Daily Devotion, May 31, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 27:45-46; Luke 23:44-46.

These brief passages illustrate well the way the story of Jesus’ life and death on earth is told by the gospel writers with often differing details. We can compare this to a diamond with many sides or facets, each reflecting light and beautiful colors from the same clear and precious stone. In this case, it is perfectly safe to put the two passages together with confidence that Jesus said both of these things, with Matthew reporting one and Luke the other.

Jesus’ crying out to the Father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is painful for us, as his followers, to read and consider. Hanging in agony on the cross, struggling for every breath, Jesus took on and felt the full burden of our sins. Sin causes separation from God, and for the first time, the Son felt separated from and abandoned by the Father. His words are not a random cry of frustration but are instead a direct quote from the opening verse of Psalm 22, which describes the cruelty and anguish of crucifixion from the perspective of the one on the cross. But Jesus was able to endure this cruel death and bear the weight of our sin by knowing he was doing his Father’s will. And when it was finished, he could breathe his last words faithfully committing his spirit into his Father’s strong and loving hands.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving Father, in so many ways your Son showed us the way to live in faith. Help me, when I do not see your answers to my prayers, to wait, to keep faithful, and to be patient. Forgive me when my faith may be tested and I too feel abandoned. Enable me to commit myself and my prayers into your loving hands. Amen  

Daily Devotion, May 30, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 2:41-47.

In the Church, when we mention chapter two, the focus is often on the early part of the chapter: the festival day of Pentecost; people from different nations and languages in Jerusalem to celebrate; the Holy Spirit filling the apostles in such a way that they were able to speak in all those languages to share God’s message; Peter explaining what was happening to the confused crowd. Much of the time, we don’t go very far beyond that.

As a nationally syndicated radio man named Paul Harvey used to say, our passage for today gives us “the rest of the story” of the immediate results from that day. First of all, about 3,000 people joined the movement of those who followed Jesus. Then we get a brief picture of what their life together looked like. I believe it is a picture of “heaven on earth” or the Garden of Eden before sin once again begins to infiltrate. The focus is on being together to learn God’s instructions for living life at its best, on being connected to each other and to God, on using everything we have to serve the needs of others. When that is our focus, more and more people want to be part of who we are and what we are doing.

Personal Worship Option:

Be sure to join us today for worship, either in person or online to hear our guest preacher, Rev. Josh Kilbourne, talk about “The Spirit-Filled Community.”

Daily Devotion, May 29, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 4:1-6.

The writer of this letter has already offered some deep and inspiring images of what God did through Jesus Christ, breaking down the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles. Everybody has access to God. Everybody can be part of the family of God. We are all one in Christ. And the verses just before our reading today are some of the highest and best in all the Bible!

In the verses we have read for today, the writer urges us to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” That calling for each of us is basically to continue the mission of Jesus. He then begins to describe what that “life” looks like: humble, gentle, patient and tolerance grounded in love. The instruction in verse three is especially needed in our day and time. Here is how Eugene Peterson translated it in The Message: “You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.” 

There are many forces among us today that seek to pull us apart as the people of God. But if we stay connected to the same Spirit that first called us into this mission, you can be assured that Spirit wants to keep us working together as one: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called…”

Personal Worship Option:

Peter Scholtes wrote these words 55 years ago (you may know the rest of the song, but just focus on these words for today): “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord…” 

Daily Devotion, May 28, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 12:9-18.

This is what life guided by the Holy Spirit looks like. It begins with love. Not a superficial love but a love that goes beyond pretense and politeness. We are called to a real and sincere love that requires a concerted effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement.  As Christ followers we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ and because they have a unique contribution to make to God’s kingdom.

Hospitality is also a form of love. This kind of hospitality is different from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host - the home must be spotless, the food well prepared and abundant, etc. However, hospitality focuses on the guests. Their needs - whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance - are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is a can of soup. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.

Forgiveness is the apex of love. If we love the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we have experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. By loving our enemies we’re not excusing their misdeeds. We’re recognizing them, forgiving them, and loving them in spite of their sins - just as Christ did for us.

Personal Worship Option:

God desires that you surrender every part of your life to him so that others will experience the love of God through you. Who do you need to love today?

Daily Devotion, May 27, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Galatians 6:1-10.

