Daily Devotion, September 7, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 7:7-12.

Before the era of mapquest and now GPS systems, we relied on paper maps and verbal directions to get to a destination. We often got lost and drove around aimlessly, not wanting to seek help. It is hard to reach out for help with small things like directions let alone the important stuff in life.

We do not like asking for help for a lot of reasons, but I think the main reason is that we don’t want anyone to know that we can’t handle our own dilemmas. We do not want others to think that we aren’t good enough or smart enough to solve our problems.

We often have this mentality when dealing with our relationship with God. We act as if everything in our life depends on us, instead of looking to God. Jesus encourages us to turn to God and to ask for the things we need. We can trust that God loves us enough to provide. Jesus tells us that everyone who looks for God will find him. If we ask God to show himself to us, He will. We will find him. God will open his door when we knock.

Personal Worship Option:

Father, help us to bring our needs before you in prayer, trusting in your love and provision. Guide us to ask and go through your door finding ways to work with you in this world, as you build your Kingdom. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 6, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

“Do not worry”----might be all we need to hear today. Those 3 words remind us we can trust God to supply our needs. All the verses are so rich with Jesus’ teachings helping his disciples then and now to focus our lives to be centered in God and God’s ways.

For us who are list-makers and seek to get everything in order, these verses cause us to pause, step back and breathe, as we observe the great care God gives to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. For us who are not list-makers, and aren’t great at planning ahead, we love these verses and finally feel validated in living one day at a time! But perhaps for us all, we are still missing the point.

Yes, “do not worry”. Then in verse 33, Jesus is teaching us what we are TO DO! “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Years ago, a devotional book from the public library changed my thinking on this verse. The author said that oftentimes, “seeking first” means that we simply place God at the top of our “to-do” list and after our morning devotional, we check that off of the list. Then we go throughout our day forgetting to follow God in our words and actions. The author said, “Yes, we have placed God first, but this isn’t what is meant here. It is that God, God’s ways of our lives together, and God’s ways of justice and righteousness are to be the whole purpose and center of our lives, as the center of the aim for the arrow’s target.”

Sometimes, our thinking can still be self-centered if we only put God first, to “get” everything else we want. But Jesus is calling his disciples then and now, to seek God and God’s ways of life for the sake of others. Yes, this life of faith in God is letting go of some of the things we fret about for ourselves and completely trusting God first to lead us in ways to love and serve others.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving God, in the midst of my worries, calm my spirit, by your Spirit. Thank you for your care. Help me to let go and trust you more. Lead me to others who may need you today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 5, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:1-12.

In contrast to the culture, Jesus speaks a language in the beatitudes alien to the world, a language opposite to what most in it believe and expect. Most of all, in this list of beatitudes, Jesus weaves and emphasizes an underlying trait necessary to living them out: complete dependency upon him, that is poor in spirit.

What does God think of the spirit of this world? “He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. - Luke 16:15 NIV

‘Poor in spirit’ serves as the foundation of the characteristics that complete the list. In the same way, it serves as the foundation of my walk with him. As a result, only if empty of my own spirit, will he fill me with his.

Thus, as with meekness—forbearing, patience—a new great element of strength flows from choosing to submit and depend upon him. Similarly, this section lays a foundation for what Jesus will say for the rest of Matthew, ‘always go beyond what the world expects.’ With his help, this burden becomes light and his yoke easy.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help me to approach you as a little child, listening to you and obedient. I do not know the best path to choose. I lay my achievements and all that I take pride in at your feet. Give me true peace and strength and help me to live out your words with the great power you provide. Help me to be poor in spirit that I might be rich in yours. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 4, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 1:22-23; 28:18-20.

In our sermon series that begins this Sunday, we will be looking at how each of the four gospels share the good news of Jesus Christ in distinctive or unique ways. Matthew is known as the teaching gospel, emphasizing and often grouping together the many teachings of Christ. Matthew was writing to a first audience who were primarily fellow Jews, hoping to convince them to accept that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised messiah or Christ. So the Gospel of Matthew constantly shows how Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible. Matthew 1:22-23 is a good example, as here he quotes Isaiah 7:14 verbatim. Matthew is showing his first audience and us that Jesus fulfilled that prophecy and is God with us, present in our lives.

Serving as a bookend to this, Matthew’s gospel ends with 28:20 in which Jesus promises to be with us throughout all time. That promise speaks to us just as it spoke to those eleven amazed apostles who stood hearing these words for the first time. We must pay close attention in this passage to the Great Commission Christ gives us, but we must not overlook this powerful promise that He will be with those who follow him through all time.

Personal Worship Option:

What are you being challenged to do or be right now that you are not sure you are equipped and capable of doing? Remember, you are not alone. Pray that God’s presence will seem real and close to you. With God’s help, you can do it!

Daily Devotion, September 3, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

Yesterday, we looked at the crucifixion scene in Matthew’s Gospel, where the religious leaders acknowledged how foolish and weak it was to even think that the Son of God would be hanging on a cross. In his first letter to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, Paul picks up on that exact thinking. He sums it up best in verse 25: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” The death and resurrection of Jesus was the ultimate proof of that truth.

Today in our worship services, we will be reminded of several scenes in the Bible where it looked like what God was doing was foolish and weak. However, in each situation, God’s power and wisdom was revealed. I encourage you to be sure and hear this message and be reminded of what we read in our devotions on Monday: God’s ways are not our ways.

Personal Worship Option:

Jesus set the example of sacrificial love being the primary element of God’s way. It can often look foolish and weak. Take some time to reflect on how you live your life following his example.

Daily Devotion, September 2, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 27:38-44.

“I was right!” We all like to be able to say (or at least think) those words. When we have a disagreement with someone or some group and some situation turns out the way we had predicted, or affirms what we thought, there is a certain amount of satisfaction (or at least relief) that comes with that outcome.

As Jesus went about teaching and healing and conducting his ministry among the people, the religious leaders had tried to tell them that Jesus was not who he claimed to be: he was not the Messiah, the Son of God. As they stood there watching Jesus suffer crucifixion, this was their proof that they were right. It was foolish to even think that the Son of God would submit to hanging on a cross. Someone in the crowd is quoted as offering that exact thinking: “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” Of course, most of them went on believing they were right about Jesus for the rest of their life. They may have heard the rumor that he had risen from the dead, but for them that was foolish as well.

In the thinking of this world, they were right. But in representing God (as was their role), they were wrong. It is a good reminder that we should always examine our thinking and beliefs for how they relate to God’s ways being different than the ways of this world.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or put it in your own words: Holy God, thank you for this reminder that even people who say they believe in you can be wrong about what you are doing in the world. Help me to always follow your way, even when it looks foolish and weak in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 1, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Judges 7:2-8a.

In what looked like foolishness, God sends Gideon to defeat the Midianites with only 300 men. Talk about downsizing! Gideon went from 32,000 men to 300 to fight an army that covered the valley floor - too many to count! Why did God do this? He tells Gideon the reason in verse 2. “The Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.” Self-sufficiency is a handicap when it causes us to believe we can do what needs to be done in our own strength. So, God uses the unusual to demonstrate His power, strength and wisdom, which causes us to rely on Him and to give Him the glory and honor.

Like Gideon, we must recognize the danger of fighting in our own strength. We can be confident of victory against life’s challenges and temptations only if we put our confidence in God and not ourselves.

Personal Worship Option:

What challenges do you face today? Look for God’s direction and strength to face today and be open to the unexpected.