Daily Devotion for May 31, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read John 16:33.

What a great word of encouragement for Jesus’ followers! “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Through Jesus, God let us know that there is nothing that can happen to us in this world that God cannot overcome.

Jesus was finishing up his time with the disciples and in chapter 16 Jesus was summing up all that he had taught them. He wanted their faith to grow even though it would be tested. And in his last few words Jesus told his disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Jesus did not promise his followers an absence of trials. He promised that because he had overcome the world, he would grant his followers peace in the midst of their difficulties. Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you experiencing the peace of Christ in the midst of your difficulties? Take time to express your gratitude to God. Acknowledge God’s presence in your life. Embrace God’s peace.

Daily Devotion for May 30, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 28:1-7.

In the story of Jesus’ resurrection, we can see not only that both the angel at the tomb and Jesus on the road said to the women, “Do not be afraid”; they also said, “Go and tell.” Jesus’ death and resurrection took his followers into a shocking state. Christ’s sacrifice and his victory over death gave followers not only freedom from fear but also freedom to tell others—so that they can share the good news about Jesus among themselves and then spread it to the ends of the earth.

All who hear this good news and trust that Jesus is Lord and Savior can enjoy eternal life in God’s presence forever. Christ brings us into a full and complete relationship with God. Jesus frees us for a new life both in heaven and on earth to live fully with purpose and the power to love others. What an amazing gift and grace! Today may God release your fears, freeing you to share fully in his love and to share with others around you the good-news story of Jesus’ salvation for all who hear and believe.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, Thank you for the gift of your love and your sending Jesus to take away our sin. Help us to be brave so that we can boldly share your love and story. Amen.

Daily Devotion for May 29, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Psalm 148.

This week we are focusing on the vastness of God and God’s purposes for all of creation. Psalm 148 is a psalm of praise which celebrates the awesomeness of God, through the lens of all that God has created; calling all of creation to praise God!

Psalms 146-150 are a series of songs of praise all opening and closing with “Hallelujah” or as translated into the English language, “Praise the Lord”. In Psalm 148, you might want to count the number of times the word “Hallelujah” and/or “praise” is written.

Then observe the vastness of all of creation being called to “Praise the Lord.” From the highest heavens to the oceans’ depths; and everything and everyone in-between, we are all called to praise God!

This brief psalm holds timeless truths, deep wisdom and the call to be people who praise God. First, in praising God, we remember that we are the ones who have been created and we are not the Creator! God created, understands and has compassion for our own limitations. Praising God resets our spirit, mind and body and opens our hearts to the ways God is leading us to love and serve others.

Praising God is different than giving thanks to God. Both are important parts of our relationship with God. “Praising” is recognizing the characteristics of God and “Thanksgiving” is expressing gratitude for what God has done and is doing.

Both “praises” and “thanksgivings” can be more than words. We can offer these through actions, too! Helping and serving others, and/or being who God has called you to be are also ways of giving praise and thanksgiving unto God! The “Sun, Moon and Morning Stars” praise God by being who they are!

Listening to the birds in our yard, there is a morning bird whose work is to awaken all the other birds and there is an evening bird whose work is to say the “sun has set, it’s time to sleep.” Their work is their praise of their Creator!

Personal Worship Option:

Read Psalm 148 again (and maybe, if possible, to read it aloud). Let it be a prayer of praise from your heart to God’s heart today. And throughout today, be an observer of the vastness of all of God’s creation. Amen. 

Daily Devotion for May 28, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Kings 8:22-27.

King Solomon had no illusions that he was providing God Almighty a place to live on planet earth. He clearly understood, and made it clear to the rest of Israel, that the temple was not God’s home because God does not need a home. But the temple, and the people of Israel who would come there to seek God, did need His presence. It is important that we meet this fact head-on. God does not need us, but we need Him every day. If we will seek Him, He will direct our lives. We need God to direct us and carry us along because ordeals and tragedies try and send us the opposite way of His will.

We see an illustration of this in the icebergs that dot the frigid waters around Greenland. Smaller icebergs are moved whichever way the surface winds are gusting, but the gigantic icebergs are moved steadily along by the deeper ocean currents. When we face trials and tribulations, we need to remember that these 2 forces are attempting to direct our lives. When our faith is small, the surface winds, which are changeable, unpredictable, and distressing, drive our lives. But when our faith is increased by seeking the Lord daily and being washed in His word, then the far more powerful current of God overcomes the gusts and gales. When we are yielded to Him, His certain hand will direct our lives in the deep flow of His constant love.

Personal Worship Option:

“LORD, we look for Your hand in every place we go today.”