In this scripture Paul gives Christians direct instructions on being in community and helping others with their burdens. I love the apparent contradiction that is really such a perfect description of our relationships with others; we are to carry each other’s burdens but each one should carry his own load. In context, it is so clear that we are to simultaneously be looking out for one another in love and compassion, assisting the weak and those struggling, while refraining from any comparison with how "my" life is going vs "their" life, as though we could truly understand anyone's life but our own. This speaks against the temptation to judge those who need guidance or help.

The analogy of sowing and reaping allows Paul to encourage the Galatians to focus on the life of the Spirit rather than the flesh. Sowing in the Spirit involves purposeful effort to love and help others. Our faith directs us to action. We are to work for the good of all, especially for those of the family of faith. Christians are to labor for the common good and not grow weary or give up. This was the vision of what living in community and harmony would be like for all of us.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, open our eyes to see the burdens of others, and move us to care and have compassion, giving us insight and strength to help lighten people's loads. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion, May 26, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 8:9-17.

I particularly like The Message version of Romans 8: 9-17. But to help with understanding this middle passage, I like the beginning and ending of Romans 8 from the NIV: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,… For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Paul wanted these new Christians to see and understand that this new life in Christ held complete assurance that God loves them and is forever with them.

  

In Christ, life is lived from a new motivation, as Paul writes, “But if God has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him.” Our natural tendency is to think more of self than we think of God or anyone else. But God sent Jesus to turn this around and transform us. God sent Jesus to move us beyond selfish and self-centered motives to love God and love others. In Paul’s words, God’s transforming power within us moves us from death into life!

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself.” There is a healthy love of self. So what is the difference between a healthy love of self and selfishness? The huge difference is our motives. The first enables us to love God, and to give our very best selves in acts of service unto others. Selfishness begins and ends with serving self and self only. It will not only lead to our own destruction, but will destroy others along the way.

Personal Worship Option:

Living life by the power of the Holy Spirit has transforming power within us and through us beyond our imagination. It is a deep abiding relationship with God and we are God’s children! I love The Message translation in verses 15 and 16, “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.” O loving God, move us from our self-centered ways to your ways today!

Daily Devotion, May 25, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 10:44-48.

Being obedient to a vision God had given him, a Roman centurion and Gentile (non-Jew) named Cornelius sends messengers to Peter in Joppa asking him to come to Caesarea. When he arrives, Cornelius has assembled his entire household to hear what the Lord would have Peter speak to them.

Just as Peter begins to explain about Jesus being the Son of God who was crucified and rose again, and that “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (vs. 43), something astonishing happens. “The Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word” (vs. 44).

Peter is still thinking as a Jewish Christian, the only kind of Christian he knows. He seems to have low expectations in preaching to this Gentile audience. He is astounded, along with the other Jewish believers who have come with him, that the Holy Spirit would move so dramatically and quickly among these “unclean Gentiles.”

When God acts, there is no distinguishing between Jew or Gentile, insiders and outsiders. When we allow the Holy Spirit to eliminate divisions between “us” and “other,” we can see grace poured out. Let’s work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit as we reach out to all people.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray today that the Holy Spirit will guide you to be a positive Christian influence to someone different from you this week.

Daily Devotion, May 24, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 4:32-35.

We often read in John Wesley’s sermons and other writings his exhortation for the Methodist movement to learn from and emulate the practices of the “primitive” church. By this, he simply meant the early church as described in verses like today’s passage. Whenever we seek to emulate the church in another time, we must look closely at the context that drove its practices, sort out the ones that were limited to that time, and embrace the timeless values and principles that apply to us. For example, the communal lifestyle of sharing all their possessions was driven by the conviction that Christ’s return was imminent. We learn from later writings that the early church in Jerusalem suffered persecution and famine, and their communal lifestyle was simply not practical for the long haul.

While we are not called to pool all our possessions today, we are called to share what we have. It is a sad fact that people collectively have enough wealth that, if it were shared generously with the poor, there would be no hunger in the world, none! When we give our hearts to Christ and open our lives to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are drawn to behave in our time with the same sense of generosity, love, and care that characterized the early church.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank you, Almighty God, for the early church and for the lessons of Christian love and care we can glean from those faithful believers. Touch my heart with your Holy Spirit and help me to see my possessions, not as something to grasp and cling to, but rather as blessings you have entrusted to me in order to help others. Lead me to do that more and more, in Christ’s name. Amen 

Daily Devotion, May 23, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 20:19-23.

