Daily Devotion, April 7, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Deuteronomy 8:10-18.

Why doesn’t God give us all the things we want? Why can’t we all be mega millionaires and rich and famous? Wouldn’t it be nice to live the good life–even just for a little bit? If we are thinking that is the life then we might be forgetting all of the blessings God has given us.

Moses warned the people of Israel as they were about to enter the wonderful promised land of Canaan that things were about to become really good. No more slavery in Egypt. No more wandering in the desert. They would have their own nice houses, cattle, silver, gold, and plenty of food.

But why did Moses warn them about all of these blessings to come?

Moses knew that with everything going so well in their lives, they would be tempted to forget about God and what he had done for them. That is exactly what happened. The Israelites became spiritually distanced and they focused on worldly things. They did forget about God.

Actually, doesn’t that happen to us too? We try to get more things, more money, bigger houses, and more vehicles. When things go well for us, we are tempted even more to forget about God. After all, who needs God when there are no problems in our lives? We must stay focused on God.

Personal Worship Option:

God, we thank you for all that you give us. Help us to not let things become a distraction to our faith and to trust in you. Keep us ever thankful for your blessings, and mindful of your grace. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 6, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read John 14:25-26.

Verses from John 14 are often read to bring comfort. Familiarity sometimes causes us to miss new insights these scriptures hold.

Jesus is speaking these words to his disciples before his impending crucifixion. He says in John 14:2-3, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Dr. Alan Culpepper writes in his commentary, “Not only is Jesus going to prepare a place for them, but he will send another to be with the disciples in his place: the Paraclete.” 

The Paraclete, as a Greek word, doesn't have an exact match in English. It is translated as Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Helper, Intercessor and Friend in various translations. And in verse 26, the Paraclete is described as the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is sending the Paraclete who will come along beside the disciples: “to be with you forever “(14:16); “to teach the disciples all things and remind them of all that Jesus said” (14:26); “to testify on Jesus’ behalf” (15:26); “to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment” (16:8); “to guide the community into all truth” (16:13); “to not speak on his own; but only what he hears and he will tell you what is yet to come” (16:13); “to glorify Jesus” (16:14); and “to take what is Jesus’ and declare it to the community” (16:14-15).

Dr. Gail R. O’ Day writes in her commentary, “Jesus’ promise of the Paraclete shows the disciples how, even in his absence, their futures fall within his providence. The disciples will not be facing their futures alone, unequipped with the necessary words of Jesus. The Paraclete will carry Jesus’ teachings into the future.”

Dr. O’ Day adds, “The Paraclete thus will proclaim the teachings of Jesus to them in the new and changing circumstances of their lives.”

Personal Worship Option:

In John 15, Jesus calls us to abide in him, in his love and to let his words abide in us. This is so that we can bear much fruit in this world. Abiding is possible because Jesus kept his promise and sent this One, the Paraclete, to help us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 5, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.

Do you have expectations for behavior at your dinner table? When our dinner table is full of family of all ages, it can look quite chaotic and we may not also follow the social graces! We often remind the little ones to “mind their manners.” Paul is needing to remind his friends in Corinth about the way they observe the Lord’s Supper. Immediately prior to verses 23-26, Paul reveals that the Corinthians’ table etiquette was not even recognizable as the Lord’s Table! He tells them they’re doing more harm than good. Some of them are in a hurry and they don’t share with others. Some go hungry and others get drunk. He says they disgrace the church and shame the poor. And then he sets them straight. He goes over with them again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. We read in our passage today that Paul tells them he received the instructions from the Master himself and is passing them on. The Corinthians needed a reminder of the importance of giving reverence and respect to the Lord’s Supper. We too are called to pass along the stories and teachings of our Lord, so that we all continue to remember the One who gave us life and provided the way of life.

Personal Worship Option:

What are the teachings of our Lord you need to share with someone? What are the stories of your own faith journey you want to pass on?

Daily Devotion, April 4, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 12:14-16.

