Daily Devotion, September 30, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 20:24-29.

“Prove it to me!” “I’ve got to see it to believe it!” Most of us tend to be in that mindset about most anything in life. For the most part, that simply comes from experience. We remember those times when we were fooled or misled about something. Either from personal experience or hearing about it from others, we know there are people in our world who will try to deceive us to get us to believe something.

While we need to have some sense of skepticism and caution about what to believe, if we let that mindset guide too much of our thinking, we will be limited in how far we can go in our journey of faith with Christ our Lord. Thomas represents many of us. Maybe he represents you. “Unless I see him for myself, I will not believe he is alive.”

Jesus blesses those who take the risk of believing in him without having the kind of proof that Thomas wanted. A significant part of our faith journey is about being willing to believe first, to take the “leap of faith” then finding out that we can see more and more as we continue on the journey. Are you willing to take that next step of faith with Jesus? The good news is, as you keep moving outward and forward in faith, you will be blessed!

Personal Worship Option:

This lesson always reminds me of the chorus of one of my favorite choruses in all the songs of the Church. It was written by Louisa Stead:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

Daily Devotion, September 29, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 14:1-3.

Jesus comforts his disciples both then and now with an assurance of their place with him forever. Jesus knew the disciples were worried and he knows we worry too. So, what do we do with our worries? We take them to God. Nothing deserves our attention more than God’s promises. No words written on paper will ever sustain you like the promises of God. In these three verses He promises to prepare a place for us and to come and retrieve us so we will be together.

Worried? Troubled? Leave them with God along with your bad moments, mad moments, and anxious moments. Once all those are left with God, you only have the good in your hands!

Personal Worship Option:

Make a list of everything you’re worrying about - health, finances, family, job, etc. Ask God to help you see all of them in the light of eternity. Thank him that he’s looking out for you.

Daily Devotion, September 28, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 10:7-18.

The main theme of this passage is laid out in John 10:11: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The following verses unpack the meaning of laying down his life for the sheep. The main point is made in verse 13 where it states the hired hand does not care for the sheep because they are not his, but they belong to Jesus who has an intimate relationship to the sheep.

In the giving of his life Jesus does something for the community that no one else had ever done. Jesus came to give people life through the giving of his own. He did not do this as a victim but as a willing, voluntary sacrifice. He said that no one took it from him, but he laid it down of his own accord. The analogy of Jesus as a shepherd comes from the Old Testament tradition of a shepherd being willing to sacrifice himself for the well-being of the flock. Jesus gave his life so that others may live. This is the incredibly good news of God’s plan for all of us.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, Thank you for sending your son on our behalf. Thank you for making him the good shepherd and letting us be a part of his flock. Help us to shepherd others and care for those who need a helping hand. We want to be like Jesus. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 27, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 8:1-11.

From the previous chapter, the conflict is mounting from the leaders in the temple who don’t believe that Jesus is truly the Son of God. It’s important to pause and place ourselves somewhere within this story for us to see, hear and feel the fears and tension within this temple setting:

-Jesus is teaching during the early morning and there are people gathered all around him.

- The Pharisees, the leaders of the temple, don’t believe Jesus is who he says he is and they are trying to trap him in order to accuse him.

-The Pharisees have placed a woman (whom they say was caught in adultery) in the middle of this crowd of people. If she is condemned for adultery, according to Moses’ Law, she could be stoned to death. No doubt, she is afraid for her life! Perhaps she can see the expressions on their faces and the stones in their hands.

-The Pharisees want a quick answer from Jesus, but he bends down to write on the ground. They continue to want an answer from Jesus. The wisdom, power and authority of Jesus’ answer, “if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her”, surprises them! And he writes on the ground again.

-At this point, I’ll bet you could have heard a pin drop. It’s interesting that the older ones went away first. And one by one, they all went away until Jesus was the only one left with the woman. I wonder if they took their stones with them.

