Daily Devotion, December 14, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Hebrews 1:1-3.

This week in the Season of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, we will read passages of Scripture that help us to understand the concept of Christ being the incarnation of God. The Book of Hebrews has as one of its main purposes to show us that Jesus Christ was and is superior. The writer will make key points that Jesus is superior to the angels, greater than Moses, and far greater than any human high priest. This statement in Hebrews 1:3 that the Son is “the exact representation of (God’s) being” (NIV) is the foundation for the superiority of Christ.

It is almost always a complimentary thing when someone says about a young man that he is the “spitting image” of his dad (nicer phrases are used in describing girls who look like their moms). When we see someone who really resembles and even acts like a parent, we realize that if we had never known the parent, we would have an idea of what they were like. The offspring may look, talk, and even behave very much like them; but in the end they are not them. Each of us is unique. But the Son was and is God. Christ came into the world as a human being so that we might know God more fully, and that through faith in Christ, we might have the gift of eternal life. Personal Worship Option: Think about the characteristics and qualities of Jesus of Nazareth, as he is described in the gospels. What does the statement in Hebrews that the Son is the exact representation of God teach us about God? Give thanks today for God’s love that would send the Son into the world in the form of a human being.

Daily Devotion, December 13, 2020

 

Devotion: Read John 1:10-13.

Here we have two verses of really sad news and two verses of really good news. The two sad verses tell of just how far humanity had strayed from God. John has already shared in earlier verses that the world and everything in it had been made by the One who is the Word of God. He comes back to that here and laments that the same world created by Christ did not recognize him. Furthermore, the people who God had called and created to be his own did not receive his own Son. Some Christians look back at that time and wonder how so many Jewish people did not recognize Jesus, but I wonder how many Christians would not recognize him today if he showed up in unexpected ways?

Then comes the really good news. To everyone who did receive him and believe in him, they became the children of God. That is still true today. You get a new identity. You get to have an intimate, personal relationship with the God who gave you life in the first place. You have a 24/7 connection to the God who designed and is still creating the whole universe and therefore can guide you in how to live life at its best and overcome any obstacles that may be thrown in your path. No matter what giant of an enemy tries to defeat you, you can have victory over them simply because you are a child of God.  

If you have strayed from God, you can go back anytime and God will receive you as his own. (If you know someone who has strayed from God, be sure to let them know that as well.) And if you simply have not been fully living into your identity as a child of God, what would it take for you to never let that happen again? Claim and live into your identity as a child of God! Personal Worship Option: Parents want to hear from their children as often as possible. Your “Heavenly Parent” would also like to hear from you as often as possible. It doesn’t have to be about anything major; just a conversation and enjoying each other.

Daily Devotion, December 12, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Matthew 9:9-13.

You have probably heard or read about the tax collectors during the time when Jesus was among us. They were Jews, but they worked for the Romans, collecting taxes from among the people for that government. According to the population of their area, they were assigned a certain amount they were to collect, but they were allowed to collect beyond that amount to keep for themselves. Abuse of the system was rampant. They took advantage of their position to burden the people and line their own pockets. As you might imagine, they were intensely hated by the people.  

Matthew was a tax collector. Jesus called him to be one of his twelve closest disciples. I have to wonder if he was not the one whose life was most radically changed because of this invitation and his acceptance of it. As he watched Jesus heal so many people and as he listened to what Jesus taught, his thinking and outlook on life and people had to change so drastically. As Jesus became so popular among the people because of all he was doing for them, many of them probably also changed their view of Matthew. Even though he no longer had the financial resources he used to have, his life was so much better. He was a new person! And the longer he was with Jesus, the more he continued to change. He changed so much, after Jesus was resurrected from the dead and was about to ascend back to heaven, Matthew was one who Jesus sent out to represent him as an apostle.  

No matter what you are like, through Jesus Christ, you can become a changed person for the better. And no matter what that other person you have reservations about is like, through Jesus Christ they can become a changed person for the better. Wouldn’t it be great if you could somehow help that person come to know Jesus? Personal Worship Option: Who is that person you would love to see decide to follow Jesus? Ask God to help you work toward that happening.

Daily Devotion, December 11, 2020

 

Devotion: Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-17.

When we give our life to Christ, it is like we are created as a new person! The Holy Spirit breathes new life into our lives and we are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or re-made - we are re-created! We are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life directed by Christ. Our transformation begins inside out. What has been transformed on the inside manifests itself through our actions. Personal Worship Option: How can you share God’s transforming work in your life? To whom do you need to share this story?

