Daily Devotion, March 31, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 10:10b.

It’s only half of a verse, but it sums up a primary theme of John’s gospel and is one way of stating the reason Jesus came to earth.

Through the centuries, when it has been taken out of context, it has been misused to justify the promotion of the “prosperity gospel” by various groups.

But within context, John 10 offers a restorative life-giving gospel for us all. Out of God’s love through God’s own beloved Son, Jesus, who sacrificed his life, we can be forgiven, and have life!

John 10:10a-b makes the distinct contrast between a thief and who Jesus came to be. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Jesus often speaks about giving life! Dr. Gail R. O’Day writes, “In verse 9, Jesus identifies himself as the means of salvation in its imagery of Jesus as the gate. Jesus’ promise of pasture also recalls his earlier promises of gifts of water and bread that will end thirst and hunger. All of these speak of giving life.”

Life and eternal life are gifts from God. Jesus came to give these gifts. There are ways of this world which will take the very life out of us and away from us. Sometimes it is the choices we have made which can destroy our lives and sometimes it comes from other ways, but the intent is to steal and destroy life. But God’s ways and purpose are always to give salvation and life!

I noticed something new in this reading. Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders, but he speaks the word, “they” as an advocate for the ones who may have been being neglected and will receive his life-giving power! So often we read this verse with our own self-centered ambitions, but Jesus keeps us ever mindful of others who may not have an advocate for life to be restored unto them. Jesus calls us to be a part of restoring life unto others.

Personal Worship Option:

Life-giving God, thank you for the gift of life today. Forgive us when our choices lead us away from you. Restore us into the life-giving, safe-keeping of your sheep-fold. Lead us to the ways we can be a part of restoring life unto others. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 30, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 2:4-7.

Our reading today from Genesis 2 focuses on the moment all human life begins. Genesis 1 describes the creation of the entire universe. It says, “In the beginning God created…” God's creation is described using the Hebrew word bā'rā, which implies "creation" in the sense of "something from nothing." As part of that story, men and women are also formed (Genesis 1:27). But Genesis chapter 2 narrows the focus on creation to show us that humanity is special among all the rest of creation. Verse 7 tells us, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." The Hebrew word for “formed," yi'ser, describes the actions of an artist, a sculptor, or a potter. In this case, God is forming human life from the ground itself breathing life into it so the man became a living being. While we don’t understand exactly how God went about bringing human life onto the earth, his Word tells us God was intentional in creating Adam and proclaimed the form of that first man was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Let’s celebrate that all of life originated with God, but human life began with the personal breath of God.

Personal Worship Option:

Meditate on the words to the hymn “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” as you pray for God to renew you to love what he loves.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.

Daily Devotion, March 29, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 1:1-4.

When we hear or read the phrase “Word of God,” we often think of the Bible, the written word of God. Or we may think of words spoken by God directly or through God’s messengers. In today’s passage, John used the Greek word logos, and it is translated into English as “word.” This is a good translation, but as is so often the case, it is not a fully complete one. This Greek root logos gives us the English words “logic” and “logical.” The logos of God is the rational, thinking, mind of God! Jesus of Nazareth was the fully human incarnation of God’s Son, the mind and essence of God, living among us. But John helps us to understand that Christ, the Word of God, was with God from the beginning, active in creation, and the bearer of life.

This life in Christ is more than physical life evidenced by a heartbeat and breathing in and out. This is life that fulfills us and that continues eternally when our physical life ends. John tells us that this life is the light of all human beings. Light is essential for physical life, but John’s meaning goes beyond this. Light also dispels the darkness of ignorance, confusion, and evil. Light chases away the chill of hate and injustice. Jesus Christ came that we might have life and light.

Personal Worship Option:

Our passage today is deeply theological. Think about how the love of Christ brings light into our lives and the world. Give thanks today for the gift of life and the joy of just being alive as we begin to experience spring. Give thanks for the life that does not end but that simply draws us closer to our loving God.

Daily Devotion, March 28, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:16-17; 13:34-35.

One of the primary themes of this Gospel book is our “L word” for the day: love. Putting these two-verse passages together is one way of summing up the double emphasis of that love. First, this relationship of love is initiated by God. God loves the whole world, including those who do not return that love, and God puts that love into action by giving a most precious gift to provide the opportunity for everyone to experience eternal life. Because of that love, the focus of the mission of God’s Son is to save people, not condemn them.

