Daily Devotion, February 14, 2020

Devotion:

Read Psalm 146.

This Psalm begins and ends with “Praise the LORD!” Why is praise important? It takes our mind off our problems and inadequacies and focuses them on God. It can also lead us to meditation on God and His Word. Praise also helps us to consider and appreciate God’s character which impacts our perspective on life. Praise is an integral part of our relationship with God.  

This Psalm emphasizes that help from people is fleeting and unstable, but help from God is lasting and complete. Look at all the ways the psalmist describes God. He is creator, promise keeper, gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry, frees the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up the down, loves the godly, protects the foreigners, cares for orphans and widows, and frustrates the plans of the wicked. God counts on us to be his hands and feet to show others what kind of God he is.

Personal Worship Option:

The Psalmist says it best: “I will praise the Lord all my life" … How will you praise Him today?

Daily Devotion, February 13, 2020

Devotion:

Read 1 Samuel 25:1.

Samuel, the great prophet and judge of Israel, died. This great man, who was dedicated to the Lord, served Him from his youngest days. His mother begged for a child and then she gave her son to God. Being Godly and living a dedicated life did not save him from an earthly death. Remember Samuel was a descendant of Adam. God’s work in Israel did not end when Samuel died as God’s work is never dependent on one person. The faithful keep the journey of faith going. David rose up to continue. The Israelites gathered together and lamented for him. He was appreciated after his death probably more than when he was alive. Samuel laid the foundation for the organization of the Levites who are responsible for the service of the sanctuaries. David completed this process. It mentions in 2 Chronicles that Samuel was faithful to remember the Passover and God’s great deliverance. We must pass on our faithful witness to those coming behind us.

Personal Worship Option:

Think about how you might leave an impact on someone’s faith journey. Are we sharing our story to inspire others?

Daily Devotion, February 12, 2020

Devotion:

Read Joshua 24:22-31.

The title given for Joshua 24 in The Message Translation is “The Covenant at Shechem”. The tribes of Israel have been in the Promised Land for a while. The people have begun adapting to their surroundings and conforming to the ways of the people around them. Joshua reminds the people of Israel of all that God has done for them. Joshua is calling the people to a decision in verses 14-15, “Choose this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

Joshua lives out this covenant relationship with God throughout his lifetime right up until the day he died (verse 31). He lived in service unto the Lord all the days of his life.

I heard a preacher say, “To choose to serve God is a choice we make every day!” To choose to serve God every day is also remembering all God has done for us along life’s journey.

The beautiful part of this lifetime journey of faith is that growth is possible at every age. As we acknowledge God’s love and faithfulness unto us, we in turn grow in our love and faithfulness unto God. And as our love for God grows, God’s love leads us to love others more than we love ourselves. This creates the covenantal community of people called to help others along their life’s journey.

I give God thanks for individuals I have known who have served the Lord throughout their lifetime. There is one who comes to mind. In his late retirement years, he walked with purpose, with his head in front of his feet, with blueprints for a Habitat House under his arm, and a pencil behind his ear. It was 30 degrees outside. He was on a mission to build his fiftieth house for a new family! His testimony was profound. He was grateful for the love he had received growing up in an Orphan’s home and wanted to give God thanksgiving for taking care of him by building homes for others.

Personal Worship Option:

Let us hear Joshua’s call again. “Choose today whom you will serve.” Help me O Lord, to always be growing in faith and service all the days of my life. Amen. 

Daily Devotion, February 11, 2020

Devotion:

Read Luke 2:36-38.

After her husband had died, Anna had dedicated herself to fasting and praying in the temple. In fact, the Bible says that she never left the temple ­but worshipped day and night. We read that she had been a widow for 84 years and was very old. In her old age she remained faithful to God. This faithful widow had a regular ministry at the temple. Her teaching would have been heard by those who frequented the temple.

At the temple the day Simeon blessed the baby Jesus, Anna was full of thanksgiving and became the first witness to tell others about the child. When Anna saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke of him to all who were waiting for redemption. She knew that the one who would save his people had arrived. Anna reminds us that no matter our age we are a witness to the work and wonder of God.

