Daily Devotion, February 12, 2022

Devotion:

Read Isaiah 49:5-6.

We can see it and hear it back at the beginning of Abraham’s journey with God: God has a desire to connect with every person. When God first called Abraham into a covenant relationship, God expressed this desire: “...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3) In our text for today from the book of the prophet Isaiah, God again expresses this desire, saying about the people of Israel “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” We continue to hear it in the New Testament, when Jesus says to his disciples “Go make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)

As we continue our review of the values of Christ Church, the first one echoes this desire: “While we love and take care of one another as a congregation and provide ministries for our members, our primary responsibility is for those who are not yet in the church.” We seek to be constantly focused outward, aware of the needs of people all around us, seeking to meet those needs and looking for every opportunity to help other people come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. What are those needs and who are those people in your circle of relationships?

Personal Worship Option:

What are the ways in which you are being intentional to reach out to and connect with those who are not yet in the church?

Daily Devotion, February 11, 2022

Devotion:

Read Luke 9:46-48.

Jesus taught the disciples to welcome children.  This was a new approach in a society where children were usually treated as second class citizens.  It is important not only to treat children well but also to teach and learn from them.  Jesus used a little child to help the self-centered disciples get the point.  We are not to be childish (arguing, competing against each other, being petty) but childlike, with humble and sincere hearts. Servant leaders don’t approach life expecting high positions, honors, and special privileges.  Instead they look for ways to help others.

Jesus makes it clear that children are highly valued in the kingdom of God.  At Christ Church “children and youth are a vital part of the church, and we place high priority on our ministries for them.”

Personal Worship Option:

Our care for others is a measure of our greatness.  How much concern do you show for others, especially the helpless, needy, - those who cannot return your love or concern?  Do something to show love and care for someone today.

Daily Devotion, February 10, 2022

Devotion:

Read Acts 2:41-47.

The apostle Peter had just preached the greatest sermon of his life.  All who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 people were added to the church that day. What a celebration of the Holy Spirit that must have been!  Then we read that these people devoted themselves.  All definitions of devotion convey its sense of single focus.  Devotion is the giving of oneself to a particular person, cause, or activity. These first church members were not simply curious or interested, they were devoted. They were giving their lives, body and soul, to the gospel teachings of Jesus Christ.

This type of devotion goes beyond the initial excitement and passion, to a deeply rooted, long-term relationship with God. Devotion to Christ is a dynamic that can change the world, and that's what happened. A devoted church was born and the world was never again the same.  God was revealed in deeper ways. The devotion of a few thousand ordinary folks transformed the world. We can't understand it or explain it. God did it through his church. That was how the beginning of Christ UMC was.  People were excited to have a new place to worship in their community.  They worked together to create an inviting community and to share God’s love.  Let’s keep that energy going to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Father, may we experience the devotion that characterized the first Christians. May your Spirit be in us so that we become fully devoted to you. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 9, 2022

Devotion:

Read Proverbs 17:22.

In my family and extended family there was a great deal of joy and laughter. My Dad had four brothers and family reunions were filled with humorous stories and laughter! We all enjoyed reading the “Laughter, the Best Medicine” pages in the “Reader’s Digest”. Church life provided many, many joyful times! And the King James Bible version, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!” was often quoted to cheer us up when we were sad!

Even though laughter was in every part of our lives, my perception of Jesus was that he was very serious! My college religion professor had on his office wall a framed picture of Jesus’ laughing which helped to change that! He encouraged us to see Jesus’ smiling and laughing and to hear the humor in some of Jesus’ words.

Zoom ahead to Christmas 2021 and I was delighted to receive from a friend a little devotional book by Robert Strand titled, “Joy”! Joy is a gift from God. If it is a gift from God it is part of God’s nature, too!

Throughout the years, whether during Vacation Bible School, Mission trips, or any group experiences of service through the church, joy and laughter are present! It is a gift of God’s Spirit!

This week our devotionals focus on the values that are the foundation of our shared ministry at Christ Church. Proverbs 17:22 is one of the wise sayings of the Bible which values “a cheerful heart.” One of our church’s values is, “At Christ Church, while we take our ministries to serve God and our neighbors seriously, we do not take ourselves so seriously; so, we are playful and have lots of fun as a church.”



