Daily Devotion, February 28, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Galatians 1:13-24.

We read in our passage today what could be called Paul’s statement of faith, his testimony. He describes his life before he came to know Christ. He says, “I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.” Next he says he came to faith in God through a personal relationship with Christ. We read God “called me by his grace” and “was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles.” Finally, Paul says he set out to proclaim the Gospel traveling all over Arabia, Damascus, and Judea.

When Paul met Jesus, he had to leave behind some of his former ways and thinking, but he kept his sense of zeal and commitment. When we accept the call to follow Jesus we too are called to take some things with us and leave behind some things from our old life as we learn our new life in Christ.

In three statements much like Paul used, how do you describe your testimony of faith?

1.  How was your life before you met Christ?

2.  How did you come to faith in Christ?

3.  How do you describe your life after coming to faith?

Use this as a simple way to describe your faith journey. Keep in mind your faith statement will constantly change as you experience the ebb and flow of life. From time to time ask yourself, “Does my life reflect a growing relationship with Christ?”

Paul looked back on his life and saw the influence he had on others: “They praised God because of me.” Let your aim be to live a life for Christ that will encourage others to praise God.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks to God for those who have influenced your faith journey. Then contact one of them today to personally thank him or her.

Daily Devotion, February 27, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 41:14-25.

In Genesis 37, we read of a young Joseph, his father’s favorite and full of himself. We are told of two different dreams he had and then interpreted to his family. The dreams were indeed prophetic about the time when Joseph would be a great leader and his family would bow to him. The dreams were real, and there is no doubt now, looking back, that God had given Joseph the intended interpretation of the dreams. But Joseph told his brothers and even his father and mother about the dreams in an arrogant, me-centered manner that served to alienate them from him.

Interestingly, after being sold and working as a slave, being falsely accused, and living in prison, Joseph demonstrated a radical change in attitude. When requested by Pharaoh to interpret his strange dreams, Joseph passed up the opportunity to make himself look good before this powerful leader. His statement that he could not interpret Pharaoh’s dream himself, but that God will do it showed remarkable humility, growth, and faith on Joseph’s part. Joseph had retained the gift God had given to him for interpreting dreams, but he had left behind the arrogance of his pampered youth.

Personal Worship Option:

Think for a few minutes about what changed when you became a Christian. What habits or attitudes did you leave behind? What good things did you bring along with you? Are there other things you need to give up in order to more closely live the way of Christ?

Daily Devotion, February 26, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 4:1-13.

For those who follow what is called the lectionary (a 3-year series of Bible readings for use in worship), this scene is the Gospel passage each year for the first Sunday in the Season of Lent. The first three Gospel accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus all mention this scene, but only Matthew and Luke give us the details about it. Immediately after Jesus is baptized and hears the affirmation from God about who he is, he is led into the wilderness for a time of testing. And although he rejects each of the temptations the devil offers him, Luke tells us that the testing would continue. I believe that testing continued until he took his last breath on the cross.

We all face times of testing in our daily lives as we seek to follow Jesus. The more we learn of his way, the more we confront situations where we have to decide if we are going to go along with the ways of this world or choose to live his way. If the vending machine gives you two packs of peanuts when you just paid for one, do you find some way to give back the extra pack? If someone in your group tells a joke that demeans someone of another race or the other gender, do you just laugh with the group? If you know someone is spreading false information about a person or group, do you just let it go? When Jesus tells you to “love your enemies” do you just chalk that one up to being too tough to actually do? There is no doubt about it: to be a follower of Jesus Christ means we all face times of testing.

Jesus’ primary testing in this situation was having to decide how he would live his life as the Son of God. You and I have to regularly decide how we will live our life as a representative of this same God.

Personal Worship Option:

Consider this prayer: Almighty God, please give me the wisdom and courage to choose to follow the way of Christ in all the times of testing I face. Forgive me when I fail those tests. Help me learn from those failures so that I will be stronger the next time. In the name of Jesus Christ, who understands what it is like to face the tests of this world, Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 25, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 26:36-44.