Daily Devotion for May 27, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 5:21-24.

This passage comes early in the “Sermon on the Mount,” a collection of some of Jesus’ greatest teachings. Jesus’ audience of that time would have been very familiar with the Ten Commandments. Here he takes one of those and does something radical. Jesus says that just not killing someone is not enough…we are not even to think badly of others or call them names. And if we are beginning to worship God and we recall that someone has something against us, we are to leave our worship and go and be reconciled with that person. This is the first of several similar teachings in which Jesus says that following the Hebrew Scriptures (the law) is not enough. We are to go beyond those requirements as we live our lives with one another.

Are you as guilty as I am of trying to draw a box around God? God is too awesome and vast for us to ever fully define God and perhaps too vast for us to even partially define. The commandments are helpful in giving us the bare minimum of what God expects and desires for us, but we are not to stop there. We are to truly love one another, seeking to live into this vast image of God in which we were created.

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, you are infinite and eternal, while we are mortal creatures. Help us to love and worship and serve you even in the human limitations of our knowledge of you. Thank you for revealing your nature in Jesus Christ and in those who live out your teachings. Amen.

Daily Devotion for May 26, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 22:14-20.

Today in our worship services, we will be invited to come to Jesus’ table and receive his meal of grace. Our Scripture focus will be Luke’s description of that moment when Jesus blessed and distributed the bread and wine to his disciples, inviting them to remember him as they received these elements. However, my primary focus will be on who was at the table with him.

Earlier this week, we looked at the listing of the disciples, particularly noting that Matthew the tax collector and Simon the zealot were among Jesus’ disciples. So, they were at the table with Jesus that night. I wonder about how long it took Simon to get over his struggle with being at the same table with Matthew. To be a zealot would have meant that he absolutely hated tax collectors, who worked for the Roman government. They were seen as traitors and a true zealot would look for any opportunity to kill one of them. I wonder when Jesus first convinced him to stop thinking “I cannot stand to be in the same room with that man!” I’m sure there were other differing issues among the disciples as well and Jesus invited them all to follow him and to eat at his table.

What might it look like today for the Church to still represent our Lord in this way?

Personal Worship Option:

One of my favorite prayer hymns was written by Fred Kaan in 1974. I invite you to find all four verses (“Help Us Accept Each Other”) but will just share the last two here:

Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved in living situations to do the truth in love; to practice your acceptance, until we know by heart the table of forgiveness and laughter’ healing art.

Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need, who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread, we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on; renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!

Daily Devotion for May 25, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read John 20:19-26.

The room in which the disciples were hiding out on Easter evening was probably the same room where they had shared a last meal with Jesus before he was crucified. I can only imagine the thoughts and images running through their minds on that day. They could still see Jesus breaking the bread and sending both it and the cup around the table, saying this was his body and blood. They could also still see his actual body being ripped apart and his blood streaming down the cross. Then, according to this Gospel, that morning, Peter and another disciple (probably John) had gone out to the tomb to see for themselves that it was empty. Then Mary Magdalene had come running in to tell them she had seen and talked with Jesus.  

So, when Jesus appeared to them, they were most likely in that room, maybe even at that same table where this all started. I am reminded in this scene that Jesus continues to invite us to return to his table. He regularly invites us to receive his meal of grace as often as possible. But he doesn’t just invite us; he invites everyone. All are invited to the table of our Lord. And he has given us the mission of sharing that good news with as many people as we can.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Lord Jesus, I thank you for the invitation to dine at your table and receive your meal of grace. Knowing it is your desire, help me share your invitation with anyone and everyone I can. In your name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for May 24, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 7:36-50.

The Pharisee who had invited Jesus to his table didn’t think the woman should be welcomed. But Jesus welcomed her. Simon had been civil to Jesus, but his love was measured and analytical. In contrast the woman adored Jesus and demonstrated that love extravagantly. What was the difference in Simon’s response to Jesus and the woman’s response to Jesus? What did this woman know that Simon didn’t? A couple of things: her immense need for God and his infinite love for her. When given the opportunity to return the love she had experienced she barged in uninvited and poured out her heart unashamedly.

This anonymous woman shows that only those who know they are greatly loved have the capacity to love greatly. But be warned: sometimes such love makes a giant scene.

Personal Worship Option:

Consider the depth of God’s love for you. What can you do to demonstrate your faith and love for God?

Daily Devotion for May 23, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 10:2-4.

