Devotion.al

Tag: action

Devotionals tagged with action.

  • Indulge Me

    Indulge Me

    Matthew 23:23–36

    Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology. He was the most beautiful person. He was so dissatisfied with those who claimed they him that he expected them to kill themselves to prove their love of him. It wasn’t until he passed a smooth pool of water and saw his own that he fell in love. Ultimately, he was so in love with his own reflection that he didn’t leave the pool and died.

    The term narcissism obviously comes from this story. Narcissism is a personality disorder (according to the “official” diagnosis) where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for .

    Only troubled relationships cannot be (fully) concluded from our understanding of the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees. As we look at the list of issues that are symptomatic of narcissism, we can see echoes of them in these verses.  Yet, while it really would be hard to accuse them of having traits to the depth necessary to be narcissistic, they definitely had issues.

    We all have issues. Any of these should be an issue for a Christian as they are not in line with a Christian walk. One of the other issues that isn’t covered under the list of narcissism is self-indulgence. This may be the razor’s edge of many decisions.

    Self-indulgence can take many forms. Currently, though, it seems to take more the form of self-. Of course, it really is hard to define self-righteousness, as we are all self- to a degree.

    How does one then evaluate an through the lens of self-righteousness? One must look outside oneself. What is the litmus test being used?

    That should be the question we ourselves as we through these troubled times.

    ※Prayer※

    Lord Jesus, help us to look to you to define and guide our actions that we bring and to you. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What is the litmus test for what makes an action or thought self-righteous or not? How about self-indulgence?

    2) What might be the best way to work through self-righteous and self-indulgent actions and thoughts with fellow Christians?

  • Substantial Character

    Substantial Character

    Daniel 6:1–24; Philippians 2:3–16

    Adventure! Drama! Let’s see the big scene!

    Daniel and the Lion’s Den is a dramatic story. No question about that. It’s a great one for kids.

    Daniel, himself, is a great character. Daniel has great character. If you read the story carefully, you’ll notice something interesting. Daniel only has spoken words at the end when he assures Darius that all is well.

    This also speaks to Daniel’s character. As much as the Book of Daniel is Daniel’s story, the Book of Daniel is about God’s plan and redemptive action regarding the people of Judah in their time of exile.

    Daniel (along with others) was called to work for the kingdom they were in (for the Generations community, that was the topic of the last two sermons). He was called to work for the benefit of the kingdom. He was not called to gain power.

    ※ Why do we often think we must have “power” to change things or make things better? ※

    Daniel did gain power. However, he did not as if it was his to do with as he pleased. This contrasts with the two other administrators and all the satraps.* who sought greater power and control of their own. As Daniel was successful as a for the empire, pursuing their own success and power was then not working for the empire.

    As we watch the unfolding of political events around the world (not just the US), all too often people use the emotions of others to draw people it…to gain power and influence. Most of the bureaucrats that are often maligned are putting aside their gain to their best (as they understand it) for their .

    Does that mean there aren’t any “bad actors”? Of course not! It does mean there are likely as many “bad actors” as there are anywhere else, or as few. Yet, a cabal like the one portrayed here is really beyond the US system (despite the conspiracy theories, yes, I’m stepping in a minefield).

    However, culturally, it was normal. In fact, there are still examples of it today throughout the world. Thus, the best that Daniel could be (the one he was called to) was to serve God well through the place and time he was.

    ※What is the witness of this time and place for you? ※

    Daniel truly embodies the Christ-like characteristics of unselfish ambition looking to the benefits of Darius and the Median empire. His character was so resolute that even his adversaries recognized it.

    Daniel became a true and devout of the empire, even going so far as to submit to being setup. Daniel maintained his integrity and his witness, despite the efforts of those around him.

    While perhaps only for a brief time, Darius honored Daniel’s faith and the God Daniel served. All this building up to even a greater witness.

    Imagine that. Being quiet, gentle, unassuming, and working for the benefit of others was Daniel’s greatest witness.

