Daily Devotion, February 3, 2020

Devotion:

Read Genesis 45:3-8.

This is one of the most powerful stories of forgiveness in all the Bible! It is hard to imagine the hurt and anger Joseph must have felt when his jealous brothers sold him as a slave to a group of traveling merchants. When the merchants sold him as a slave in Egypt, Joseph must have lost what little hope that remained for a return some day to his home and family. Then, falsely accused and thrown into prison, he surely thought of his brothers and dreamed of a day when he would get even with them. After a dramatic turn of events, Joseph became second in command to Pharaoh in Egypt, and his brothers came begging for food in order to survive the famine. It was the perfect opportunity for Joseph to exercise his power, turn his brothers away, or perhaps even to have them punished. Instead, in this beautiful scene of reconciliation, Joseph chose not to judge his brothers but to forgive them!

We are human, and we often allow hurt, insult, and pain to turn us against others. Recently someone was describing the animosity and separation in her family. She and another family member have not spoken for years, and she cannot remember the incident that drove them apart. Joseph’s example teaches us to put hurt aside and to forgive!

Personal Worship Option:

Read the passage again, thinking about all the feelings Joseph must have put aside. Does his example remind you of a situation in your own life? We are never supposed to allow others to abuse us, but we are supposed to forgive. If there is someone you have judged, pray for the strength to put hurt aside and to forgive them.

Daily Devotion, February 2, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 6:19-24.

  Every time I see this Scripture passage, I think about the first time I heard someone say “Show me your checkbook (or your bank account) and your calendar (planner) and I can tell you what is most important to you.” It is so true. Where you spend your money and your time reveals your priorities in life.

  Jesus teaches that lesson here, with the emphasis being that the most important thing to treasure is your relationship with him and being part of his kingdom. Those two verses in the middle (22-23) can seem out of place, but they are really very fitting. Our eyes of our mind can be so tempted with the things of this world. We can easily get caught up in wanting more and more of the things that look so appealing. And we spend our resources on those things and discover that our heart and passion is all wrapped up in them, instead of what is most important in life.

  Jesus says it best at the end of these verses: “You cannot serve both God and Money.” (The NIV translation I have actually capitalizes “Money.” That is very fitting, because it can become a god to worship and serve.)

  Give some thought and prayer time to how and where you spend your money and your time. Who or what does that reveal to be your god?

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks to God for the resources you have, including finances and time, along with the opportunities you have to use both for his kingdom.

Daily Devotion, February 1, 2020

Devotion:

Read Genesis 13:8-12.

  Abram is just getting to know this God who has called him into a covenant relationship. He is learning the ways of this God. In this part of his story, we can already see how God is having an effect on him. Abram and his nephew have both prospered. Their flocks have increased such that the land cannot support both of them. Abram does the “God-like” thing and allows Lot to choose on which portion of the land he will settle. Lot wants the best for himself and his people and flocks, so he chooses accordingly. Abram is continuing to learn to trust this God to provide for him, no matter where he is or in what conditions he is living.

  It is a good lesson and reminder for all of us. To be part of the kingdom of God, we are to be focused on what is the right and generous thing to do, even if it means that we may not get a lot of the things of this world. It is also a good lesson and reminder of what it means to use power in a “God-like” way. Abram was the one with the power in this situation; he was in charge. He could have chosen the best land for himself and told Lot that was just the way it was going to be. I wonder if Lot immediately recognized this act of grace for what it was or if it was sometime later that he realized what his uncle had done for him.

  How might you apply this lesson in your life? Be looking for opportunities to offer acts of grace and generosity to someone. In other words, look for opportunities to give someone else a glimpse of what God is like.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray for God to show you when and where you can offer an act of grace and generosity.

Daily Devotion, January 31, 2020

Devotion:

Read Acts 5:1-10.

  In the two verses before these, we read that a man named Joseph (the apostles of Jesus nicknamed him “Barnabas”) sold a field he owned and gave the money to the apostles. I am guessing that word about what he did spread to other people of the church. He was probably receiving praise from people for this act of generosity.

  That very short story is followed by this story of a couple who also sold a piece of property. Maybe they also wanted the praise and gratitude of people in the church. They wanted to show they were devoted to God. But secretly, they also wanted to have the things of this world, particularly money. It seemed as if they could have both. But in order to have both, they would have to act deceptively. And when confronted about it, they would even have to lie. They were willing to do so.

  Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money. It appears that Ananias and Sapphira tried to do that very thing. And it cost them their life. When you and I try to serve both God and money, it doesn’t always cost us our life in a sudden kind of way. It may be slow and it may be subtle, but it will cost you your life. Most importantly, it will cost you your relationship with God.