Wow, now that is a diverse team! Imagine impulsive Peter and analytical Thomas working side- by-side. Some of these twelve apostles had blue collar backgrounds, and some white collar. Perhaps the most striking difference comes between Matthew and Simon the Zealot. As a tax collector, Matthew earned a good living wrenching as much money in taxes as he could from his fellow Jews and sending the rest to the Romans for whom he worked. As a member of the Zealot party, Simon would have sworn to kill any occupying Roman soldier if the opportunity arose. While not all Zealots were violent, they are often labeled as the world’s first terrorists.

We can only imagine the conversations around the campfire at night, as these differences bubbled to the surface. Simon would likely have despised Matthew even more than he despised the Romans who ruled his country. He would have seen Matthew as a collaborator with the enemy and as someone who put profit over love of nation. I wonder whether Jesus teamed these two up together when he sent the apostles out by twos! Somehow, as they listened to Jesus’ teachings and began to model their lives after him, these two let their animosity toward one another melt away. Their love of Christ united them, and we can learn from them!

Personal Worship Option:

Pray today for someone whose views are very different from yours, someone whom you may have trouble even liking. Pray for their well-being, not for their change of view. Be open to God’s leading you to reach out to them.

Daily Devotion for May 22, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read John 4:4-9, 27.

This week’s devotionals are focusing on Jesus crossing lines that separated people in order to welcome them into his kingdom. These verses remind us of the lines Jesus crossed to let it be known that everyone was welcomed into his kingdom.

The first line which he crossed was simply geographical. The Pharisees were disgruntled and in verse 3, we are told that Jesus leaves Judaea and starts back to Galilee. The shortest route between Judaea and Galilee is to go through Samaria. But most Jewish people of Jesus’ day would have gone west along the Mediterranean Sea or east out of Jerusalem and to catch the Jordan River and head north to the Sea of Galilee to avoid the area of Samaria.

Dr. Gail R. O’Day in The New Interpreter’s Bible writes that “the breach between the Jews and Samaritans can be traced to the Assyrian occupation of Northern Palestine from 721 B.C." So, this enmity between these two groups of people had been going on for centuries! Therefore, when a Jewish person was passing through the area, he definitely wouldn’t have spoken to a Samaritan.

So, the second line which Jesus crossed was to speak to this Samaritan. And the third line which Jesus crossed is that he was speaking to a Samaritan woman. He might have spoken to a Samaritan man, but not a Samaritan woman!

Both the Samaritan woman (in verse 9) and the disciples (in verse 27) were surprised about this! Most Biblical scholars believe that this was Jesus’ own initiative to open the eyes of the disciples to see that He had been sent not only for his own people but for all the people of the world! His message of God’s grace and forgiveness was not just for a few, but for “Jerusalem, and in all of Judaea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” as we read in Acts 1:8. Jesus was setting the example that all are welcomed into God’s kingdom.

Personal Worship Option:

Following in Jesus’ example, what traditions, customs, or dividing lines between people might we have to cross to welcome others into God’s kingdom?

Daily Devotion for May 21, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Mark 9:38-41.

Arguments over who was the greatest, in which the disciples engaged on their way to Jerusalem (Mark 9:33–34), demonstrate that the disciples were focused on exclusivity in an unhealthy way during Jesus' earthly ministry. Each of them wanted to be in the select category called "greatest," which by definition excludes everyone except its one member. Each disciple wanted, in essence, to put a wall around himself with a sign that said, "Herein Stands the Greatest; No One Else Allowed."

This exclusionary attitude on the individual level operated also on a larger group level, as indicated in today's passage. Mark 9:38 records the Apostle John's complaint that some people outside the band of disciples who constantly followed Jesus were performing exorcisms in Jesus' name. Immediately, John's protest showed that something was wrong with his understanding. The complaint was that the man "was not following us," not that he "was not following You, Jesus." John had a misplaced sense of priorities; his concern was that the man doing the exorcisms was not part of their little group, and he seemed to have cared little about the man's actual relationship to Jesus.

In responding to John, Jesus said it was wrong for the disciples to try to stop the man, for his works showed that he was on the side of Jesus even if he was not one of the Twelve (vv. 39–40). Essentially, Jesus called John and the others to evaluate the man's relationship to Christ not on the basis of the group to which he belonged but on the basis of the fruit of his ministry. The man was bearing good fruit, so he should not have been treated as being outside the kingdom.

This account demonstrates the error we make when we draw our boundaries in such a limited way that we exclude from God's kingdom anyone who is not part of the particular group to which we belong. Christ's kingdom is larger than one church or one denomination. Of course, this does not mean absolutely everyone who professes to follow Jesus is in fact one of His sheep. There are boundaries to be drawn; for example, Scripture tells us that those who do such things as deny the deity of Christ (John 8:24), add our works to our justification (Gal. 1:6–9; 5:4), or advocate living in ways contrary to God's commandments (2 Peter 2) are not true Christians. But we must be careful to draw boundaries only on essential matters and be willing to work with those who truly belong to Christ even if they are not part of our particular group or congregation.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Heavenly Father, today I pray that I take my eyes off of myself and see and accept others the way that you do.

