hold true today. Regardless of how powerful our role models, President, world leaders, or talk show hosts may be, any glory they seek for themselves will fade away. Same goes for us...even if none of us achieve power or fame, any thing we do that does not glorify God will turn to dust. Only those things that give him glory and implement his will shall remain for eternity.
So be courageous and strong! Stand firm to the end, and God will lift us up.
Friday, August 29, 2008
1 Corinthians -- A True Reflection
Read 1 Corinthians 13 and 15
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 13:11-12
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
If a police sketch artist would call you on the phone right now, could you describe your face (without looking in a mirror) well enough for your family to recognize the picture? Even if you saw the first attempt, could you tell the artist what to change?
When we are looking in a mirror, we really don't see what the world sees (if we did, why would Tammy Fay have worn so much makeup?!?!?). We may notice all of our flaws and none of the attractive features, like the anorexic who thinks she is fat. Or we may only see the good stuff and ignore the things that are unflattering (I'm thinking about 80's hair...how could we think that looked good?).
But even if we have a good realistic handle on how we look, we still only see a partial image. And in reality, God sees right through that image to view our hearts and minds. He can view our intentions, our aspirations, our deep dark secrets, and our most fervent desires --- often things we aren't even aware of.
As Christians, do you realize that God doesn't really look at the true picture, either? If we have turned our heart over to Jesus, God looks at us through a magnifying glass that has a picture of Christ imbedded in it. The closer our relationship to Christ, the more we look like him to God! The true ugliness of our sins are erased, just like a photographer erases blemishes from a photo on the computer. All he sees is the perfection of Christ.
Amazing! And we have the confidence of knowing that when we come face-to-face with Christ, we will see the true image in which God created us.
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 13:11-12
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
If a police sketch artist would call you on the phone right now, could you describe your face (without looking in a mirror) well enough for your family to recognize the picture? Even if you saw the first attempt, could you tell the artist what to change?
When we are looking in a mirror, we really don't see what the world sees (if we did, why would Tammy Fay have worn so much makeup?!?!?). We may notice all of our flaws and none of the attractive features, like the anorexic who thinks she is fat. Or we may only see the good stuff and ignore the things that are unflattering (I'm thinking about 80's hair...how could we think that looked good?).
But even if we have a good realistic handle on how we look, we still only see a partial image. And in reality, God sees right through that image to view our hearts and minds. He can view our intentions, our aspirations, our deep dark secrets, and our most fervent desires --- often things we aren't even aware of.
As Christians, do you realize that God doesn't really look at the true picture, either? If we have turned our heart over to Jesus, God looks at us through a magnifying glass that has a picture of Christ imbedded in it. The closer our relationship to Christ, the more we look like him to God! The true ugliness of our sins are erased, just like a photographer erases blemishes from a photo on the computer. All he sees is the perfection of Christ.
Amazing! And we have the confidence of knowing that when we come face-to-face with Christ, we will see the true image in which God created us.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
1 Corinthians -- Selective Obedience
Read 1 Corinthians 11-12
Today's Devotion -- We'll use it all today! Click on the link above to read it.
Today's text contains some of the most controversial information in the Bible from the perspective of our current society. These verses are disputed heavily when theologians try to decide if we should follow the entire Bible as written, or instead if we should 'allow' some departure due to cultural standards of the time. Entire denominations have been formed because people either agreed legalistically or vehemently disagreed that Paul's directives should be followed.
These are good verses to test your own convictions. How would you answer these questions?
1. Should we selectively follow the advice given in the Bible because our culture is different?
2. If your answer is yes, at what level does this ability to choose stop? For instance, our culture says it's ok for women to go without head coverings or to cut their hair short, so we don't follow Paul's advice. But what if our culture says it's ok for gay couples to marry? Is it then ok to differentiate?
3. Does God give different spiritual gifts now than he did back in Bible days? How do you know? And if you say 'yes', what does it mean if someone claims to have a gift you believe isn't given any more? Who is wrong?
4. Must we follow advice given by disciples/apostles, or only the advice of Christ? How do you decide?
5 Are these issues worthy of the vast number of denominations we have today? How can we co-exist as Christians with significantly differing beliefs about issues such as these?
Today's Devotion -- We'll use it all today! Click on the link above to read it.
Today's text contains some of the most controversial information in the Bible from the perspective of our current society. These verses are disputed heavily when theologians try to decide if we should follow the entire Bible as written, or instead if we should 'allow' some departure due to cultural standards of the time. Entire denominations have been formed because people either agreed legalistically or vehemently disagreed that Paul's directives should be followed.
These are good verses to test your own convictions. How would you answer these questions?
1. Should we selectively follow the advice given in the Bible because our culture is different?
2. If your answer is yes, at what level does this ability to choose stop? For instance, our culture says it's ok for women to go without head coverings or to cut their hair short, so we don't follow Paul's advice. But what if our culture says it's ok for gay couples to marry? Is it then ok to differentiate?
3. Does God give different spiritual gifts now than he did back in Bible days? How do you know? And if you say 'yes', what does it mean if someone claims to have a gift you believe isn't given any more? Who is wrong?
4. Must we follow advice given by disciples/apostles, or only the advice of Christ? How do you decide?
5 Are these issues worthy of the vast number of denominations we have today? How can we co-exist as Christians with significantly differing beliefs about issues such as these?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
1 Corinthians 9-10 -- The Object of My Devotion
NOTE: If you are interested, I'm giving away a copy of a book called Wild Goose Chase -- Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God, by Mark Batterson. You can read more about it and sign up for the drawing at http://hisreadinglist.blogspot.com/
Read 1 Corinthians 9-10
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 9:24-27
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (NIV)
taken from http://www.biblegateway.com/
Can you name five U.S. Olympians who won medals in the 1996 Olympics? How about the 2004 Olympics? Honestly, I couldn't name five who won in the 2008 Olympics! For some reason we really weren't into watching them this year. We tuned in a couple of times and saw some amazing trampoline action and the 'exciting' marathon run, but I couldn't even tell you the names of the medal winners in those events.
It often costs tens of thousands of dollars per YEAR to train at levels that will get you into the Olympics. In addition, it costs thousands of hours of painful training, injuries, and lost family time. Hundreds of people are paying these costs, yet few get the opportunity to represent our country in the international games. And only 302, out of all 10,500 the participants, went home with medals. Depending on the country you represent and the sport in which you compete, a gold medal could be worth millions of dollars in endorsements. Coming in fourth isn't worth much.
Why do people put themselves through the pain and the cost to participate? Thousands will never leave their native country to compete in the games despite years of training. One sprained ankle could cause all your efforts to be for naught. And even if you break a world record when you win, some young punk will beat you out in a few years...or even a few minutes! I'm sure it's an amazing honor to know that they are the very best at what they do in the whole world for a moment in time, but do they regret all the aches and pains that result when they are senior citizens?
In comparison to their devotion to a sport for a moment of glory, I'm embarrassed by the way I train for my eternal crown. I cut corners by skimming the Bible and not digging to find answers. I let other priorities, like phone calls, television, or wasted time, get in the way of learning. And I even fall asleep in the middle of sessions with my coach (prayer). My spiritual diet often leaves me anorexic, not well nourished.
It would be easy to see how an Olympic athlete's devotion plays out in his daily life by looking at how he spends his time. What does your life say about the object of your devotion?
Read 1 Corinthians 9-10
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 9:24-27
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (NIV)
taken from http://www.biblegateway.com/
Can you name five U.S. Olympians who won medals in the 1996 Olympics? How about the 2004 Olympics? Honestly, I couldn't name five who won in the 2008 Olympics! For some reason we really weren't into watching them this year. We tuned in a couple of times and saw some amazing trampoline action and the 'exciting' marathon run, but I couldn't even tell you the names of the medal winners in those events.
It often costs tens of thousands of dollars per YEAR to train at levels that will get you into the Olympics. In addition, it costs thousands of hours of painful training, injuries, and lost family time. Hundreds of people are paying these costs, yet few get the opportunity to represent our country in the international games. And only 302, out of all 10,500 the participants, went home with medals. Depending on the country you represent and the sport in which you compete, a gold medal could be worth millions of dollars in endorsements. Coming in fourth isn't worth much.
Why do people put themselves through the pain and the cost to participate? Thousands will never leave their native country to compete in the games despite years of training. One sprained ankle could cause all your efforts to be for naught. And even if you break a world record when you win, some young punk will beat you out in a few years...or even a few minutes! I'm sure it's an amazing honor to know that they are the very best at what they do in the whole world for a moment in time, but do they regret all the aches and pains that result when they are senior citizens?
In comparison to their devotion to a sport for a moment of glory, I'm embarrassed by the way I train for my eternal crown. I cut corners by skimming the Bible and not digging to find answers. I let other priorities, like phone calls, television, or wasted time, get in the way of learning. And I even fall asleep in the middle of sessions with my coach (prayer). My spiritual diet often leaves me anorexic, not well nourished.
It would be easy to see how an Olympic athlete's devotion plays out in his daily life by looking at how he spends his time. What does your life say about the object of your devotion?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
1 Corinthians -- Permission Granted
Read 1 Corinthians 5-6
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 6:12
12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In context, this verse relates to instructions from Paul about avoiding sexual immorality. However, unfortunately, it really concerns everything we do to or for our bodies, the temples of God. I have to say that this is one of my least favorite verses in the Bible!
Christ's sacrifice has allowed us to participate in the glory of God without having to follow the extensive laws that were established for the Israelites in the desert. They were told specifically what they could and couldn't eat, touch, and do, and they were given specific consequences that would follow if they disobeyed. Because of Jesus, we are able to agree with Paul that 'everything is permissible'.
If the verse ended there, it would be fine! I could do whatever I wanted to this temple I live in -- eat tons of fried foods and sweets, sit around watching television all day, listen to whatever sounds good to me, and never sit through a dentist's wicked tools again.
But even our society tells us daily that not everything is beneficial. I know pretty specifically what will happen to me if I do whatever I want...weight gain, heart and lung problems, distraction from God's priorities, and tooth decay, to say the least.
Even though I know these things, I struggle with them like Paul did (remember his "why do I do what I don't want to do, and what I want to do I don't do" confession in Romans?). Why do I eat all the great, unhealthy snacks that are put before me? Why do I find excuses not to exercise?