    These same characteristics apply to Jesus. As Paul noted, Jesus being God to serve the created. While not literally exiled from Heaven (unlike others), Jesus was in exile. Jesus was now in one heart with the created.

    Jesus surrendered in grace and to a system and peoples (Jews and Romans) that unjustly crucified him. Jesus did it for all people. He was looking out for everyone else’s interests.

    ※What does Paul’s ending words in this passage tell you about Paul’s heart? ※

    ※Prayer※

    Spirit, and mold us to be humble people that seek the welfare of others so that we are a faithful witness of your work in our lives. Amen.

    * not including Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, more commonly called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

  • Did You Fail?

    Did You Fail?

    1 Kings 18:19–19:5; Malachi 4:5–6; Matthew 17:10–13

    This is a famous story. It really is very impressive how the priests of Baal were humiliated in their bloody ritual, and how God delivered magnificently and undeniable. In a quick turnaround, they went from following the Baal priests to killing them.

    This actually doesn’t say much about the Israelites that’s particularly positive. They just follow the flow and the show. Really, though, that’s often the way we are, too.

    After the show, it appears that the Israelites are all on God’s side, even Ahab…except that really isn’t the case. Ahab runs home to his wife, who promptly threatens Elijah.

    The drought is over. Things are looking up. So, let’s kill that guy!

    No thanks or . No real recognition that God was in this. From Jezebel’s she is both an of God and is more about her power than even her husband’s (who power she really is supplanting).

    Nothing really changed. After that, nothing really changed.

    We tell this tale. We are excited for the good guy (Elijah and God). Yet, nothing really changed.

    What should us and courage, however, is that even Elijah got scared. That huge public event where God shows up…and Elijah runs away.

    Yes, Elijah was threatened. Yet, God had just shown up in such a huge way…and Elijah runs away.

    Many people have had a defining experience with God and then “run away”.  Or, they may have a powerful or action and then appear to not believe that God is capable of the next thing. It is a pretty human behavior.

    Elijah was normal. He heard from God and he spoke through the . He was still normal.

    You’re normal, too. You were called by God. You were claimed by God. You just may be in a difficult place. You could be wondering if God even cares.

    Often, we question our faith when we struggle. We question our salvation. We question the depth of our with Jesus.

    Yes, we are weak. Yes, we are normal. Yes, God loves us.

    Many people think they would want to have such a powerful experience of God as Elijah did. Through it all, Elijah still feared. Through it all, God still him…just as God loves you.

  • Who Makes You

    Who Makes You

    Romans 9:14–33 (read online ⧉)

    A vignette from a …

    “It’s your fault,” said the child.

    “How so,” asked the parent.

    “You knew, and you didn’t stop me,” responded the child.

    “Except I warned you before,” the parent replied.

    “So, what,” retorted the child. “What’s that got to do with stopping me?”

    Or, a different vignette…

    “It’s your fault.”

    “You were warned.”

    “You made me so mad, though, that I wasn’t thinking, and I did it. So, it’s your fault.”

    ‘s use of Old/First Testament imagery causes many modern people to struggle with these verses. In the Wesley/Arminian tradition, these words are a particular struggle, as they appear to not to be free will, a core belief in the tradition.

    However, what we miss is the rhetorical questioning that is going on in the Greek. A rhetorically adequate translation would be more along the lines of, “Yes, while God can make you, that does not make it God’s fault that you still chose your path.” One theologian argues, with some decent reasoning, that even when God hardens hearts (sometimes called judicial hardening), it’s not that the hearts weren’t already hardened. It is that God firms their already stubborn and ungodly hearts so that their immediate will result in the display of God’s glory.

    In other words, God helps them be more firmly where they have already decided to be. Their decision was made first.

    Now, unlike some other Christian traditions, this is not a one-way road. God is in the business! Even when God hardens the for one action, there is often a redemptive action waiting in the wings. It is here that a person will choose to continue to harden their own heart or not.

    The potter and the clay? An analogy, not a description. This passage, too, is often confused as that Israel (and thus the rest of us) are lifeless clay. Paul asks, what if? Paul is not concluding that God made some people for wrath and some are not.