  Do not let that happen! Make sure your priority is God. Always remember that resources are not for collecting, but for using to serve the needs of others and help them come to know Jesus Christ in their life.

Personal Worship Option:

Almost 150 years ago, Frances Havergal penned these words that became part of a hymn of the Church. Put them in your own words and let them be your prayer.  “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise…...Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold….Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”

Daily Devotion, January 30, 2020

Devotion:

Read 1 Kings 11:1-13.

The fall of strong and mighty believers does not often take place overnight or in one single instance. More often it’s the result of choices and inaction over a long period of time that one day results in a complete downfall. Bible stories, like this one, aren’t just interesting accounts of ancient people; they contain critical principles that have applied to all generations through the centuries. King Solomon’s life helps us see the progression of compromise and its disastrous results. Solomon began his kingship with devotion to God and righteous priorities. So what happened to change his desires and direction? God had instructed His people not to intermarry with other nations and had specifically prohibited Israel’s kings from taking multiple wives. Instead of holding fast to the Lord in love and devotion, Solomon let his wives lead him toward foreign deities.

Because the king ignored reproof and continued to disobey, Israel became a divided nation. Compromise begins when we ignore God’s instructions and follow the world’s practices. Then we start loving people, activities, or things more than we love God. If we don’t follow His leading, we’re in danger of losing what He intended for our lives. But if we refuse to compromise, we’ll remain devoted to Him. If we are honest, we too sometimes place the things of this world in front of God, and reflecting on this passage is a reminder of our shortcomings.

Personal Worship Option:

God, please help us stay focused on you and stay faithful to you. We know we will fall short, but help us get back on the path. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 29, 2020

Devotion:

Read Matthew 19:16-29.

This conversation between the rich young ruler and Jesus was difficult for the disciples to overhear and it’s difficult for us to overhear. 

Jesus speaks truth into this young man’s life and offers a way of healing. But the irony is that this young man who has “more than he needs”, leaves “lacking” what is most needed.

Jesus sees through to the motives of this rich young man. This man’s focus is on himself and for himself. His question is “what good thing must “I” do to get (implying for self) eternal life? Jesus’ questions probe deeper and the young man’s response is still about self, self-reliance and self-justification on keeping all the commandments. The pride is almost audible in his response. But the young man knows there is something lacking in his life.

Jesus says what is lacking is to let go, give and follow him. This rich young man’s security was placed in all that he possessed and in his own ability to keep the commandments. After all was said and done, it was all about himself.

Jesus’ call to faithful discipleship is to move us, motivated by love, beyond ourselves. Jesus brings us back to the commandments of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength" and Leviticus 19:18—“to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.” This brings healing for all.

There are stages of faith on the journey with Jesus. For some the journey begins with keeping the rules. For others the journey begins with climbing the ladder of success and acquiring possessions. Often the journey begins motivated to serve self. Jesus calls us to love God and neighbors more than our possessions and status. Jesus calls us to stop serving self and give to serve others.

Jesus disciples are disturbed and asked, “Who can be saved?” And Jesus says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” God can help us let go and give for the sake of the needs of others.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, this is a difficult scripture to follow. Open our eyes and ears to the needs of others. Help us to let go and give. It is only possible with your help. Thank you. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 28, 2020

Devotion:

Read Exodus 20:1-3.

After the Israelites left Egypt and arrived at Sinai, God gave them the Ten Commandments as their instructions for living. It was common in Egypt to worship many gods, but God had a new plan for them in the Promised Land. In the first commandment God was clear that he alone is God and they were to worship no other gods. God reminded them that he was the one who had led them out of bondage and no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments, they could not be his children if they did not worship him alone as the one true God. We read throughout the Old Testament about the struggle of the children of Israel to keep their commitment to God.

Eventually, the entire Kingdom of Israel falls and they leave the land God gave them because of their disobedience. They chose to worship idols and other gods instead of the Lord God. Today we too allow many things to become gods to us. Money, power, control, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concentrate more on them than our relationship with God. The amount of time we devote to these can grow into gods and begin to control our lives. Jesus preached the same message about making God the priority of our lives. When asked what was the most important commandment in the law of Moses, Jesus replied,

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Mathew 22:37)

Scripture is clear that God must be the priority and focus of our lives. God wants us to be all in for him.

Personal Worship Option:

What keeps you from being all in for God? Pray today for the strength to fight against all things that prevent you from fully worshipping the one true God.