Sometimes I think it might be easier to live under the law...the consequences occur pretty quickly once you break one. But left on my own, the consequences of my actions often won't show up for decades, and then they may be irreversable. Surely one buttery little cookie (ok, so it looks like a frisbee) won't hurt in the long run, right? Even one each day....
If we're honest, we know how we should treat our bodies. And we know that we shouldn't be too legalistic (in eating, exercising, or any other effort) or our humanness will rebel. But God wants the best for us, and he wants us to make the best choices for our lives -- whether they relate to health, sexual morality, finances, or our time alone with him.
What ways do you struggle with God's permissiveness? What can you do today to make the right choice?
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 6:12
12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In context, this verse relates to instructions from Paul about avoiding sexual immorality. However, unfortunately, it really concerns everything we do to or for our bodies, the temples of God. I have to say that this is one of my least favorite verses in the Bible!
Christ's sacrifice has allowed us to participate in the glory of God without having to follow the extensive laws that were established for the Israelites in the desert. They were told specifically what they could and couldn't eat, touch, and do, and they were given specific consequences that would follow if they disobeyed. Because of Jesus, we are able to agree with Paul that 'everything is permissible'.
If the verse ended there, it would be fine! I could do whatever I wanted to this temple I live in -- eat tons of fried foods and sweets, sit around watching television all day, listen to whatever sounds good to me, and never sit through a dentist's wicked tools again.
But even our society tells us daily that not everything is beneficial. I know pretty specifically what will happen to me if I do whatever I want...weight gain, heart and lung problems, distraction from God's priorities, and tooth decay, to say the least.
Even though I know these things, I struggle with them like Paul did (remember his "why do I do what I don't want to do, and what I want to do I don't do" confession in Romans?). Why do I eat all the great, unhealthy snacks that are put before me? Why do I find excuses not to exercise?
Sometimes I think it might be easier to live under the law...the consequences occur pretty quickly once you break one. But left on my own, the consequences of my actions often won't show up for decades, and then they may be irreversable. Surely one buttery little cookie (ok, so it looks like a frisbee) won't hurt in the long run, right? Even one each day....
If we're honest, we know how we should treat our bodies. And we know that we shouldn't be too legalistic (in eating, exercising, or any other effort) or our humanness will rebel. But God wants the best for us, and he wants us to make the best choices for our lives -- whether they relate to health, sexual morality, finances, or our time alone with him.
What ways do you struggle with God's permissiveness? What can you do today to make the right choice?
Monday, August 25, 2008
1 Corinthians -- Foolishness
We are moving on to the book of 1 Corinthians. Today, read 1 Cor 1-2
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 1:18-25 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
Why did God make knowledge of him and his ways look like foolishness to the world? Wouldn't more people believe if it seemed logical?
Do you remember the foolishness of religion before you believed? Creation, virgin birth, resurrection, Jesus taking on MY sins and thinking of ME on the cross? Being born again, having to pay 10% of our hard earned money, flooding the whole world, getting kicked out of paradise for eating an apple? The foolish examples could go on and on.
There are still many things that are difficult for me to understand based on the worldly perspective we are all raised with, but it is so freeing to realize that God doesn't want us to understand -- he just wants us to believe and trust.
The world thinks that belief in God is a crutch for those of us who are too weak to make it in this world on our own. Many people take pride in their ability to survive and (they think) thrive in a world full of sin, refusing to admit that there might be a bigger purpose to life or that they will be held accountable for their actions.
If knowing the truth and believing in things that don't logically make sense makes me weak, I'm proud to say that I need God's help to make it through the day. Call me foolish, but I choose to believe in the one power that will make a difference for all eternity! That belief opens my eyes to the true foolishness of the world.
Today's Devotion -- 1 Cor 1:18-25 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
Why did God make knowledge of him and his ways look like foolishness to the world? Wouldn't more people believe if it seemed logical?
Do you remember the foolishness of religion before you believed? Creation, virgin birth, resurrection, Jesus taking on MY sins and thinking of ME on the cross? Being born again, having to pay 10% of our hard earned money, flooding the whole world, getting kicked out of paradise for eating an apple? The foolish examples could go on and on.
There are still many things that are difficult for me to understand based on the worldly perspective we are all raised with, but it is so freeing to realize that God doesn't want us to understand -- he just wants us to believe and trust.
The world thinks that belief in God is a crutch for those of us who are too weak to make it in this world on our own. Many people take pride in their ability to survive and (they think) thrive in a world full of sin, refusing to admit that there might be a bigger purpose to life or that they will be held accountable for their actions.
If knowing the truth and believing in things that don't logically make sense makes me weak, I'm proud to say that I need God's help to make it through the day. Call me foolish, but I choose to believe in the one power that will make a difference for all eternity! That belief opens my eyes to the true foolishness of the world.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Romans - A Debt-Free Life
Read Romans 5-6
Today's Devotion -- Romans 5:6-8
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The North County region of St. Louis County reportedly has the highest foreclosure rate per capita in all of Missouri. Drive down almost any street and you will see several For Sale signs, often with 'price reduced' plackards and unmown grass. Many people have lost jobs or had medical issues that put them into debt, many more just got in over their heads. As a result many families are dealing with the devastating consequences.
How would your life be different if you were totally debt free? If you didn't own anything to any body? If your home and car were fully paid for, there were no credit card bills racking up high levels of interest, and no one else was laying claim to your earnings? If you were able to pay cash for everything? If you had enough savings to take care of almost any emergency that could occur?
If, if, if! Most of us can't imagine the peace and security of knowing that all debts are paid off and all of our belongings are secure from creditors.
Imagine someone coming in, a stranger who pays all of your bills and deposits enough in your accounts to provide a lifetime of security! He doesn't reduce or eliminate your debts like credit consolidators or bankruptcy courts do, he pays it off in full! Happy creditors and a fabulous credit rating . . . what an amazing blessing that would be!
Would you jump right back in and start charging new cars, televisions, vacations, and other fun things? Or would you vow to start anew, working to ensure that you lived on less than you made and maybe saving up so you could help others in financial need?
It may be a weak analogy, but this is what Christ does for us. We were buried in the debt of sin, and while we weren't even a twinkle in some remote ancestors' eye he paid off our sins so that we would be able to live in peace, secure about our eternal future. We owe our very lives to his loving sacrifice. How, then, should we live?
Today's Devotion -- Romans 5:6-8
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The North County region of St. Louis County reportedly has the highest foreclosure rate per capita in all of Missouri. Drive down almost any street and you will see several For Sale signs, often with 'price reduced' plackards and unmown grass. Many people have lost jobs or had medical issues that put them into debt, many more just got in over their heads. As a result many families are dealing with the devastating consequences.
How would your life be different if you were totally debt free? If you didn't own anything to any body? If your home and car were fully paid for, there were no credit card bills racking up high levels of interest, and no one else was laying claim to your earnings? If you were able to pay cash for everything? If you had enough savings to take care of almost any emergency that could occur?
If, if, if! Most of us can't imagine the peace and security of knowing that all debts are paid off and all of our belongings are secure from creditors.
Imagine someone coming in, a stranger who pays all of your bills and deposits enough in your accounts to provide a lifetime of security! He doesn't reduce or eliminate your debts like credit consolidators or bankruptcy courts do, he pays it off in full! Happy creditors and a fabulous credit rating . . . what an amazing blessing that would be!
Would you jump right back in and start charging new cars, televisions, vacations, and other fun things? Or would you vow to start anew, working to ensure that you lived on less than you made and maybe saving up so you could help others in financial need?
It may be a weak analogy, but this is what Christ does for us. We were buried in the debt of sin, and while we weren't even a twinkle in some remote ancestors' eye he paid off our sins so that we would be able to live in peace, secure about our eternal future. We owe our very lives to his loving sacrifice. How, then, should we live?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Romans -- God Uses Nobodies
Today's reading, Romans 4, is difficult for me to follow and understand, so I decided to read it in The Message version. You may chose to do the same! I've put both links for you.
Read in The Message version
Read in NIV
Today's Devotion -- Romans 4:17-18
17-18We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I'm fascinated by the story of Abraham. There is no Biblical evidence that he was a follower of God before he was called to relocate his entire family. He was just one of a crowd of people in the bustling town of Haran, where the majority of people (including Abraham's father) worshipped the moon-god.
But God knew Abraham's heart, and he knew that he could mold Abraham into a man of great faith. Step by step he instructed Abraham in the right way to worship, and God tested his faith with a variety of means -- relocation, circumcision, impossible conception, and sacrificing his own child. Abraham made lots of mistakes, many serious, but God hung in there with him to create a level of faith that will be remembered eternally.
Isn't it amazing to know that God could do the same with us? We, too, are ordinary people, nobodies, even. Yet day by day God tells us how to grow in our faith. We will make tons of mistakes, serious ones, yet God will patiently correct us and prod us in the right direction if we will only trust in his love.
We may never be famous here on earth, and we will most likely never be written about in books read around the world, but our tasks are just as significant as Abrahams'. God will develop our faith and use the skills he's given us to make a significant difference in his kingdom -- if we will only trust him.
It is overwhelming to think that he will use a nobody like me to make a difference. I pray that I will be up to his task!
Read in The Message version
Read in NIV
Today's Devotion -- Romans 4:17-18
17-18We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I'm fascinated by the story of Abraham. There is no Biblical evidence that he was a follower of God before he was called to relocate his entire family. He was just one of a crowd of people in the bustling town of Haran, where the majority of people (including Abraham's father) worshipped the moon-god.
But God knew Abraham's heart, and he knew that he could mold Abraham into a man of great faith. Step by step he instructed Abraham in the right way to worship, and God tested his faith with a variety of means -- relocation, circumcision, impossible conception, and sacrificing his own child. Abraham made lots of mistakes, many serious, but God hung in there with him to create a level of faith that will be remembered eternally.
Isn't it amazing to know that God could do the same with us? We, too, are ordinary people, nobodies, even. Yet day by day God tells us how to grow in our faith. We will make tons of mistakes, serious ones, yet God will patiently correct us and prod us in the right direction if we will only trust in his love.
We may never be famous here on earth, and we will most likely never be written about in books read around the world, but our tasks are just as significant as Abrahams'. God will develop our faith and use the skills he's given us to make a significant difference in his kingdom -- if we will only trust him.