Tomorrow in our worship services at Christ Church, we will focus on the initial time of testing Jesus faced as he began his ministry. Our passage today finds us near the end of his earthly ministry among us. The stress of his testing has gone to a whole new level. He knows that if he continues to stay around Jerusalem, he will soon be facing tremendous physical pain and finally death by crucifixion. It is the “ultimate test”: whether he will give his life to fulfill his mission.

You and I may not be asked to give our physical life for the cause of Christ. However, in order to experience the new life that God offers us through Jesus, we are called to “die to self”, to give up focusing on our own well-being so that we are willing to serve and sacrifice for the good of others. Furthermore, the mission and teachings of Jesus constantly pushed against the ways of this world, so to be his follower is to be one that will find themselves regularly in tension with those who love and live the ways of this world. So, there will often come those times of testing, when we may have to give up being admired by others because we must reject their ways.  

If you are a follower of Christ, what have been those times of testing for you? If you had your own “Garden of Gethsemane” time right now, what would your prayer be about?

Personal Worship Option:

Consider writing that prayer. Ask the Lord for strength and courage to face whatever situation of testing you are facing.

Daily Devotion, February 24, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Daniel 6:10-23.

Daniel faced a test which would determine whether he would stay faithful to his God, even if it meant dying in the lions’ den. Daniel had practice in trusting God in difficult circumstances. Even as a teenager, separated from family, exiled in a land hundreds of miles away Daniel chose to follow God’s plan for his life. He resisted the opportunity to “go with the flow”. Those decisions, made as a teenager, gave direction to his life in later years. It might have been tempting to feel that God had forsaken him and allowed his enemies to prosper. But God was actually positioning him so his life could have ultimate usefulness for God’s kingdom.

Daniel cultivated a consistent lifestyle of dependence and love of God. He was known as a man of devout prayer, and nothing would deter him from communicating with God. God protected Daniel’s life and demonstrated his power to King Darius. Daniel obeyed God regardless of the cost. As a result, Daniel experienced God in ways few people ever had, and a pagan nation was introduced to the one and true God.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank God for his provision and protection. Reflect on where you are today and how God may use those opportunities. What is God asking of you?

Daily Devotion, February 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 45:1-8.

Joseph was certainly a victim of bad circumstances even by biblical proportions. His brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, he was falsely accused of sexual harassment, and then was imprisoned. He did a favor for someone that should have helped him get out of prison, but the person he had helped failed to speak up for him. However, quite dramatically, the Pharaoh delivered Joseph from prison and placed him in a position like prime minister of Egypt.

Joseph’s life would be the perfect setup for a vengeance story. But instead, it is a God story. When Joseph’s traitorous brothers showed up looking for some grain, they got quite a shock. They received compassion and complete forgiveness from God through Joseph. Joseph, always the visionary, saw what the brothers couldn’t. God himself directed the whole story. Even out of the evil that people do, God works redemption. The grain given was the start of God’s promise to save his people.

Joseph the betrayed victim became a savior. It is a precursor of Jesus, who though innocent of any sin, was arrested, falsely accused, and exe­cuted on a cross. Yet out of that people could receive salvation.

Personal Worship Option:

All-powerful God, you can take a setback or failure and turn it around to accomplish your saving plan. Teach us to trust that you are with us in whatever work you have called us to do. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 22:1-18.

This week, we are focusing on times of testing, when we confront what we really believe and how we will live our life. Today is Ash Wednesday; remembering we are finite beings, hearing the call to repent and believe the gospel. Today begins the forty days (not counting Sundays) of the Season of Lent. This is a time of prayer, self-denial, penitence and service unto others. It is a season to look at what we say we believe and how we live our lives.

Abraham was known for his great faith in God. We meet him first as Abram in Genesis 11. Prior to today’s reading, Abraham had proved himself faithful unto God in previous situations.  The New International Version titles this passage “Abraham Tested.”

Any “test” causes a bit of anxiety, but to be tested by God and particularly this test which Abraham was facing surely created anxiety and fears beyond our imagination! We can breathe knowing the outcome! God provided the sacrifice! (Can you imagine Sarah’s reaction when they told her the story?)

