Daily Devotion, March 14, 2020

Devotion:

Read Luke 7:36-48.

  It is one of those real-life dilemmas for Christians. The people of God also struggled with it in Bible times. We are supposed to be separating ourselves from sin. So should we also separate ourselves from sinful people?  

  Some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day had determined that they needed to live their lives separated from people who had a bad reputation. In order to set a good example for everyone, they believed they should not in any way be connected to such people. So the leader in this story is perplexed that Jesus would allow this woman with a bad reputation to be in his presence, not to mention allowing her to touch him.  

  But Jesus did not share this man’s belief. He was not concerned about his reputation, but about helping this woman know that her sins were forgiven and her faith in him had saved her.  

  None of us can totally separate ourselves from sin, because we all are sinners. Jesus frees us and leads us to be willing to connect with anyone. The key is keeping close to him while we are doing so, in order to be able to have an influence on that person, such that they come to know of Christ’s love and forgiveness for themselves. There may be times when your reputation suffers, but if it suffers for the cause of Christ, then be assured you are following his example and doing his will.

Personal Worship Option:

Who is that person who you are afraid to connect with because of what it might do to your reputation, yet you sense God is leading you to make that connection? Write down their name and pray for them and for guidance on how to connect with them.

Daily Devotion, March 13, 2020

Devotion:

Read Isaiah 49:5-6.

The prophet Isaiah shares God’s desire for his people to be “a light to the nations.” Everything we do for God and His Kingdom has far-reaching consequences. The prophet’s work was not just for reconciling Israel back to God but it would point the way for salvation for everyone. The end of verse 6 echoes the words of Jesus to the disciples in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” We are also to be a light to those around us. What we do and say does make a difference. Nothing is too small or too great to be used by God in making an eternal impact.

Personal Worship Option:

What does God have for you to do today? Look for ways to show love, kindness, compassion, and joy and then trust God with the consequences.

Daily Devotion, March 12, 2020

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 2:13-20.

Jesus made it possible for us to have peace with God, because He is the peace who reconciled us and broke the barriers. Those who could never come to God can now be in right relationship with Him. Jesus Christ did for us and for the Father by being the once and for all sacrifice to pay our debt of sin, satisfying the law. Thus, when we are in Christ, we are no longer separated in our relationship with God. In Christ, we have the power to build healthy relationships with God and others. So, we are a new person because of the cross which bridges the gap for access to God. We are even called His citizens and children--people of God, for God--built from the foundation of what Christ has done. This is the Truth and was told by the apostles and the prophets who came before them. We are His new holy temples. Christ is our Cornerstone, so we are also His dwelling for the Holy Spirit.

Because of His Love that we receive, we should pay it forward. We have the responsibility to act on Christ’s example; we need to help break down barriers and go where Jesus directs us to go. It might be unlikely places and circumstances that we are called to, just as Jesus did in His life.

Personal Worship Option:

How can we bridge gaps and help break down barriers in our lives and culture. Do we try to understand others and their lives? Let’s learn from how Jesus associated with the unlikely.

Daily Devotion, March 11, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 9:9-13.

Having a “holier than thou” attitude and having been frightened to my core as a child watching “The Wizard of Oz”, the Christmas gift ticket to see a musical titled “Wicked” was not at first, well received. “Wicked” tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (the Good Witch). 

The Pharisees with their “holier than thou” attitude were not pleased at all that Jesus welcomed and ate with tax collectors and sinners. They were blind to Jesus’ compassion and his power to forgive sins. Their focus was on keeping the rules and maintaining their own righteousness and purity. 

 

Jesus meets and calls Matthew, a most unlikely future disciple to “follow him” and to be a part of his inner circle. Matthew was a tax collector who was considered a social outcast of biblical times. 

 

There is so much grace throughout Matthew 9! First, Jesus has the power and compassion to heal and forgive sins! Yes, even our sins! Second, Jesus calls a most unlikely person to be one of his disciples! Yes, Jesus has called us to be disciples as well! Third, we are also called to go forth into the world with eyes and hearts of compassion to invite others into life with Christ.

