Daily Devotion, June 30, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read James 1:19-27.

Here are good instructions about living life together as the Church, with a focus on putting our faith into action. The heading for these verses in my children’s Bible state: “Listen to the Word and do what it says”. So easy to say, much harder to do. Helping, encouraging, and lending a hand wherever you see a need. That is serving God. The Holy Spirit encourages us and prompts us to do what the Word says.

He is the one who gives us a hunger for His Word, and when we abide in His Word, He gives us the strength we need, not just to read about change, but to actually experience change. Then we’ll no longer be merely hearers of the Word, but also doers.

Personal Worship Option:

Open your Bible today and read the whole first chapter of James. Ask God to grant you the grace to do what He commands in Scripture. Then give thanks that He’ll empower you to do what He asks.

Daily Devotion, June 29, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Hebrews 12:1-13.

Do you ever think, why do I have to go through this when I am having a big struggle? Sometimes we think of such situations as punishment. We even look for connections between life’s disappointments and our sins. But struggles like this do not usually relate to punishment; they are just part of life in a broken world. Dealing with traumas can create growth and sometimes make us change our ways with a more disciplined life. And discipline, though it can be painful, will yield results.

It takes discipline to get up early and work all day to bring in a harvest. It takes discipline to work methodically down a row of trees to pick the good fruit and leave the bad behind when a deadline is looming. Discipline combines instruction and warning. The word for “discipline” in Hebrews 12 suggests the kind of training needed to help a child grow. The words discipline and disciple share a common root. Sometimes discipleship as God’s children involves difficulty and correction too.

God’s goal is to make us like Christ, who suffered but also triumphed over sin and disappointment. Even in discipline, God loves his people and seeks to cultivate holiness in us for Jesus’ sake.

Personal Worship Option:

Father, help us to endure hardship—and discipline, when needed—knowing that you love us. Thank you for Jesus’ example and make us more like him. Continue to encourage us as we go through life. In your name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 28, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Hebrews 11:1-10.

Visiting the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, we spent several hours reading the accomplishments of many basketball players and coaches! There were several floors of photographs, trophies and information, but my favorite part was the basketball court on the ground floor, with many goals and basketballs! Everyone was invited and welcomed to play the sport! Even with my limited height, my few moments on the court of the Basketball Hall of Fame helped me to realize that the joy of this wonderful game wasn’t limited to those who made it to the Hall of Fame!

Hebrews 11 was one of my preacher Dad’s favorites. His sermon title was, “The Hall of Faith”.  Many individuals are listed throughout the chapter who lived by their deep and abiding faith in God. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sarah are listed in our verses today.

Commentaries say vs. 1 is not so much a definition but is both subjective and objective speaking to a life of trust, belief, endurance and deep reliance upon God’s faithfulness unto all, even though not visible. Vs. 1 from The Message is helpful. “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.”

Rev. Dr. Fred B. Craddock writes in “The New Interpreter’s Commentary”:

1. No one in the list of exemplars of faith lived his or her life as an example to anyone; their having done so would have disqualified them as good examples.
2. Hebrews 11 offers two portraits of a life of faith: both ‘triumph’ and ‘tragedy’ (or success and failure).  The original readers of this letter had suffered a great deal, and this gives encouragement to the weary.  
3. Faith hopes and looks beyond the immediate---to God’s future. Faith is tenacious and enduring.
4. This chapter’s list includes some who still had their human weaknesses, but through God’s faithfulness were able to accomplish more with God’s strength.

Personal Worship Option:

A lifetime of faith is available and possible for everyone through God’s gift in Jesus. On the “Hall of Faith’s Court of life” …let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith… so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12: 2a,3b 

Daily Devotion, June 27, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Hebrews 10:19-25.

This passage is talking about the newfound confidence that those who trust in Jesus have to enter into His presence. The reference to the curtain here points us to the curtain in the temple surrounding the most holy place. Only the high priest had access through the curtain to the presence of God in the Holiest of Holies. Everybody else was forbidden to enter, and faced death if they did! When Jesus died, that temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. It was a picture that said Jesus has removed the barrier between us and God by his body. Jesus, the great high priest, grants access to God through the curtain of his body. In other words, all those who have had their sins removed by the sacrificial death of Christ can enter freely, and without fear of death. Because they have been cleansed, or washed clean, by Jesus’ blood, they can enter with great confidence that God will accept them!