It is overwhelming to think that he will use a nobody like me to make a difference. I pray that I will be up to his task!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Romans - The Path of Peace
Read Romans 3
Today's Devotion -- Romans 3:15-17
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16ruin and misery mark their ways, 17and the way of peace they do not know." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This is part of a passage of several Bible references that Paul uses to show that all are sinners, whether they are under the law or not. These particular verses come from Isaiah 59, which talks about God's ability to hear and save the Israelites regardless of where they are or the trouble they are in. And of course it refers equally to our lives today.
I don't think my feet are swift to shed blood, but there are definitely times when I do not know the way of peace! It's amazing how peaceful things can be in the morning. I get up, help my teen get off to school, then sit down for an hour of so when I can spend my quiet time with God. I'm encouraged and plan a day full of calm responses to problems as I vow to lean on Him regardless of the situation. Today I'd been thinking about how to write a devotion about staying on the path to peace.
Then our twin 8-year old boys wake up. One of them almost always wakes up grumpy. Today he went into a tyrade because he couldn't find his white uniform shirt. As usual, it was clean and in the laundry basket, but that wasn't where he wanted it to be. He cried and got angry, mumbling things under his breath. He hollered "why don't you ever put them away?"
Well, I could go into lots of explanations about how the shirts I get for him were out of stock, so we only have two that have to get washed frequently until I can buy more. I could have simply apologized and gone downstairs to get it for him. Instead I jumped right off that path of peace and maturely retorted, "why don't you put them away yourself?" After all, he's big enough!
Luckily God gently grabbed my by the neck and pushed me back onto that path of peace. I realized that he's 8 and he's always grumpy in the morning. My grumpy responses aren't going to help the situation. I told him I'd get the shirt, brought both of them up and put the second one where he will find it in the morning (maybe...). In the meantime he was yelling at his brother to get out of the room (the brother wakes up cheerful...and was only trying to change his clothes). I herded the brother (whose feelings were now hurt) out to go eat his breakfast, reminding him to stay away from grumpy until he was happier.
With a few minutes of quiet time, grumpy came out of the room all ready for the day and he stood in front of the mirror for about five minutes fixing his hair (I get a kick out of watching little boys primp!). Grumpiness has passed and he's now eating breakfast, laughing about some silly word his brother said.
I have a choice. I can continue to steam about his behavior and beat myself up for not putting the clothes away, or I can laugh it off as God's timely example for today's lesson.
How often do I let other people or situations pull me off the peaceful path God wants me to travel? And once off, how long do I stay on that other path (be it anger, frustration, insecurity, or selfishness)? I will probably always be involved in situations that try to steal my peace, and I'll most likely run right off that path with a human response. Hopefully, as I mature in Christ, I'll have less triggers that set me off and once they do I'll spend much less time exploring those non-peaceful paths!
Ok - I'm firmly on that path of peace...until the next incident occurs?
Today's Devotion -- Romans 3:15-17
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16ruin and misery mark their ways, 17and the way of peace they do not know." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This is part of a passage of several Bible references that Paul uses to show that all are sinners, whether they are under the law or not. These particular verses come from Isaiah 59, which talks about God's ability to hear and save the Israelites regardless of where they are or the trouble they are in. And of course it refers equally to our lives today.
I don't think my feet are swift to shed blood, but there are definitely times when I do not know the way of peace! It's amazing how peaceful things can be in the morning. I get up, help my teen get off to school, then sit down for an hour of so when I can spend my quiet time with God. I'm encouraged and plan a day full of calm responses to problems as I vow to lean on Him regardless of the situation. Today I'd been thinking about how to write a devotion about staying on the path to peace.
Then our twin 8-year old boys wake up. One of them almost always wakes up grumpy. Today he went into a tyrade because he couldn't find his white uniform shirt. As usual, it was clean and in the laundry basket, but that wasn't where he wanted it to be. He cried and got angry, mumbling things under his breath. He hollered "why don't you ever put them away?"
Well, I could go into lots of explanations about how the shirts I get for him were out of stock, so we only have two that have to get washed frequently until I can buy more. I could have simply apologized and gone downstairs to get it for him. Instead I jumped right off that path of peace and maturely retorted, "why don't you put them away yourself?" After all, he's big enough!
Luckily God gently grabbed my by the neck and pushed me back onto that path of peace. I realized that he's 8 and he's always grumpy in the morning. My grumpy responses aren't going to help the situation. I told him I'd get the shirt, brought both of them up and put the second one where he will find it in the morning (maybe...). In the meantime he was yelling at his brother to get out of the room (the brother wakes up cheerful...and was only trying to change his clothes). I herded the brother (whose feelings were now hurt) out to go eat his breakfast, reminding him to stay away from grumpy until he was happier.
With a few minutes of quiet time, grumpy came out of the room all ready for the day and he stood in front of the mirror for about five minutes fixing his hair (I get a kick out of watching little boys primp!). Grumpiness has passed and he's now eating breakfast, laughing about some silly word his brother said.
I have a choice. I can continue to steam about his behavior and beat myself up for not putting the clothes away, or I can laugh it off as God's timely example for today's lesson.
How often do I let other people or situations pull me off the peaceful path God wants me to travel? And once off, how long do I stay on that other path (be it anger, frustration, insecurity, or selfishness)? I will probably always be involved in situations that try to steal my peace, and I'll most likely run right off that path with a human response. Hopefully, as I mature in Christ, I'll have less triggers that set me off and once they do I'll spend much less time exploring those non-peaceful paths!
Ok - I'm firmly on that path of peace...until the next incident occurs?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Acts -- Seeing the Future
Today's Devotion -- Acts 21:10-14
Context: Paul and his traveling buddies left Ephesus and spent several days sailing to Ptolemais, where they are staying in a Christian household with Philip, one of the seven men chosen in the early days of the church for his strong convictions and servants heart.
Text:
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever wished God would give you a glimpse of the future? That he would show you the outcomes of your decisions and let you know the results of your efforts to serve him?
I think we want to peek through the pearly gates of Heaven to see what eternity holds in store, but I often wish God would just send me a post card telling me what choices to make...or at least the outcome of each option so I know what I'm up against.
Paul frequently shares that he was given several premonitions about his future -- that it would involve "prison and hardships". But imagine how he must have felt when a total stranger walked up to him, grabbed his belt (I'm presuming he didn't remove it from Paul's robe, but we don't really know), and ties himself up while prophesying that this will be Paul's future.
Hearing this, the people surrounding Paul try to talk him out of finishing his trip to Jerusalem. As if avoiding that city would save Paul from his destiny! The reaction of the people 'broke his heart', but Paul responded bravely that he was ready to be tied, even die, for Christ.
With such a graphic view of his future, I imagine whenever Paul was confronted by a centurion or soldier he wondered if this would be the time he would be tied up like Agabus prophesied. Did he picture his reaction to this event? Did he worry about what might happen next, and if he would be strong enough to pray his way through it?
If your future holds something painful or scary, would you want to know?
Context: Paul and his traveling buddies left Ephesus and spent several days sailing to Ptolemais, where they are staying in a Christian household with Philip, one of the seven men chosen in the early days of the church for his strong convictions and servants heart.
Text:
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever wished God would give you a glimpse of the future? That he would show you the outcomes of your decisions and let you know the results of your efforts to serve him?
I think we want to peek through the pearly gates of Heaven to see what eternity holds in store, but I often wish God would just send me a post card telling me what choices to make...or at least the outcome of each option so I know what I'm up against.
Paul frequently shares that he was given several premonitions about his future -- that it would involve "prison and hardships". But imagine how he must have felt when a total stranger walked up to him, grabbed his belt (I'm presuming he didn't remove it from Paul's robe, but we don't really know), and ties himself up while prophesying that this will be Paul's future.
Hearing this, the people surrounding Paul try to talk him out of finishing his trip to Jerusalem. As if avoiding that city would save Paul from his destiny! The reaction of the people 'broke his heart', but Paul responded bravely that he was ready to be tied, even die, for Christ.
With such a graphic view of his future, I imagine whenever Paul was confronted by a centurion or soldier he wondered if this would be the time he would be tied up like Agabus prophesied. Did he picture his reaction to this event? Did he worry about what might happen next, and if he would be strong enough to pray his way through it?
If your future holds something painful or scary, would you want to know?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Acts -- Saying Goodbye
Today's Devotion -- Acts 20:25-35
Context: Paul is taking what will be his final journey through Macedonia and Greece before he heads to Jerusalem. He is in Ephesus, and he is talking to the elders of the church. He knows that the Spirit is compelling him to go to Jerusalem, and has warned him that he will face prison and hardships. He wants to be sure to finish the life task Jesus has given him.
Text:
25"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the
kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I
am
innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not hesitated to proclaim
to you
the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock
of which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church
of God, which
he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave,
savage wolves will
come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even
from your own number men
will arise and distort the truth in order to draw
away disciples after them.
31So be on your guard! Remember that for three
years I never stopped warning
each of you night and day with tears.
32"Now I commit you to God and
to the word of his grace, which can
build you up and give you an inheritance
among all those who are sanctified.
33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold
or clothing. 34You yourselves
know that these hands of mine have supplied my own
needs and the needs of my
companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that
by this kind of hard
work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord
Jesus himself
said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you knew you would never see again? What words of wisdom or advice did you share with them? Are there any things you wish you had said?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Acts -- Receiving Glory Intended for God
Today's devotion compares two texts from Acts:
Acts 12:21-23
21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (NIV)
Acts 14:11-15
11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first story takes place in Cesarea, where Herod was staying for a while. The second story occurs in the city of Iconium, about 550 miles away. We don't know the timeline between the two events, but it is pretty safe to say that Paul was not present when Herod died. He was most likely on the island of Cyprus, so we don't know if he even heard of the event.
We don't know the topic of Herod's speech, but it was apparently planned and eagerly awaited by the people. On 'the appointed day' Herod wore his royal robes and sat on his throne to give his public address. He was speaking to people from Tye and Sidon, who had previously been fighting but were now seeking peace so they could receive food from Herod's country. Herod was well aware of their backgrounds, since they had been working with his trusted personal servant, Blastus, to arrange for Herod's visit.
As people will often do, they heaped praises upon Herod for the encouraging words he spoke. He may have announced a new program to deliver even more food to these people than before. They fed his ego by saying that he was more than a mere man, he was a God. And Herod ate it up, accepting their accolades.
By this point, God was pretty fed up with Herod and he had an angel strike him down. We learn that he was first eaten by worms, then he died. Sounds like a pretty awful way to go, doesn't it?