The writer of this Gospel has caused us to remember the book of Genesis before. The first three words he used to begin his Gospel were the same ones used to begin Genesis: “In the beginning…” As he nears the end of his telling of the story of Jesus, he offers a scene on the evening of Easter that takes us back to Genesis again. It was our devotional text for yesterday, where the writer says that God breathed the breath of life into the first human.

 

Here in the Gospel, Jesus enters a room that is lifeless. His followers are physically locked inside the room, but also spiritually locked up inside because of fear. Then comes this image of Jesus breathing on them and inviting them to receive the Holy Spirit. Once again, the breath of God is being given to lifeless humans. Until we get that breath/Spirit, we cannot live as God has created us to live. Without God’s Spirit, we cannot be the fully alive and fully functioning humans that God has created us to be.

When you experience those times in life when you feel spiritually lifeless, remember to seek the One who gives the breath/Spirit of life. Whether you are feeling scared, hopeless, lost or whatever else is depleting you, open yourself to the God who gives both physical and spiritual life. And notice that our focus from last Sunday shows up again in this scene: Christ sends us with his peace to forgive others. It is one of the primary ways God invites us to receive and give life. It is one of the primary ways we receive and give the Holy Spirit.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer verse from an old hymn written in 1878 by Edwin Hatch:

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, May 22, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 2:4-7.

It is a fascinating description of who we are as human beings. According to this story of the Creation, we are connected to the earth, formed out of the dust of the ground. But we only came to life when God breathed the divine breath/Spirit into us. It is a reminder that it is God who gave us life in the first place and it is God who sustains life in us. Yes, we are connected to the earth, but we are also connected to the God who breathed life into us as humans.

I remember being in football practice in sixth grade and getting tackled so that I landed on the football. It literally knocked the breath out of me. I have this vague recollection of being panicky for a few seconds because I could not breathe. Slowly the air began to fill my lungs again and I could go on with practice.

Give thanks to God for the breath that fills your lungs. As you take note right now of yourself breathing in and out, be reminded that God created you with that capability. God gave you life. It is a gift. Treasure this gift and live it in such a way that you honor the One who gave it to you. Thanks be to God for the breath of life!

Personal Worship Option:

Some people use what are called “breath prayers” as a way of connecting with God. Create your own short sentence prayer that you can pray as you inhale and exhale. Here are a couple of examples: “Thank you God for giving me life.” “Help me love as you love.”

Daily Devotion, May 21, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-13.

The Holy Spirit continues to give formation and guidance to all the parts of the Body of Christ. The church is composed of many types of people from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of gifts and abilities. It is easy for these differences to divide people, as was the case in Corinth.  But despite the differences all believers have one thing in common: faith in Christ. As members of God’s family, we may have different interests and gifts but we have a common goal. Every believer gets a gift and these gifts come in different sizes and combinations. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is and will increase the Kingdom of God. The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. No one else shares this uniqueness. Consequently, you can do something no one else can do in a fashion no one else can. Find your uniqueness and use it for the kingdom.

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer for today: O LORD, sustainer of life, thank you for creating me in your image and starting my story. Help me write it carefully and become the person you intended for me to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Daily Devotion, May 20, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 3:16 - 4:1.

The scripture today mentions when Jesus was baptized, a voice thundered from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The heavens opened up and the Spirit descended like a dove and landed on Jesus.

There is a lot of significance in this. This happening at his baptism combined insights from two Old Testament scriptures. “You are my Son” is from Psalm 2, and the references to God’s delight and the Spirit of God are from Isaiah 42:1. Isaiah 42 also begins the mention of suffering servant passages. God was announcing that his son, Messiah (called Christ in Greek) was to be a suffering-servant Savior.

This message was astounding because the people expected a military leader who would set up a political kingdom. However, God showed by this voice from heaven that His intention all along was that Christ would suffer and die for his people. While in the wilderness, with the temptations that followed, Jesus refused to be a political or self-serving messiah. Jesus calls us all to take up our crosses and follow Him. Let’s be willing to follow our suffering-servant Christ!

Personal Worship Option:

Jesus, help us to follow you faithfully, being willing to suffer for you, that others may come to know you. Amen.

Daily Devotion, May 19, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 15:26 - 16:15.

Previously in John 14, Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure and tells the disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit as Advocate, Helper and Comforter to be with them. 