This gives the Christian a great and secure hope for the future, until we finally meet Him face to face when we die, or on ‘the Day’, when He returns (v25). In the meantime, however, we must keep going in the right direction (unswervingly) and ‘spur each other on towards love and good deeds.' This passage puts it quite strongly: the Christian life should be active and not passive. It should be a life full of love and good deeds as we continue Jesus’ mission to reach the world with the Gospel. And it also makes another strong point, we aren’t to try to live the Christian life on our own. In fact, it shows us that we put ourselves in danger if we do so. Not meeting together quickly becomes a habit - a bad habit - and habits are hard to change. We must avoid going it alone and thinking we don’t need to meet together with other Christians. We need the encouragement of other believers if we are to keep going forwards and avoid being pulled off track.

Personal Worship Option:

Father, first of all, thank you that I have access directly to your presence. Secondly, thank you for the opportunity to spur others on to love and good deeds. Help me to not neglect meeting together with other believers. Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 26, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Hebrews 1:1-4; 4:14-16.

The writer of Hebrews makes the point throughout this book that Jesus is superior to anything else we might look to as holy. In the first part of today’s passage, we are told that Jesus is one with God, making Jesus superior to the angels. In the passage from Hebrews 4, we see that Jesus is the perfect high priest. The Latin word for priest is “pontifex,” and it literally means “bridge-builder.” Priests’ work is largely building bridges between people and God.

The writer is making the point that Jesus is the perfect builder of bridges between us and God. Why is this? Since Jesus is one with God, Jesus knows the Father perfectly. Jesus came in the form of a human being and lived among us. Jesus experienced times of testing, and he learned in those times how difficult tests and temptations can be for us. Jesus was fully God and fully human during his time on earth, and he knows us intimately. Let’s be honest…most of us do not like to think about the time of our being judged, but we can take hope in knowing that we will be judged by God who knows us and has been one of us.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me: Thank you, Almighty Father, for sending your Son into the world to show us how to live and then to die as an atonement for our sin. Thank you also that your Son returned to you having been one of us. You know us so well, and we desire to know you deeply. Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 25, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Titus 2:11 - 3:8.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement in the 18th century in England, taught about God’s grace as being God’s activity throughout our life. First, there is “prevenient” grace, God at work in our life even before we know God. Then comes “justifying” grace (spoken of here in Titus 4:7), which makes us right, or puts us in a right relationship, with God. Then, for the rest of our life, there is God’s “sanctifying” grace, which guides us in growing in the perfection of God’s love. Here in chapter two, verse eleven and following, I see an example of this sanctifying grace at work: “It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope….”

We have received so much, through God’s grace. As we more fully understand that, we seek to live our life sharing this same grace, as a way to say “Thank you” for God’s gift. We do that in community with other Christians, learning from each other, supporting one another and holding each other accountable: “Encourage and rebuke with all authority” (2:15). And it all culminates in this goal, as stated in 3:8: “...so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” God bless you as you live to do just that!

Personal Worship Option:

My favorite verse from John Newton’s hymn “Amazing Grace”:

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

‘tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

Daily Devotion, June 24, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Timothy 3:16 - 4:8.

Paul offers a good description and purpose of the Scriptures. (Of course, the specific “Scripture” he was referring to was what we know as the Old Testament. The New Testament books had not yet been designated as Scripture by the Church.) They have all been “inspired” or “God-breathed” which means the writers were led by the Holy Spirit to write and they wrote from their own understanding the lessons that God wanted to convey. The purpose of the Scriptures is “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” All of that primarily happens as the people of God relate to the Scriptures together, not just as individuals. Also, take note that all of that is to be done “with great patience and careful instruction.”

