Daily Devotion, February 5, 2022

Devotion:

Read Matthew 16:24-25; 20:25-28.

One of the simple ways to describe the way that Jesus taught us to live is this: it is the way of sacrifice and service. He taught this way both by what he said and did. His whole life was one of sacrifice. His way of living was one of servanthood.

These two Scripture passages from “The Gospel According To Matthew” are two key places where he makes this lesson clear. Earlier in chapter 16, he had affirmed Peter for his recognition that Jesus was the Messiah, then rebuked him for not accepting Jesus’ statement that he was going to suffer and die in Jerusalem. Then he lets all of his disciples know that following him means being willing to take up a cross, which means being willing to live a life of sacrifice.

His lesson in chapter 20 comes right after the disciples were upset with James and John for seeking a special place alongside Jesus. Jesus again makes it clear that his way is different from the way of the world. In the world, we tend to seek positions of authority, even if it’s just among our family or friends. We want to be in control. Jesus teaches that those who will follow his way will be those willing to serve, that the highest position in his kingdom is servant.  

Can you describe the way you live your life as one of sacrifice and service? 

Personal Worship Option:

What intentional sacrifice will you make this week for the cause of Christ? What service will you provide for someone else on behalf of your Lord?

Daily Devotion, February 4, 2022

Devotion:

Read John 13:34-35.

It is good to be reminded often of what Jesus said about how his people would be identified: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This was not a new commandment (lev. 19:18), but to love others as much as Christ loved others was revolutionary. Now we are to love others based on Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. Such love will not only bring unbelievers to Christ, it will also keep believers strong and united in a world that is hostile to God. Jesus was a living example of God’s love, as we are to be living examples of Jesus’ love.

This kind of love is more than a warm feeling. It is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loves us? By helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it is difficult, by devoting energy to other's welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of love is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source.

Personal Worship Option:

How would you describe yourself and the way you demonstrate love? Do you need to take an inventory of your life? How will you demonstrate love today?

Daily Devotion, February 3, 2022

Devotion:

Read Matthew 7:21-23.

Out of the entire Sermon on the Mount, this might be the toughest of Jesus’ teachings. We have been told earlier in Matthew that the wide gate and the broad road are full of people who have rejected God and have gone their own way. Jesus warned us to be on guard against leaders who teach with improper motives. But there are also people on that road who think they are right with the Lord, people who appear to be doing the right things. In this passage he warns us to be on guard against people who appear to follow Jesus but are actually far from him. It’s possible to say all the right things and sound very spiritual. We may speak in pious language, and criticize all that is wrong in our world. We may even busy ourselves with religious activities—all in the name of Jesus. Yet on the day of Jesus’ return, the sobering reality is that some will be sent away because he doesn’t know them.

The most important thing about us isn’t how many times we have attended church, how much we have volunteered, or how much money we have given. The most important thing is knowing, and being known by Jesus. This means losing our lives in him and putting our agenda aside so that we can honestly say, “Not my will, but yours be done”.

Personal Worship Option:

Jesus is seeking everyone, both in and outside of the church. Is my faith genuine? Am I on the right path? Do I really know him? And does he really know me? Dear God, show me where I may be holding back, and help me to serve you wholly in all that I do. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 2, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 10:25-37.

Earlier in Luke 10, Jesus commissioned and sent out seventy-two others to heal the sick and to tell them, “The kingdom of God is near you.” They return with joy and tell the stories of their experiences. Jesus, full of joy, praises God for hiding things from the “wise and learned” and revealing them to little children.

Luke then illustrates this irony with the story of the lawyer’s question and Jesus’ response. The lawyer “knows” the factual answer to his own question, but the eyes of his heart are blind to the full understanding of Jesus’ answer. Jesus affirms the core of the Old Testament Law, and helps this lawyer understand it is a way of life.

Jesus’ response is the familiar story we know as “The Good Samaritan,” which is simple and sometimes children understand better than adults. But through the years, we find more and more surprises in Jesus’ simple story.



The main surprise is the unlikely hero is from Samaria! Samaritans were severely disliked, even considered enemies by the people of Israel. Not only did the compassionate Samaritan stop and help, but he transported the man to a place where he would be safe and receive care. The compassionate Samaritan even returned the next day to pay for any costs the care would incur.