Daily Devotion for May 20, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 5:27-32.

Here we see Jesus calling a sinner to come and follow him. And as so often happens when we associate with sinners, Jesus found himself in the company of this tax collector’s friends, all of whom would have been considered sinners. When challenged about his socializing with sinners, Jesus responded that he had come to call, not the righteous people, but sinners. He was in exactly the right crowd that he needed to be in to do his work.

I worry a bit that we Christians are too selective about the company we keep. It is right that we have friends who believe as we do, who follow Christ, and with whom we can serve. But if all our friends are Christians, we need some new friends! Ministries inside the church are invaluable, but like Christ who calls us, we also need to be out in the world, surrounded by those who do not yet know Christ. Will we be drawn into their sinful actions? Not if our faith is mature; we are no longer children. Will our reputations suffer? Perhaps, but we may be too concerned about our images. Go, as Christ sends you!

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me: ”Almighty God, thank you for my church and my Christian friends who are so precious to me. Help me to go to places and be with people who do not know you. Give me the grace to be to them a friend whose witness they will see and hear and turn to you. Amen”

Daily Devotion for May 19, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 2:1-8.

As Jesus was about to ascend back to heaven, he told his followers to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came to empower them for their mission. They were doing just that when the Day of Pentecost arrived. It was one of the annual Jewish festivals, which naturally brought people from many places to the city to celebrate.

Then it happened. It was one of the scenes and experiences that is hard to describe. The writer uses images commonly used in the Old Testament Scriptures to describe the presence of God, specifically wind and fire. Each of them were speaking in other languages and the people outside were amazed that they could hear their language being spoken. They were hearing God’s message in a way they could understand.

That continues to be the mission and challenge of the people of Christ: to share his good news in ways that people can understand. Too often, we just use our own “language” - words and ways of sharing his message with which we are familiar. But to be a good missionary in any setting (including our own family or neighborhood), we will best communicate with someone when we take the time to get to know them so that we can speak their language.

Personal Worship Option:

Whose “language” do you need to learn so that you can help them hear the good news of Jesus Christ?

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 10:27-47.

Tomorrow in our worship services, we will focus on the story of Pentecost in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit came and filled the apostles of Jesus in a miraculous way that propelled them out into the world to share God’s message. But that certainly was not the only time the Spirit did miraculous work in that book. There are many instances shared of the Holy Spirit continuing to teach and heal and guide, just like Jesus had done. I have heard it said that the book should have been titled “The Gospel of the Holy Spirit.”

This scene in Acts 10 is one of those instances. The Spirit is continuing to teach Peter lessons about “living the way of Jesus Christ and inviting all to follow him.” He had been taught all of his life to stay away from Gentiles, yet here the Spirit was leading him to the home of a Gentile and showing him that God was working in and through this man, as well as his family and friends. And Peter was not the only one whose understanding was challenged that day: (v. 45) “The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.”

The miracle of the Day of Pentecost continued to happen. More and more people were hearing and understanding the good news that God was offering through Jesus Christ. Another way to state the mission of the church is that we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us so that everyone can experience the presence of God and hear God’s invitation of relationship.

Personal Worship Option:

(Offer this prayer or one in your own words) Holy Spirit, help me be open to the lessons of life you still want to teach me, so that I can help more people experience your presence and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for May 17, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 26:22-29.

In his defense before King Agrippa, Paul seeks to convince everyone listening to be followers of Jesus Christ. That is to be the goal of all of his followers - to help others hear his message and serve his mission. Paul took every opportunity to share the transforming power of Christ with anyone who would listen. Of course, he was risking his life for a message that was offensive to the Jews and unbelievable to the Gentiles. Jesus also had the same response. Paul was more concerned for the salvation of strangers than for the removal of his own chains. Paul wasn’t deterred by the brush off of King Agrippa. Paul’s response is a good example for us as we tell others about God’s plan of salvation. A sincere personal appeal or personal story can show the depth of our concern and God can use that to soften hard hearts. Our job is to share the message. The response is totally in God’s hands.

Personal Worship Option:

Look for ways to share your journey with Christ with someone today.

Daily Devotion for May 16, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 8:1-8.