On the other hand, when the people of Iconium proclaimed Paul and Barnabas to be gods, they tore their clothes, extremely frustrated that the people had completely missed the point of their message. Even with convincing speeches, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from making sacrifices to them. The story continues with some Jews coming in and winning the crowd over. They go from wanting to worship Paul as a god to stoning him, leaving him for dead! I'm sure this experience wasn't much more pleasant than being eaten by worms...
But the disciples gathered around them, helped them up, and they continued on their missionary journey. Not much later, they returned to Iconium strengthening the disciples and winning more to Christ. They said, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."
So what is the point of these two stories? Why did we hear graphic details of Herod's death? Why didn't God reward Paul for clearly showing the people that he was only a man, not a god? Instead he allowed him to suffer through a stoning. Think about that today, and think about how you respond when someone gives you glory for something that should reflect God's efforts more than yours.
Acts 12:21-23
21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (NIV)
Acts 14:11-15
11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The first story takes place in Cesarea, where Herod was staying for a while. The second story occurs in the city of Iconium, about 550 miles away. We don't know the timeline between the two events, but it is pretty safe to say that Paul was not present when Herod died. He was most likely on the island of Cyprus, so we don't know if he even heard of the event.
We don't know the topic of Herod's speech, but it was apparently planned and eagerly awaited by the people. On 'the appointed day' Herod wore his royal robes and sat on his throne to give his public address. He was speaking to people from Tye and Sidon, who had previously been fighting but were now seeking peace so they could receive food from Herod's country. Herod was well aware of their backgrounds, since they had been working with his trusted personal servant, Blastus, to arrange for Herod's visit.
As people will often do, they heaped praises upon Herod for the encouraging words he spoke. He may have announced a new program to deliver even more food to these people than before. They fed his ego by saying that he was more than a mere man, he was a God. And Herod ate it up, accepting their accolades.
By this point, God was pretty fed up with Herod and he had an angel strike him down. We learn that he was first eaten by worms, then he died. Sounds like a pretty awful way to go, doesn't it?
On the other hand, when the people of Iconium proclaimed Paul and Barnabas to be gods, they tore their clothes, extremely frustrated that the people had completely missed the point of their message. Even with convincing speeches, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from making sacrifices to them. The story continues with some Jews coming in and winning the crowd over. They go from wanting to worship Paul as a god to stoning him, leaving him for dead! I'm sure this experience wasn't much more pleasant than being eaten by worms...
But the disciples gathered around them, helped them up, and they continued on their missionary journey. Not much later, they returned to Iconium strengthening the disciples and winning more to Christ. They said, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."
So what is the point of these two stories? Why did we hear graphic details of Herod's death? Why didn't God reward Paul for clearly showing the people that he was only a man, not a god? Instead he allowed him to suffer through a stoning. Think about that today, and think about how you respond when someone gives you glory for something that should reflect God's efforts more than yours.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Acts - Radical Change
Today's Devotion -- Acts 10:10-16
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
There are several times when God asks people to do things that are totally against everything they had previously believed: Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, Isaac; a young shepherd boy was told he would become king; a teenage girl was told she would bear a son although she was a virgin; and the Jewish community was told that their long awaited savior was a baby in a manger.
For hundreds of years, the laws that God himself decreed had been followed (more or less). In Leviticus 11, God clearly tells his people which animals are to be eaten and which are unclean. If you touch a pig, for example, you are unclean until evening and you must wash your clothes. If pork touched a cooking pot, the pot must be broken and discarded. These laws about eating were so ingrained in the lives of the Jews that they are still followed by the devout today.
But now Peter is told that he should not call anything that the Lord has made pure 'unclean'. Did he think this was a test? I'm sure it crossed his mind that he had been so hungry that he imagined it. If he followed the directions by eating some sausage, surely he would be struck down in a magnificent display of God's fireworks.
God knew Peter would have some doubts. After all, this was a radical change in the rules. So he immediately sent Gentiles to help verify (and expand upon) the lesson. The same will happen today. If you believe God is telling you to do something that is a radical change to the life you've been living, he will provide additional evidence of his message. It's hard to tell the difference between 'wild hair' ideas we have and assignments from God's will that will stretch our lives and spirits. His word, his people, circumstances, and prayer will usually verify the direction you are to go if the message is truly from him.
What is he telling you to do today?
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
There are several times when God asks people to do things that are totally against everything they had previously believed: Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, Isaac; a young shepherd boy was told he would become king; a teenage girl was told she would bear a son although she was a virgin; and the Jewish community was told that their long awaited savior was a baby in a manger.
For hundreds of years, the laws that God himself decreed had been followed (more or less). In Leviticus 11, God clearly tells his people which animals are to be eaten and which are unclean. If you touch a pig, for example, you are unclean until evening and you must wash your clothes. If pork touched a cooking pot, the pot must be broken and discarded. These laws about eating were so ingrained in the lives of the Jews that they are still followed by the devout today.
But now Peter is told that he should not call anything that the Lord has made pure 'unclean'. Did he think this was a test? I'm sure it crossed his mind that he had been so hungry that he imagined it. If he followed the directions by eating some sausage, surely he would be struck down in a magnificent display of God's fireworks.
God knew Peter would have some doubts. After all, this was a radical change in the rules. So he immediately sent Gentiles to help verify (and expand upon) the lesson. The same will happen today. If you believe God is telling you to do something that is a radical change to the life you've been living, he will provide additional evidence of his message. It's hard to tell the difference between 'wild hair' ideas we have and assignments from God's will that will stretch our lives and spirits. His word, his people, circumstances, and prayer will usually verify the direction you are to go if the message is truly from him.
What is he telling you to do today?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Acts -- Waiting
If you missed class yesterday, you missed a great chance to learn more about the others in the class and an opportunity to reflect deeply upon how God is actively working in your life. Go to the class website, www.faithbuildersclass.org, to look at the handout and answer the questions for your life.
We have another week to read Acts. Please finish what you weren't able to read last week. I won't provide daily reading assignments this week.
Today's Devotion - Acts 1:3-5
3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
A little while back our daughter ordered a new laptop computer for her first year in college. She agonized over all the options and finally chose one that met her needs. Then she waited.
While she knew she wouldn't wait too long for her new toy, each day seemed to stretch longer as she watched for the UPS truck. If she heard a truck drive through our quiet court, she would rush to the window to see if her delivery had arrived. Any time she was away from home for a few hours she would call to see if we had received her package.
It reminded me of Christmas Eve -- the anxious excitement of children who know something wonderful will be here soon, but not soon enough.
As Jesus spent his last few days on Earth before ascending to Heaven, he
promised that a great gift would be delivered -- baptism by the Holy Spirit. He mentions that he's talked about this before, but I wonder if the disciples had really listened and if they had any idea what they were about to receive? I'm sure some of them, probably Peter at least, wished that Jesus had just given them the gift before he left instead of making them wait for it. Every time someone knocked on the door of that little upper room in Jerusalem, I imagine they jumped with anticipation as they expected the promised gift had finally arrived.
God timed his delivery perfectly. After several days of prayer, when they were all together and the appropriate crowd had gathered for the Jewish feast of Pentecost, they were each filled with the Holy Spirit. And the blessings of this gift were made apparent to all who were present -- over 3000 people were baptized.
We are each awaiting for something from God; an answer to prayer, a call to action, understanding of a difficult Biblical concept. Let's wait with eager expectation, just like a child awaits a much desired gift. As did the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it will arrive at just the right time, and it will probably be much better than we ever expected!
We have another week to read Acts. Please finish what you weren't able to read last week. I won't provide daily reading assignments this week.
Today's Devotion - Acts 1:3-5
3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
A little while back our daughter ordered a new laptop computer for her first year in college. She agonized over all the options and finally chose one that met her needs. Then she waited.
While she knew she wouldn't wait too long for her new toy, each day seemed to stretch longer as she watched for the UPS truck. If she heard a truck drive through our quiet court, she would rush to the window to see if her delivery had arrived. Any time she was away from home for a few hours she would call to see if we had received her package.
It reminded me of Christmas Eve -- the anxious excitement of children who know something wonderful will be here soon, but not soon enough.
As Jesus spent his last few days on Earth before ascending to Heaven, he
promised that a great gift would be delivered -- baptism by the Holy Spirit. He mentions that he's talked about this before, but I wonder if the disciples had really listened and if they had any idea what they were about to receive? I'm sure some of them, probably Peter at least, wished that Jesus had just given them the gift before he left instead of making them wait for it. Every time someone knocked on the door of that little upper room in Jerusalem, I imagine they jumped with anticipation as they expected the promised gift had finally arrived.
God timed his delivery perfectly. After several days of prayer, when they were all together and the appropriate crowd had gathered for the Jewish feast of Pentecost, they were each filled with the Holy Spirit. And the blessings of this gift were made apparent to all who were present -- over 3000 people were baptized.
We are each awaiting for something from God; an answer to prayer, a call to action, understanding of a difficult Biblical concept. Let's wait with eager expectation, just like a child awaits a much desired gift. As did the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it will arrive at just the right time, and it will probably be much better than we ever expected!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Acts - Paul's Story
Read Acts 22-28
Today's Devotion - Acts 26:12-18
What is your story? In our text today, and through much of Acts, Paul tells his conversion story to anyone who will listen. He talks about his life before Christ, how his eyes were literally opened to the truth, and how his life has changed since then. Many saw the level of conviction and passion that Paul had and they accepted Christ immediately. Others, like the governor of Cesarea and many Jewish elders, thought he was insane or even tried to kill him because of what they believed was a blasphemous message.
Does your conversion story have lots of drama like Paul's, or is it more simple and straightforward? Does it inspire others to look at their own lives and contemplate the truth of Christ? When is the last time you shared it?
Today's Devotion - Acts 26:12-18
12"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority andtaken from www.biblegateway.com
commission of the chief priests. 13About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I
saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my
companions. 14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in
Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick
against the goads.'
15"Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'
" 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord
replied. 16'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint
you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will
show you. 17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am
sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' (NIV)
What is your story? In our text today, and through much of Acts, Paul tells his conversion story to anyone who will listen. He talks about his life before Christ, how his eyes were literally opened to the truth, and how his life has changed since then. Many saw the level of conviction and passion that Paul had and they accepted Christ immediately. Others, like the governor of Cesarea and many Jewish elders, thought he was insane or even tried to kill him because of what they believed was a blasphemous message.