    God did not make us that way. Just as the passage of the Potter’s House, Paul is not saying that God did it so that people are separated from God. God made is so people choose to be separated from God.

    This, too, is hard. For those of us who know God, and have a saving relationship with God, it is beyond our comprehension that people would choose anything other than God. Be grateful that you have .

    Paul’s ultimate conclusion is that God set out works for the people of Israel to do. They believe that is was the works (the tasks) they did to fulfill the Law that made them righteous. This was all while the lesson of Abraham was right there in the …following and choosing God through faith.

    ※※

    Gracious God, we thank you that we have been gifted the freedom to choose you in love. May you shape our hearts and guide our lives that we can help also choose you. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) Do you think you have ever experienced a time when God “hardened” your heart? Why or why not?

    2) Why do you think people believe that God designs people and plans for people to be inflicted by God’s wrath?

    3) What is the hardest thing to realize and feel about knowing that you have to daily choose God?

  • Shear Time

    Shear Time

    Psalm 122; Isaiah 61:1–9; John 15:1–8 (read online ⧉)

    The year of the Lord’s favor is probably not this year. The ever-changing nature of this year, and all the odd and bad things that are going on would in no way seem to be the harbinger of the Lord’s favor.

    What if, however, we are looking at it wrong? Perhaps instead of looking at the disasters and troubles, we should be looking for God. Who or what is God stirring around us? If we become too obsessed with the world, we could miss God.

    This is not to say don’t pay attention to the world. In fact, part of the words of Isaiah is exactly why we should be looking for God in : , heal, liberty, freedom, (even) vengeance, comfort, crown, festive.

    This is not to say that God desires bad things. God will use the bad things (whether natural or human depravity) to mold and if we seek God. If we are not seeking God in these things and through these things, we are far more likely to have hearts that become harder and more resistant to , whether it is being or loving .

    Isaiah’s words aren’t necessarily comfortable, either, especially to those who are in or who have advantages (even if they are unaware). God doesn’t seek, necessarily, to make us comfortable (though God will comfort us). God seeks to us from the inside out. Often, though, we only change (or seek change) under stress. Well, there’s plenty of stress now.

    Rejoice in suffering because God is with us. Not because it’s fun.

    When we are part of the vine (Jesus Christ), we’re going to be pruned. Whether it’s our biases, our fears, our (non-Godly) allegiances, God will prune them. We will often try to graft them back on, and in so doing we are susceptible to diseases of the soul. A diseased branch will be tossed into the fire.

    It is beyond our capabilities to see what fruit we could bear once God is done pruning us. God, though, is the great vinedresser and will seek the maximization of fruit, not our destruction. We just feel that way sometimes.

    There is a running joke out there…what was the worst purchase in 2019? A 2020 planner. There is so much going on that is unexpected, and for which we are unprepared. Instead of groaning or burying our head in the sand, let us embrace the opportunity to be formed by God into his image of us (our unique expression of the Imago Dei).

    ※Prayer [Billy Graham]※

    Lord, whatever I have to face, through it let me more of Your love and compassion. Amen.

    ※※

    1) Is anything new being added to God’s pruning list for you? If not, why do you think that is?

    2) What is the best side-effect when looking for God’s movement in times of suffering and trial?

    3) How does suffering lead to a “Year of the Lord’s Favor”?

  • Opprobrium

    Opprobrium

    Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56 (read online ⧉)

    People often use scripture to justify certain things, or at least state that whatever “this” is, it is nothing new. One of those is a thought that the woman in today’s Scriptures had been bleeding due to a botched abortion. This, of course, is conjecture. There are several other medical conditions which this could fall under, so making this kind of conjecture is often not helpful. This is especially the case when such conjecture takes away from the mystery that is already present in the Scripture.

    Think about the other healings that Jesus performed. In the other healings, he was approached then would act. He was just on his way to heal someone else, and this women surreptitiously approaches him and just touches his clothes to be healed.