 

Second, there is an expectation of all who do believe in Jesus Christ and the mission on which he was sent. We are to share that same love with others. We are to believe in and receive that love for ourselves, then let that love flow through us to those around us. We are to learn and grow in this love so that, more and more, we love the world as God loves the world.

So, from these four verses, let’s review our calling. As God’s people, we are to take the initiative in reaching out to other people to seek a relationship with them, following the example of our Lord. We are to give sacrificially, as God did. We are to believe (trust in) Jesus Christ. Our focus is to be on saving, not condemning. We are to love people. When we do that, others will know that we are the people of Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

In your prayers today, give thanks for God’s love and ask God to show you the person or family to whom you next need to focus in sharing God’s love.

Daily Devotion, March 27, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 36:5-7.

There are some things in life on which you simply cannot put a price tag. Good relationships with family and friends. Spending time with those same people. A good weather day or week at your favorite vacation spot. Beautiful scenes of nature in any number of places. Combining all of those in the same time and place.

This week we are focused on and celebrating the love of God. In this Psalm, the writer uses some of the vast scenes of the created world to try to describe the enormity of God’s love. That writer did not know about the mind-blowing enormity of space, but we can still affirm the analogy: God’s love is so far-reaching, it is beyond our understanding. And verse seven adds another perfectly descriptive word: priceless.

I invite you to come up with at least ten words you would use to describe the love of God. Or if you want to, use phrases, images or pictures. How would you describe the love of God?

Personal Worship Option:

George Beverly Shea was a regular singer for Billy Graham crusades. My favorite song he sang was titled “The Love of God.” It was written by F. M. Lehman. Here is one of the verses:

Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.

Daily Devotion, March 26, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 8:35-39.

Absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love. These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by God. But Scripture exclaims that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be separated from Christ. Nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with us. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to His love. Suffering should not drive us away from God, but help us to embrace Him allowing his love to reach us and heal us.

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer for today: Dearest LORD, it is beyond my comprehension that nothing can separate me from your love...or that you love what you see when you see me. That you would die for me is a wonder. Thank you for opening the way back to you forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 25, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 13.

Almost everyone will recognize this writing that is read at weddings. A few will recognize it as the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians in the New Testament of the Bible. It is called the love chapter. It defines what love is and what love is not. Paul writes that loving one another isn’t a matter of warm, fuzzy feelings and weak knees and pounding hearts. It’s a matter of doing the right thing because that’s what Jesus would do. Loving often calls for doing the unexpected.

As followers of Jesus, we know that love is not something we can just opt to do or not do. He showed us how to love. If we’re asked why we are show­ing love, we can say that Jesus taught us to. We can show real love only by the ­power of the Holy Spirit in us. We serve Christ by loving the people we interact with and serve. Loving “one another” is often challenging. It may call us to love the strong-willed, a cantankerous parent, or an angry neighbor. At home or church it may involve loving someone who is always negative and critical. At work it may be the coworker claiming to be indispensable while barely doing their job. It may mean not buying a new pair of shoes so that someone else can have a pair. The “other” in our lives could be some­one we don’t even know but who comes to love Jesus because of something we did.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help us to see others as you see them. Help us to be persons who show love to all of your people. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 24, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 22:34-40.

Jesus’ answer here in Matthew’s gospel to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and in Mark’s gospel which includes to love the Lord “with all your strength” sounds so simple and yet complex.  It is truly a call to love God with our whole being and forever.

This is only a hint of even more of the ways in which God loves us.

Then Jesus says, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Even though it sounds simple, Matthew has already written of Jesus’ teachings that “neighbor” is much broader than the neighbor next door. It includes our neighbors around the world and our enemies, too.

Jesus is quoting the commands from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. By the time the New Testament was written, there were over 700 laws to be kept for the Jewish people. But Jesus says here, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Dr. Patrick Gray says, “This is not an axiom from which all other commandments may be derived, as one would work out a geometric proof. It seems that Jesus is asserting that love is a test of one’s true understanding of the law. It helps us understand what Jesus means when he says that he has come ‘not to abolish the law or the prophets…but to fulfill.’ (Matthew 5:17)” Jesus’ way of love, gives us our “why.”