Does your conversion story have lots of drama like Paul's, or is it more simple and straightforward? Does it inspire others to look at their own lives and contemplate the truth of Christ? When is the last time you shared it?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Acts - Faith
Today's Reading Acts 15 - 21
Today's Devotion -- Acts 14: 8 - 10
8In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Ok - I know this devotion is really coming from yesterday's reading, but these are the verses that popped out at me today!
The more I learn about God, the more I realize how little faith I have. I can really empathize with the man in Mark 9:24 who said, "I believe, please help me in my unbelief." I want so badly to hear God's direction and to just go forth and follow Him. But instead I question whether it is really Him, if the instruction is really meant for me, and I struggle to figure out all the angles and 'how to's' before I take action. I also want to understand they why's and I want to know the end result before I start. My heart knows that He is in control and that He knows what is best for each of us, but my head seems to take a little (ok, a LOT) longer to get on board.
What was it about this crippled man that Paul saw? The Bible says that he "saw that he had faith to be healed." Was it something about the way he listened to the message that day? Could Paul see his faith in his eyes? If we would stop and look around us in a crowded room, could we tell who had faith and who didn't?
Hebrew 11:1 tells us that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." The chapter goes on to give us examples of faith by the early believers -- Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Rahab, and many others. In the gospels, we see many examples of people who were commended by Jesus for their faith -- the woman who knew she could be healed by touching his robe, the four men who tore through a roof so their friend could be healed, the man who knew his servant would be healed by Jesus's words alone.
I want that kind of faith! Lord, please help me in my unfaithfulness!
Today's Devotion -- Acts 14: 8 - 10
8In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Ok - I know this devotion is really coming from yesterday's reading, but these are the verses that popped out at me today!
The more I learn about God, the more I realize how little faith I have. I can really empathize with the man in Mark 9:24 who said, "I believe, please help me in my unbelief." I want so badly to hear God's direction and to just go forth and follow Him. But instead I question whether it is really Him, if the instruction is really meant for me, and I struggle to figure out all the angles and 'how to's' before I take action. I also want to understand they why's and I want to know the end result before I start. My heart knows that He is in control and that He knows what is best for each of us, but my head seems to take a little (ok, a LOT) longer to get on board.
What was it about this crippled man that Paul saw? The Bible says that he "saw that he had faith to be healed." Was it something about the way he listened to the message that day? Could Paul see his faith in his eyes? If we would stop and look around us in a crowded room, could we tell who had faith and who didn't?
Hebrew 11:1 tells us that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." The chapter goes on to give us examples of faith by the early believers -- Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Rahab, and many others. In the gospels, we see many examples of people who were commended by Jesus for their faith -- the woman who knew she could be healed by touching his robe, the four men who tore through a roof so their friend could be healed, the man who knew his servant would be healed by Jesus's words alone.
I want that kind of faith! Lord, please help me in my unfaithfulness!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Acts - Believing
Read Acts 8 - 14
Today's Devotion - Acts 12:11-15
Context: James, the apostle, has been killed. When Herod saw that the death pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter and put him in prison with the intent to try and kill him after the Passover feast. The night before his trial, Peter was waken and released from his chains by an angel who escorted him out of the prison.
Text: 11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."
12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
15"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." (NIV)
taken from http://www.biblegateway.com/
It has been at least a year since Jesus died and rose again. Christians are being persecuted, but we don't have a record of any of the apostles or leaders being hurt (since Stephen was stoned) until now. There has been a great celebration, apparently, that James was killed, and Herod sees Peter's impending death as a way to tie his political agenda more closely to that of the Jews.
The text tells us that the believers were together praying, but what exactly were they praying for? They were so shocked that Peter was released that I imagine they were only praying half-heartedly for his release. Most likely they prayed for Peter, then spent more time praying that they, as Christians, would be spared from death and further persecution. Herod was so bent on a public execution that they presumed it was a done deal.
Have you ever prayed for something even though you really didn't believe God would give you the answer that you prayed for? A minister friend of mine from another church told a story about his prayers for an elderly woman who had fallen very ill. He prayed that God would spare her life if it was his will, then he spent much more effort praying that she would have a peaceful, painless transition to heaven and that her family would receive strength during their time of sadness.
To everyone's surprise, the woman made a miraculous recovery. My friend was reminded that God has the power to do whatever He wants, and that we should never presume His will. He says that he will never minimize his efforts to pray for healing again!
When you pray, do you really believe that God will respond? I know there are many times when he doesn't grant our requests -- even for significant things like healing. However, I wonder what he thinks when we pray as if we don't believe he wants to give us what we request?
If we ABSOLUTELY knew God would answer our prayers for healing, salvation for others, financial help through a tough time, or for a prodigal, would our prayers sound different?
Today's Devotion - Acts 12:11-15
Context: James, the apostle, has been killed. When Herod saw that the death pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter and put him in prison with the intent to try and kill him after the Passover feast. The night before his trial, Peter was waken and released from his chains by an angel who escorted him out of the prison.
Text: 11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."
12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
15"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." (NIV)
taken from http://www.biblegateway.com/
It has been at least a year since Jesus died and rose again. Christians are being persecuted, but we don't have a record of any of the apostles or leaders being hurt (since Stephen was stoned) until now. There has been a great celebration, apparently, that James was killed, and Herod sees Peter's impending death as a way to tie his political agenda more closely to that of the Jews.
The text tells us that the believers were together praying, but what exactly were they praying for? They were so shocked that Peter was released that I imagine they were only praying half-heartedly for his release. Most likely they prayed for Peter, then spent more time praying that they, as Christians, would be spared from death and further persecution. Herod was so bent on a public execution that they presumed it was a done deal.
Have you ever prayed for something even though you really didn't believe God would give you the answer that you prayed for? A minister friend of mine from another church told a story about his prayers for an elderly woman who had fallen very ill. He prayed that God would spare her life if it was his will, then he spent much more effort praying that she would have a peaceful, painless transition to heaven and that her family would receive strength during their time of sadness.
To everyone's surprise, the woman made a miraculous recovery. My friend was reminded that God has the power to do whatever He wants, and that we should never presume His will. He says that he will never minimize his efforts to pray for healing again!
When you pray, do you really believe that God will respond? I know there are many times when he doesn't grant our requests -- even for significant things like healing. However, I wonder what he thinks when we pray as if we don't believe he wants to give us what we request?
If we ABSOLUTELY knew God would answer our prayers for healing, salvation for others, financial help through a tough time, or for a prodigal, would our prayers sound different?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Acts Day 1 - The Believer's Prayer
Whoa, guess I'm not in the swing of things yet -- I forgot to do the devotion yesterday!
This week we are in the book of Acts. There are a lot of chapters but if you read every day you can make it through without too much trouble. If you want to make it through on the weekdays, though, we have to read 7 chapters a day!
Today's reading Acts 1-7
Today's devotion -- Acts 4:23-31
This section of text is called the 'Believer's Prayer'. It occurs right after Peter and John healed a crippled man and had to justify their actions in front of the Sanhedrin. They had been jailed over night and were told not to preach in the name of Jesus again. Instead of giving in to the authorities, they pray that they can speak God's word with great boldness!
How often do we actually speak about God's love and Christ's salvation to others who are not Christians? I know that I don't do that often. There is a time to be silent, but I know that I'm silent probably 99% of the time. It probably ought to be the other way around! I want others to know that God is good, and that he is responsible for all good things. That he loves each of us more than we can imagine and that he holds the only promise of an eternal life of glory.
Why don't we talk about Christ more? I know that I am really hesitant to push people away -- for years before I became a Christian I was very put off by those who pushed their religion (and I didn't realize the difference between religion and relationship). I'm also concerned about how I might answer tough questions that come up about God -- those like "Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?"
I want my life to reflect God's love, but if I don't let my words also speak about it, will others realize what I'm trying to reflect? I'm sure Satan is thrilled when others think that Christians are 'good people' who do nice things for others...without a link to God's love and power.
Pray with me today that God will 'enable his servants to speak his word with great boldness.' If all the Christians in the world today would pray that (and act upon it) for just one month, imagine how the world could change!
This week we are in the book of Acts. There are a lot of chapters but if you read every day you can make it through without too much trouble. If you want to make it through on the weekdays, though, we have to read 7 chapters a day!
Today's reading Acts 1-7
Today's devotion -- Acts 4:23-31
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reportedtaken from www.biblegateway.com
all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this,
they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said,
"you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You
spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain? 26The
kings of the earth take their stand and the
rulers gather together against the Lord
and against his Anointed One. 27Indeed Herod
and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in
this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They
did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord,
consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great
boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and
wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
31After they
prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NIV)
This section of text is called the 'Believer's Prayer'. It occurs right after Peter and John healed a crippled man and had to justify their actions in front of the Sanhedrin. They had been jailed over night and were told not to preach in the name of Jesus again. Instead of giving in to the authorities, they pray that they can speak God's word with great boldness!
How often do we actually speak about God's love and Christ's salvation to others who are not Christians? I know that I don't do that often. There is a time to be silent, but I know that I'm silent probably 99% of the time. It probably ought to be the other way around! I want others to know that God is good, and that he is responsible for all good things. That he loves each of us more than we can imagine and that he holds the only promise of an eternal life of glory.
Why don't we talk about Christ more? I know that I am really hesitant to push people away -- for years before I became a Christian I was very put off by those who pushed their religion (and I didn't realize the difference between religion and relationship). I'm also concerned about how I might answer tough questions that come up about God -- those like "Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?"
I want my life to reflect God's love, but if I don't let my words also speak about it, will others realize what I'm trying to reflect? I'm sure Satan is thrilled when others think that Christians are 'good people' who do nice things for others...without a link to God's love and power.
Pray with me today that God will 'enable his servants to speak his word with great boldness.' If all the Christians in the world today would pray that (and act upon it) for just one month, imagine how the world could change!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Warning!
by Brad Kibler
If you haven't finished Joel, go ahead and do that today, otherwise you can read Obadiah.
Joel and Obadiah both gave warnings to the people they were sent to. How well do you respond when someone tries to give you a warning? If you're like me, it can depend on who is giving the warning, and how it is being delivered. If it is someone I know and trust then I am usually more receptive. Or if someone takes me aside to talk to me about something, I usually respond to that better than if someone is aggressive in their communication style.