Chapter 4:3-4 is a good cautionary reminder to God’s people anytime and anywhere, warning against interpreting Scripture according to what we want it to say. Paul then offers words of encouragement to Timothy, as well as acknowledging that his life here on earth may not last much longer. However, he is confident in the effort and endurance he has offered to serve his Lord. When each of us approaches that time in our life, may we also be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or put it in your own words: Gracious God, thank you for the Scriptures you have given us to guide us in your way. Help us continually learn from them and help guide others through them. Keep us faithful to your way until the end. Through Christ, Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Timothy 1:3-14.

Paul reminds Timothy of his heritage in the faith and to be strong in continuing that heritage; to pass along to others what has been given to him. Timothy was in a time of transition. He had been Paul’s helper, and soon he would be on his own as a leader of a church in a difficult environment. Although things were changing, Timothy was not without help. He had everything he needed to face the future if he would hold on to the LORD’s resources. Paul encouraged Timothy with words of hope and encouragement. Paul spoke of finding comfort and strength in God’s grace through Jesus.

When you are facing difficult situations or transitions look back at your experiences. Who is the foundation of your faith? How can you build on that foundation? What gifts has the Holy Spirit given you? How do you share your faith with others?

Personal Worship Option:

Find a new way to express your joy and confidence in Christ, like learning a new worship song, or hosting a Bible study, or offering friendship to someone new in your community or church.

Daily Devotion, June 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Timothy 6:7-19.

The reading for today has so much in it. The one big thing that I glean from this passage is that we must continue to read the scriptures over and over to remind ourselves of God’s messages to us. We often need to be reminded to do good, to love others, to share, and to be Christlike in all we do and say. It is important to meet together for worship and fellowship and to hear God’s commands again and again.

When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in this letter we have read today, Timothy was leading a newly planted church in Ephesus. Among other things, Paul told Timothy to command rich believers to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In the church there were well-to-do people, and there were poor people. This sometimes caused friction. The rich had to be reminded to share with others and not to look down on the poor, and the poor had to be reminded not to covet and show envy. Everyone, in fact, needed to remember not to put their hopes on money or wealth but to put their hope in God, who provides all we truly need. In this way, Paul said what Jesus had said - we lay up treasure for eternity, taking hold of the life that is truly life.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help us to be generous and content with what we have. Help us live out the life that Jesus tried to teach the early believers. Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 21, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17; 2:1-6.

Several background points are helpful as we read these scriptures:

1. From Paul’s two letters to Timothy, we read that Paul was like a mentor and/or teacher for Timothy.
2. These letters were written on scrolls without chapters and verses, so the thoughts probably carried more continuity for the readers and hearers during that time.
3. Paul is writing to encourage and establish Timothy’s faith and the other believers as they together establish the beginnings of the earliest Christian gatherings in Ephesus (which is in Western Turkey today).

In these selected passages for today, Paul praises God for saving him and reminds Timothy that this is God’s desire for all people.

This first passage is a brief, but powerful testimony of God’s saving grace in Paul’s life. Paul describes himself as “the worst of sinners” and he gives all the credit and glory to God through Christ. Paul writes that he was shown mercy and in believing received eternal life, which is offered to all people.

Paul’s words are filled with both thanksgiving and praise! Paul offers thanksgiving for the abundant grace he received, and for the strength and opportunity to serve God. Then Paul offers praise for who God is: the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God!

Paul is leading by example for Timothy’s ears to hear God’s message of love in the gift of Christ’s offer for all people! Paul is mentoring Timothy as Timothy leads this gathering of new believers.

Prayer is a priority, and particularly praying for any in authority for the community. Paul asks that the believers live in peacefulness, quietness, godliness and holiness, for the sake of bringing all people (including the Gentile people) to Christ’s offering of salvation. This was Paul’s call to be counterculture to the world’s ways.

A student-pastor from another country once told me that we need a new word, “Disciple-er” in our English vocabulary----I often think of this word when reading Paul’s writings to Timothy. Paul is following Christ’s ways in every way as he is thankful to God and praises God for God’s gift of salvation through Christ and reminds Timothy that this is God’s desire for all people.

Personal Worship Option:

What is your brief testimony and praise of God’s grace in your life? How would you encourage one who is new in the faith?

Daily Devotion, June 20, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24.