Personal Worship Option:

With the Holy Spirit’s help, we learn what it means to love people who are not like us; what it means to love our enemies; what it means to love people who have wronged us and to forgive them; what it means when we have wronged others and to be forgiven; what it means when love moves us from words to service in action; what it means when love calls for healthy self-sacrifice and to walk the second mile with others who are suffering; what it means when love calls us to move from our ways of self-centeredness to love God and others, unconditionally. And as we learn more about this kind of love God calls us to, we learn even more how much God loves us and everybody else, too. 

Dear Lord, open my heart, soul, mind and strength to understand and follow you in your ways of love. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 23, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 5:5-8.

If you grew up in a Christian home then one of the first songs you ever learned was probably “Jesus Loves Me.” The love of God is something that is referenced a lot. We sing about it. We read about it in the Scriptures. But even though we refer to the love of God a lot, it’s still something that many people misunderstand, or even doubt. Some struggle to believe God loves them with their weaknesses, doubts, and failures. Others think God loves them because they’ve earned it through faithfulness or good works. In Romans 5 Paul helps us recognize that God’s love is for all and is not dependent upon our earning it or deserving it. In fact, he loved us first when we were the most unlovely: when we were weak, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. Paul tells us God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And there’s more! When we give our life to him, God sends his Holy Spirit to take up residence in our hearts. This Spirit is the love of God poured out in us. It is that love that we want to pour out on others. A right understanding of God’s love should lead us to love others the way we have been loved.

Personal Worship Option:

Read these lyrics that were true when you were little and true today.

Jesus loves me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak, but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so

Jesus loves me, He who died

Heaven's gate to open wide

He will wash away my sin

Let His little child come in

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so

Daily Devotion, March 22, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 John 4:7-11.

On the first day of our introductory Bible class in the course of study at Candler, the professor gave each of us a brand new box of Crayola coloring crayons. I remember thinking maybe this class was going to be easier than I had thought! He proceeded to tell us how to color-code our reading for the next assignment -- orange for repeated words, blue for insights about God, red for...and so on. My assignment was Philippians, and I colored the word “joy” orange something like 17 or 18 times. H’mm, this told me something! I thought of that assignment today as I read this passage, and I went back and counted the number of times “love” and “loved” are used in it -- eleven times!

These verses come as close as any passage to describing the real nature of God. John beautifully describes the essence of God as love, sacrificial love that sends God’s precious Son to save us. We know that God’s love is given freely as grace, so there is no paying it back. But there is one expectation -- that we love one another. Verse 8 makes it clear that our loving others is a test of whether we even know God! If we know and love God, then love permeates our lives, underlies our thoughts, and drives our actions. It is through our love that others will come to see God.

Personal Worship Option:

When we say, “I love you,” we like to hear the reply, “I love you too!” God has said to us, “I love you,” but apparently God wants us to respond, not simply by loving God, but by also loving others. Does any part of your life not reflect love of others? Pray today for the ability to fill even that part with love that God has given you.

Daily Devotion, March 21, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 13:1-9.

One of the primary lessons Jesus taught his disciples was that they were to be servants. In the other three Gospels, we read of him doing that in response to them arguing with each other as to who would be the greatest in his kingdom. In this Gospel, this writer recalls this scene to emphasize that lesson. Jesus takes on a task that was usually reserved for a servant of the house. And when he completes it, he lets them know that this is to be fundamental to their relationship with each other. This is what it looks like to lead in his kingdom. He would follow that up the next day by sacrificing his life.

There is another important lesson for leaders in this scene as well. Peter spoke for a lot of people in saying that he did not want Jesus washing his feet. Perhaps he felt unworthy of having that done. Or perhaps he just didn’t like anybody else doing something for him. Well-intentioned people can sometimes think both of those things. But Jesus makes it clear that being part of his kingdom is also being willing to receive service from others, especially your brothers and sisters in the Church. It is like love: you cannot really give it until you have first received it.

Being a leader among the people of Jesus Christ includes being willing to serve the needs of others. And when you are in need, it also includes being willing to let others serve you.

Personal Worship Option:

Which part do you struggle with most: serving the needs of others or admitting there are times when you are in need and allowing others to serve you? Pray and ask God to help you grow in that area.

Daily Devotion, March 20, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13.

The Apostle Paul was vital in the development and spread of the early Church. He visited cities and villages all around the Mediterranean Sea, teaching and preaching about Jesus Christ. He started many house churches. As he finished his time in one place, he moved on to others. Each of those congregations needed leaders. In this letter to Timothy, he offers characteristics needed in those who will be overseers or supervisors in the church. It is interesting to note what he chooses to include in this particular list.

