Daily Devotion, January 7, 2020

Devotion:

Read Psalm 1:1-3.

The first psalm touches on a theme that is portrayed throughout the Psalms: the blessings of the faithful and the misery of the wicked. As faithful followers of Christ, we are like trees planted by a river. These trees are constantly nourished. Likewise, strong believers consistently are nourished when we dwell on God’s Word. These nourished trees will bear fruit, their leaves won’t wither, and they will grow to full maturity. When we meditate on God‘s word and spend time in prayer, we will develop strong roots in our faith. We will demonstrate the fruit of God’s Spirit. We will be strong when we face hard times, and we will continue to grow into the fullness of our faith. This type of dedication provides us with the blessings of the faithful.

Personal Worship Option:

Our passage today reminds us to meditate on God‘s Word day and night. Prayerfully consider how often you read the Bible. Make a commitment to daily feed on his Word.

Daily Devotion, January 6, 2020

Devotion:

Read Psalm 27:1-6.

The psalmist David was in trouble, and he needed urgent help. In this time of trouble, David was supremely confident, not in himself, but rather in God. He described God as his light, perhaps lighting the way for his feet, taking away darkness and the unknown. God’s light provided the ability for David to see and to understand. David also claimed God as his stronghold, providing courage and protection. It is interesting that David was a strong and skilled warrior, but his own powers were limited. God’s light and strength are unlimited, and David trusted God completely for his salvation and protection.

When I am in trouble or afraid or weak, I too look to God for my light and salvation. But often I am not as confident and assured as was David, and this passage helps me to claim God’s power. This passage reminds me to pray knowing that God will hear my prayer and will answer me. This passage tells me to use the gifts and resources God has given me but to lean confidently on God, knowing that God is indeed faithful. If we are to represent God in the world around us, we must claim God’s guidance and strength and live with God-confidence.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today for the light of guidance that God provides. Even if you feel vulnerable, give thanks for the strength and protection God provides. Join me in praying for the faith to know that God hears our prayers and answers them.

Daily Devotion, January 5, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:10-12.

  “Blessed are those who are persecuted…” Notice this beatitude does not stop there. This is not about persecution in general. Sometimes people complain about how they are persecuted when much of what is happening to them they have brought on themselves because they mistreated others and are simply receiving back what they have given. No, Jesus is specific here: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…” They are being persecuted for trying to do what is right. Jesus expands on that in the next verse: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” This is the persecution that comes when you are trying to follow the way of Christ; when you protest on behalf of the least and the last among us; when you speak truth to those in power; when you forgive those nobody else wants to forgive, welcome those who nobody else wants to welcome, love those who nobody else wants to love.

  Jesus says these people are stakeholders in the kingdom of heaven. They are God’s people. They are living God’s kingdom “....here on earth as it is in heaven.” He reminds us about those prophets of the Old Testament, the ones who we quote and revere - they were also persecuted by the people of their time. And though that all sounds like bad news, Jesus says just the opposite: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven….” For God’s people, our joy is often not in the way things are now, but knowing how they will be in God’s future. Rejoice and be glad!

Personal Worship Option:

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Daily Devotion, January 4, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:9.

  “Blessed are the peacemakers….” This particular beatitude is not focused on having inner peace as such (although having it will be necessary). This blessing is reserved for those who are actively seeking peace in the world. Wherever they note conflict, they are often involved in some way working for reconciliation. They seek peace in their own relationships. They seek to be a peacemaker when others around them are in conflict.

  They don’t just hope peace will come. They are not satisfied with just the absence of violence or strife. They work toward mending relationships, offering and receiving forgiveness, gently challenging those who want to hang on to their disagreements and issues.

  This is not an easy task. Peacemaking is not for wimps. It is often hard work. It can even be dangerous sometimes. It certainly was for Jesus. He came to bring peace, but knew that even in his best efforts, there would still be division, even among family members. But he still states that those who engage in this practice are blessed. Why? “...for they will be called children of God.” They are doing the very work of God. Though it is in another of the Gospels, I remember a message the angels recently brought us at Christmas: “Glory to God ...and on earth peace….” 

