Daily Devotion for December 7, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Mark 2:1-17.

In both of these stories, Jesus is seen as going against commonly held beliefs. When the religious leaders heard him forgive the crippled man’s sins, all they could think about was that this was blasphemy. So, he went even further in helping the man, though he knew it would further deepen their disdain for him. When verse 12 reads “This amazed everyone and they praised God…” I am doubting that included those guys. It was probably some of the same men who complained when they saw him “eating with the sinners and tax collectors…” But Jesus never wavered in doing the right thing, even though there were usually those who disagreed nearby.

Tomorrow in our worship services, we will be focused on Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. Surely he told his son about the dream he had before Jesus was born, when the angel told him to take Mary as his wife, even though he would be looked down upon by people all around him. He did the right thing by Mary, though it stained his reputation. I am guessing that had an impact on how his son lived his life. May it also continue to impact all those who follow his son.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks to God for those people you have known during your life who did the right thing, no matter the consequences.

Daily Devotion for December 6, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Genesis 13:1-12.

Because Abraham was the leader, he could have taken whichever part of the land he wanted, but he did the right thing and let Lot choose. He taught his family and other people living nearby a great lesson about using power. Abram understood that true power is found in humility and submission to God’s will. God had promised the land to him - so it was with authority that Abram gave Lot a choice, knowing it all belonged to God in the end. In living humbly before God, Abram was blessed over and again with many material blessings and spiritual blessings and authority.

In the Bible, power is portrayed as a divine attribute reflecting God’s sovereignty, strength, and authority over creation, emphasizing the importance of using power responsibly and for righteous purposes. Our power comes only from God. It is our job to use it responsibly with humility and in recognition of how God would have us live.

Personal Worship Option:

How are you using your power? Is God honored? Reflect on your perspective concerning power?

Daily Devotion for December 5, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read John 4:27-34.

Today’s story tells us that Jesus went through Samaria, that he came near the town of Sychar, that he was tired, that he sat down by a well, and that a Samaritan woman came to draw water. A huge, centuries-old custom was that Jews did not associate with Samaritans or would not be seen with them. The normal travel path that people took was to go around the land of Samaria.

When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, she couldn’t believe it: She was shocked that he asked her for a drink of water. Why would he do that and how did he know about her? When Jesus’ disciples returned, they were surprised too! Not just that he was talking to a woman, but to a Samaritan!

The woman went back to town to tell her neighbors about her encounter. She told them to come and see a man who told her everything she had ever done. Her neighbors followed her to meet Jesus for themselves. When they invited Jesus to visit with them, he did! That’s what good neighbors do.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank you, Jesus, for show­ing us how to be neighborly. Give us the love and the courage to break down old walls, make new neighbors, and love them in your name. Amen.

Daily Devotion for December 4, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Samuel 24:1-19.

Saul had become insanely jealous of David. David was charming and a fierce warrior in service to Saul against the Philistines and that led to his popularity. In fact, David was becoming more popular than King Saul and that led Saul into a blind rage. Saul was intent upon killing David.

In today’s scripture passage, we find that David and his men are hiding in a cave from Saul and his pursuing army. While they were hiding in the cave, Saul entered the cave to use the restroom. When David’s men realized this, they urged David to take advantage of this opportunity and kill Saul before Saul had the chance to kill David. David snuck up behind Saul but felt remorse and only cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. When Saul left the cave, David confronted him, told him what had happened, showed him the corner of the robe that he had cut off and asked why Saul was intent on killing him. Saul tearfully replied that David was the more righteous man for having spared his life when Saul had treated him terribly.

By sparing Saul’s life, David had gone against the “conventional wisdom” that urged him to kill Saul before Saul had a chance to kill him. As we approach this second Sunday of Advent, we think of Joseph who also went against the “conventional wisdom” and did the right thing by Mary, his betrothed. When she came to him with this fantastical story that she had become pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God, he could have divorced her, shaming her and condemning her to a life of poverty (or worse), but he did the right thing and took Mary as his wife. By doing the right thing, he became the earthly father of God’s Son.

Personal Worship Option:

Think of a time when you had a choice between doing what was expected and doing what was right. How did that go? Pray: “Gracious God, I try to do what is right, but I don’t always get it right. Lead me, guide me to do your will in all things. Strengthen me through your grace to love others as you love me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Daily Devotion for December 3, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 7:36-50.

A sinful woman met Jesus. She gave Jesus an extravagant gift of gratitude by washing his feet and pouring perfume on them. Simon the Pharisee knew that this woman was sinful, and he didn’t think it was right for Jesus to accept a gift like that from such a woman.

But Jesus said that the woman’s sinfulness was all the more reason for him to accept her gift. Because she had been forgiven such great sin, her gratitude and love for Jesus was also great.

We might read this story and imagine ourselves as the Pharisee. We might sense Jesus calling us to be more accepting of sinners. But what is even more important is to imagine ourselves as the woman. Every one of us has sinned greatly and needs to be forgiven by Jesus. Because every one of us is offered forgiveness by Jesus, we all have reason to show abundant love and gratitude to him, as this woman did.

Jesus has shown us all so much forgiveness—more than we even know. So let us give thanks to him and pour out our life as a fragrant offering to the Lord. “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Personal Worship Option:

God, we confess that we have sinned much, and you have forgiven us much. We can never repay you, yet we offer our whole lives to you in gratitude and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for December 2, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Jeremiah 38:1-13.

Jeremiah was a faithful prophet for God, even when his message was not what the people wanted to hear. His initial message for the people of Judah was a call to repentance, pleading with them to turn from their rebellious ways and worship God. Now, in this passage, the message had changed but was perhaps even harder for the people to hear. God’s word for Jeremiah to give to the people was that the time for repentance was over, the Babylonian army would indeed attack, and they should simply surrender to the enemy in order to save their lives. This seemed like a defeatist message, and the people punished Jeremiah for it, almost costing him his very life.

There is a message for us in this passage! When we preach or teach or share our faith, we are to be true to what we know God’s message really is. It is so very tempting to think about what our audience of one or a thousand wants to hear and then bend God’s word to please. We do not want to be disliked or ridiculed, but we are called to be strong, faithful to the word entrusted to us while sharing it in love.

Personal Worship Option:

Please pray with me: Almighty God, I want to be your faithful servant, and sometimes that includes being your spokesperson. Give me the faith and strength of Jeremiah to do that without bending your Word and help me to do this in the spirit of love your Son showed us. Amen.

Daily Devotion for December 1, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read John 3:16.

There is not a better verse to begin the Season of Advent! (Yes, there are some other good ones; just not a better one.) As we begin this journey toward Christmas once again, we start with God’s never-ending love.

Let’s break the verse down into parts. “God so loved the world….” As you read through this Gospel book, you find that “the world” refers to everyone who is against God, who certainly does not love God. And yet, that is who God loves.

“...that he gave…” From the beginning we have found this to be a gracious God. God created the whole world and gave it to us humans to steward. And though we often do not care for the Creation (including ourselves and each other) in ways that are pleasing to God, he keeps giving.

“...his only Son…” God doesn’t just give a little. God doesn’t give the bare minimum. God gives all. God gave the most precious gift he had. For you and me and everybody else.

Personal Worship Option:

Take some time today to celebrate God’s love for you!