If you were making a list of what is expected of leaders in the Church today, what would you include? I first want to know about their relationship with Jesus Christ. Is their life focused on him and his mission? Do they believe in the grace he offers and are they committed to living the sacrificial love that he showed us? Do they truly love God and love people? Secondly, are they a good follower? You cannot be a good leader if you do not first know how to follow. This is especially true in the Church. To be a good leader among the people of Jesus Christ, one must first see themselves as one of his followers, as well as being willing to be supervised and held accountable by other leaders of the Church.

 

How about you? What do you look for in a good leader in the Church?

Personal Worship Option:

I invite you to pray for two matters. First, ask if God is calling you to be a leader in the Church, either within the life of your congregation or as a pastor in some other place. Second, ask God to guide you in helping young people discern a possible call to ministry.

Daily Devotion, March 19, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Samuel 16:1-7.

When God sent Samuel to look for a new king, a new leader for God’s people, God wanted him to focus on what was on the inside of that person. God doesn’t see or judge the same way that people do. We tend to look at the outside appearances or qualifications, but God looks at the heart. He evaluates our inner disposition and character. When people judge by outward appearances, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is. We invest a great deal of time and finances in improving our outward appearance and improving our resume. It is imperative to cultivate our character and relationship with God.

Personal Worship Option:

Next time you must select a leader, ask questions that reveal character - not resume. Each day spend time investing in character development.

Daily Devotion, March 18, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 2:1-11.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

I love these two verses in today’s passage. This whole passage talks about living like Jesus taught us. Verses 2 and 3 are very clear about how we should serve and lead by example. People who are good leaders are those who value everyone, no matter what their area of service. Have you ever noticed how fame and celebrity status tends to distort our perception of the qualities we should admire and aspire toward? It is always refreshing to see people who are able to remain humble even though they have attained fame and fortune in their life, although this is also rare.

Jesus came to show us what true greatness and being a leader really looked like. Jesus’ ministry on earth was a ministry of humble service. There was nothing pretentious about him. He didn’t expect special treatment and went quietly about his ministry. What we learn from Jesus is the importance of putting the needs of others ahead of our own. Our life is not about the pursuit of comfort or recognition. We are never more like Jesus than when we are serving others.

Personal Worship Option:

Father, in our desire to be your servants, create in us hearts that aim to serve others in Jesus’ name. May we discover that true leadership is not in fame or position but in humble service. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 17, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Kings 18:1-7.

After the death of Solomon, the evaluation of most of the kings of Israel and Judah were not good. However, Hezekiah gets a good assessment. This passage tells of the things he did that made him a good leader of God’s people.

“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” 2 Kings 18:5

The root word of this Hebrew word translated here as “trusted” occurs eight other times in chapters 18-19 about King Hezekiah. Sometimes it is translated as “confidence” or “depending on”. This description of “trusting in the Lord” is not used for any other ruler in the book of Kings.

“Trust” from the Hebrew understanding is more than just believing. Its deeper meaning has the understanding of, “to take refuge in.” Hezekiah’s years as king weren’t easy. There were many conflicts, but he continued to take refuge in the Lord. If you have the extra time to read chapters 18-19, there are several times Hezekiah could have stopped trusting God. But he remained faithful and trusted God each step of the way. In the end, this story reflects that God is the one who is faithful and worthy of all of our trust.

Healthy leadership in God’s kingdom calls us to a complete trust in God. Taking refuge in God calls us into that safe place in God’s heart. It calls us to allow God’s transforming love to be at work in our lives. It strengthens us to face the conflicts along the way and to receive wisdom and discernment to follow in God’s pathways. It calls us into God’s service to love and serve others. It gives us peace to voice unto God, “not my will, but yours be done.”

King Hezekiah prayed often. This builds the relationship of trust in God. Perhaps he had heard King Solomon’s instructions, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Bible.

Personal Worship Option:

Faithful and loving God, thank you that we can find safe refuge in you. Today we trust you to lead us in the pathways you would have us to follow. Help us to trust you more each day. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 16, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 1:15-17, 21-22.