- I wonder if the woman’s fears began to diminish. Can we even begin to imagine the relief this woman felt when she heard Jesus’ words? “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” It has been said that Jesus gave her freedom in two ways, freedom for her life and freedom from her life of sin.

Personal Worship Option:

Wherever we find ourselves in this story, our eyes and ears have to be opened in new ways about who Jesus is! Jesus is truly the Son of the living God. God sent Jesus with full authority to forgive sins and to offer the freedom of new life over and against the condemnations which a life of sin offers. And that’s GOOD NEWS!!!

Daily Devotion, September 26, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:16-17.

If you grew up in church, you likely know John 3:16 by heart. It may sound cliche or basic after so many years of believing. But to someone who’s never heard the Gospel before, to someone who can’t imagine a father sacrificing everything for her, to someone who heaps shame and condemnation on himself every single day, this verse sounds radical. It sounds life-altering, it sounds healing.

Maybe even as a follower of Jesus, you’ve forgotten what your Father’s love is like. You’ve forgotten that you’re free from sin and shame. You’ve forgotten how much grace God pours on you every single day.

We all need the Gospel, no matter how long we’ve known Jesus. We need fresh eyes to see this wondrous gift for what it is and to live out the truth of it in our lives. We need renewed conviction to share this gift with others.

Observations:

• God loves us abundantly and sacrificially (v. 16)
• God wants us to live with him forever (v. 16)
• God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us (v. 17)
• God sent his only son to rescue the world (v. 17)

Personal Worship Option:

Bearer of my cross, I’m ready to experience freedom; I’m not defined by sin or shame, but by your love! Voice of Truth, give me opportunities to share the love and hope of the Gospel today. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 25, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 1:1-14.

We begin our exploration of the good news in the Gospel of John with the Prologue. Do you recognize the Christmas story in this? Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels give us concrete, physical accounts of the birth of Christ. John’s gospel is more abstract and deeply theological. So it should be no surprise to us that the story of the birth of Christ in John’s gospel is not about a manger, shepherds, or Magi. Rather it emphasizes the theological implications of God coming to earth in human form.

This passage is packed with good news! In verse 5, we learn that Christ came as light into a dark world. Light dispels the darkness of ignorance, evil, and hopelessness. John tells us that light is still burning brightly. We become children of God, not because of any birthrights we might have but because we believe in Jesus Christ. Even in the opening verses of his gospel, John is letting us know that we are saved through our faith. The incarnation (God becoming flesh) is summarized beautifully in verse 14. In it, we are promised that Christ came from the Father, full of grace and truth. That good news makes me want to read the rest of this gospel, to receive the grace, and to learn of the truth.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today for this beautiful gospel. Ask God for guidance as we explore it this week. Open your heart to receive and rejoice in the good news it brings to a dark world.

Daily Devotion, September 24, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 24:36-49.

Luke includes in his Gospel the story of the two disciples of Jesus leaving Jerusalem sometime on the day of Easter and heading toward the village of Emmaus. Along the way, they encounter this stranger who doesn’t seem to know anything about what had happened in the city the past few days. As they reached the village, they invited him in and soon discovered it was Jesus. They rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had experienced.

That’s where our passage for today picks up the story. As they were telling about what happened to them, suddenly Jesus is there with them. He offered all of them assurances that it really was him, continued to teach them and gave them the next step in their journey. They were to wait until the Holy Spirit came and empowered them to continue the mission he had begun with them.

What God did at Easter, at Pentecost and in the years following all prompted the Gospel writers to tell the good news story. It was obvious to them in all they experienced that Jesus was indeed alive, that the same Spirit that was in him was still guiding and empowering them to carry out Jesus’ mission. That same Spirit, that same good news and that same mission is still ours today!

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Almighty God, we celebrate your good news through Jesus Christ today! Thank you for sending him to our world, for raising him from the dead and for allowing us to be part of the continuing mission you gave him. Help me to stay vigilant in serving your mission to everyone I can. Through Christ, Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 18:9-14.