Not taking ourselves too seriously is a gift too, because we are trusting God to lead, guide, to be faithful and to take care of us, no matter what. It helps us to remember a line from a worship song we sing, “It’s not about us…it’s about Jesus!” Our mission is greater than ourselves!

Personal Worship Option:

Lord open my eyes and ears today to see and hear the gifts of joy all around us: in the birds’ songs, in the beauty of Your creation, in laughter of children, youth and people of all ages. Give our church visions of mission and ministry which bring Your joy into the lives of others. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 8, 2022

Devotion:

Read Luke 6:12-16.

Jesus Christ is no doubt the greatest small group leader in history. He began his earthly ministry by establishing his “small group,” the disciples. In our passage today we read the names of the group members. Jesus was active in his small group ministry and modeled for them how to minister to others and how to grow in their relationship with him and others. His goal was to equip this small group of disciples to carry on the work of the gospel after he returned to the Father. The growth of the Early Church came through both large group worship time and through weekly small group gatherings in homes. This model still works today. At Christ Church we believe in order to grow spiritually, you must be connected relationally. The best way to get connected is through a small group where members gather each week in a home, workplace, or at church to learn about God, care for each other, fellowship, and serve together. If you’re looking for an opportunity for study, care, community and service or want to lead a small group, contact our Director of Education, Cathy Baker, at 423-892-9363 or education@christchurchchatt.org.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray about your next step in finding or leading a small group at Christ Church.

Daily Devotion, February 7, 2022

Devotion:

Read John 1:40-42.

Think about times you have sat watching an awesome movie, reading a great book, or enjoying a delicious meal at a new restaurant and thought to yourself, “I have to tell (insert the name of a friend or family member) about this. They will really enjoy it!” Two things happened here: 1) You realized how special this thing was, and 2) You immediately wanted to share it with someone else. Good for you!! 

Andrew 1) listened to Jesus and realized that he was the Christ, and 2) he immediately thought of his brother Simon Peter, whom he loved and wanted him to know Jesus as Lord also. John included this story to teach us to do the same thing, and the church provides a platform for us to do it. But first we have to realize that our church’s worship services, hospitality, small groups, service to others, and so on are very, very special. Each of these is part of our living in relationship with Christ. Once we realize how special these are, we should think of others with whom we can share these and our love of Christ. No movie, book, or meal is nearly as important to share! Being inviting and welcoming is a huge part of our DNA as a church and as followers of Jesus Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

What is your favorite part of Christ Church? Think of someone you know who is not in any church and who would probably find that exact same thing their favorite part as well. Tell them about it and why it means so much to you. Then invite them to come and enjoy it with you.

Daily Devotion, February 6, 2022

Devotion:

Read Matthew 28:16-20.

This passage is often quoted as the focus of the primary mission Jesus gave to his first disciples and all those since then. I have certainly seen it that way most of my life in the Church. As his people, we are called to lead and guide others to him. However, I would emphasize that he did not give that assignment to his first disciples until he had spent much time with them teaching them what it meant to be his disciple. So, a foundational piece of our mission is to first be committed to learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We are to be life-long students of this Teacher, constantly adjusting our ways to his way. We are to be constantly seeking the guidance of the same Spirit who was in and guided him.  

Even after the disciples received this assignment from Jesus, they still had lessons to learn. Reading through the book “The Acts Of The Apostles” makes that clear. The first situation that comes to my mind is in chapter ten where the Spirit teaches Peter a lesson about how God seeks and accepts outsiders (known as Gentiles at that time).  

Being the people of Christ means constantly learning to be a disciple (to live and speak and think more and more like Jesus) so that we can make disciples (accepting and loving and guiding every person we can to know and serve Christ in their own life). God bless you as you live into that mission!

Personal Worship Option:

With slight adjustments, here are the words to two verses of a hymn written by Leon Adkins in 1955, based on this Scripture:

“Go, make of all disciples.” We hear the call, O Lord,

that comes from you, our Father, in your eternal Word.

Inspire our ways of learning through earnest, fervent prayer,

and let our daily living reveal you everywhere.

“Go, make of all disciples.” We are your feet would stay

until each life’s vocation accents your holy way.

We cultivate the nature God plants in every heart,

revealing in our witness the master teacher’s art.