Today’s passage is an important turning point in the Hebrew and Christian faith about God’s covenant relationship with humankind. During Abraham’s time, people believed the “gods” required child sacrifices. Here in God’s provision, Abraham could know without a doubt that the living God he had worshiped all of his life did not require child sacrifices! Abraham shifts the spotlight and gives the credit to God’s faithfulness, as he names the place, “Jehovahjireh”, or “The Lord Will Provide.” And now God knew the depth of Abraham’s trust and loyalty.

God’s testing isn’t from a motive to see us fail, but from a way of proving the strength and faithfulness God has placed in us throughout our lives. I like the way “testing” is described in I Peter 1:6-7, “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  Peter understood this in that he denied Christ, (he failed the test) and yet God forgave him and called him to service again!

Personal Worship Option:

With God’s love, grace, help and hope, we can look honestly to see if what we say we believe is consistent with the way we live our lives. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 21, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 6:5-22.

Since the wickedness of man had covered the earth like a flood, God decided to start over again with Noah and his family. Living in a society saturated with sin and rebellion against God, Noah was the only man alive that pleased God. Can you imagine being the only one of millions who were faithful?

God tested Noah with an assignment that had to seem foolish to everyone around him. The Lord gave very specific instructions to Noah. He was to build an ark in preparation for a catastrophic flood that would destroy every living thing on earth. Even though he didn’t fully understand God’s plan, Noah accepted the call and worked diligently to do what God asked of him. Over and over, we read, "Noah did everything just as God commanded." His life of 950 years exemplified obedience.

We learn from Noah that it is possible to remain faithful and pleasing to God even in the middle of a corrupt and sinful generation. We know from our own experiences how hard it is to be faithful in a world that often seems out of sync with God’s plans, but Noah showed remarkable obedience. As a result, God saved Noah and blessed him. He will faithfully bless us when we follow and obey him today. Like Noah, we want to be faithful in our times of testing.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray today that you will be faithful when God asks you to do hard things. Consider this prayer: Father, help me to listen to your voice and be obedient. I pledge to persevere in the hard things as I do my best to live out a life of faithful commitment. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 20, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 2:15-17.

Genesis 2 contains the second creation story, and these three verses tell us how God put Adam in the garden and gave him the responsibility to care for it. Adam was free to eat from any tree in the garden, except... Let’s not rush through an important point here. Adam was given wide latitude and freedom to choose what he would eat. There was plenty to choose from, and he had everything he needed. This condition was a kind of utopia! Then came the “except…” as God limited Adam from eating from only one particular tree, warning him that to do so would result in his death.

 

I do not like this warning and the story of disobedience that follows. Why is that? Because I can identify so closely with Adam, and most of us can if we are honest with ourselves. We are aware of what we have been given and realize that we have plenty. Then we learn of things we are not supposed to have or do, and an interesting thing happens. We begin to focus on those, and we often push the boundaries, testing and checking to see if the boundaries are real. This is our human nature. We cannot save ourselves from our desires and our tendencies to miss the mark. Only God can do that!

Personal Worship Option:

What temptations or testing are you facing in your life right now? These are opportunities to let our faith lead us in our choices and decisions. Pray for wisdom, strength, and determination to choose as God would have you choose.

Daily Devotion, February 19, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 150.

The last five Psalms all focus on praise to God. They all begin and end with “Praise the Lord.” And even though many of the Psalms are prayers seeking help from God, the Hebrew word for Psalms itself means “praises.”  

So, it is as if, beginning at Psalm 146, the conclusion of all these hymns starts to build and keeps increasing into a crescendo of praise in the last one. Every verse in this Psalm has the word “praise” in it. Where, why and how to praise God are all addressed in these verses. 

I especially love the inclusion of music as being a primary way that we praise God. Music reaches into the depths of our soul. It moves us in ways that nothing else can. The variety of styles and instruments alone tell of the diversity that God has created in many ways. So whatever style moves you the deepest and highest, use that to praise God, who gave you life and has provided the Way for you to live life at its best and fullest.  