As the apostle Paul finishes this letter to those who’d become Christians in Thessalonica, he gives them a number of 'do's and don'ts' which all form part of how the gospel message should change our lives. What is the 'do' in vs 12-13 and why is it important?

Christians are called to love those who God raises up to lead His flock, even if those leaders have to challenge wrong things in our life. The result of this is that the Church experiences peace rather than quarrels. This isn’t a blind obedience to Popes and Bishops, but a love of leaders in local congregations who preach and teach God's word faithfully and truthfully with a holy humility.

What are the do's and don'ts of vs 14-15?

Christians are not to be lazy spongers, and not to be a people looking for revenge on others. Instead, they are called to look out for the needs of one another and seek to be of help wherever they can. This doesn't mean we are to be interfering busy-bodies, but just that we are not to be so self-focused that we don't see the difficulties others may be going through.

What about vs 16-22?

These touch on the 'spiritual' activities of the Church. We're called to joyfully keep what God has done for us in Christ in mind, and to not neglect prayer and thanking Him daily for His grace. Christians must be careful of tossing out what could be a work of God's Spirit, but also be careful to not believe and follow everything they see and hear. The fact that Paul adds 'stay away from evil' suggests that some people who claim to have spiritual gifts may in fact be leading people into evil. We see a lot of that in our generation.

Verses 23-24 are a prayer that Paul offers for these people but, before focusing on it, what are the last do's he gives to them in vs 25-28?

He humbly asks them to pray for him and the other workers. He didn't think of himself so highly that he didn't need their prayers. And he urges them to show a holy love to one another and to read the letter he had written. In the same way, Christians today should make the Bible central in their gatherings.

Personal Worship Option:

The prayer in vs 23-24 is one that we should pray for ourselves too, as well as for other Christians. We need God's grace to bring us to holy living so that we are ready and waiting for Christ's return. The One who called us to follow Jesus is faithful and He will give us the strength to do it.

Daily Devotion, June 19, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-18.

Paul, like most early followers of Christ, initially thought that Christ’s return would be very soon. He taught with a sense of urgency that believers should be prepared for that imminent return. As a result, some of the new Christians in Thessalonica stopped working and became dependent upon others for their living. In addition to instructing them to excel in loving others, Paul wrote in this passage that they should get back to work, earning their own living, and not being dependent on others. Paul was beginning to realize that Christ’s return might not be as soon as he had earlier thought.

Since Christ had not returned immediately, Christians were aging and dying. This caused people in the church at Thessalonica to question whether those who had died had lost their hope of eternal life in Christ. Paul wrote verses 13-18 to dispel this fear and to reassure them and us that those who die in Christ will be the first to rise when Christ returns. This brief passage is the most descriptive of what we refer to as “The Rapture,” the time when believers rise and are reunited with Christ forever. We should read this passage, not so much as a detailed description of the Second Coming, as assurance that believers alive and dead will receive the gift of eternal life in Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on how ready you are to meet Christ. Whether we are living or not at the time of the Second Coming is not important. The key thing is to open our hearts in faith to receive the gift of grace that Christ offers and then to live according to his teachings.

Daily Devotion, June 18, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Colossians 3:1-17.

This passage picks up where we left off yesterday, focusing our minds on things related to the Holy Spirit, rather than the spirits of this world. It starts off with our motivation for doing this, using Easter language: we do this because we “have been raised with Christ.” We have put to death our old self and ways and are to be constantly focusing on learning to live the way of Christ.

Notice in verses 8-9 as well as 12-16 that what we are to get rid of and what we are to “clothe” ourselves with have to do with how we relate to other people, especially other Christians. All of it gets summed up in verse 17. Here is how Eugene Peterson translates that verse in The Message: “Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”

I commend to you these seventeen verses as another good passage to read every so often. It is another good summary of what it means to live the way of Jesus Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

A key part of living the way of Jesus Christ is for his followers to meet together regularly (ideally every Sunday) for worship and fellowship. Join us this morning (ideally in person), either at 9:30 or 11:15 as we worship God together.

Daily Devotion, June 17, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 2:1-11; 4:4-8.