As we prepare and celebrate Thanksgiving Day in this country we often make plans to gather with our families. A turkey and all the trimmings will likely be prepared as our minds conjure up a Norman Rockwell image of a wonderful meal with those we love. Many of us will think of the highly romanticized story of a group of Pilgrims who struggled through a terrible winter, followed by a bountiful year of good crops and a wonderful harvest. They supposedly gathered with the Native Americans who had helped them learn to plant and grow crops in this new land. If it really happened, no one at that meal had any idea we would connect our Thanksgivings 400 years later with theirs.

 

The first Passover happened when God protected the Children of Israel from the final plague, when the death angel “passed over” their homes but took the lives of all Egyptian firstborn. In this passage, even before the Passover event happens, God was giving a portion of the instructions to the Israelites regarding how they were to annually celebrate this event and the Exodus in which he would bring them safely out of Egypt to the Promised Land. The whole festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread was intended to help the Israelites remember forever what God had done for them.

Personal Worship Option:

Even on the Exodus, the Israelites forgot at times what God had done for them and wanted to give up. It is important for us to look back on our lives and the times when we were aware of God’s presence, to celebrate, to be thankful, and to keep the faith in tough times.

Daily Devotion, April 3, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 12:2-3.

Many scholars say that Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome is the highest and deepest of his writing. There are a number of passages in it that go to the core of our understanding of who we are and how we are to live our lives as the people of Jesus Christ. For me, chapter twelve is one of those passages.  

These two verses speak to our focus for this week: allowing the Holy Spirit who is God to change our minds so that our thinking is in line with what Jesus taught us. It is tempting to say we believe in Jesus, but continue thinking and believing as we always have about most anything. The world (specifically the culture in which any of us live) has shaped who we are and how we think. So often, we only approach what is going on in the present as where we need to be cautious about letting the world shape us. But the past has already done that.  

So this emphasis on “the renewing of your mind” is directed to all of us. Yes, be wary of the ways of this world in the present, but also examine how it has already formed you. It is always a challenge to truly discern God’s will without mixing in my own will. One hint to guide us comes in verse 3: be aware of thinking you have it all figured out (“do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think…”). We need each other and we learn from each other. There may be something about which God seeks to change your mind. Are you open to that?

Personal Worship Option:

Consider being part of Bible study groups or having regular conversations with people who follow Jesus Christ but who think differently than you do about how to do that. Be willing to share how the Spirit is guiding you to think and believe and be willing to listen to how they believe the Spirit is guiding them.

Daily Devotion, April 2, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 2:1-8.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” We all know from experience that this is not easy. People can be difficult sometimes. As you and I relate to those closest to us in the Church, this writer encourages us to learn to think the way Jesus did. So our relationship with Christ is not just about believing in him, but about becoming more and more like him. The title “Christian” basically means “little Christ.”   

We can see how he thought about those close to him by looking at the way he treated them. He loved them. He forgave them. He taught them. He healed them. He sacrificed for them. Even after they betrayed him and denied him, he did all those things for them.  

I suggest this passage is summed up in this portion of it: “(be) like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…” If you and I will live those verses with each other, you can be sure that more and more people will want to follow Christ. And hey, that’s our mission!

Personal Worship Option:

Who is that person or group in the Church that you have not been looking at through the eyes and mind of Jesus Christ? Pray and seek his glasses to wear.

Daily Devotion, April 1, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 7:24-27.

The “Sermon On The Mount” ends with this image of two houses, one built on a solid foundation and one that is not. That foundation for our life comes not just from knowing the teachings of Jesus, but putting them into practice. The two lives that Jesus compares have several things in common. They both build, they both hear Jesus’s teaching, and they both experience the same set of circumstances. The difference between these two isn’t caused by ignorance but by one ignoring what Jesus said.

When the stormy seasons of life occur will faith endure? Faith is not only given to us by grace but it is also built through obedience. Each act of trust, each act of obedience is a brick laid. It's a slow process of knowing God’s character, becoming familiar with His ways, listening to His voice, and then actually doing the things He tells us to do. Like the muscles that grow in our bodies with intention and care, faith becomes strengthened by practice over time. The little steps of faith taken in the mundane times of life will eventually help us to stand firm when we face the raging storms.

Personal Worship Option:

Genuine faith leads to love-filled obedience. Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to a greater obedience? Take the first step today!