Daily Devotion, August 11, 2020

Devotion: Read Luke 22:31-34, 50-51, 54-62.

It is at the Last Supper that Jesus predicted Peter would deny him. Proud and boastful, Peter proclaimed he would be ready to go to prison and even die with Jesus. Before the rooster crowed the next morning, Peter denied Christ three times. After the third denial, Peter came face to face with Jesus and Peter remembered those fateful words, “You will deny me.” Peter wept bitterly. We can imagine the range of emotions he must have experienced for denying his Lord and his dear friend. Later Jesus confronted Peter with his sin. Peter once again committed his love to Christ. Peter was not just forgiven, but he was also restored as a leader and apostle. Jesus wanted Peter to move beyond his sin and return to the work of the Lord. Jesus encouraged him to continue the mission. When we receive God's forgiveness from our sins, he wants us to do the same. He wants us to do his work in the world to share God's love. Personal Worship Option: Peter caved in under pressure. Pray today for courage to stand up for Christ when given the opportunity.

Daily Devotion, August 10, 2020

Devotion: Read Luke 5:1-11.

You can imagine the scene -- the people were eager to hear every word from this new and powerful teacher who shared the word of God with great authority, so they crowded in closer and closer. Jesus backed up, giving up ground until he was at the water’s edge. So he “borrowed” Simon and his boat and taught sitting in the boat. We read about the instruction to put down the net, Simon’s whine about a long night with no fish, his somewhat reluctant compliance, and the awesome catch that required another boat and partners to help haul it in.

I wonder what made Jesus select Simon’s boat. As the fishermen did the menial work of washing their nets that morning after a long and fruitless night, was Simon the one showing the most initiative? Was he being the leader, telling his brother and his partners what to do? Or was he being encouraging, telling them not to worry about last night’s lack of success and urging them to come ready for better results tonight? Perhaps Jesus saw none of this in Simon but simply saw in him the potential for faith that would make Jesus give him the new name of Peter, the Rock. Simon’s decision to leave his boat (life’s work) and go fish for people is inspiring. What are you being called to do? Personal Worship Option: Christ calls each of us to come follow him and become something different as a disciple. Pray today that you hear your call. Perhaps it is a call not to go anywhere but simply to serve Christ in a new way right where you are. Or perhaps you will simply be encouraged to continue being faithful to the call you heard long ago.

Daily Devotion, August 9, 2020

Devotion: Read Luke 1:26-38.

  It is interesting to note Mary’s initial response to the angel. The NIV says she was “greatly troubled” and the NRSV says she was “much perplexed” by his words. In both translations, the angel’s response is “Do not be afraid.” Anybody would be troubled, perplexed, afraid. But Gabriel assures her (and us) that she need not be. In fact, she can be comforted and assured in knowing that she has “found favor with God.”

  After the angel describes what is going to happen to her, Gabriel ends with a statement that is one of the highlights of all the Bible: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (v. 37, NRSV) In all of the chaos that our world has experienced this year, remember that announcement from heaven!

  One of the primary lessons to be learned from Mary is servanthood. Though this news had to seem so daunting and overwhelming, she stated that she was willing to serve God in this way. There may very well be times when God will call you to do something that seems overwhelming. When that time comes, remember two things Gabriel said to Mary: “The Lord is with you” and “Nothing is impossible with God.” Personal Worship Option: Reflect on times when God has seen you through what looked like an impossible challenge. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

Daily Devotion, August 8, 2020

Devotion: Read Luke 2:1-19.

  It seems a little strange to read this in August. Usually, we only hear it in December. As Mary nears the time when she will give birth, she has to make the trip with Joseph to Bethlehem for the census. One can only imagine how difficult that trip must have been. I wonder if the thought ever crossed her mind “If this really is the Son of God I am carrying inside of me, you would think I would not be having to make a trip like this.” Maybe you have had some “What have I done to deserve this?” kind of questions and thoughts cross your mind as well.

  Maybe you and I would also be thinking “Surely God has made some special arrangements for us in Bethlehem. I’m sure the best hotel room in town will be saved for us.” Did it cause her to question what the angel had told her when she saw where she would be birthing this baby? Did she cry at not being able to provide a better setting for him to enter this world?