Daily Devotion, December 10, 2020

 

Devotion: Read John 8:1-11.

We are often drawn in to life stories about tragedy, love, and heroism, and we tend to hope for a happy ending. Our imaginations fire up with the plot’s twists and turns. We don’t like it when a character is treated unfairly, and we smile when justice is served. We like happy endings.

At first this story appears to be rather simplistic. The religious leaders try to trap Jesus as they publicly shame a woman caught in adultery. But instead of falling for their trap, he silences them, and they leave. And then he forgives the woman. But, looking deeper, we can see there is a lot more going on. This is complex. The religious leaders are playing power games. They are exercising spiritual abuse first by shaming the woman and then by trying to undermine the credibility of Jesus.

It is easy to judge others and find fault with them, but then Jesus, speaks up: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” It’s as if he is saying that they need to confess their sins, stop judging others, and receive God’s grace. Jesus forgives the woman and she is invited into true life. Jesus invites everyone to die to sin and truly live. Isn’t it wonderful that we can have a new beginning, a fresh start? No matter our mistakes, Jesus still loves us and forgives us and gives us opportunities to have a fulfilling life. Personal Worship Option: Dear God, remind us today that our task is not to judge others but instead to offer people your forgiveness. Help us all to accept your offer of forgiveness and begin living a new story. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Daily Devotion, December 9, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Lamentations 3:22-24.

Sunrises and Sunsets! Beautiful gifts from God! A brand new day is a beautiful gift from God, too! We can begin each day knowing of God’s love and mercy. It’s like a fresh start every morning!

These verses from Lamentations give us hope and inspired the lyrics of the beloved hymn, written prior to 1923 by Thomas Chisholm, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. Looking back on the writing of the hymn, Chisholm recalled in 1941, "My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness."

It cannot be overlooked that these verses which sustain us through difficult times are within this book of Lamentations in the Old Testament! (This is one of those tiny, five chapter books in the Bible wedged between Jeremiah and Ezekiel which I usually have to look up the page number to find. And I had forgotten that the words from “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” came from this book!)

But how profound, that these words are within this book of Lamentations! It’s easy to speak of God’s faithfulness when things are going well, but to speak these words in the midst of suffering gives hope in the midst of despair!

Eugene Peterson’s introduction to Lamentations in The Message says, “Lamentations, written out of the Exile experience, provides the community of faith with a form and vocabulary for dealing with loss and pain. The precipitating event, the fall of Jerusalem, is told in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52. It is impossible to overstate either the intensity or the complexity of the suffering that came to a head in the devastation of Jerusalem and then continued on into the seventy years of exile in Babylon. Loss was total.”

In the midst of this experience, these words of faith in the faithfulness of God were written and spoken. And the word “faithfulness” is not just a characteristic of God. It is a word of the relationship God has with us and a gift of love from God to us and all of creation. Personal Worship Option: Read these verses again and let them give hope to you. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24

Daily Devotion, December 8, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Genesis 45:3-8.

Joseph was a teenager when his brothers threw him in the pit. He is now in his thirties and second in command in Egypt. During those intervening years, Joseph was falsely accused and put in prison. When he was in the pit and in prison, he must have wondered about his future. But instead of falling into despair, he obeyed God and did what was right. He remained faithful to God and somewhere along this journey, Joseph caught a glimpse of God’s divine plan for his life and is able to articulate it to his brothers. He says three times in this passage, “God sent me.” Later he says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20). The Hebrew verb used for “intended” means “weave.” He was saying, “You wove evil, but God rewove it together for good.” God's is always working in his divine plan for our good even when other people have evil intent.

Are you faced with heartaches today because of someone's evil deeds? God can use it for good.

Have you been cheated or lied to or betrayed? God can use it for good.

Are you the victim of carelessness that has caused great pain to you? God can use it for good.

Have you lost people in your life and are hurting? God can use that for good.

Have you lost jobs, relationships and comfort because of evil? God can use it for good.

Look for God's divine plan in your human stories and trust him to reweave them into good. Personal Worship Option:

Meditate on this poem of unknown origin made by Corrie Ten Boom (author of The Hiding Place).

My Life is but a weaving

between my Lord and me;

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

 

Oft times He weaveth sorrow

And I, in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the upper,

And I the under side.

 

Not til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

 

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver’s skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

 

He knows, He loves, He cares,

Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives His very best to those

Who leave the choice with Him.