Personal Worship Option:

Pray/Sing this prayer several times today: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Daily Devotion, January 3, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:8.

Blessed are the pure in heart. What does it mean to be “pure in heart”? Purity of heart encompasses integrity, moral courage, godly character, single-mindedness, and truth. There is no deceit found in a pure heart. For example, a person with a pure heart would not engage in two opposing things: do one thing and hope others think you are doing another. As in having a wife and a girlfriend. Jesus explained purity of heart in Matthew 22:37: “. . . love the LORD your God with all your heart.” ALL your heart. An Old Testament example is found in Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.”  We are to love God with all our heart. Not part of our heart. Not with a divided heart. There are no divided allegiances in a pure heart. Purity of heart cannot be achieved by trying, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. So it is in surrender of our lives to God that He purifies our hearts and we can love God and love others the way that God intended. The Message states this scripture this way:  

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."

Personal Worship Option:

Identify any divided allegiances you may have. Bring those to God and ask for his cleansing.  Start your day with a pure heart and see how God will work today.

Daily Devotion, January 2, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:7.

In English “mercy” is not a verb. We speak of having mercy, or showing mercy, or being merciful, but we don’t speak of mercying someone. Yet in the Greek it is a verb, and I wanted to mention that since it helps us to remember that mercy is more than a feeling. It is something that is noticed in our actions. As Christians, we have been on the receiving end of God’s merciful acts, and so we should be the first to make mercy a characteristic of our lives. God has treated us much, much better than we deserve. That fundamental spiritual truth is the reality of grace. He has seen us in our sin and had mercy on us because of his great love for us. Even though we have repeatedly proved unfaithful, both individually and as a group, God has been gracious and merciful. He has repeatedly offered forgiveness, help, and redemption when we least deserved it. In the Kingdom Family, mercy rules. It is only those who humbly and reverently recognize the mercies of God towards them and His amazing grace, sending His only Son to become the substitute for their sin, who exhibit this fruit of the Spirit.

Personal Worship Option:

Holy Father, I confess that I often want justice when I am violated and mercy when I sin. Thank you for not treating me as I deserve, but instead providing Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice that extends your mercy to me and fulfills your justice on my behalf. Help me reflect your grace and mercy in my dealings with others. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen

Daily Devotion, January 1, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:6.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is a day of new beginnings and traditions we keep---New Year’s resolutions, parades, football games, turnip greens and black-eyed peas---- to name a few! Our parents told us the more turnip greens and black-eyed peas we ate, the more dollars and pennies we would have in the New Year!  

New Year’s resolutions might include exercising more, eating less, trimming the budget, making daily lists, cleaning out closets and giving a few things away!

Most of us don’t have “hunger and thirst for righteousness” as a resolution. But perhaps this verse should be examined FIRST before we make our resolutions “list”. Being in God’s presence leads us to re-order our lives’ priorities.  

In his book, Reading Matthew, Dr. David Garland helps us understand the depths of this great verse. “Jesus’ beatitude has nothing to do with simply being a better person. Righteousness refers to what God requires, and those who hunger and thirst know they lack what is vital to sustain life. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness have a gnawing desire to see God’s will accomplished in their lives. An escape-hungry society that craves all the wrong things will never be satisfied. Only those whose deepest longings are for fellowship with God will know the comfort that can be supplied by God.” 

This is not about marking the first thing off the list each day, or a behavior to be rewarded. It is simply “seeking first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness,” and trusting God to help us order the rest of our lives. It is recognizing the joy of God’s presence. 

Recently a holy moment in worship for me was observing a Grandfather joyfully smiling and making “funny faces” to the equivalent joy and delight of his infant granddaughter! Nothing else around them mattered except their joy in being with each other!

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, Being in Your presence is pure joy! Only You satisfy our souls’ hunger. You created us, love us, forgive us and sent Christ to be our Savior. What is YOUR “2020 Vision” for this year? This is truly a day of new beginnings. Help us to re-order the priorities of our lives to seek you first, to help our neighbors near and far, and to follow your will. Thank you for your blessings. Amen.