    The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) have slightly different tellings of the story. Yet, the woman’s initiative to approach Jesus and touching his clothing to be healed is consistent. Both Mark and Luke talk about the crowds surrounding Jesus. This took courage for this woman.

    The primary thought that this bleeding was similar to menstrual bleeding (hence the aforementioned piece about abortion). If that is so, while the woman would not have to declare “unclean” as a leper, should would be ceremonially unclean, and probably unwelcome, if anyone knew. She, probably some sort of outcast, would have to go among those who likely mocked and scorned her. If she was successful, for 12 years, to keep her condition secret, then she would have likely been overwhelmed by and inadequacy.

    In Mark and Luke, this story takes on another interesting twist. She approached; she touched; she was healed. There was no “” by Jesus. This unique aspect should be one of those moments where we stop and wonder, what is different?

    Anything is conjecture, as the Bible does not directly say anything. One possibility is that in this story we and Man. The Godly left Jesus. Jesus the Man was surprised. Both aspects of Jesus were in full display. There is even this odd hint of the Water of Life being spent, which would then be refilled by God.

    On the other hand, there is an echo of the time in Eden after Adam and Eve had eaten the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve had heard God walking in the Garden and hid because they were naked. God asked where they were. Adam and Eve revealed themselves in shame. Sounds somewhat like the woman who revealed herself.

    There is also the beauty of that this woman has. It isn’t just trust of being healed, but when she reveals herself and tells her story, there is a vulnerability that requires an explicit trust in Jesus.

    This woman has no name in the Scriptures (outlined here). Her cured affliction has been noted for history, but the shame of her condition is not tied to her name. Just as the shame that once weighed her down was gone, so was what needed healing. She left it behind. Her was that her was not her condition. She moved forward in freedom.

    ※ ※

    Lord, we thank you for taking our shame. Though we may still bear the scars and of it, the shame is gone. May this freedom that you have given us, not be misused or unused for your glory. Amen.

    ※ ※

    1) Why do you think each of the Gospel writers (especially Matthew), chose to tell the story the way they did? What do you think of the additional piece that Mark and Luke have?

    2) What is your biggest takeaway regarding the woman of our story?

    3) What do you think the response was of those who were acting on Jairus’ behalf?

  • Responsible

    Responsible

    Exodus 34:1–7; Numbers 14:26–38; Jeremiah 31:27–34 (read online ⧉)

    For those of us whose American individuality is almost hardwired into us, it seems inconceivable that God would punish us for other’s sins, especially for those who sinned before we were born. In fact, in many respects, we struggle with the result of anyone else’s sins being borne by us.

    If we are honest with ourselves, our personal and national (and even religious) histories carry a lot of baggage, and a lot of that has to do with actions that others took, for which we had no , or participation, or approval of. The purposeful and accidental killing of Native Americans by Europeans due to diseases (such as smallpox) is such a thing. It is unlikely any of us would condone such a thing, but the consequences remain even to this day. The clearances of Native Americans to reservations and all that went along with also remains today. Slavery, war, migration, all had and continue to have consequences.

    We are not unique in this. Much of the conflict in the Middle East is because of something that happened yesterday, but of something that happened generations and even centuries ago. The same can be said in Asia, as well. This is not unique to America or the United States. What is unique, though becoming less so, is our individualistic to it.

    For the Israelites, a tribal culture, what one’s did or grandfather did have great import for the current generation. The concept of holding the subsequent generations accountable for one’s own actions was actually quite reasonable for them. The , too, made sense to them.

    As harsh as the words in Exodus seem to our modern years, we see the development of it in Numbers. Yes, the children pay the price. On the other hand, those children grew up into a powerful army. This army was needed for the next step. They also developed a rhythm when it came to God. Their food came from God. Their gathering was guided by God (6 days of work; 1 day of rest). Their habits revolved around God and God’s mercies.

    Did they receive the result of their parents’ misdeeds? Yes. Were the ultimate results bad? No. This wasn’t the ideal. The ideal would have been obedience and by their parents.

    This punish/reward pattern would remain for generations until God’s declaration to Jeremiah. The whole grapes quip showed that Israel had forgotten exactly what meant and intended. Now, it became everything (which it still was, but God was about , not failures).

