Daily Devotion for September 14, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 7:9-12.

It is commonly referred to as the “Golden Rule.” It is a simple, straightforward guide on how to treat other people: “...do to others what you would have them do to you….” I also note that, according to the NIV, Jesus leads into that lesson with the phrase “So in everything, do to others…” What if all of us approached every encounter with another person or group by asking ourselves, “Is what I am about to say or do what I would want said or done to me in this situation?” I’m guessing the world would be a much better place.

In other philosophies and religions, this principle was stated in negative terms: Don’t do to someone else what you don’t want done to you. Not only does Jesus state it in a positive way, he invites us to take the initiative, not waiting for someone to do something good to us before acting. Here’s how Eugene Peterson states it in The Message: “Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Sometimes we can be content with saying (or at least thinking) “I haven’t done anything wrong or negative toward that person.” Jesus calls us well beyond that. He wants his followers to be those who are always looking for opportunities to spread the seeds of good actions and words toward other people. Let’s do it!

Personal Worship Option:

Who is God reminding you of right now who needs to hear an encouraging word or receive an act of kindness? What are you waiting for?

Daily Devotion for September 13, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Ruth 1:8-18.

Naomi lived in such a way around her daughter-in-law that Ruth wanted to worship Naomi’s God. We really know more about Ruth and Naomi’s relationship than we know about them individually. Their story is a beautiful example of the blending of lives. They shared deep sorrow, great affections for each other, and an overriding commitment to the God of Israel. Still, as they depended on each other, they also gave each other freedom in their commitment to one another.

Naomi was willing to let Ruth return to her family. Ruth was willing to leave her homeland to go to Israel. God was at the center of their intimate communication. Ruth came to know the God of Israel through Naomi. The older woman allowed Ruth to see, hear, and feel all the joy and anguish of her relationship with God.

How often do you feel that your thoughts and questions about God should be left out of a close relationship? How often do you share your unedited thoughts about God with your spouse or friends? Sharing openly about our relationship with God can bring depth and intimacy to our relationships with others that can lead to a deeper intimacy with God. As Naomi discovered, when we act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow our example.

Personal Worship Option:

Think a minute about the people in your world. Do they see a faithful relationship to God regardless of circumstances? Consider who God has placed in your life to be an example.

Daily Devotion for September 12, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 5:14-16.

As Luke tells the story of the mighty acts of God through his church, he wants to make sure that we understand the ongoing work and ministry of God’s people. The ministry of Jesus through his churches goes on. One way that Luke highlights this continuing work is in the ministry of healing. Just as Jesus was known as a healer, the apostles became known for their work in healing. And many people who were sick and tormented by spirits were healed.

While we may not be living in a time when an apostle’s very shadow brings healing, we do live in a time when we are still called to bring people who are ill and troubled before the church for prayer, specifically prayer for healing. The apostles did not heal. They were participants of healing by the power and in the name of Jesus.

While many people brought their loved ones to the apostles for healing, it is noted that some people did not join the believers who met together. Let us not be people who do not dare to join but let us instead be drawn even deeper to the church that continues to proclaim the message and ministry of healing in the name of Christ, our Savior.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God of healing, today we remember not just ourselves but also the people we know who are in need. May we be your agents of prayer and healing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for September 11, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 8:26-38.

The story of the Ethiopian eunuch is one of my favorite stories in the Acts of the Apostles. Philip was directed by an angel of the Lord to travel on the road to Gaza from Jerusalem. As he did so, he encountered an official from Ethiopia who was reading from the prophet Isaiah. The man was the Ethiopian queen’s treasurer. The Ethiopian was seeking the truth of faith in God and seriously studying God’s word, but because of who he was and the fact that he had been castrated in order to serve the queen, he was an outsider whose desire to seek God was shunned by the religious authorities because he was considered to be unclean and unworthy.

Philip, however, took the man’s questions to heart and endeavored to answer him. He opened the scriptures to the Ethiopian man and explained their meaning. As Philip took time to guide the man in his understanding of the scriptures he proceeded to point to Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies. As he explained the scriptures, the man came to faith and asked to be baptized. Philip did what he was told to do and in doing so, he helped lead a stranger, a person who is considered an outsider to faith in Jesus.

Personal Worship Option:

By our baptism, we are all called to represent Christ in our actions. How can we ensure that we are living in such a way that people will be drawn to Christ? Pray: Gracious God may all that I say and do draw people to you. Amen.

Daily Devotion for September 10, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read John 1:40-46.

"Come and see for yourself!" What Christianity has to offer the world that no other religion really has is two-fold: 1) a genuine relationship with Jesus, God who walked among us, and 2) grace that makes us acceptable to God rather than our having to earn divine approval. If you really want to decide about Christianity, or you have friends who are wrestling with a similar decision, don't let yourself or them get lost in all the religious debate. Instead, invite them to come and meet Jesus in the Gospel of John, and you do the same.

The invitation to "come and see" is repeated several times in the Gospel of John. Meeting Jesus in John won't answer all the questions, but it will point us to the only true answer — Jesus! So, if you're doubting, if you're frustrated with the mess that organized religion sometimes makes, if you want to get past the religious hype into the life of God, then heed the invitation Jesus and his disciples give you to "come and see for yourself" who Jesus really is. Begin your own search. Find out for yourself. Seek and you will find!

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Father, thank you for becoming accessible to me through Jesus. I confess that I sometimes struggle with my faith because of all the imperfections in myself, in your people, and in our churches. However, I thank you for Jesus and his grace, both of which allow me to be your child and know your love even though I am a flawed person living in a flawed world. In Jesus' name, I thank you for your grace. Amen.

Daily Devotion for September 9, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 28:16-20.

We hear these verses referred to as “the Great Commission” for the disciples and then for the church. Luke describes this same scene in Acts 1 and adds something. After Jesus had given this final instruction to the disciples, he ascended into the heavens; and they stood looking into the sky. Two angels appeared and asked them, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” The angels were basically telling the disciples, “You have your marching orders, now get to it!”

Sometimes we in the church need to hear this urgent reminder to get to doing what Jesus commanded us to do – to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This Good News that we have received is not for us alone. When we hang onto it for ourselves and focus solely on growing in our own faith journey, we are actually disobeying our Lord. And let’s not get caught up in simply feeding and caring for the institution of the church but rather let’s make full use of the church as the instrument of Jesus Christ to carry out his Great Commission to bring others into relationship with him!

Personal Worship Option:

Pray for the ability to sense those who are without Christ. Who around you in your family, your neighborhood, at school, or at work does not know Jesus Christ? Find a loving, caring way to share a bit of your faith with them and be prepared to go deeper when they are ready.

Daily Devotion for September 8, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Matthew 8:18-27.

As part of Jesus’ continuing guidance about life in his kingdom, he reminds one of his would-be followers that following him means that sacrifices will have to be made. Following Jesus is not a path of gaining a lot of the things of this world. Jesus points out to this man that even he did not have a home of his own.

Then comes a seemingly appropriate request from someone. Jesus’ response appears harsh, but he uses this as another opportunity to say that our responsibility to God is to take precedence over any other responsibilities we have in this world.

Finally, is this scene of Jesus calming the storm on the lake, much to the amazement of the disciples. We are reminded of the storms that suddenly appear in our life at times. Some of them can seem so overwhelming that it feels like we may not survive them. Hopefully we will always be like the disciples in this scene who know to turn to our Lord for help. Know that he is in the boat with you, and he is able to calm the storm.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Lord, thank you for the lessons and reminders I find in these verses. Forgive me for my lack of complete trust in you at times and strengthen my faith in you, no matter what comes my way in life. Through Christ, Amen.