Although I can make a case for both Matthew and John, Luke is my favorite Gospel. He includes two of the best stories Jesus told (“The Good Samaritan” and “The Prodigal Son”) along with several others. This parable in our passage for today is another good lesson on what it means to be the people of Jesus Christ and live his way.

When we are trying our best to live a good life, sometimes we can become rather satisfied and even pleased with ourselves. The Pharisee in this story took that to another level of focusing on himself and his own goodness. That was bad enough. However, it also caused him to look down on others who he determined were not living like he thought they should. I’m guessing “all tax collectors” were in that category for him. But the tax collector understood his need for forgiveness and approached God in prayer with a sense of humility and repentance. Jesus affirmed his approach as the one which connects with God.

It is “good news” to know that we do not have to trust in ourselves, as to whether we have been good enough or done enough good things, but that we only need to place our trust in the gift of grace that God offers through Jesus Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Gracious God, forgive me when I have thoughts of being better than others. Continue to teach me the humility that Jesus taught us, so that I can relate to any and every person I meet. In his name I pray, Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 15.

These three stories offer the good news of God’s desire to restore those who have lost their way. These three stories describe things that are lost: a sheep, a coin, and a son. The sheep gets lost by being distracted and wandering off. The coins are lost through carelessness, and the son was lost through willful rebellion against his father. Through these illustrations, Jesus conveys the immeasurable love of the Father for his children.

 

Have you gotten distracted in your walk with God? Or maybe you’ve gotten careless in your relationship with God - taking Him for granted. Is rebellion still tugging at your heart? Regardless of where you find yourself, when you are ready to leave your “mess” God is ready to accept you with open arms.

Personal Worship Option:

Take an honest look at your heart - humbly approach your Father and ask for forgiveness. Trust Him to put your life back together in time. Thank Him for his love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy.

Daily Devotion, September 21, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 12:13-21.

In Jesus’ parable, a man receives far more than he needs for himself. The man had worked hard, putting in long hours, and it had paid off. He was set to enjoy the fruit of his labors. He was going to take life easy. Rather than sharing his abundance with people who didn’t have enough, he hoards the bounty and builds bigger storage buildings. The man wanted to take care only for himself, so he was acting very greedy. He thought only of himself and his own desires.

Greed takes over which makes us desire more, bigger and better things such as larger closets and more garages. Greed always wants more and does not have the desire to share what God has given. God called him foolish. The Bible makes clear that God does not begrudge his people the rewards of a life well lived. He does not call the man a fool because he was rich. God called the man a fool because he had stored up things only for himself. Instead of recognizing God’s blessing and working to build God’s kingdom, he had been building his own.

Personal Worship Option:

Today’s parable leaves each of us with some important questions: How am I living my life? Am I being rich toward God? Am I investing in his kingdom?

Lord God, help us to take a good look at our lives, and give us the wisdom to invest in your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 20, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 10:38-42.

Luke 10 begins with the commissioning of the seventy-two as Jesus sends them out two by two to every town and place where he was about to go. There is a thread which runs through the whole chapter of what true discipleship is like on this journey with Jesus. Yesterday, we read the story of the lawyer who asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” And in response, Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan. Jesus’ concluding instructions are, “Go and do likewise.”

Today’s verses immediately follow this story. Now today we are reading about Mary, who is simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him. And Jesus says to Martha, “Mary has chosen what is better.” Some translations say, “what is good” or “what is most important”.

Dr. R. Alan Culpepper writes, “Neither the story of the good Samaritan nor the story of Mary and Martha is complete without the other. The model for the disciple is found in both stories. Jesus says, ‘Go and do’, and he praises Mary for ‘sitting and listening.’ A disciple’s journey with Jesus requires both.”