How many warnings do we get everyday? If you watch the news or read the paper with any regularity, journalists barrage us with warning messages about what foods to not eat, what not to waste our money on, and what we need to do to avoid or prepare for a possible calamity. You get warning labels on food, medicine, toys, electronics, and other items we use everyday. When you drive, you are warned to stop, to yield, that there may be pedestrians crossing, children playing, bicyclists, upcoming traffic or construction.
But, how often do we get warnings about our relationships?
Warning: You are making this decision without considering what God would have you do.
Caution: This may distract you from spending quality time with your family.
Beware: You may think you can handle this, but you won't be able to on your own.
Watch Out: Your friend has something that is eating away at them that they are scared to share with anyone, be extra-attentive and pray for the right words to say.
U-Turn Ahead: You may be making plans right now to go a certain direction with your life, but you need to focus on what's of eternal importance since your present plans will soon come to an end.
Yield: Your quiet time is about to be interrupted by your child wanting to ask a seemingly unimportant question. Take the time for the latter without neglecting the former.
The Spirit that indwells us can tweak our conscience to not do something or it can prompt us to consider doing something we wouldn't normally do. The more we commune with God the better we get attuned to his warnings and prodding. Sometimes we get a prophet screaming of upcoming doom, sometimes we get a still small voice. Let's pay attention to God's warnings in whatever form they take today.
If you haven't finished Joel, go ahead and do that today, otherwise you can read Obadiah.
Joel and Obadiah both gave warnings to the people they were sent to. How well do you respond when someone tries to give you a warning? If you're like me, it can depend on who is giving the warning, and how it is being delivered. If it is someone I know and trust then I am usually more receptive. Or if someone takes me aside to talk to me about something, I usually respond to that better than if someone is aggressive in their communication style.
How many warnings do we get everyday? If you watch the news or read the paper with any regularity, journalists barrage us with warning messages about what foods to not eat, what not to waste our money on, and what we need to do to avoid or prepare for a possible calamity. You get warning labels on food, medicine, toys, electronics, and other items we use everyday. When you drive, you are warned to stop, to yield, that there may be pedestrians crossing, children playing, bicyclists, upcoming traffic or construction.
But, how often do we get warnings about our relationships?
Warning: You are making this decision without considering what God would have you do.
Caution: This may distract you from spending quality time with your family.
Beware: You may think you can handle this, but you won't be able to on your own.
Watch Out: Your friend has something that is eating away at them that they are scared to share with anyone, be extra-attentive and pray for the right words to say.
U-Turn Ahead: You may be making plans right now to go a certain direction with your life, but you need to focus on what's of eternal importance since your present plans will soon come to an end.
Yield: Your quiet time is about to be interrupted by your child wanting to ask a seemingly unimportant question. Take the time for the latter without neglecting the former.
The Spirit that indwells us can tweak our conscience to not do something or it can prompt us to consider doing something we wouldn't normally do. The more we commune with God the better we get attuned to his warnings and prodding. Sometimes we get a prophet screaming of upcoming doom, sometimes we get a still small voice. Let's pay attention to God's warnings in whatever form they take today.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Harvest Time in Context (Joel 3)
by Brad Kibler
Before jumping in to today's devotion, let me remind you that this week's lesson will be about Joel and Obadiah. Monday's devotion mentioned Joel 2:13 and Tuesday's mentioned Joel 2:28-32, but I didn't spell out a specific section to read. If you haven't read Joel yet, go ahead and read at least chapters 1 & 2 today. Obadiah is only one chapter, so you can read that either Thursday or Friday depending on whether you choose to finish Joel today (it is only 3 chapters) or split it up and do chapter 3 tomorrow.
Harvest Time in Context (Joel 3)
In Joel 3, we see a picture of the last days: "In those days and at that time when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat" (1-2a). That leads me to ask, what is the Valley of Jehoshaphat?
There was a king of Judah named Jehoshaphat who was being threatened by Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir in 2nd Chronicles 20. He prayed "O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but out eyes are upon you" (12). God answered Jehoshaphat's prayer by having the enemy armies slaughter each other and leave the people of Judah unharmed. Not only did Judah not lose lives, but it took them three days to collect all the plunder left in the valley of the battlefield. Jehoshaphat's prayer for judgment on God's enemies got answered in a mighty way in a specific valley, and his name literally means "the Lord judges", so any way you look at it the Valley of Jehoshaphat it appears to be a reference to God's judgment.
Joel 3:2, goes on to say, "There [in the Valley of Jehoshaphat] I will enter into judgment against them..." If we skip down to verse 12, he comes back around to that point: "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow – so great is their wickedness." We don't swing sickles very often in our society, so that reference may be lost on us as well. We see the sickle occasionally as the implement held by the grim reaper in pop culture, but we don't actually see it used to harvest grain. That leads me to ask, what does this harvesting symbolism mean?
Jesus gives us a similar picture in the parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. He says that a man sowed seed in his field but that his enemy sowed weed seeds among his good seeds. The servants came to the man and asked if the man wanted them to pull up the weeds, but he said no, "because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest" (29-30). Jesus later explains the symbolism to his disciples: "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are the angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age" (37-40)" This brings more clarity as to what exactly is being referred to with the harvesting symbolism. If Joel and Jesus both use this, that leads me to ask, is this symbolism used elsewhere that I might have missed?
John alludes back to the Joel 3 passage in Revelation 14:14-20: "I looked, and there before me... was one 'like a son of man' with... a sharp sickle in his hand. Then [an] angel came out of the temple and called... to him... 'Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' So he... swung his sickle over the earth and the earth was harvested.... Another angel came out... and he too had a sharp sickle Still another angel... called... to him who had the sharp sickle, 'Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe.' The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city and blood flowed out of the press..." To a reader unfamiliar with the harvest symbolism used by Joel of the sickle and the winepress, this could easily be misunderstood. Indeed, there are other times when Jesus spoke of a plentiful harvest, and the workers were too few, and this usually meant an evangelistic harvest rather than one of judgment (Mat 9:27, Luke 10:2, John 4:35). Still other Biblical writers; Paul, the Hebrew writer and James, all speak of a "harvest of righteousness" (2 Co 9:10, Heb 12:11, Jas 3:18) which is also unrelated to the harvest of judgment.
Can you get a full grasp of Joel's meaning without familiarizing yourself with the story of Jehoshaphat? Does Jesus' explanation of his use of symbolism bring clarity to how Joel used similar symbols? Can you get the full import of John's meaning without knowing that he is making a reference to the symbolism used by Joel? God's Word is woven together like a beautiful quilt. There are things we can see close up in the fine details that become better understood as we step back and look at the context.
Now when you read Joel 3, today or tomorrow, I hope you'll have a head start as to some more of the extended context.
Before jumping in to today's devotion, let me remind you that this week's lesson will be about Joel and Obadiah. Monday's devotion mentioned Joel 2:13 and Tuesday's mentioned Joel 2:28-32, but I didn't spell out a specific section to read. If you haven't read Joel yet, go ahead and read at least chapters 1 & 2 today. Obadiah is only one chapter, so you can read that either Thursday or Friday depending on whether you choose to finish Joel today (it is only 3 chapters) or split it up and do chapter 3 tomorrow.
Harvest Time in Context (Joel 3)
In Joel 3, we see a picture of the last days: "In those days and at that time when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat" (1-2a). That leads me to ask, what is the Valley of Jehoshaphat?
There was a king of Judah named Jehoshaphat who was being threatened by Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir in 2nd Chronicles 20. He prayed "O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but out eyes are upon you" (12). God answered Jehoshaphat's prayer by having the enemy armies slaughter each other and leave the people of Judah unharmed. Not only did Judah not lose lives, but it took them three days to collect all the plunder left in the valley of the battlefield. Jehoshaphat's prayer for judgment on God's enemies got answered in a mighty way in a specific valley, and his name literally means "the Lord judges", so any way you look at it the Valley of Jehoshaphat it appears to be a reference to God's judgment.
Joel 3:2, goes on to say, "There [in the Valley of Jehoshaphat] I will enter into judgment against them..." If we skip down to verse 12, he comes back around to that point: "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow – so great is their wickedness." We don't swing sickles very often in our society, so that reference may be lost on us as well. We see the sickle occasionally as the implement held by the grim reaper in pop culture, but we don't actually see it used to harvest grain. That leads me to ask, what does this harvesting symbolism mean?
Jesus gives us a similar picture in the parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. He says that a man sowed seed in his field but that his enemy sowed weed seeds among his good seeds. The servants came to the man and asked if the man wanted them to pull up the weeds, but he said no, "because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest" (29-30). Jesus later explains the symbolism to his disciples: "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are the angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age" (37-40)" This brings more clarity as to what exactly is being referred to with the harvesting symbolism. If Joel and Jesus both use this, that leads me to ask, is this symbolism used elsewhere that I might have missed?
John alludes back to the Joel 3 passage in Revelation 14:14-20: "I looked, and there before me... was one 'like a son of man' with... a sharp sickle in his hand. Then [an] angel came out of the temple and called... to him... 'Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' So he... swung his sickle over the earth and the earth was harvested.... Another angel came out... and he too had a sharp sickle Still another angel... called... to him who had the sharp sickle, 'Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe.' The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city and blood flowed out of the press..." To a reader unfamiliar with the harvest symbolism used by Joel of the sickle and the winepress, this could easily be misunderstood. Indeed, there are other times when Jesus spoke of a plentiful harvest, and the workers were too few, and this usually meant an evangelistic harvest rather than one of judgment (Mat 9:27, Luke 10:2, John 4:35). Still other Biblical writers; Paul, the Hebrew writer and James, all speak of a "harvest of righteousness" (2 Co 9:10, Heb 12:11, Jas 3:18) which is also unrelated to the harvest of judgment.
Can you get a full grasp of Joel's meaning without familiarizing yourself with the story of Jehoshaphat? Does Jesus' explanation of his use of symbolism bring clarity to how Joel used similar symbols? Can you get the full import of John's meaning without knowing that he is making a reference to the symbolism used by Joel? God's Word is woven together like a beautiful quilt. There are things we can see close up in the fine details that become better understood as we step back and look at the context.
Now when you read Joel 3, today or tomorrow, I hope you'll have a head start as to some more of the extended context.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What's the best way to spread the Word?
by Brad Kibler
What is your first thought when someone mentions the Holy Spirit? This third member of the trinity definitely doesn't always get the publicity that the Father and the Son get, but His work should not be overlooked. Often, when you do hear about the Spirit, there are folks who swing the pendulum far to the other side and focus so much on speaking in tongues or healing that they can cause us in the 'mainstream' to steer away from any discussion of Him at all for fear of being associated with snake handlers and give-to-get televangelists.