Personal Worship Option:

Anna was full of thanksgiving and couldn’t wait to tell others about the birth of Jesus. What are you thankful for today? Think of a way to share your gratitude with others.

Daily Devotion, February 10, 2020

Devotion:

Read Genesis 48:10-16.

It is a telling and powerful statement to hear Israel, as he blessed his son Joseph and his grandsons, declare that “God has been my shepherd all my life to this day!” Just so we do not forget, Israel was originally named Jacob, which means “grabber.” Born second to his twin brother Esau, Jacob’s little hand firmly grasped the heel of Esau, as Jacob, even in birth, attempted to gain the birthright as the firstborn son. Jacob did not give up, and a few years later, he convinced the hungry Esau to trade him the birthright for a bowl of stew. And as their father Isaac was nearing death, Jacob and his mother used deception to secure Isaac’s blessing that should have been given to Esau. Jacob had received his new name Israel, meaning “he who struggles with God,” and humbly walked with God from that time. Now, nearing his own death, Jacob (Israel) can look back over his life and see that God had been with him, shepherding him, even when he was not obedient to the shepherd’s will.

May we, after our own struggles and pushing back at times on God’s will, remember that God is our shepherd all of our lives to the last day. God provides, protects, loves, and cares for us. God is faithful!

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today for God’s love and faithfulness. It is through God’s grace that God loves us and shepherds us even when we are not obedient. Ask God to help you see God’s presence in your life all along the way.

Daily Devotion, February 9, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 7:1-5.

  It is so easy to look at some bad thing someone else has done and say “I would never do that!” When we see how other people deal with family relationships or act in certain situations, it is so tempting to think “I could never be like that!” However, as some like to say “Never say ‘Never’!” If you had been raised the way they were, if you had lived through the things they have dealt with, if you were put in the same circumstances they were in, maybe you would do that or be like that. This is not to say that we should condone wrong behavior or bad attitudes. It is to say that we should not judge others. That role belongs only to God.

 

  Earlier in the “Sermon On The Mount” Jesus teaches a model prayer for his disciples to pray. Both in the prayer and in follow-up teaching right after it, he says that we will receive forgiveness from God in the same proportion that we are willing to grant it to people who sin against us. Just nineteen verses later, he gives the same teaching, this time related to judging others: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

  There are times when the Holy Spirit may guide you to confront someone else about some sin in their life. Just make sure you are doing it on behalf of God and that you do it with a Spirit of humility and love. Following on the example Jesus uses here, make sure you have visited your heavenly eye doctor before taking on the role of eye doctor yourself. Then when you go to that person, you go not as a judge, but as a healer.

Personal Worship Option:

Way back in 1895, Clara Scott penned the words to one of my favorite hymns. They are most fitting here. (I will adjust her pronouns to what I believe she would use if she were writing today.)

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth you have for me;

place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere;

open my heart and let me prepare love with your children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for you, ready, my God your will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Daily Devotion, February 8, 2020

Devotion:

Read Luke 18:9-14.

  We all have a tendency to judge other people. I sometimes wonder what our motivation is for that. I am guessing (and maybe confessing) that it often has something to do with helping us feel better about ourselves. We know of our own issues and sins, but somehow find some satisfaction in comparing ourselves to some other person or family or group and saying “At least I’m not like them.”

  The introduction to this parable gives us the reason for Jesus telling it: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else….” Jesus has a “target audience” for this story!

  The Pharisees were deeply committed to God and the Scriptures. They had devoted themselves to living their lives by what the Scriptures taught. That’s a good thing! However, for some of them, they had succumbed to the temptation to feel good about how good they were. They were “confident in their own righteousness…” Their confidence was probably fed not only by how good they were at what they did (and didn’t do), but also when they noticed how other people lived their lives. So they “looked down on everybody else.” Jesus makes it clear that though they are seeking to serve God, that attitude and spirit separates them from God.

  When I read this parable, it is very tempting to do exactly what Jesus says not to do - I find myself judging the Pharisee! Let’s learn from both men in the story, but not judge them. In your relationships with both God and other people, stay humble.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer a prayer of confession related to the lessons of this parable and seek a spirit of humility.