    We read these verses in Jeremiah and can be immediately be lead to the concept of our individual through Jesus Christ. It’s not that this is invalid, but that it is incomplete.

    As Christians, we are called to bear one another’s burdens. That often includes their failures and even their sins. While the ultimate cost (death) is paid, the consequences remain. Those consequences remain for lifetimes and even lifetimes to come.

    ※ Prayer ※

    Heavenly Father, we read you and often wonder if we’re missing something, for we cannot understand the entirety of who you are. We thank you for your Son. Jesus, thank you for your time on Earth, allowing us the to see God’s face. Holy , guide our hearts and actions, not just for the now, but also to heal the hurts of the past that are not our fault, but we, as your children, are called to heal. Amen.

    ※ Questions ※

    1) Have you ever been held responsible for someone else’s action over which you had no influence or control? What was that like?

    2) What is the difference between consequences and punishment? Which path do you see God following?

    3) What if your salvation was dependent upon others? How would you behave differently?

  • Proof

    Proof

    27 April 2020 devotional

    John 4:45–54; Acts 7:47–60; Hebrews 11:1–16 (read online ⧉)

    “What is ? How does it begin? Are we alone?

    These are some of the questions we ask in our quest to about and share the wonders of the universe.”

    From the About us section of the SETI Institute website

    SETI (the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) Institute searches the universe for signs and proofs that we are not the sole planet containing intelligent life. They work with scientists, other scientific organizations, government agencies to analyze the heavens above to answer questions for which humanity has since the beginning sought , such as, why are we here, and how did it all begin?

    In history books, we are taught to despise the Roman Catholic church for its ex-communication of Galileo, notwithstanding that there was more at stake than just whether the sun or the earth was at the center of the solar system (actually, both argued for Creation). In the Church of the Nazarene, there is still a theological debate between those that believe in a literal 7 day Creation and those that believe the 7 days are figurative.

    Proof of God’s existence for some is impossible, for no matter what you say they will not believe. For others, proving God exists is simple when one watches the sunrise or a bumblebee fly.

    Proof is often requested. That’s no surprise. It was demanded of that he prove his validity. Miracles and teachings should have been sufficient, but it wasn’t. Even those that were, supposedly, of the same faith challenged him. They didn’t believe what was right in front of them.

    The story of Israel includes casting out, beating, and even killing prophets sent by God. Israel would raise up and support and follow those that opposed the prophets of God. The prophets were not all highly educated. They weren’t always from influential families. There is some question if anything “qualified” them to be a prophet of God. That’s the . The one who called, also qualified…God.

    We are at a time when science appears to reign supreme. Culturally, it does. Often it was because religion vilified what it feared or did not understand. Honestly, just as science does today in regards to religion. Often, we are called to defend our faith with “proof”. No scientific proof will likely prove to an atheistic scientist that God exists. It will be something that we will be wrestling with for generations to come.

    It comes down to the question being asked. Science asks what and how (in a systemic sense). Religion asks about why and how (in a motivational sense). Often times things seem to be in conflict, however, the reality is (as Christopher Stasheff once wrote) that any conflict between science and religion is either a science believer who doesn’t understand religion or a religious person who doesn’t understand science.

    This is an incredibly volatile time. There are far too many people full of fear and ignorance, and too little deep information out there. What there is are people who take the pieces they do have and weave something that fits for them. Often, though, the result ends up having an unexpected growth beyond anticipation that increases blind fear resulting in the wrong action in response.

    Prayer

    Heavenly , we thank you that you have given us minds that seek to understand you and your Creation. Help us balance these views that often seem to be in conflict so that we can live out the life that your son, Jesus, has called us to. Holy , guide us into all as Jesus said you would. Amen.

    Questions

    1) Do you tend more to the science side or the faith side? (There is no wrong answer)

    2) Do you struggle to balance science with faith? How about others you know?

    3) What is the great science revelation you can think of? What is the greatest faith revelation you can think of? Do these conflict?