Jesus, upon his departure promised "power from on high" (Luke 24:49) and earlier spoke about the promise of the "Counselor, the Holy Spirit," who will "teach you all things and and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26) We may not be able to walk in the garden of Eden with the Creator, but to have his power and wisdom always with us is amazing, and something I too often take for granted.
The Holy Spirit came upon people in the Old Testament, but not everyone, and not in a 'permanent' presence. Moses even remarked to Joshua at one point, when the Spirit came upon the elders for a time, "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" (Nu 11:29) Not until Acts 2 do we see the permanent coming of the Spirit. We're told it came with "a sound like the blowing of a violent wind and filled the whole house" (2) and they saw "what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and cam to rest on each of them" (3) Just in case the disciples had any doubt this was Him, they were treated to a little audio-visual stimulation to mark this historic event. The sound of the spirit coming was loud enough that a crowd gathered outside to see what the commotion was about (6). The crowd was from at least 15 different regions, but they could all hear the Galilean disciples in their native tongues (6-12).
With the crowd gathering, Peter gives his first Spirit-filled sermon and about 3000 people converted that day. To start off his sermon, Peter chooses to quote Joel 2:28-32 where the prophet foretold "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people... and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" The Spirit was no longer going to be reserved for special prophetic words or tasks, it was no longer a select few for a temporary time, and it wasn't just going to be for the Jews. Just think, Joshua would be jealous of you! How much more can God work in our lives than that of the Old Testament icons? The sky is the limit! It all rests on our willingness to give God control. Jesus taught in the parable of the Talents, that if we use the gifts He's given us wisely and to the Master's glory that the Master is faithful to provide us even more to use in His service.
Stepping back for a moment, I am sometimes tempted to second guess God's methods for reaching the world. Jesus was active as a carpenter for more years than he was active as a traveling teacher. In that time, if I were God, I think I would have had Jesus invent the printing press. Couldn't the word have been spread farther and quicker had this invention hit the scene a few centuries earlier? It's not like it was way outside their technological grasp. Even going further along those lines, couldn't Jesus just as easily been raised by a metalsmith and then invented the techniques that would allow for the steam engine or the combustion engine? Wouldn't those have provided the means to reach the world so much faster? And if the Holy Spirit can instantly grant us knowledge of languages we never learned, why do missionaries have to struggle for years with tedious and difficult translation work?
I think the answer to my postulation is found in Romans 1:19-20: "...what may be known about God has been made plain to [godless men], because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." God doesn't need documentation or advanced technology to prove His existence or tell of His glory. He has all of creation. If we respond to the light of truth we are given in creation, then God is faithful to provide us more truth, and He is more than able to do so in whatever means possible, and is not hindered by the limitations of mankind's advancement. God does all He can do to draw all men into a relationship with Himself. He doesn't have to use you and me, but He wants to. Don't take this blessing of the presence of the Holy Spirit for granted. Be still and listen to the Spirit's promptings as you walk through today.
What is your first thought when someone mentions the Holy Spirit? This third member of the trinity definitely doesn't always get the publicity that the Father and the Son get, but His work should not be overlooked. Often, when you do hear about the Spirit, there are folks who swing the pendulum far to the other side and focus so much on speaking in tongues or healing that they can cause us in the 'mainstream' to steer away from any discussion of Him at all for fear of being associated with snake handlers and give-to-get televangelists.
Jesus, upon his departure promised "power from on high" (Luke 24:49) and earlier spoke about the promise of the "Counselor, the Holy Spirit," who will "teach you all things and and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26) We may not be able to walk in the garden of Eden with the Creator, but to have his power and wisdom always with us is amazing, and something I too often take for granted.
The Holy Spirit came upon people in the Old Testament, but not everyone, and not in a 'permanent' presence. Moses even remarked to Joshua at one point, when the Spirit came upon the elders for a time, "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" (Nu 11:29) Not until Acts 2 do we see the permanent coming of the Spirit. We're told it came with "a sound like the blowing of a violent wind and filled the whole house" (2) and they saw "what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and cam to rest on each of them" (3) Just in case the disciples had any doubt this was Him, they were treated to a little audio-visual stimulation to mark this historic event. The sound of the spirit coming was loud enough that a crowd gathered outside to see what the commotion was about (6). The crowd was from at least 15 different regions, but they could all hear the Galilean disciples in their native tongues (6-12).
With the crowd gathering, Peter gives his first Spirit-filled sermon and about 3000 people converted that day. To start off his sermon, Peter chooses to quote Joel 2:28-32 where the prophet foretold "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people... and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" The Spirit was no longer going to be reserved for special prophetic words or tasks, it was no longer a select few for a temporary time, and it wasn't just going to be for the Jews. Just think, Joshua would be jealous of you! How much more can God work in our lives than that of the Old Testament icons? The sky is the limit! It all rests on our willingness to give God control. Jesus taught in the parable of the Talents, that if we use the gifts He's given us wisely and to the Master's glory that the Master is faithful to provide us even more to use in His service.
Stepping back for a moment, I am sometimes tempted to second guess God's methods for reaching the world. Jesus was active as a carpenter for more years than he was active as a traveling teacher. In that time, if I were God, I think I would have had Jesus invent the printing press. Couldn't the word have been spread farther and quicker had this invention hit the scene a few centuries earlier? It's not like it was way outside their technological grasp. Even going further along those lines, couldn't Jesus just as easily been raised by a metalsmith and then invented the techniques that would allow for the steam engine or the combustion engine? Wouldn't those have provided the means to reach the world so much faster? And if the Holy Spirit can instantly grant us knowledge of languages we never learned, why do missionaries have to struggle for years with tedious and difficult translation work?
I think the answer to my postulation is found in Romans 1:19-20: "...what may be known about God has been made plain to [godless men], because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." God doesn't need documentation or advanced technology to prove His existence or tell of His glory. He has all of creation. If we respond to the light of truth we are given in creation, then God is faithful to provide us more truth, and He is more than able to do so in whatever means possible, and is not hindered by the limitations of mankind's advancement. God does all He can do to draw all men into a relationship with Himself. He doesn't have to use you and me, but He wants to. Don't take this blessing of the presence of the Holy Spirit for granted. Be still and listen to the Spirit's promptings as you walk through today.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Going Through the Motions?
by Brad Kibler
What do you remember from yesterday morning? It's only been about 24 hours, so it should still be fairly fresh. I remember running late, and being disappointed that I missed the songs at the beginning of worship, and walked in right at the close of the prayer. I could probably name several of the ministries that Dennis and the round table discussed, but probably not all of them. I could give you examples of themes from Luke's writing and supporting passages, but to be honest, that probably sunk in more because I was being more attentive to my mid-week readings in preparation for these devotionals.
How about the week before this? Or last month? Ideally, I've been able to involve the principles and truths into my ever-maturing world view, but if I'm pressed for specifics, I'd have to refer to my notes to have any hope of a good response. I've gone to church hundreds of times in my life, and pulling out specific examples is difficult. It's like a tradition: you do something in almost the same way time after time and the details of one specific time can fade.
The good thing about traditions is that as you keep doing the same things over and over, the message can become more deeply rooted. On the flip side, once you've participated in a tradition a number of times, the temptation is there to 'tune out' and just go through the motions.
Let's look at songs as an example: When you first hear a song, it can be difficult to focus on the meaning of the words, since you're focusing on remembering the tune, rhythm, and the words themselves. There comes a point at which you've sung a song enough times that remembering the words and tune are no longer your focus, and you can sing the words from your heart like a prayer. You can recall the words and apply their truths even when you're not in corporate worship. It is at this juncture that you can also 'coast'. If we sing that song in worship that you've sung so many times in the past, you may get off-focus onto a new harmony you haven't tried, or the person singing next to you, or even to your mental to-do list.
In Joel, we're not given much specificity as to what they were doing wrong to deserve the punishment they were getting. The only hint we get is "Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!" (1:5a) where it refers to drunkenness. Of course, the prophet started that lyrical pattern with "Hear this, you elders..." (1:2) and it goes on in that pattern to say "Despair, you farmers..." (1:11a) "Put on sackcloth, O priests..." (1:13a). Since not all in the audience were elders, farmers, or priests, I think it is safe to say they weren't all drunkards either. Perhaps it was obvious to them what their sin was. Perhaps Joel told them, but it's just not recorded. In any case, how many times do we read stories of Israel intermarrying with the heathen and then worshiping the pagan gods, and God calling his wrath on them. That sounds so foreign to us. Not too many of us have a daily struggle with our spouse wanting us to pray to Allah or Vishnu. But when the sin is unspecified, it is easier for me to apply the principles involved to today.
One powerful principle God tells his people through Joel is found in 2:13: "Rend your heart and not your garments..." 'Rending your garments' is just a fancy way of saying 'tearing your clothes', which is what the Jews did to show their mourning and repentance. Another way to say it would be: "I want you to follow me with your heart, not just your outward actions." Or, "Don't just go through the motions." Or, "Don't coast." Perhaps the people of Joel's day got lukewarm. Maybe it wasn't some huge outward sin that caused God's army of locusts, drought, and fire to be called forth as punishment. Maybe they had simply tuned out and got distracted with their daily lives.
Whatever you do today, put your heart into it. Don't let your to-do-list run your life today, decide to be passionate in pursuit of God's will today. His will may indeed be that you get through your to-do-list, but it will be to his glory if we are doing it out of a heart of worship.
What do you remember from yesterday morning? It's only been about 24 hours, so it should still be fairly fresh. I remember running late, and being disappointed that I missed the songs at the beginning of worship, and walked in right at the close of the prayer. I could probably name several of the ministries that Dennis and the round table discussed, but probably not all of them. I could give you examples of themes from Luke's writing and supporting passages, but to be honest, that probably sunk in more because I was being more attentive to my mid-week readings in preparation for these devotionals.
How about the week before this? Or last month? Ideally, I've been able to involve the principles and truths into my ever-maturing world view, but if I'm pressed for specifics, I'd have to refer to my notes to have any hope of a good response. I've gone to church hundreds of times in my life, and pulling out specific examples is difficult. It's like a tradition: you do something in almost the same way time after time and the details of one specific time can fade.
