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.
Friday, August 29, 2008
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)