Now, Jesus continues to prepare his disciples with assurance that he will continue to be with them with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Different versions of scripture translate the word for Holy Spirit as: Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Comforter or Paraclete. Each word can be defined by the “One who comes along beside us” to give strength, encouragement and ability.

 

The Holy Spirit will give witness to the truth of Jesus, who he was, who he came to be for us all, and for all generations. The truth of the Holy Spirit will be consistent with the ways and teachings of Christ the Son and God the Father.

The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples with courage and strength. And today, the Holy Spirit gives courage and strength and calls us together for the sake of helping others. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to our sins, to our need to seek after righteousness, and to remind us that judgment belongs to God.

Another function of the Holy Spirit is that of the Helper as the Teacher who has more to give from the same source as Jesus. In verse 13, Jesus says, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

From the beginning the Spirit was called “Ruach” or “Pneuma” meaning the breath of life. Jesus is reminding his disciples that this same Spirit will be with them. The disciples who surrounded Jesus while he was physically present and the community today are connected to God and one another by the Spirit’s work of guiding, leading, revealing, reminding and empowering.

  

And, the Holy Spirit binds our hearts together so that the world may know God’s love.

Personal Worship Option:

Pause for a moment and focus on these words: Life and Breath-Giver; Counselor; Helper; Advocate; Comforter; Paraclete-the one who comes along beside you; Truth Revealer; Witness of Jesus; Gatherer; Encourager; Strengthener; Enabler; and the One who Unites us in God’s Love. Which word of God’s Holy Spirit do you need in your life today? God’s promise revealed through the Living Christ is that the Holy Spirit is with you already.

Daily Devotion, May 18, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 1:34-35.

The angel Gabriel has just visited Mary and told her that she would conceive and bear a son. His name would be Jesus and he would be the Son of the Most High. Mary had only one question. “How can this be?”

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” (35)

The key point in Gabriel’s explanation is that what is about to happen to Mary will be the result of the direct intervention of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word translated “overshadow” (episkiazo) was used of God’s visible presence in the Old Testament tabernacle. It pictures the God of light personally dwelling with his people.

 

Since Mary would likely have doubts about all this, Gabriel reminds her, “Nothing is impossible with God.” He is able to do anything he decides to do. If he wants to cause a virgin to conceive, he can do it. Nothing is impossible to God! In difficult times, it is good to remember that God can help you deal with anything that you face.

What does God want from us? The same thing he wanted from Mary. Simple faith that he will keep his word in unlikely and unexpected ways.

Personal Worship Option:

God knew Mary was willing to believe the impossible. Pray today for courage to believe the God of the impossible. Ask God to make you more like Mary, willing to believe in spite of your doubts.

Daily Devotion, May 17, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 2:1-11.

Pentecost means “fiftieth” and was a Jewish festival of early harvest, coming seven weeks and one day (fifty days) after the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover. This was one of the three most sacred festivals for Jewish people, and many of them would make pilgrimages from their homelands to Jerusalem in order to worship and make their offering at the temple. Luke tells us the apostles were gathered together on this first Pentecost after the crucifixion of their Lord. He had promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with them as counselor and advocate.

 

Their baptism with the Holy Spirit came in dramatic fashion with the sound of rushing wind and the appearance of tongues of fire that separated and settled on each of them. Immediately, they began to speak in real languages they had never known. Luke lists the many places from which Jewish persons and Jewish converts had traveled, from Rome to Arabia and from North Africa to Asia Minor! This unexpected new gift from the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to declare the wonders of God to foreigners in their native tongues, and three thousand of them would accept Christ on that day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit still fills us, still gives us gifts, and is still God’s sustaining presence in us. We too are called to go and speak the Good News in ways people can understand and will accept.

Personal Worship Option:

As we come to Pentecost this coming Sunday, give thanks to God for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God with us and present in our lives. Be especially mindful this week of the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit in your life and reflect on the gifts the Spirit has given you for serving others.

Daily Devotion, May 16, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 9:10-18.

Can you imagine the courage it took for Ananias to walk into the house where Saul was? I’m guessing that most every follower of Jesus in the region had heard of Saul’s crusade against them. His latest adventure was to Damascus, where he planned to arrest every Christian he could find. He was convinced that this movement was not of God and must be stamped out. Folks had heard about him approving the stoning of Stephen, so they knew he wouldn’t stop at just putting them in jail. And God’s voice comes to Ananias, telling him to go to this man and offer healing and guidance to him. Understandably reluctant at first, he goes. In the midst of obeying God, he witnesses two miracles: Saul’s sight is restored and he seeks baptism to become a follower of Jesus as well.