  On the other hand, how amazed she must have been when those shepherds came in and told her what they had seen and what they had been told about her boy. “She treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” It had only been nine months since she was first told about what was going to happen to her and it’s already been an amazing journey. But it was just getting started.  Personal Worship Option:

What parts of Mary’s story most connect with you? Do any of the questions raised here resonate with you? Offer them to God.

Daily Devotion, August 7, 2020

Devotion: Read Matthew 2:16-18.

Mary experiences life as a refugee. One wonders how soon she heard the news of all the children being killed in Bethlehem. As tragic a loss of these children, God was still at work. There was still a reason to hope. That is how it is with God. We are never beyond the reach of God’s grace and the touch of His love. No matter how we feel. No matter how much we are struggling. God brings people into our lives in divine encounters of His grace. Just as the wise men were an encouragement and (possibly) provided provisions for a journey their family didn’t even know was about to occur. The circle of grace continues when we are able to pass the blessing on to others through tender touches, encouraging words, and expressions of value. We have the privilege of passing hope along to others. These gifts in God’s hands infuse our lives, and the lives we touch, with hope and encouragement for life’s journey. Personal Worship Option: Reflect on all the good things that God has brought into your life. Share with someone today.

Daily Devotion, August 6, 2020

Devotion: Read Luke 2:41-51.

Every year the Feast of the Passover took place in Jerusalem. The Passover was a special time of worship and celebration of God freeing the Israelites from Egyptian slavery during the days of Moses. In this passage, we find Jesus, who was twelve, walking to Jerusalem from Nazareth with his family and a crowd of people. After the Passover, returning home, Mary and Joseph assumed that Jesus was with the group. After a day’s travel, they realized that he was not with them and returned to Jerusalem to search for him. They found him in the temple among a group of Jewish teachers. Even though he was only 12 years old, Jesus amazed the teachers with his understanding of Scriptures. As Mary witnessed this, she was amazed too. But she and Joseph also asked him why he had stayed behind in Jerusalem. Jesus responded, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” That was Jesus’ way of saying that learning about God was of great importance to him. Even though Jesus was still young, it was noted that he knew the scriptures well. Mary pondered all of these things in her heart. As the mother of the Savior, I think she was still wondering how it was all going to play out.

If you go ahead and read verse 52 it tells us that even though he had great understanding at a young age, he continued to grow in wisdom and stature. Finally, Jesus “grew in favor with God and man.” That tells us that Jesus grew in his relationship with his Father and his relationships with all people, including his mother. Personal Worship Option:

How can we grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God? Dear God help us grow in your word and grow in our relationships with you and humankind.

Daily Devotion, August 5, 2020

Devotion: Read Mark 3:31-35.

As parents, we often realize that our children, at all ages, teach us more than we teach them. Some commentaries discuss the discourse between Jesus and his Mother and brothers, in this passage, as being harsh. Through the years I’ve read this story as a teaching moment for all.

There is a hymn from my childhood titled, “He Included Me”. The words of this hymn are based from John 3:16 and the word, “whosoever”. So when I read this Mark 3 passage, I imagine being in the room where Jesus is and I hear Jesus “including me” in his family.

And at the same time, I hear Jesus calling us to include others. I hear Jesus calling us to also broaden our definition of family to include more than just the people who look like us. Throughout Jesus’ lifetime, Jesus included people in the room and around his table that we might not have included.

We can grow toward faithful discipleship in hearing Jesus’ words, ‘Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’ And perhaps this was one of those moments that Jesus’ immediate family grew in their faithful discipleship, too. We all have the tendency to keep our love narrow and the way we grow in faith is to allow God to broaden our love for all people. But Mary is also our inspiration. Mary knew what it was like to be on the outside and to be the subject of ridicule and rejection, but she remained faithful to do the will of God.

Today’s passage is well-illustrated in a scene from the movie, “Remember the Titans”. The movie is based on a true story about Coach Herman Boone, and his attempt to integrate the T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Gerry Bertier, is one of the athletes who is white, and is in an automobile accident. He is in the hospital, paralyzed. Julius Campbell, another athlete who is black, stops by the hospital to visit Gerry. The nurse tells Julius that only family members are allowed to visit. Then immediately Gerry says, “Alice, are you blind? Don’t you see the family resemblance?” Personal Worship Option: Thank you Jesus for including us all in your family. Forgive us when we don’t see the family resemblance in others. Open our eyes and heart to see and do your will to convey your love to all people. Amen.