When Judas, one of Jesus' closest followers, betrayed Jesus, a replacement was necessary. Jesus had handpicked the original twelve, but how would they choose a replacement without Jesus to guide them? Peter determines that Judas's replacement would come from that small group of believers who had been witnesses of the earliest days of Jesus' ministry as well as his resurrection. They nominated two men who had spent time with Jesus and believed in the resurrection: Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. At this point, I imagine that we would have asked for a speech from these two candidates and then taken a vote. In contrast, this early congregation prayed and asked God to make plain which of the two he would choose for leadership. Next they turned to an ancient tradition, the casting of lots. For ancient Jews, this was a way to assure that God would have the ultimate choice! Beyond human control, the casting of lots left the decision completely up to God's decision. They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles. While I can’t imagine us drawing straws to select our church leaders, we can learn valuable lessons from these early followers. We can bathe our decisions in prayer and ask God to guide us as we select leaders who spend time with Jesus and believe in the resurrection.

Personal Worship Option:

Spend time today praying for our leaders at Christ Church and thank God for their faithfulness to him and to our church. Ask God to continue to bless them and to give them wisdom as they serve him.

Daily Devotion, March 15, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 10:35-45.

James and John were ambitious, and their request was for recognition in the kingdom. Sitting at the right hand and left hand of Jesus in glory was another way of asking to be first and second in authority and position after him. Jesus helps them and us understand the nature of leadership in the kingdom, not as being served, but as serving. This is a lesson in servant leadership that needs to be shouted to the world, wherever people lead.

As a senior in high school, I was given the book I Dare You by William Danforth. Danforth had founded and built Ralston Purina into one of the largest and most successful businesses in the world. This little book was packed with advice for success in school and in the world. I remember the surprise when I read his statement that the single light seen in the window of the office tower late at night is likely coming from the office of the head of the company. Danforth challenged us to see moving up as being willing to work harder to serve the company’s customers, investors, and employees. My image of the head of the company had been someone getting all the perks and attention and the employees doing all the work. Danforth was ahead of his time almost a century ago when he wrote about hard work and servant leadership. To lead in God’s kingdom, according to Christ, is to be the hardest worker and servant to all.

Personal Worship Option:

Think about areas in which you are called upon to lead -- in your family, community, work, or perhaps in the church. Let this passage inform your view of leadership and the importance of serving others. Pray for the ability to see how this teaching might influence and change the ways you lead and serve.

Daily Devotion, March 14, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 6:60-69.

For many years, I admired Chicago Cubs baseball fans. Until 2016, their team had not won the World Series in 108 years. Yet they were loyal. No matter how their team was doing, they filled up the stands in Wrigley Field and they pulled for their team wherever they were. Lots of sports fans are loyal to their team and they show their support in many ways. What causes you to be loyal to a person or cause?

Chapter six in the Gospel of John begins with Jesus feeding the 5,000 (men, plus women and children). Later, there are around 35 verses of him teaching about himself as the “bread of life.” But many in the crowd decide that what he is teaching is just too hard to understand. Here is how The Message translates the last four verses of this passage: ‘After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: ‘Do you also want to leave?’ Peter replied, ‘Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.’”

That’s loyalty.

Personal Worship Option:

In any area of life, who set the best example for you as to what loyalty looks like? How might you apply their example to your desire to be loyal to God?

Daily Devotion, March 13, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Daniel 3:8-18.

It is one of my all-time favorite stories of the Bible: three young men in a foreign land who had been groomed to serve the king of that land. But when the king demanded that everyone bow down and worship a statue, they refused. They were loyal to the God of Israel and nobody or no(thing) else. They knew their God was able to rescue them from the king’s response of a fiery death. But their loyalty to God was not dependent on whether God rescued them. They would stay true to God, no matter what happened. That is the essence of what loyalty is. That is how it is defined: to remain true or faithful to a person or cause, no matter the consequences.

While we do not face those kinds of dramatic choices in this day and time, we all do face choices almost every day about whether we will be loyal to the God we say we worship. When we choose love instead of hate, we are being loyal to God. When we choose forgiveness instead of revenge, we are being loyal to God. When we choose generosity rather than greed, we are being loyal to God. What are some other choices you have to regularly make that reveal whether you are being loyal to God? 

Personal Worship Option:

Name one choice you have to regularly make in which you struggle to be loyal to God. Pray for God to give you wisdom and courage to make the right choice.

Daily Devotion, March 12, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Ruth 1:11-16.

Verse 16 is one of the best statements of loyalty in all of the Bible. Naomi and Ruth portray a beautiful example of loyalty, friendship, and commitment to each other and God. Ruth did not make this commitment lightly. In making this declaration of loyalty to Naomi, Ruth was willing to give up the possibility of security and children in order to care for Naomi.

Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn’t stop her from worshipping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. Ruth belonged to a race that was often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became a great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. God honors faithfulness/loyalty. 

Personal Worship Option:

Think about the people in your world. What do they think of your commitment to them? How would they rate your faithfulness? Does your loyalty ever waver? With whom are you a friend forever? Pray for that person today.

Daily Devotion, March 11, 2021

Devotion:

Read Genesis 22:1-12.

In this passage, can you imagine Abraham’s feelings as he is asked to sacrifice his son who is to produce the nations of the world? However, he had great faith in God’s promises to him. If we put ourselves in his place to sense what he felt, we would know how much his heart was torn. I have asked myself several times if it were me, would I obey God?  This story teaches us about faith, love, and trust in God.

Here are some observations on this passage. We know that we will be tested in life and this can help our faith grow. When He asks us to do anything for Him, He guides us on how and where to do it. God expects us to obey Him when He commands us to do something and we should trust Him even if we don’t fully understand why He is asking us to do it. God provides us with what we need to fulfill His demand. We should always be ready and willing to surrender whatever He wants from us. We need to remind ourselves that everything we are and have comes from Him and belongs to Him. God will see us through all of our life situations.

Personal Worship Option:

God, thank you that regardless of what you call us to lay on the altar in obedience to you, you always know what is best, and you always have a plan. Thank you for not giving up on us and always giving us your love. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 10, 2021

Devotion:

Read Joshua 24:14-15.

Joshua’s imperative to “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” is as timely today as it was in Old Testament times. Joshua has recounted all the times and ways God had delivered them to bring them to the Promised Land. This was a time of a new beginning and a time to remember God’s covenant of faithfulness unto them.

Joshua’s charge to them highlights loyalty and professions of loyalty of the people unto God. Many commentaries summarize this chapter with the word, “loyalty” because that is a word we understand. But it is interesting that the word “loyalty” is not the word which Joshua employs to convey his message to the people. In the context of a covenant relationship with God, Joshua calls the people to “choose whom you will serve”. Jesus recalls this phrase, “whom you serve” several times in the New Testament.

A testament to our words of loyalty and devotion is evidenced by our actions of service. We have the opportunity to choose today and everyday whom we will serve. Joshua’s instructions called the people to let go of the gods of their former lands and their ancestors.

We too must examine that which calls our loyalty away from God. It may not be the little statues of the Old Testament, but examining where our time, money and energy go can open our eyes to the little gods which we have allowed to shift our loyalties away from the Living God.

The first of the Ten Commandments is, “you shall have no other gods before me.”  Joshua is calling the people then and now back to this first commandment. The Living God gives us life, saves us and redeems us!

Often the call to be loyal and serve God calls us away from following the crowd. Also, it often calls us to love and serve the least, the lost and the last. We have the example of Christ as he lived a life of service unto others. We are called into a life of prayer and worship and God equips us to go forth to serve others.

Personal Worship Option:

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Reflect on this one day. What parts of your day will reflect or reflected your greatest loyalty? Reflect and give thanks, as Joshua did for the people, for all the ways in which God has been and is faithful and loyal unto you.

Daily Devotion, March 9, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Proverbs 3:3-6.

Solomon wisely told his son to keep God’s loyal love and faithfulness close, as we read it in the NIV version. The English word “love” in this passage is hesed in Hebrew. We don’t have one word to accurately translate hesed in English, so it’s translated with various words: mercy, compassion, love, grace, and faithfulness. In describing God’s nature, hesed refers to God’s loyal love and faithfulness to his people, even when his people are unfaithful to Him. Solomon’s advice to his son and to us is to return to God the loyal love and faithfulness he shows us. Solomon tells his son his loyal love and faithfulness should be so close that it would be like wearing a necklace at all times. Solomon continues to advise his son by teaching God was worthy to be trusted. It is our nature to put our trust in something or someone, even if it is our self. To put half our trust in God and half our trust in self or something else is really failure to trust the Lord at all. Trusting God with all our heart means to honor and acknowledge him in all that we do and invite him into our everyday life and conduct. When we maintain this kind of loyal love and faithfulness, he will guide us and keep us on track. 

Personal Worship Option:

We can see love and loyalty go together. They come alive through our actions. Consider today how you will show you loyalty to God? Consider today how you will show God’s love to others?