Daily Devotion for October 7, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Psalm 139:1-3.

I will admit that my first thought on reading this includes a small tinge of guilt and a feeling of being seen and known perhaps a bit more than I want. Do you share that fleeting feeling? Many of us are private people. We do not post our lives on social media, and we are selective about what we share with others and about with whom we share. So the thought of another knowing exactly what I am doing and even what I am thinking can be a bit unnerving.

But then we move on to the joy that comes in realizing that God knows us perfectly and loves us. This is what the psalmist is celebrating! It is impossible for us to get our small human minds around the fact that God created the universe and everything that is and yet, God knows each one of us personally and in great detail. This psalm reminds us that we are never alone, because God is with us. God is not so busy as to ignore us, even for a moment. That gives me comfort and confidence and the assurance that God will judge me rightly. And I am inspired to be my best for God, not pretending, but for real!

Personal Worship Option:

Almighty God, I know that you know all about me. When I confess my sins, you already know about them. Help me to open my heart to the relationship you desire with me and to love you completely and fully, holding nothing back. I can only do this through your Son. Amen.

Daily Devotion for October 6, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Corinthians 10:16-17.

On the Christian calendar, today is “World Communion Sunday.” We come to the table of our Lord, thinking about our brothers and sisters in other lands who are also sharing in this meal. I invite you to pray for them sometime today. If you have a globe or map somewhere, use that. Otherwise, find a worldwide map on your computer. Place your hands or just a finger on a particular country or continent and pray for the Christians there, then move to other lands. Give thanks to God for those serving our shared mission in that place. Pray that they have the wisdom and courage they need to face any challenges they have.

I invite you to especially pray for the Christians in the countries to which Christ Church relates in missionary outreach: for Fred and Libby Dearing and all the people they relate to in South Sudan and Uganda; Kayla Austin, who serves Project 541 in Honduras; for Ray Zirkel and all of our partners in Costa Rica; for our connections in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

As you receive the meal of our Lord today, hold in mind and celebrate our Church family around the world. We thank God for them!

Personal Worship Option:

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who continue to share the message and love of our Lord.

Daily Devotion for October 5, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Acts 1:4-8.

“....and to the ends of the earth.” I wonder what went through the mind of those first disciples of Jesus when he added that phrase. Maybe there was too much going on at that moment for their minds to process it; maybe it was days afterward. My guess is none of them saw themselves as being involved in that part of the mission. They would be hanging out in Jerusalem, Judea and maybe even Samaria, but probably not beyond that. Maybe somebody else in the group would take on that part of the assignment or they would recruit some others who would.

By the end of this book, we read of the message and mission of Jesus continuing to expand and reach to other parts of the world. And ever since then, the gospel has continued to be proclaimed to people all around the world. With the explosion of information access in our day and time, that is even more the case. The good news of Jesus Christ is available to an ever-widening audience.

As we approach “World Communion Sunday” tomorrow, we will be celebrating our Christian family around the world who are living this directive from Jesus. Be thinking about them as you prepare for worship tomorrow.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer your own prayer to God, asking for wisdom and courage to always be expanding your “world” of who and where you can share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Daily Devotion for October 4, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Ephesians 2:11-22.

Throughout the world, Christians continue to break down walls that divide people, inviting them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, who welcomes all people. There are times that we allow barriers to divide us from other believers. Age, appearance, intelligence, political persuasion, economic status, race, and theological perspective are just a few. When these divide, it interrupts Christ’s love from being shared among the people. Fortunately, Christ has knocked those barriers down and provided a way of unification for all believers into the family of God. Christ’s cross should be the focus of our unity. The Holy Spirit helps us look beyond the barriers to the unity we are called to enjoy. Because of Christ, all people are now free to come to God through Christ. God wants to draw us near to him. As Christ draws us close to Him, he also asks us to look for others to embrace as well.