Perhaps we feel as if we are today’s social outcasts. Jesus doesn’t see us that way. Jesus' invitation is for all of us! Perhaps Jesus is calling us to serve an unlikely people group who feel they are today’s social outcasts. 

 

Perhaps there are lessons we can learn from the lyrics of “For Good” the last song in the musical, “Wicked”.  “I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return…..because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

Personal Worship Option:

How has your life with Christ changed you? Who has been an unlikely friend along the way in your journey with Christ, who has changed you “for good”? Thank God throughout the day for this person and ask God to open your eyes to have compassion for all people.

Daily Devotion, March 10, 2020

Devotion:

Read Genesis 12:1-3.

God made a covenant with Abram telling him that he would found a great nation. Not only would this nation be blessed, but the other nations of the earth would be blessed also through Abram’s descendants. God gave him one condition: Abram needed to obey God. He obeyed God, left his home, and even through great testing, he remained faithful to God. God's original design in creation was for us to experience fulfillment and peace, but that design was ruined when sin entered the world. Through Abram’s family tree, Jesus Christ was born to save humanity. It is through Christ that we can have a personal relationship with God and receive all the blessings he has in store for us. Since God is the giver of all good gifts, we are the recipients of countless acts of favor and goodness, but the ultimate blessing that God has given is the new life and forgiveness that comes through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. Like Abram, let’s commit to a life of faithfulness and obedience.

Personal Worship Option:

Take time today to count your blessings and give God the thanks for all of his goodness. Meditate on the words to the hymn “Count Your Blessings,” written by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Daily Devotion, March 9, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 8:5-13.

We should never become so accustomed to Bible passages that we fail to be shocked or at least surprised by their meaning in the original setting or context. Roman centurions are usually seen in a positive light in the New Testament, but the Jewish people would have resented or even hated them. Centurions commanded one hundred soldiers and were the backbone of the Roman army, which occupied and controlled Palestine in the time of Christ. And to make matters worse for Jews, Romans were considered to be unclean Gentiles.

Clearly, Jesus saw some notable things in this centurion, who seemed to have pity and compassion for his paralyzed and suffering slave. Upon seeing this compassion and with no regard for their cultural and political differences, Jesus offered to go to the centurion’s house and heal the servant. The centurion reacted with both cultural sensitivity and faith. A Jew entering the home of a Gentile would become unclean, and the centurion wished to protect Jesus from this. Pointing to his own power of rank, he showed tremendous faith by declaring that Jesus’ power was such that he could heal the slave from a distance. Faith is faith, even in supposed enemies, and Jesus healed the servant. 

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on our passage for today and what it might mean for us today. Are there people you or the church are not walking among? Pray for courage to walk with those who are considered to be off limits, asking Christ to walk with you.

Daily Devotion, March 8, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 8:28-34.

  This is one graveyard nobody went near! Everybody knew about the two demon-possessed men who hung out there. They were violent and they were scary. Everybody knew to stay away; except Jesus. It wasn’t that he didn’t know about them. But he wasn’t going to let their scary reputation prevent him for going to where they were. And he brought healing to them.

  Who is it that scares you? Who do you stay away from? What has caused you to be scared of them? Sometimes we have experiences with certain individuals that prompts our fear. Sometimes we hear or read about the experiences of others and accept their fear for ourselves. Sometimes we fear someone or some group just because they are different from us.

  Jesus was constantly crossing that separating line of fear. He was so connected to his heavenly Father and completely trusted God to be with him, no matter where he went or who he encountered. He still leads those who will follow him into places and with people who might be scary to us. Again, it is an issue of trust in the power of God to overcome any situation of fear. Pray for wisdom and courage to grow in that trust.

Personal Worship Option:

Louisa Stead wrote these words 138 years ago:

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!