Through the years the disciple’s journey with Jesus has been described as both the “Inward Journey” and the “Outward Journey”.  The first is spending time at Jesus’ feet and listening to his words---and receiving his grace. The second is following Jesus’ mission to go out into the world serving others---and giving his grace to others.”

I have often heard faithful Christians, missionaries, ministers, and others who serve in various vocations give witness that they cannot serve others if they have not spent time sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his words.

Also, if we think of the church being the Body of Christ, then collectively, we need people spending time in both prayer and scripture study and people spending time going out in mission and service to others.

This time spent at Jesus’ feet and listening helps “center us” and set right the priorities of our lives for that which is most important. In Jesus’ presence there is peace, and the frenetic pace of our lives gets reset. We can then hear clearly the next steps Jesus is calling us to make on our journey.

Personal Worship Option:

How is God leading us to reset our priorities to have the time to truly sit at Jesus’ feet and listen?

Daily Devotion, September 19, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 10:25-37.

Probably the best story ever written! Because we know it so well, we may gloss over it. It challenges us on many levels:

• The inclusiveness of everyone as our neighbor.
• The way religious people can pass by human needs and the most rejected people can respond positively.
• The way we try to appear experts, like the lawyer.

It is a story of not missing human violence and abuse under our noses, a reminder that many suffer because of the cruelty of others. It’s mainly a story to ask us to respond as positively as we can to all human need.

Personal Worship Option:

It has been called the best story and best remembered story ever told! Let it hit you anew in prayer. Ask: What makes me go to the other side? What makes me avoid some type of people in need? Who might they be? I pray that I may identify any blocks in myself which cause me to ignore or belittle others' needs. All people are crying with the cry of Jesus. That is what I want to respond to.

Daily Devotion, September 18, 2023

 

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Devotion:

Read Luke 2:8-11.

Our devotions for this week and the sermon on Sunday will explore how Luke shares the good news of Jesus with us. One of the defining characteristics of Luke’s gospel is that it focuses on Jesus’ ministry among the poor, the powerless, and those on the margins of society. There is a danger as we read today’s passage that our minds may easily shift to Christmas programs in which we have seen cute children as shepherds in bathrobes and holding grandpa’s walking sticks. We may think just how sweet this scene with the shepherds and their sheep must have been.

Let’s not miss the extraordinary nature of this first sharing of the good news for all the world. Shepherds were the homeless of Jesus’ day. They rarely owned the sheep in their care but kept others’ animals for meager pay. Often having to handle dead animals, shepherds were viewed in the Jewish faith as unclean and therefore not welcome in faithful society. They were seen as the dregs of society, and yet it was to them that the greatest good news for the world was first shared. There is a powerful lesson in that for us today if we stop and think about those who are marginalized in our own society.

Personal Worship Option:

Are there people today whom you shun? Is it possible that the good news of Jesus is not being shared with them at all? The best way to share that may be to reach out and just be a neighbor to them. Pray for eyes to see them and a heart to reach out.

Daily Devotion, September 17, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 12:41-44.

Have you ever sat down at the mall or along the sidewalk and just observed people as they pass by? I love the many times that the Gospel writers tell us about Jesus teaching by just paying attention to what was going on around him. This is one of those times. I think Jesus was just sitting with his disciples at the temple, taking note of what was going on around him, when he noticed what this woman did. He could tell that she had very little, yet he saw her give the last two coins she had for God’s mission.

 

There is a lot of good news here. God notices us as individuals. And God notices what may seem little and insignificant in the eyes of the world. God knows the sacrifices you make. Also, the Spirit is always looking for opportunities to teach you and me something more about God’s kingdom, if we will pay attention to what is going on around us. You never know when you will see or hear a sign of God’s continuing involvement in our world. And that’s always good news!

Personal Worship Option:

Join us in worship today as we continue to ask ourselves “What is the gospel (good news) according to me?”

Daily Devotion, September 16, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 3:31-35.