Jesus was the master storyteller, and he often taught in parables. Jesus used parables to explain the truth in a way that is hard to forget, once we understand. His parables bring pictures to our minds to help us understand the kingdom and realize how it relates in our own lives.

A good farmer is mindful to spread seed on good soil, or it will never take root and grow into a crop. Some of it can be trampled on or eaten by birds; some can fall on rocky soil or among thorns and then get choked out. Only the seed sown on good soil will produce a big crop.

The same is true of the Word of God. God spreads his Word generously, even in unlikely places. Just as some seed never brings a crop, so also God’s Word sometimes bears no fruit. Sometimes it is possible to attend worship services but not really hear what God is saying to us. Our minds might be elsewhere perhaps because we think we’ve heard it all before or because we have the next event on our minds. We must be intentional to quiet our minds and have our ears open for God’s word and direction.

Personal Worship Option:

Holy Spirit, please remove obstacles that can so easily keep us from hearing what you are saying to us. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotion for May 15, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Kings 19:9-13.

Many favorite scriptures have been with me since childhood, but somehow I had missed this wonderful scripture until my mid-forties! And I continue to gain new insights each time I read and study it!

The initial insight is that the prophet Elijah learns that sometimes, rather than in the big fanfare and dramatic experiences of life, God speaks in a “gentle whisper.”

And understandably within this we recall the Psalmist’s wisdom, from Psalm 46, that to hear God’s gentle whisper, we must “be still and know that God is God.” But if we make this conditional, we can miss another important insight.

In the previous chapter, the Prophet Elijah has faced off and won against the 450 prophets of the god of Baal to determine that the God of Israel is the one true God. But now in this chapter, Elijah has lost all confidence and is afraid for his life because he has heard that Queen Jezebel is intent on killing him. Elijah is hiding in fear in a cave, and he feels completely alone.

But Elijah’s perception that he is completely alone is mistaken. Elijah later learns (in I Kings 19:18) that God has kept seven thousand free from bowing down to Baal in Israel. And Romans 11:1-6 highlights this story reminding us all that God’s love and grace is greater and beyond our expectations.

Too often, we place our own limitations on God’s dynamic presence in our lives and in our world. There is a future for Elijah beyond the cave. Yes, God’s grace beyond measure can often surprise us!

Personal Worship Option:

God’s gentle whispering voice met Elijah in the depths of his fears. God can meet you where you are and speak grace into your life, too! “Lord, open my ears so that I may hear your gentle voice in both the stillness and the busyness of my life today. Amen.”

Daily Devotion for May 14, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10.

Samuel was confused. He heard a voice and thought it was his mentor, Eli, calling for him. He kept going to Eli’s room until Eli realized that the voice was God trying to get Samuel’s attention.

Listening for God is an important life skill, and God is not silent. We live in a noisy culture that often speaks in ways that are contrary to God’s voice. It can be difficult to hear God if we are more in tune with the voice of this world.

As we listen for God, we will be more in tune with his leading in our lives. Eli mentored Samuel by teaching him how to respond to God’s voice: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”—in other words, “I am ready to hear what you have to say, and I am ready to obey!”

God speaks to us in many ways. He speaks through creation, giving testimony to his faithfulness and creativity. He speaks through his Word, where we come to understand his salvation and purpose for us. He speaks through wise mentors in our lives. He speaks through life situations, opening and closing doors. God speaks by his Holy Spirit, equipping us with gifts and passions to use for service in his kingdom.

How are you experiencing God’s leading in your life? Are you listening attentively for God’s voice?

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, make us a people who are in tune with your voice. Let us seek your leading throughout our life. Equip us to follow your direction, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for May 13, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 8:26-38.

As we read this passage, we should be struck by the obedience of Philip, who was so very attentive and obedient to God’s spirit. He must have wondered what he was supposed to be doing on the road to Gaza, but he went without questioning. When the Spirit told him to go close to the eunuch’s chariot and stay near it, Philip must have known this was the subject of his call.

Understandably, the eunuch was having difficulty understanding the passage quoted here from Isaiah 53. At times, the prophet Isaiah speaks of himself; at other times, he refers to Israel as a person, and at times like this…he refers to the coming Messiah or Christ. Teachers love it when a person, who does not understand something, asks for help and listens intently to the teacher’s instruction. The crowning moment comes when a twinkle of light comes into the student’s eyes, as understanding begins to happen. Not all of us are meant to be teachers as our calling or vocation, but for every single one of us, there is always someone with whom we can share and explain the good news of Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, direct me today to someone who needs to hear about and know the good news of Christ. Help me to share honestly and openly about what Christ means to me. I trust you to use my words to help that person know you. In Christ’s name, Amen.