These passages from the letter to the Philippians offer two more great summaries of what it means to be the people of Christ. The beginning of chapter two focuses on the example of Jesus Christ himself. To live as a community of Christians is to be unified around a Spirit of humility and focused on the needs and interests of others. Jesus showed us that way of life by what he said and did. So, to be his followers is to simply follow his example in our everyday life.

The verses from chapter four give more detailed instructions on how to live each day. There is great advice here in short statements: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” “Be gentle.” “Do not be anxious about anything.” “Pray about everything.” All of that produces a peace that can’t be explained, but simply comes from God. Verse eight reminds us to keep our mind focused on that which is worthwhile.

All of this brings to mind some questions for you to ponder today. Whose example are you following? What are the guidelines by which you live your life? What is your mind focused on most of the time?

Personal Worship Option:

Consider this prayer: God who is my shepherd, I know there is so much in this world which can easily distract me from focusing on you and I confess that I often let that happen. Forgive me and help me stay focused on you and helping others begin or deepen a relationship with you. Through Christ, Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 16, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 6:10-18.

Paul uses the image of the armor of a Roman soldier to talk about God’s armor offered to us. Every battle, ultimately, is a spiritual battle. Every conflict is a contest with Satan and his forces. Satan is not passive or fair. He is active, deceptive, and will tempt with lies. He has designs and strategies. So, we need a strategy as well. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 puts it this way, “though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

We will be victorious over Satan’s tactics if we put on our spiritual armor, use our spiritual weapons and keep God in the center of our life.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you trying to fight a spiritual battle with physical weapons? Spend some time praying and reading the Bible to spiritually strengthen yourself for the battle. Memorize Scripture to remind yourself of the truth.

Daily Devotion, June 15, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 3:14-21.

In this scripture Paul talks about God giving us inner power. The word power can be thought of in many ways. It most commonly refers to strength or physical force.

Note that Paul in this text clearly means spiritual power because he asks God to strengthen us with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Paul’s prayer is for strength in our heart that builds spiritual power. This power not only expresses itself in personal devotion to God but also in commitment and conviction that flows from the heart to others.

The source of this power is the Holy Spirit, and it is received through faith. In fact, the power of the Holy Spirit is what enables people to receive Christ into their lives, recognizing that he is Lord over all things, including their own heart, soul, mind, and strength. Christian spirituality is the work of Christ and his Holy Spirit.  We should always pray to God and give him the praise and the glory for sending his son and the Holy Spirit. With this spirit in our hearts, we do have great power.

Personal Worship Option:

Father in heaven, teach us to rely on your Spirit for faith, confidence, and power. Help us to know you as the source of everything good in our hearts. Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 14, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 2:1-18.

Whether just beginning your journey or you have been on your journey with Christ for many years, this scripture passage is full of rich treasures for assurance, encouragement, new and renewed life, hope, and uniting peace. On your journey of faith, keep this scripture close by in your backpack!

I was introduced to Ephesians 2:8-9 at age seven and return to it often. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

This is wonderful news! God is God and we are not! Salvation is God’s gift! There’s nothing we can do to earn, deserve, achieve, or accomplish it! It is all God’s gift! Verse 4 tells us why…. "because of God’s great love for us!”

We serve God and “do good works” (vs.10), not to earn more of God’s love, but out of our deep gratitude for God’s marvelous gift of salvation and to become who God created us to be and do!

Paul’s writing continues in verses 11-13, we are called to unity with one another. The apostle Paul was writing to help the new Gentile Christians and the new Jewish Christians realize that through Christ the “dividing wall of hostility” had been broken down to create reconciliation between people and to bring the gift of peace. This still is our calling today to be reconciled in peace remembering that God’s gift through Christ is for all people everywhere.

Verse 18 says, “For through him (Christ) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” We may sometimes be tempted to live out of a sense of pride that we have good reasons to think God should love us more than others. But the entirety of this scripture passage reminds us that God’s redemptive love through Christ is completely God’s gift and there is no room for boasting from anyone!

By God’s grace, we can open ourselves to continue to learn what it means to be reconciled through Christ, and united in peace with all people by one Spirit.