Rev. Dr. Peter Rhea Jones commented that another surprise is that the man by the side of the road also had to “receive the help” from the Samaritan. It is difficult to receive help from individuals we consider to be our “enemies.”

Now the lawyer knew the law included “love neighbor as self,” but he was testing Jesus about the detail of “neighbor.” The lawyer admitted that Jesus’ story illustrated easily that the Samaritan was “the neighbor.” By answering this, he began realizing Jesus’ call to demonstrate compassion to others, and also, he had to hear clearly Jesus’ surprising call to love this people group as much as one loves self! This created a vast U-turn for this lawyer who had justified limiting the word, “neighbor” for people who were like him.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, too often, we limit the word, “neighbor”. And too often, we get caught up doing “good” for others and forget to “love others as self” which includes unlikely “neighbors” nearby and far away. Open our hearts to “see” and love the people of the world. Amen.

Daily Devotion, February 1, 2022

Devotion:

Read Luke 10:38-42.

Jewish women of Mary and Martha’s day had many duties. They prepared kosher meals, kept the lamps filled with oil, cleaned the house, filled jugs of water to the brim for household uses and for ceremonial cleansing, and laundered the tunics! All of this without the advantage of our modern conveniences. When Martha invited Jesus and his disciples to stay at her home on their way to Jerusalem, it meant even more preparation! As her guests arrived, Martha continued with all of her tasks, making sure everyone was comfortable so that they could worship. When Martha saw Mary worshiping at the Master’s feet, she had had enough and cried out to Jesus. Jesus helped Martha get perspective. Martha had forgotten to do the one thing Jesus said was the most important thing: worship him. Mary had made the better choice. While Martha was doing good things in preparing and serving, she turned her good thing into being distracted, worried, and upset. Even doing good things can get in the way of worshiping God. Let’s make sure we choose to do the one good thing God wants us to do: worship him.

Personal Worship Option:

Instead of doing many things today that might lead to distraction, worry, or upset, spend time worshiping God, listening to him, and learning from him.

Daily Devotion, January 31, 2022

Devotion:

Read Acts 9:1-2.

In the first century, Christians were referred to by different names. Later in the Book of Acts, in 11:26, we read of believers in the church in Antioch being the first to be called “Christ-ones,” or Christians. In today’s passage, we see believers referred to as people who belonged to “the Way,” which was a common name for those who followed Christ. In John 14, when Thomas had asked Jesus to tell the apostles the way to where he was going, Jesus replied, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

There are so many different ways to live our lives. We can focus on gaining wealth and material things, on seeking power and fame; and we can compromise our values in order to be popular and liked. But none of those ways lead to the abundant life God intends for us. Real life comes in learning to live the way of Christ, and it is no coincidence that we recently changed the wording of our church mission statement to “Learning to live the way of Jesus Christ and inviting all to follow him.” Learning to live the way of Christ is a lifelong process of study, prayer, serving others, and focusing our values on those things Christ loved and taught.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect today on how you are doing in living the way of Christ. Is there something that needs to change in order for that to be your personal mission in life? God does not want us to hang our heads in guilt but to lift our heads, follow the Way, and invite others to join us on our journey.

Daily Devotion, January 30, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 7:24-30.

This can be a very disturbing story for those who have come to know Jesus. His rebuke of the woman in the story does not sound like the Jesus we have come to know in the rest of the story about him. There is much to learn about what is actually going on in this verbal exchange and we will look at that in the sermon during worship this morning.

For now, I want to celebrate the love and courage of this woman! She is a mother who loves her daughter so much that she is willing to do whatever it takes to find healing for her. She has heard about Jesus’ power to heal and though she is a Gentile, she goes to him seeking help for her daughter. When he lets her know that he is focused elsewhere at this time, she offers an argument that is compelling. Jesus welcomes her courage and her quick-witted intelligence. Notice that he grants the healing because she “won the argument” (v. 29).

This exchange is another example of the Biblical teaching that God wants to be in relationship with us and is willing to listen and be in conversation with us. Let this woman inspire you to tell God what you think!

Personal Worship Option:

Is there anything that you “really think” that you are afraid to say to God? Why?