To someone who didn’t know Jesus, what he says here probably sounded rather disrespectful of his mother and family. Earlier in this chapter, we’re told they were concerned about him and had come to deal with those concerns. I have to wonder if what Jesus said here didn’t remind Mary and his brothers of the larger mission that Jesus had been given. Though Mark doesn’t tell us about events surrounding his birth, other writers let us know that Mary had been told even before he was born that he would have a universal mission to reach out to all people.

The good news I see in this statement from Jesus is that anybody (you, me, anybody, anywhere) can be a member of Jesus’ family.  He gives only one necessary criteria: do the will of God. Learn to live the way that Jesus lived and taught and do your best to follow his example. Give up control of your life and let God’s Spirit guide you.

There is an old hymn that says, “What a friend we have in Jesus…” Hey, if you do God’s will, Jesus is more than a friend. He’s family!

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or put it in your own words: Jesus, thank you for assuring us that we could have a close relationship with God. Help us trust you more and more to lead us ever deeper into that relationship. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 15, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 3:1-6.

“Help me!” What would you do if you heard those two words? Most of us would turn to see how, where, and what the person needed and do whatever it took to help. Sometimes people say those words in different ways, especially within the walls of the church. However, the response should be the same. The reason is that Jesus’ “good news” includes an assurance that people (and their needs) are more important than religious rules.

In this passage, the religious leaders had lost their vision of why they were leaders. It wasn’t about keeping the rules or gaining position or power. They were to point people to God. The Pharisees felt threatened by Jesus and were not willing to see him as Messiah.

Personal Worship Option:

How’s your vision? Reflect on the last 24 hours. Did you see people as God does or through the lens of judgment? Share the “good news” with someone today.

Daily Devotion, September 14, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 2:13-17.

As I read the scripture for today, I wonder who Jesus would spend time with if he lived physically among us today. Would he hang out with saints or sinners? Of course, even saints are sinners. Jesus surely would not have neglected either group, but the Bible indicates that he came for people who were spiritually desperate.

Levi was that sort of man. He was a tax collector for the Roman government. Like other tax collectors, he was probably corrupt, growing rich by charging excessive taxes and pocketing the extra change. Religious leaders would have thought he had no chance with God. Yet Levi was just the kind of person Jesus came to save. He came to share God’s love with everyone including people who were spiritually sick and unsavory. He came for each of us, no matter our sin. He has called us to follow him. Jesus wants us to seek and befriend those who are not believers and tell them the Good News of Jesus. Our churches should be places for healing, grace, and mercy.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, thank you for rescuing us with your grace and mercy. May we try to be as loving and compassionate as you are. We pray this in your name. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 13, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 2:1-12.

It’s difficult to place our 21st century perspectives into this 1st century story---How did all the people hear about Jesus, such that the house was so crowded? How far did the four friends carry their friend on the stretcher to bring him to Jesus? What type of roof did they open up to lower their friend to Jesus?

Usually, I would ask you to choose which person you might have been in this story: one of the people in the crowd; one of the four friends watching from the rooftop; one of the scribes or Pharisees; or the paralyzed one on the stretcher….

But for the theme of this week’s devotionals and the original purpose of Mark’s writing from Mark 1:1, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”, today’s devotional spotlight is on Jesus and his offering forgiveness and healing!

Without the chapter numbers, this story is one of several stories all close together of Jesus’ healing of individuals. Jesus’ authority is demonstrated in both his teaching and healing miracles. These are signs of the power of God to change lives for the better.

From the Upper Room book, “A Guide to Prayer for All People”, Richard Allen Ward writes, “The surprising events that occur in Jesus’ presence are not done as tricks to astound people. They result from his caring for people and his obedience to the will of God. Persons in need are confronted by Jesus who loves them, and he is completely obedient to God’s will.”