Yes, Ananias showed a tremendous amount of both trust in God and courage to obey God’s instructions. It also showed his willingness to forgive. This man had hurt and frightened a lot of people. He had negatively impacted Ananias’ life. But in going to him and offering God’s good news, he forgave him. By putting his hands on him to heal him and by baptizing him, he forgave him.

  

I don’t know whether God will ever instruct you to do something that you sense could put you in danger. But I do believe that every act of forgiveness takes courage.

Personal Worship Option:

For whom would you need the most courage to forgive? God will give you that courage, if you will just ask.

Daily Devotion, May 15, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 23:5.

Years ago, I was listening to a teacher who mentioned this verse from Psalm 23 and I have never forgotten what he said about it. Since Old Testament times in the culture of the Middle East, to eat with someone means you are in a good relationship with them. There is peace between you and them. You welcome them.

So if God is preparing “a table before me in the presence of my enemies” it seems to me that God is wanting me to invite them to dinner? This table is not just for me to enjoy a good meal. It has a much deeper, even divine, purpose. God is inviting me to reconcile with them. It certainly is fitting for this God who has continually reached out to the same humans who rebelled against him and thereby became his enemies. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:18 - “All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Paul even connects to this Psalm verse on a more practical level in Romans 12:20 - “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.”

 

So, God has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies. Who do you need to invite to dinner?

Personal Worship Option:

Pray for the wisdom and courage you need to forgive a particular person, family or group.

Daily Devotion, May 14, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 23:32-34.

Jesus had taught that God forgives us and expects us to forgive others. Here, he leads by example by forgiving those who had put him on the cross -- Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, and bystanders - and God answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation to everyone. The Good News is that God is gracious and he will forgive us and give us new life through his Son. Because of our forgiveness, we should offer forgiveness to others as well. But it is sometimes a challenge to be forgiving. Keep this in mind: grace (God’s grace) is not blind. It sees the hurt full well. But grace chooses to see God’s forgiveness even more. It refuses to let hurts poison the heart. Where grace is lacking, bitterness abounds. Where grace abounds, forgiveness grows. Approaching relationships through the filter of grace creates an environment of peace and forgiveness.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on God’s grace in your life. How can you extend grace to others today?

Daily Devotion, May 13, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 1:7-8; 4:32.

Paul writes that the riches of God’s grace are lavished on us with compassion and forgiveness. I have often thought that it is a miracle that God really knows me and forgives me and never gives up on me. God loves us and forgives us extravagantly, not moderately or stingily.

Likewise, God calls us to have compassion and to forgive others. If we treat others with compassion and have empathy toward our brothers and sisters of the world, we can sense their struggles and their pain that will guide us toward forgiveness.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending someone hasn’t hurt us. Sometimes the hurts we experience are extreme and devastating, and we can carry scars throughout life. But if we hold on to anger, it will wear us out and can lead us to hurt others. Forgiveness sets us free from anger and bitterness, allowing us to let go of our desire for vengeance. The relationship may never be restored, but we can begin to see those who hurt us as God sees them-broken people in need of grace.

Personal Worship Option:

Can you forgive others and trust that God will provide justice? Is there someone who needs your compassion and forgiveness? Lord, teach us to forgive, as you have forgiven us. Help us to have compassion for one another and to let go of any anger we might have. Amen.

Daily Devotion, May 12, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 130. (NRSV)

While taking care of our two “grand dogs”, the words, “I cry to you, O Lord” caught my attention. I’ve not been around them in over a year due to the pandemic. Their “parents”, who have been around them a great deal due to the pandemic, are finely attuned to each one of their cries and can hear their faintest whimper. Out of their love for their dogs, they gave me clear instructions for how to respond to each distinct “cry”.

Is it possible that the Psalmist writer, David, whose life began as a shepherd boy hearing each cry and whimper of each sheep, knows that God hears his cries? Now David is realizing the extent of his own sins and his need for God’s forgiveness. His sins and guilt weigh heavily upon his back. He “cries” out to God in this prayer. “Out of the depths, O Lord, hear my cry for help.” 

“Out of the depths” is David’s perception of his distance away from God as he pleads for God’s forgiveness and mercy. The valley was where David perceived himself to be and during that time the Hebrew people perceived God’s dwelling place to be on the mountaintop. That’s quite a distance! So David is ready to “wait”. This word “wait” or “waits” is written three times.