Personal Worship Option:

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts, 1707

When I survey the wondrous cross

 on which the Prince of glory died,

 my richest gain I count but loss,

 and pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

 that were a present far too small.

 Love so amazing, so divine,

 demands my soul, my life, my all.

Daily Devotion, June 13, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Galatians 5:13-25.

Paul continues describing the stark contrast between life according to the flesh and life according to the Spirit. The NRSV translates verse 16 as two parallel imperatives: “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The second part of verse 16 would be better translated as a statement of future results, conditional on the previous clause. In other words: “Live by the Spirit, I say, and you will by no means gratify the desires of the flesh.” When the Spirit is in command, the flesh loses its power. Paul goes on to describe how the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are diametrically opposed. He is not describing a dualistic split between body and spirit. Rather, “flesh” refers to the whole self under the power of sin, with all its self-seeking desires and self-serving ways.

We tend to think of “desires of the flesh” in terms of indulging bodily desires, and certainly some of the “works of the flesh” listed in 5:19-21 fit this category. But the other “works of the flesh” Paul lists are more about matters of heart, mind, and speech as these affect our relationships with God and one another. Eight of them have to do with divisiveness within the community: enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, and envy. These less tangible “works of the flesh” can be every bit as destructive as the more salacious ones.

By contrast, the “fruit of the Spirit” is love with all the qualities that flow from it: “joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things,” Paul adds (5:22-23). The Spirit, not the law, produces this fruit, which more than fulfills what the law requires.

“Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires,” Paul continues (5:24; cf. 2:19-20). Christ has freed us from slavery to sin and self-indulgence and has given us his Spirit. Verse 25 is a condition of fact: “If we live by the Spirit (and we do), let us also be guided by the Spirit.” The verb stoichοmen has military connotations of standing in formation or marching in line. In other words, “since the Spirit leads us, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of yourself in the Holy Spirit. Please give me the desire, strength and determination to follow His lead. I pray today that I can be in step with your spirit and that others can see the fruits of the Spirit in my life. Amen (so be it)!

Daily Devotion, June 12, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Galatians 2:20-21.

As I grew into adulthood, some of the best compliments I ever received would be when a relative or family member would say, “I see your mother in you.” I physically favored her, and sometimes the person was saying that my smile or something in my appearance reminded them of her. But the really meaningful comments came when someone saw Mother’s character or faith reflected in something I said or did. I relished those observations, even if I did not deserve them.

How much more precious if someone sees Christ in us and in our actions! Paul is encouraging us in this passage to think of ourselves as having died. In other words, our human will no longer dominates our thinking and our actions. By taking on Christ, we let Christ live through us. Wesleyan theology teaches us that as we mature as Christians, we grow toward perfection. This perfection does not mean that we are ever without mistake or error, but rather it means that we have fully grown up in Christ. This is a great goal for all Christians, with others seeing Christ in the way we talk and act and live our lives.

Personal Worship Option:

Please pray with me, “Almighty God, I desire to let Christ live in and through me. Help me to let my human desires and my tendency to push against your will fade and die. By your grace, let Christ live fully in me. It is in Christ’s name that I pray, Amen.

Daily Devotion, June 11, 2023

Devotion:

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

For me, this is one of the best passages in the whole Bible that sums up what it means to be the people of Jesus Christ. (I have shared before that verse 18 is on my car license plate.) It begins by noting that the love of Christ is our core motivation for participating in his mission. His sacrifice for us all changes how we see the whole world and every person in it.

We believe that our Lord can change anyone into a new creation. We believe that through Jesus, God provided a path for being in a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. And here is the part that is both amazing and humbling: God invites each of us to be partners in this continuing ministry of reconciliation! We get to tell others what God has done and is doing; that God wants to be in a personal relationship with them as well! We get to be “ambassadors for Christ!” That’s enough to make a pastor say to their people most every Sunday “Go be the people of Christ!”

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer (or put it in your own words): Holy Spirit, thank you for the awesome privilege of being in partnership with you to continue your mission of connecting with people I meet every day to share your message of love and grace for them. Help me this day to be an ambassador for Christ. In his name, Amen.