The invitation goes out to all of Creation: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” 

Personal Worship Option:

Consider rewriting Psalm 150 in your own words. Where would you say to praise the Lord? Why would you say to praise the Lord? What musical instruments would you include for use in praising the Lord? In what other ways would you encourage us all to “Praise the Lord!”? 

Daily Devotion, February 18, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 11:33-36.

The letter to the Romans is some of the Apostle Paul’s highest and deepest writing. As with most of his letters, the first portion is focused on theology, working through various beliefs we have because of what God did through Jesus Christ. The last portion then focuses on how we are to live our everyday life based on that theology. Romans certainly follows that pattern. The first eleven chapters focus on theology, the last five on living it.

So chapter eleven is the conclusion to that opening section. That section contains some powerful pieces of what we believe. (Chapter 5:1-11 and all of chapter 8 immediately come to mind.) Our focus verses for today are the final verses of chapter 11, a doxology to God. What an appropriate way to conclude: in the end, it is all about praising and worshiping God with all we are and do. 

Here is how The Message translates these verses:

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer your own prayer that is totally focused on praise to God. 

Daily Devotion, February 17, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 17:1-8.

This is the Gospel reading for Sunday, which is “Transfiguration Sunday.” It tells of this heavenly encounter three of the disciples had and the sense of awe and worship that was created in them. The Transfiguration was a brief glimpse into heaven: Jesus, the son, in his true glory. Moses and Elijah were two of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Moses the bearer of the Law and Elijah the representation of all the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah was a confirmation of Jesus’ mission. Just as God’s voice in the cloud over Mount Sinai gave authority to his law, God’s voice at the Transfiguration gave authority to Jesus’ words.  

This experience was completely overwhelming, yet Peter felt compelled to develop a plan of action instead of listening and worshiping. But when the disciples became distracted, the cloud covered them, and everything was removed from their sight except Jesus. At that point, the only response was worship.

Personal Worship Option:

Do you need to refocus your attention? Reflect on your experience with God. Remember when God took your heart and made it new. Thank him for his grace in your daily routine today.

Daily Devotion, February 16, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 100.

On Sundays, in almost every country, millions of people will come together in chapels, churches, huts, homes, indoors and outdoors, to worship God. Others, not able to physically come, will worship God by way of radio, television or Internet.

Sadly, not everyone feels the need to worship. Many say that public worship is a waste of time. Others feel that we should be out doing good deeds instead of being in praise worship. So why do we worship? Psalm 100 gives the answer. Worship is our imperfect way of acknowledging who God is and our way of saying thank you to God for all he has done for us through Jesus Christ. Worship is intended to give God his deserved recognition.

And when we worship, we should worship the LORD with gladness, with hearts filled with joy and gratitude. Psalm 100 gives us several reasons: God made us; we belong to him; the Lord is good; and his love endures forever. God’s faithfulness continues through all of the generations. Our busy lives demand it. The church is called to provide opportunities for people to come together to praise God, be renewed, and be challenged to live out their faith in everyday living.

Personal Worship Option:

This week, pray for all who are responsible for the worship services. Before you come to church, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the joy of the Lord so that you'll be able to come before the Lord with praise and thanks. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your church so that together you'll be able to worship the Lord with gladness.

Daily Devotion, February 15, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 2:42-47.

Worship and praise can be expressed in both words and actions. All that God was doing among these people of the early Church created in them a sense of awe and a desire to praise God for all that was happening.

The word, “worship” has its origins in the words,” worthiness or worth-ship”. We are giving honor and dedicating our all to God, the One who is worthy. 

Acts 2 is the story of Pentecost when God’s Spirit was in the midst of the people who had gathered from many lands in Jerusalem. True worship was coming from hearts of gratitude and realizations of God’s grace and love offered unto each and all the people of the world, through God’s gift in Christ.

The actions of devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, sharing all things in common, breaking bread, praying, being in fellowship together, selling property and possessions to give to anyone in need, meeting together and giving praise to God, were all ways of expressing their worship unto God.

