Daily Devotion, March 7, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Hebrews 10:22-25.

Paul, the probable writer of this letter to the Hebrews first encourages us to draw close to God with confidence in our faith. And secondly he tells us to hold on to the hope we get from God. Those are personal actions we take as believers in Christ. But Paul doesn’t stop with our inward actions. Next he tells us to consider how to spur one another on. The original meaning of “spur” was to "stir up, arouse, to excite, to call into action," God is calling us to stir up others in the faith to act for good.

Have you ever stirred up a hornet’s nest? You hit the nest and they are quickly stirred up and excited (and usually you are too!) Those hornets leave the nest and quickly! Fortunately, we are not called to inflict painful stings upon one another (like the hornets are fond of doing), but we are called to stir each other up, spur one another on, and encourage each other “to love and good deeds.” 

This stirring up other Christians to love and good works primarily occurs through the local church. We read that we should “not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some.” Evidently, the members of the Early Church had been neglecting the habit of meeting together. He encourages them and us to be intentional about meeting together in order to support and encourage each other.

We live in a culture where many voices and choices compete for our attention. On any given Sunday, we are faced with the choice to attend church or spend our time elsewhere. Paul is reminding us that Christians should regard it as a sacred duty to meet together for the worship of God. Let’s remember that one way God meets us is through God’s people.

Personal Worship Option:

Commit today to be intentional about meeting together for worship. Connect with others so that you can encourage them toward love and good deeds.

Daily Devotion, March 6, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Kings 19:8-13.

For many of us, when God did not appear in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, we would have shrugged our shoulders in disappointment and decided that God had chosen not to speak to us after all. But Elijah had listened to God before and knew to be patient and wait, even to the point of hearing God in the quiet, gentle whisper. Elijah knew God’s voice because Elijah had spent time with God.

Elijah’s situation is not so different than hearing God’s voice today. We often look for God or expect to hear God in powerful, dramatic settings; and we may even mistakenly read a message from God into events in which God is not speaking to us at all. God speaks to me most often during my private devotional times when I am quiet and open to God. Sometimes God is saying that things will be OK and that I should not worry. At other times, God quietly tells me that God will use me to answer my prayer, and then I feel the need to go and do something, to make a visit or a call. Sometimes God’s voice comes to me through that of a friend or family member. We must be quiet to hear God’s subtle messages to us in the ordinary.

Personal Worship Option:

In your prayer time today, ask God to speak to you. Pray for the discipline to be quiet and listen. What is God saying to you? If you do not hear God, don’t stress over it. Pray tomorrow for God to speak and for you to hear. Be patient and faithful, and it will happen!

Daily Devotion, March 5, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 4:18-22.

These first disciples Jesus called left behind their former life to learn a new life with him, but they probably also carried with them what would help in the new life. I love the language that he uses when he calls them. He put the calling in language they would quickly understand. It had to be intriguing to fishermen to hear Jesus say that he would teach them about fishing for a new target - for people.

A fisherman knows that you have to be familiar with where the fish are. (You don’t go fishing on land!) That understanding and others they would take with them as they went to follow Jesus. Yes, they would leave behind much of the tools and familiarity of their former trade, but some of it would be helpful. They would also have much to learn that was new. No longer would they be fishing just to benefit themselves and their family; they would be working to benefit the people for whom they were fishing.

The Holy Spirit is always seeking to teach us something new about “fishing for people” and serving the mission of our Lord. But that does not mean we have to leave behind everything we had already learned. Some of it can benefit us as we carry out that mission. What is it from your past that can help you “invite all to follow Jesus Christ”?

Personal Worship Option:

Consider this prayer today: Lord, help me be open to the new things you want to teach me, but to also be aware of what I have already been given that will help me serve your mission. In your holy name I pray, Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 4, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 2:1-10.

Moses was raised in his family as a Hebrew, but also in the court of Pharaoh. He grew up knowing the stories of his people, stories about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He was also given the best education in the world at that time. Later he had to leave Egypt and became familiar with being a shepherd and knowing life in the hills and wilderness beyond Egypt.