 

The perspectives from the 1st century to our 21st century are vastly different, but our needs for forgiveness of sins and healing continue. The religious leaders of the 1st century blamed Jesus for blaspheming God! But Mark’s gospel writes clearly that Jesus has the power and the authority of God to forgive sins and to bring healing! That’s GOOD NEWS still today! Oh, to have the faith of the four friends to bring others to Jesus! We too, can give praise to God!

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, we still need your forgiveness and healing power today. Help us respond to the needs of others who also need to experience your forgiveness and healing power. Thank you for Jesus, your Son, and our Savior! Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 12, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 1:35-37.

How important is prayer in the life of the believer? It seems like most believers give lip service to its importance, but the practice is oftentimes lacking. You would think that if anyone did not need to pray it would be Jesus; after all, he was God. But here we find him spending time alone in prayer, in communion with the Heavenly Father. The importance of prayer in Jesus’ life is clear. Nothing got in the way of his prayer time.

Jesus was in Capernaum where he had taught in the synagogue and healed a man. Later, the whole town gathered at his door and Jesus healed many, as well as casting out demons. Early the next morning they were back. But Jesus was gone. Where did he go? Out into a solitary place where he could pray. I do not know how often Jesus did this, but the Scripture does record him doing it at least a few times, and I suspect it was actually a regular habit on his part.

If Jesus, who is God in the flesh, felt the importance of getting away for prayer, how much more do we need to spend time in prayer before the throne of God. Find a time and place where you can pray undisturbed. Come before the Father and find peace and joy in his presence. Share your heart with him and find comfort. Seek direction from the one who knows you best, and who stands ready to walk with you along your life’s journey. Lift up your brothers and sisters in Christ, wrestling in prayer for them. Make prayer a priority in your life.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Lord, help me to be mindful of the time I need to set aside for my relationship with you. Make me aware of the things in my life that keep me from spending time with you. Amen

Daily Devotion, September 11, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 1:14-20.

Hold on tight because this week focuses on how Mark shares the Good News, and Mark moves fast! Mark was a companion of the Apostle Peter, and he likely reflects the personality and thoughts of Peter in this gospel, the first to be written. Mark skips over the birth of Christ and jumps right to his baptism and the beginning of his ministry. In verse 14, Mark tells us that Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. Right away, we have learned the focus of Jesus’ ministry.

Would Jesus work alone? The answer comes quickly in our passage for today, as Jesus begins calling people to come and follow him as disciples. Interestingly, his first invitations are to two sets of fishing brothers, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew and James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Did Jesus call them to become scholars or theologians, committee chairs or popular figures? No, he called them to seek after the lost…to “fish” for people. He called them to be who they already were but to focus on using their gifts to reach others. That is Christ’s invitation for all of us who are called to follow him.

Personal Worship Option:

As you reflect on your service to Christ, how do you use skills, knowledge, and experience you gained in your secular work to reach others for Christ? Think of these things as gifts that can be put to work in creative ways to help others know the Good News.

Daily Devotion, September 10, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 28:1-10.

It is the ultimate “good news” message of all the Gospel books: Jesus is alive! When God raised Jesus from the dead, God affirmed all that Jesus had done and taught. Just like the divine voice had affirmed at Jesus’ baptism, the resurrection was God loudly saying, “This is my Son!” Follow him. Listen to him. Learn to live his way.

Throughout this book, we hear of various people wondering if Jesus was who he said he was. Even John the Baptist, who recognized him early and baptized him, had to later ask if he was the One. Many of the religious leaders were convinced he was not, that he was leading the people astray and had to be silenced. To them, what he was teaching was not “good news.”

But when his disciples got to experience him as their resurrected Lord, they gave the rest of their life to sharing his good news. Still today, his followers are invited to share and live his good news, helping others experience his love and sacrifice by what they say and what they do.

Personal Worship Option:

Join us in worship today as we start exploring the question “What is the gospel (good news) according to you?”