From The Message, it says, “And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony.” And, “They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God.” Worship was a part of their daily life!

The church of my childhood had week-long church services during the autumn and spring seasons. We had daily morning services before school and work. We had fellowship suppers in homes before the evening services. Prior to these weeks, we had evening cottage prayer meetings in homes. Instead of being exhausting, our hearts, energy and joy were renewed with God’s spirit!

Perhaps that’s not practical these days, but how can we live our lives in ways which are expressions of worship in our everyday work, school, home and community life?

In both our actions and words of worship, we can be confident that God is present and is fully worthy of all of our expressions of worship. Whether with actions, words, or silent awe, wonder and amazement, God understands and receives our expressions of worship.

Personal Worship Option:

Acts 2:25-28 is a quote from Psalm 16:8-11. Acts 2:28 says, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Let this be our prayer of praise and thanksgiving, today. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 14, 2023

Devotion:

Read Psalm 8.

Imagine the scene. Young David is out under the stars at night watching his sheep. The stars are brilliant, and the moon is bright in the heavens. He considers the beauty of nature and its silent witness to the wisdom of God. He is astonished at the greatness of a God who could create such things and worships God in the stillness.

I recall times when I have experienced the awe of creation and was called to worship. When I gazed the depth of the Grand Canyon, the heights of the Alps and Rocky Mountains, the untamed beauty of Ireland’s west coast, the colossal sequoia trees of California, and the Dead Sea with its palm tree-lined mountains, I was moved by the majesty of God’s creation and paused to worship him with praise and adoration.

The Psalmist is in a state of worship and calls us to join him. The passage is the basis for one of my favorite choral works, “The Majesty and Glory of His Name.”

Picture David sitting under the night sky, tending his sheep, and writing these words as he worships God. Songwriter Tom Fettke put these words from Psalm 8 to music.

 

When I gaze into the night sky,

And see the work of Your fingers.

The moon and stars suspended in space.

But what is man that You are mindful of him?

You have given man a crown of glory and honor.

And have made him a little lower than the angels.

You have put him in charge of all creation;

The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea.

But what is man, oh, what is man

That You are mindful of him?

 

O Lord, our God the majesty and glory of Your name

Transcends the earth and fills the heavens.

O Lord, our God little children praise Him perfectly.

And so would we, and so would we.

Alleluia, Alleluia. The majesty and glory of Your name!

Alleluia, Alleluia

Take a moment to reflect on a time when a beautiful sight moved you to worship God. Where were you? How did you express your praise and adoration to God. This week look for the beauty of creation as you go through your routines and then stop to praise and worship God for his majesty.

Personal Worship Option:

Worship God as you experience Sandi Patty’s rendition of “The Majesty and Glory of His Name.”

https://youtu.be/cUqoZZypck4

Daily Devotion, February 13, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 28:10-22.

Jacob was on this journey from his homeland in Palestine to the land of his mother’s family because his brother Esau had vowed to kill him. Jacob and his mother had conspired and had tricked old Isaac into blessing him with the blessing that was rightly Esau’s. To this point in the story, we have seen no evidence of a relationship between Jacob and God. As Jacob lay sleeping, his dream enabled him to see that God was reaching out to bless him and to bless all people of the earth through him. For the first time, Jacob had a sense of awe of God, and he marked the spot as holy. One cannot help but smile to read the terms Jacob proposed for his new covenant with God…if God would do a number of things for him, Jacob promised that the Lord will be his God and Jacob will even tithe! 

Saul had his Damascus Road experience, and John Wesley had a dramatic awakening of his spiritual assurance in his Aldersgate experience. Each of us need experiences, although often much less dramatic than these, that help us to sense God’s awesome presence. Often those experiences come in our times of worship, public or private, when we open our hearts to God.

Personal Worship Option:

Was there a time when you, like Jacob, realized that God was seeking a personal relationship with you? Perhaps there have been more than one of those times. Give thanks that God loves you personally and individually and continues to reach out to you.