The good thing about traditions is that as you keep doing the same things over and over, the message can become more deeply rooted. On the flip side, once you've participated in a tradition a number of times, the temptation is there to 'tune out' and just go through the motions.
Let's look at songs as an example: When you first hear a song, it can be difficult to focus on the meaning of the words, since you're focusing on remembering the tune, rhythm, and the words themselves. There comes a point at which you've sung a song enough times that remembering the words and tune are no longer your focus, and you can sing the words from your heart like a prayer. You can recall the words and apply their truths even when you're not in corporate worship. It is at this juncture that you can also 'coast'. If we sing that song in worship that you've sung so many times in the past, you may get off-focus onto a new harmony you haven't tried, or the person singing next to you, or even to your mental to-do list.
In Joel, we're not given much specificity as to what they were doing wrong to deserve the punishment they were getting. The only hint we get is "Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!" (1:5a) where it refers to drunkenness. Of course, the prophet started that lyrical pattern with "Hear this, you elders..." (1:2) and it goes on in that pattern to say "Despair, you farmers..." (1:11a) "Put on sackcloth, O priests..." (1:13a). Since not all in the audience were elders, farmers, or priests, I think it is safe to say they weren't all drunkards either. Perhaps it was obvious to them what their sin was. Perhaps Joel told them, but it's just not recorded. In any case, how many times do we read stories of Israel intermarrying with the heathen and then worshiping the pagan gods, and God calling his wrath on them. That sounds so foreign to us. Not too many of us have a daily struggle with our spouse wanting us to pray to Allah or Vishnu. But when the sin is unspecified, it is easier for me to apply the principles involved to today.
One powerful principle God tells his people through Joel is found in 2:13: "Rend your heart and not your garments..." 'Rending your garments' is just a fancy way of saying 'tearing your clothes', which is what the Jews did to show their mourning and repentance. Another way to say it would be: "I want you to follow me with your heart, not just your outward actions." Or, "Don't just go through the motions." Or, "Don't coast." Perhaps the people of Joel's day got lukewarm. Maybe it wasn't some huge outward sin that caused God's army of locusts, drought, and fire to be called forth as punishment. Maybe they had simply tuned out and got distracted with their daily lives.
Whatever you do today, put your heart into it. Don't let your to-do-list run your life today, decide to be passionate in pursuit of God's will today. His will may indeed be that you get through your to-do-list, but it will be to his glory if we are doing it out of a heart of worship.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Roadside Assistance (Luke 24:13-35)
by Brad Kibler
What about those fuel prices? And how long is that construction going to last? And where did all those bad drivers come from? When you're driving as part of your daily routine, these are likely some of the thoughts that come to mind. Our society has grown in such a way that we can now travel in seclusion, each of us in our own compartment. We may have passengers with us, but they are the ones we started our trip with, we don't usually pick up folks along our route. It wasn't always that way. When you walked or rode from place to place, it was much safer to travel in a group. Even as recently as America's westward expansion, you would have been considered a risk taker to go out too far with a lone stagecoach. You can't circle a single wagon.
So, the afternoon of our story, Cleopas and his friend go out for a trip that will take them more than an hour, maybe two depending on their pace. As they were going along they were discussing the latest news about Jesus' recent crucifixion. A stranger comes up and asks what they're talking about. "You must not be from around here!" was basically their response (Luke 24:18). They then explained to the stranger about Jesus' power and how they'd hoped he was the redeemer, but that he had been killed. "But, the strange thing was that some of the women said they saw angels that told them he was alive. Some of our friends went to look for themselves, and saw the empty tomb, but no angels." (22-24)
The stranger responds with "Why are you so slow to believe? Isn't that what Jesus said would have to happen?" (25-26). Then the stranger went through and explained to Cleopas and his friend how the scriptures predicted all those things about Jesus. (27) It's around supper time when they get to their destination, but they want to continue the conversation, so they offered the stranger a meal and a place to stay (29-30). After the prayer for the meal, it hit them that the stranger was Jesus! And with that realization, he disappears! (30-31)
Wow! It's one thing to read this when we know how it ends, but can you imagine living through this? Cleopas isn't mentioned by name anywhere else in the Bible. Mark alludes to this story, but doesn't go into the detail that Luke does. It's one thing for Jesus to appear to the women who were close to him that wanted to honor his memory, or for him to his chosen apostles, but why Cleopas? And why appear to Celopas before John, the disciple Jesus loved, or James or Peter who were also among the closest to him? We can only guess, but it sounds like Cleopas was a reliable witness. Luke, ever the historian, gives readers his name so that the story can be verified. Dissenters could say that if Jesus only appeared to those closest to him that it was all made up, that they conspired to steal the body to promote their agenda.
Cleopas had the details of how Jesus fulfilled the various prophesies explained to him by Jesus himself before anyone else 'got it'! Can you imagine that privilege! He apparently didn't have a problem sharing the story of Jesus with strangers, since that is what he tried to do even before he had it all explained to him He immediately went back to Jerusalem to tell the group there. I'm sure his pace was quicker on the way back! Cleopas was still there with the Eleven when Jesus appeared again to that group (35-36), so he got to hear the explanation again. (44-46).
Are we open to conversation with strangers? Would we have allowed Jesus to step into our conversation, or would we have shut him out? Were there others that Jesus appeared to, that never did "get it"?
Let's not miss any opportunities! We don't have to immediately dive into 'religious' topics of conversation, but even just talking about current affairs will allow us to bring our worldview and God's truth in to the mix. I find personally, that folks tend to have a preconceived notion of 'what Christians think' about things. We have Christian organizations that warn us not to let our kids watch certain movies or TV shows, read certain books, listen to certain music. I am all for protecting my kids, and I find those warnings useful to that extent. That being said, I purposefully went out and read the Harry Potter series, watched the Golden Compass, and listen occasionally to controversial popular music. And in each of those cases, I've been able to have conversations with folks at my workplace about those topics. If I had completely shunned these things, would the same doors have been open? I think, too, of Paul's speech in the Areopagus: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To An Unknown God…." (Acts 17:22-23) Paul 'looked carefully' at the culture and was able to use it as a stepping stone to proclaim the truth (Acts 17:24-31). The church is not to be a cloister, completely separated from all things 'worldly'. What use is light if it never shines into darkness?
See if you can find a way to use current events or cultural media to share God's truth today. Maybe you can start a conversation with someone at the gas station or in the elevator or in line as you wait to transact your business. The easiest place to start is with the world around us.
What about those fuel prices? And how long is that construction going to last? And where did all those bad drivers come from? When you're driving as part of your daily routine, these are likely some of the thoughts that come to mind. Our society has grown in such a way that we can now travel in seclusion, each of us in our own compartment. We may have passengers with us, but they are the ones we started our trip with, we don't usually pick up folks along our route. It wasn't always that way. When you walked or rode from place to place, it was much safer to travel in a group. Even as recently as America's westward expansion, you would have been considered a risk taker to go out too far with a lone stagecoach. You can't circle a single wagon.
So, the afternoon of our story, Cleopas and his friend go out for a trip that will take them more than an hour, maybe two depending on their pace. As they were going along they were discussing the latest news about Jesus' recent crucifixion. A stranger comes up and asks what they're talking about. "You must not be from around here!" was basically their response (Luke 24:18). They then explained to the stranger about Jesus' power and how they'd hoped he was the redeemer, but that he had been killed. "But, the strange thing was that some of the women said they saw angels that told them he was alive. Some of our friends went to look for themselves, and saw the empty tomb, but no angels." (22-24)
The stranger responds with "Why are you so slow to believe? Isn't that what Jesus said would have to happen?" (25-26). Then the stranger went through and explained to Cleopas and his friend how the scriptures predicted all those things about Jesus. (27) It's around supper time when they get to their destination, but they want to continue the conversation, so they offered the stranger a meal and a place to stay (29-30). After the prayer for the meal, it hit them that the stranger was Jesus! And with that realization, he disappears! (30-31)
Wow! It's one thing to read this when we know how it ends, but can you imagine living through this? Cleopas isn't mentioned by name anywhere else in the Bible. Mark alludes to this story, but doesn't go into the detail that Luke does. It's one thing for Jesus to appear to the women who were close to him that wanted to honor his memory, or for him to his chosen apostles, but why Cleopas? And why appear to Celopas before John, the disciple Jesus loved, or James or Peter who were also among the closest to him? We can only guess, but it sounds like Cleopas was a reliable witness. Luke, ever the historian, gives readers his name so that the story can be verified. Dissenters could say that if Jesus only appeared to those closest to him that it was all made up, that they conspired to steal the body to promote their agenda.
Cleopas had the details of how Jesus fulfilled the various prophesies explained to him by Jesus himself before anyone else 'got it'! Can you imagine that privilege! He apparently didn't have a problem sharing the story of Jesus with strangers, since that is what he tried to do even before he had it all explained to him He immediately went back to Jerusalem to tell the group there. I'm sure his pace was quicker on the way back! Cleopas was still there with the Eleven when Jesus appeared again to that group (35-36), so he got to hear the explanation again. (44-46).
Are we open to conversation with strangers? Would we have allowed Jesus to step into our conversation, or would we have shut him out? Were there others that Jesus appeared to, that never did "get it"?
Let's not miss any opportunities! We don't have to immediately dive into 'religious' topics of conversation, but even just talking about current affairs will allow us to bring our worldview and God's truth in to the mix. I find personally, that folks tend to have a preconceived notion of 'what Christians think' about things. We have Christian organizations that warn us not to let our kids watch certain movies or TV shows, read certain books, listen to certain music. I am all for protecting my kids, and I find those warnings useful to that extent. That being said, I purposefully went out and read the Harry Potter series, watched the Golden Compass, and listen occasionally to controversial popular music. And in each of those cases, I've been able to have conversations with folks at my workplace about those topics. If I had completely shunned these things, would the same doors have been open? I think, too, of Paul's speech in the Areopagus: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To An Unknown God…." (Acts 17:22-23) Paul 'looked carefully' at the culture and was able to use it as a stepping stone to proclaim the truth (Acts 17:24-31). The church is not to be a cloister, completely separated from all things 'worldly'. What use is light if it never shines into darkness?
See if you can find a way to use current events or cultural media to share God's truth today. Maybe you can start a conversation with someone at the gas station or in the elevator or in line as you wait to transact your business. The easiest place to start is with the world around us.
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