Personal Worship Option:

Are there some people around you who slip through the cracks unnoticed? Is there a lonely widow? An insecure middle schooler? A struggling single mom? Who can you invest your life in this week?

Daily Devotion for October 3, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Genesis 12:1-3.

I think this Genesis scripture is a pivotal passage in the Bible story. God was on the move to redeem his world and to restore people back to him. We are made aware of that in the promises of blessing that he gave to Abram in this passage.

Many of the key events in God’s calling and saving his people start with Abram. God works through people, and as he makes us his people, his family, and his church, he seeks to mold us as a people of blessing. God promised Abram and his descendants’ abundant blessings, but those were never meant to be just for them. They were chosen to be the family to become a blessing to all families. God promises that Abraham will inherit a great land and become the father of a great nation, and that all peoples will be blessed through him. Later God made this even clearer by sending his Son, Jesus, born as a descendant of Abraham, to be the promised Savior of the world. Abraham didn’t fully understand all the implications of God’s promises. He didn’t have to. God had him move ahead with faith. In many ways, it’s no different for us today. This means that faith is still required if we want to see God’s great blessings, and to be God’s great blessing to others all around the world.

Personal Worship Option:

God, thank you for your promises. We don’t know all that’s ahead of us, but we do know the One who is leading us. Help us to trust in you fully. Amen.

Daily Devotion for October 2, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Revelation 7:9-10.

When we think of The Revelation to John, we tend to think of plagues, conflicts, and destruction. But The Revelation also describes glorious scenes of worship, praise, and beauty. Our passage for today is one of those glorious scenes of worship. Every tribe of Israel and every nation on earth is gathered before the throne of God not to be judged, but to worship and praise God in celebration. And that is exactly what they are doing with all of their might! Picture a choir of thousands leading a congregation numbering in the millions singing the Hallelujah Chorus with full voice and perfectly in tune!

What an amazing and powerful vision as we approach “World Communion Sunday” this week! As Pastor Nathan shared last month, the table of Holy Communion is a table that unifies us as the body of Christ. It is not a table of somber reflection. It is a table of joy and celebration! It is not the table of Christ United Methodist Church. It is the table of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not one of us is worthy to come to this table, but all of us are invited to come and partake of the meal. Not because of who we are, but because of who God is! Thanks be to God!

Personal Worship Option:

Take a few moments to close your eyes, calm your spirit, and pray: Gracious God, help me to focus today on what I hold in common with my sisters and brothers in Christ. Help me to live my life in worship and praise of you. Amen.

Daily Devotion for October 1, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Genesis 1:27-31.

A consequence we see in Genesis of being created in God’s image is that we work in relationship with God and one another. We have already seen that God is inherently relational (Gen. 1:26), so as images of a relational God, we are inherently relational. The second part of Genesis 1:27 makes the point again, for it speaks of us not individually but in twos, “Male and female he created them.” We are in relationship with our creator and with our fellow creatures. These relationships are not left as philosophical abstractions in Genesis. We see God talking and working with Adam in naming the animals (Gen. 2:19). We see God visiting Adam and Eve “in the garden at the time of the evening breeze” (Gen. 3:8).

How does this reality impact us in our places of work? Above all, we are called to love the people we work with, among, and for. The God of relationship is the God of love (1 John 4:7). One could merely say that "God loves," but Scripture goes deeper to the very core of God's being as Love, a love flowing back and forth among the Father, the Son (John 17:24), and the Holy Spirit. This love also flows out of God's being to us, doing nothing that is not in our best interest (agape love in contrast to human love situated in our emotions).

Francis Schaeffer explores further the idea that because we are made in God's image and because God is personal, we can have a personal relationship with God. He notes that this makes genuine love possible, stating that machines can't love. As a result, we have a responsibility to care consciously for all that God has put in our care. Being a relational creature carries moral responsibility.[1]

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us be aware of our relationship with you and with one another. Help us to work together as your body to make a difference in the world around us. Amen.