Daily Devotion, February 12, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-12.

It’s commonly called “the love chapter” and while that is the focus of it, there is more instruction beyond that subject contained in these verses. This chapter is in the middle of three chapters where Paul is addressing the issue of spiritual gifts and how the people have allowed those to become divisive among them. Members of that church had apparently taken on too much pride about their particular gift, thinking it made them more important than others.

One area he addresses is “all mysteries and all knowledge.” Those who have a lot of knowledge and are able to teach others are certainly valuable to the church. And any of us can get to thinking that our “knowledge”, our opinions and understanding and beliefs are superior to others.

In the verses we are focused on today, he puts all of that into perspective: “...where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part…..Now I know in part….”

So much of what we think we know is really just “in my opinion.” In the sermon for today, we will continue this series that uses some popular texting language like “IMO” (“in my opinion”). Maybe our Christian witness would also be more effective if we learned another text message: IDK (“I don’t know”).

Personal Worship Option:

Plan to be part of worship each Sunday at Christ Church, either at 9:30 or 11:15. Ideally, join us on campus, but when you cannot, be sure to connect online. And let other people know about those same options. Maybe you could even offer to take them with you!

Daily Devotion, February 11, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Proverbs 16:18.

It is interesting (and instructive) how often warnings about pride are the subject of the Proverbs. This verse probably sums up all of them the best. When we let pride take a dominant place in our mind and spirit, we start seeing other people and treating other people in ways that are not of God.

Let’s be clear: having a certain level of pride about who you are, your family and heritage can be good. It inspires you to pay attention to how you live your life each day and to set a good example for others.

However, it is so easy to “cross the line” into the kind of pride that looks down on other people and doesn’t acknowledge our own faults. We become less open (if at all) to listening to and learning from other people. We can get to thinking that our opinions and beliefs are the only ones that should be considered.

You can be sure that “living the way of Jesus Christ” includes being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who has something to teach all of us every day.

Personal Worship Option:

Consider this prayer: Lord, make me aware of any part of my life where I have let pride block me from changing to be the person you can create me to be. Through Christ, Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 10, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 8:31-33.

Last week, we looked at this same scene in the Gospel of Matthew, but with a different focus. This week, we note that it is possible to think you are following God’s will, but are instead working against it. Even though he was devoted to Jesus, Peter did not yet understand the thinking of his Lord.

Peter’s understanding of the Messiah was one of a conquering king who would establish his kingdom on earth right now. So, because Peter was Jesus’ friend, he sought to protect him from suffering. Often our most difficult temptations can come from those who love us and seek to protect us from discomfort. We do not always understand God’s plan and purposes especially when it involves pain and heartache.

 

Peter and the disciples were motivated by love and admiration for Jesus, but the disciples’ job was not to guide and protect Jesus but to follow him. Advice and counsel from others is important, but the loudest voice in the room should be God’s voice.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on which voices in your life are the loudest. Are you listening to those who are in sync with God and his Word? 

Daily Devotion, February 9, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 12:3, 16.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is filled with theology. In the beginning part of the book, Paul spends a lot of time explaining who God is and what He’s done for us. Then he gives us many commands as he shows how God’s love should affect our lives: Be joyful, patient, faithful, generous, humble, and hospitable. Our God is a relational God who wants us to experience the blessing of being connected which means we need to live in harmony and unity. We are not meant to be self-sufficient and isolated.

There is probably no part of our inner life that is more fragile than our self-concept. Parents must wisely help children develop a healthy concept of self but not lead them to think they are superior. We must not be boastful. All of us, in all stages of life, are shaped by our self-perception. In our Scripture reading for today, Paul cautions us, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” It’s easy for us to think highly of ourselves. We can easily sound proud. Paul does go on to say that we are all important and needed, as we are all members of the body of Christ, no matter what skills and gifts we possess.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, please give us a humble and soft heart so that we can see all the grace and mercy you have given us. Let us not be boastful, but just serve you and serve people with the heart of a servant. We need your spirit to help us. Amen.