  

When God called Moses to the mission of confronting Pharaoh about freeing God’s people and leading them out of Egypt, all of that training and experience was of great benefit. He knew his way around Egypt and the courts of Pharaoh. He knew what it was like to be dependent on God in the wilderness.

When God calls you and me to serve in various ways, there are times when we are given assignments that are completely out of our comfort zone. But much of the time, God uses the talents, interests and experience we already have to put us in circumstances where we can thrive in serving God’s mission.

Personal Worship Option:

I am reminded of an old hymn, words written Frances Havergal in 1873. It is a prayer hymn. Consider letting the first verse be your prayer this day:

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord to thee.

Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Daily Devotion, March 3, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Samuel 17:32-40.

David took off the things that soldiers usually used to go fight a battle. But he carried with him the tools and knowledge he had from earlier in his life. To the battle hardened soldier, David was about to be destroyed because there are certain things anyone knows not to do. You don’t fight a lion with a toothpick. You don’t sneeze into the wind. You don’t go bear hunting with a cork gun. And you don’t send a shepherd boy to battle a giant.

You don't, that is, unless you are out of options. Saul was out of options. That is true for us as well. When we are out of options that is exactly when we are open for God to do amazing things. Anyone who underestimates what God can do with the ordinary has missed out on the extraordinary workings of God.

Personal Worship Option:

What battles are you facing this week? Even if it’s bigger than you can handle, it’s not bigger than God can handle. See what is in your hands, your skills, your knowledge and give it to God and be ready to be amazed at God’s work in your life.

Daily Devotion, March 2, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 3:1-8.

This scripture is interesting in the fact that the beggar asked for money, when he could get so much more from Peter. Peter was financially broke. He and John had followed Jesus for three years and had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, but they did not have much in the way of material goods or money. They had no way of helping the paralyzed man with what he thought he needed most--financial assistance.

John and Peter understood what the man really needed. The paralyzed man needed both spiritual and physical help. Peter gave the man what he needed most; he, in the name of Jesus, healed him physically and spiritually. I love that they went into the temple and the beggar was giving God praise.

Today there is a vast need for social and economic assistance and justice, but there is a greater need for spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. People’s spiritual well-being is vital. Can you become a spokesperson who is concerned not only about the plight of the poor in the world, but also concerned about people knowing Jesus and accepting their salvation? Do you have the power of faith to be a bold witness for Christ through your lifestyle and testimony?

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, open our eyes to the physical needs of our neighbors. And as you do, please give us insight into their spiritual needs. Help us share your good news. Amen.

Daily Devotion, March 1, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 12:1-5.

This week’s scriptures call us to ponder what we are leaving behind and what we will take with us on this journey from our old life into our new life in Christ. Today’s scripture is just five verses, and read too quickly, we may overlook its depth. “The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave’…..So Abram left.” 

First, God calls and invites Abram to leave and move forward from all he knows which offers him his current security….your country---- where he knew the language, ways and customs, traditions, the laws at that time, and terrain….your people----his community he knew and loved…..your father’s household----his family of origin and extended family.

Second, God calls and invites Abram to go to a land which God will show him. This requires complete trust, because Abram will have to rely on God every day for direction and security. And Abram will need God’s help to convince his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the people he had “acquired in Haran” to go with him to an unknown land.

This journey was over 900 miles. It is difficult for us to fathom this journey from our 21st century perspective, no GPS, fast-food stops, phones, streetlights by night, or language and custom apps. And how would they find water for themselves or their animals, or find medical help?

Within God’s invitation and call to leave are God’s promises and blessings to Abram and his family. This made all the difference. Abram faithfully trusted. He followed God to where God was leading. This experience made such a difference in Abram’s life that he told the story for generations to hear!

Personal Worship Option:

Abram’s journey becomes a metaphor for our new life in Christ. God calls and invites us to leave behind our old ways and follow Christ’s ways. The Holy Spirit helps and empowers us for this journey and transformation. God is with us. What will be your story which you will tell of God’s blessing and transformation in your life?