 

David prays in the assurance that God is listening to his cries and will forgive his sins. Yes, he knows God’s ways of righteousness, and yet, he also knows God’s “habits of forgiveness”. (The Message) Out of God’s love for us, there is no distance away from God from which God can’t hear us. David lets his soul commune with God and receives God’s forgiveness, hope and redemption.

  

In verse 7 David moves from his own need for God’s redemption to that of Israel’s. David reminds the people of God’s steadfast love and God’s power to redeem. God calls the people back to the covenant relationship with God. Oftentimes, we must also cry out for God’s forgiveness as a large group or institution.

Personal Worship Option:

What are your cries unto God today? God is very near and is ready to hear your cries just now. God’s habit is forgiveness. It is not cheap grace. But it is God’s gift. God can forgive us, restore us, and redeem us to free us for joyful service again. Pause for a moment to share your cries with God.

Daily Devotion, May 11, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 7:54-60.

How can we learn to control our natural tendency to lash out against those who hurt us? We know our responsibility as Christians is to forgive, but we can easily be overwhelmed by feelings of hurt and anger. Stephen was facing a mob filled with hate and plans to kill him. Scripture tells us Stephen was a “man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” He was “full of God’s grace and power who performed great wonders and signs among the people.” When the people began to stone him, he fell to his knees and cried out a prayer of forgiveness, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Similarly, Jesus, Son of the Most High God and full of the power of the Holy Spirit, was on the cross facing an angry mob who wanted him dead. With love and mercy, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Notice the contrast we see in both examples. Spirit-filled men are dying at the hands of hate-filled angry mobs. Both Stephen and Jesus forgive. Let’s return to our earlier question, “How can we learn to control our natural tendency to lash out against those who hurt us?” We need to fight against our natural tendency and use God’s supernatural power to forgive. If Stephen and Jesus can forgive, we certainly can.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank God today for the forgiveness he has extended to you. Who do you need to forgive?

Daily Devotion, May 10, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 6:9-15.

Matthew has an interesting way of grouping Jesus’ teachings into collections. Our passage for today comes in the collection known as the sermon on the mount, in which Jesus taught his disciples on a wide range of topics. In the verses immediately preceding these, Jesus taught that prayer should be done in private and that it should be simple and straightforward. As if to illustrate what he meant by this, Jesus says, “this is how you should pray,” and gives us the very simple and brief model prayer we know as the Lord’s Prayer. In our prayers, we are to praise God, ask for God’s will to be done, ask for our daily needs, ask for forgiveness of our sins, and ask for deliverance from evil.

There is a huge twist that we miss sometimes in the way Jesus instructs us to pray for forgiveness...to pray affirming that we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Another way to say this would be for us to pray for God to forgive us just as much as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Not sure about this interpretation? I invite you to also read verses 14 and 15. In these two verses, Jesus makes it clear that God will only forgive us if we forgive others. They will know we are Christ’s followers and disciples by our love, and that includes our forgiveness.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect today on persons you have struggled to forgive. Sometimes hurt can run so deeply that we find it almost impossible to forgive, especially if the other person does not express sorrow for the hurt they have caused. Pray today to let it go and to forgive just as much as you wish God to forgive you.

Daily Devotion, May 9, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 1:12-15a.

It is fitting that the writer of Acts is intentional to include Mary the mother of Jesus among this list of his followers after his ascension back to heaven. In his Gospel, Luke told us about the angel visiting her when she was a teenager to invite her to become the mother of the Messiah. Her relative Elizabeth had affirmed who the child was. Shepherds had visited at his birth to tell of messengers from heaven affirming his identity. An old man and woman at the temple also recognized his divinity. As a young boy, she and Joseph had found him at the temple in deep conversation with the teachers there. Then there was the time he reminded her and others that his mother and family was anyone who does the will of God. She had known from the beginning she would have to share him with everybody else. She had witnessed both his death and resurrection. She was not just his mother; she was his disciple.

On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate the many ways that women contribute to the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind that churches throughout the history of the Church would not have survived without them. Still today, they are a vital part of the body of Christ. Take time to express your gratitude to them and specifically look for ways you can support those serving in the role of mother.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray for God to give you the names of one or two women who need some recognition for what they do to further Christ’s mission in the world. Be creative in offering your gratitude to them.