Devotion.al

Tag: family

  • Circumcised Relationship

    Genesis 17:1–14, Deuteronomy 10:14–22, Luke 1:59–80

    The ritual of circumcision existed before the people of Israel came into being (yes, Abraham was their forefather). This was a ritual the physically made the people of Israel different than those around them. It was (and is) the ceremony that “enters” a boy into the . In the modern ceremony (which, in all likelihood, had similarities to the ceremony John went through), the parents with, “As this child has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into Torah, the wedding canopy, and good deeds.” This is also the time when the boy officially receives his Hebrew .

    While we’re certain that John didn’t get married, he certainly learned (“entered”) the Torah and did “good” deeds. When we recognize the receiving of a name as part of this ceremony, we understand where the family is a bit confused regarding the name that John receives, which isn’t Hebrew. John’s name in and of itself indicates that John is set apart at the tender age of 8 days (plus the whole angel visitation) to be different. The Brit Milah is a big family occasion. What a time to make waves!

    While obeying the (Jewish) Law is good, obeying the Law for the Law’s sake is not. As we talked about a few days ago, the Law was never the point. It was a with God. The event of Brit Milah was both the entering into the covenant community and recognizing the One who created that community…God.

    Often we get sidetracked by the good things: church, Bible reading, Life Groups, even . As we “check-off” the list, we neglect a relationship with the One around whom all these revolve. The tasks overtake the relationship. That being said, there are far too many people who say, “I can God better (here) than at (church/life groups).” They might be correct…for a time. However, when we worship God in isolation, we become the only one who holds us accountable. Except in rare cases, that means the worship (let alone the relationship) fades away.

    When Moses talked about circumcising the , it wasn’t supposed to be a task to be “checked-off”, it was a relationship to be had.

    1) When we look at the tradition of circumcision, we can see the similarity with infant . What are the similarities? What are the differences? Why do those differences matter?

    2) At the circumcision, there are 3 aspects of life that are addressed. What are they? How do they echo the life?

    3) Age is no barrier to making waves; John’s parents were well advanced in years, and their son was 8 days old. What does this tell you about the age barriers in living the Christian life? What does this tell you about making a difference for God’s ?

  • By Their Sin, They Are Known

    Genesis 18:16–33, Luke 13:1–5

    The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is often used as an object lesson regarding the result of select sins. In today’s passage, we don’t address those sins, for they aren’t really the subject of today’s section in Genesis.

    What do you think of God and Abraham in this story? God debated whether to tell Abraham about the impending judgment of Sodom. God chose to inform Abraham. The reasoning probably had a lot to do with Abraham having (Lot) in Sodom. What we should draw from this passage is that Abraham didn’t question the of God’s inquiry. In other words, Abraham knew bad stuff was happening in Sodom. Abraham did what the threshold was for enough people needed to prevent destruction. Abraham believed that there had to be one. Note that God didn’t push back on Abraham, either. Abraham was very humble in his approach but kept asking until he was satisfied.

    There is something else to take into consideration. The gods of the area were not known for their self-control. The gods were expected to destroy anything and everything of a village, let’s say if one person offended them. In that context, Abraham gives us a picture of God that is different from the other gods that Abraham would have been familiar with.

    This same motif comes into play when talks about those who died at the Tower of Siloam. There is not some mean-hearted god who waits for a person (or people) to and then destroy them. That is not God at all! For some who brought this up to Jesus there were those that felt that those Galileans were the worst of sinners (for various political reasons), so deserved what they got. Jesus’ point was that everyone needs to , not just some people.

    1) The litany about righteous men in Sodom (or the lack thereof) can be heard in our culture, our churches, our families. How many people does it take for a family, , or culture to be “okay” and not be condemned by those around it? How often have you condemned a group of people based on the behavior of one person?

    2) We often measure suffering. There are 2 basic measures. If the sufferer is , there is a comparison of suffering to being attacked by the Adversary. If the sufferer is not Christian, there is a comparison of suffering to their lack of repentance or the amount of sin in their . Have you done any of these comparisons? What makes either of these comparisons dangerous?

  • The Greatest

    “I am the greatest,” said Muhammad Ali before his match with Sonny Liston. Michael Phelps is the greatest. Usain Bolt is the greatest. They can’t all be the greatest. Yet, Muhammad Ali was the greatest boxer, for a time. Michael Phelps remains the greatest Olympic swimmer, for the time being. Usain Bolt remains the greatest Olympic sprinter, for the time being. The New England Patriots remain the greatest football team, and Tom Brady the greatest NFL quarterback. For now. Wayne Gretzky’s nickname is, “the Great One.” Sports is easy. We could go with presidents, whether those who think they were (or are) the greatest or those who disputably were. We could even over the greatest country.
    But, why?
    ‘ chiding of his friends (and disciples) wasn’t just, “be nice and humble.” It was, “knock it off. Now!”
    Part of the lording over is the lifting of self over . Jesus turns that upside down. The greatest is the one with the of a . Jesus called on his friends (and us) to not define ourselves by the struggles of the world, society, or even our . We can look around ourselves and see that we often react to the power struggles between others and even within ourselves.
    This is why Paul’s words are applicable to our lives. We often grasp for what we do not have. That, sadly, is part of the American “Dream”. Stuff, power, influence, wealth are all good things in small measures. Yet, we often strive for more to the detriment of ourselves and our . Is it all really it in the ?
    Jesus and Paul certainly didn’t think so.
    1) Where do you find yourself struggling for “more”?
    2) Where do you find yourself struggling against the power of others over you?
    3) How do Jesus’ and Paul’s words apply to your situation?

  • Dreaming of Next

    Genesis 25:21–26, Luke 1:5–25, 57

    What’s next?

    Parents have hopes and dreams for their children. In the last few decades, however, a disturbing trend has occurred. For many parents, children have become the target of their . Yes, worship.
    The strands have been there for quite some time. You might the Cabbage Patch Doll craze, or Rangers, or Frozen, or whatever else is the rage for Christmas. Parents would spend crazy amounts of to make sure their child got the “right” toy. Or, you could have a Dudley Dursley (a Harry Potter reference), whose parents got him an increasing amount of presents (and it was quantity, not quality) for his birthday. There was a point of spoiling them, but it became all about the child in an unhealthy way. When the child becomes worshipped, the child misses something very important…childhood.

    The problem with the stories of these legendary figures (and many in the Bible) is that (Esau, Jacob, John) they (and their parents) had an idea of what the plan was going forward to some degree. That doesn’t mean that the plans were something to look forward to (warring nations, revolutionary), but they had an idea. The important part was that it wasn’t their idea. It was God’s.

    Having dreams for children, especially as the head off to the next stage of their lives, is great, but supporting and guiding their dreams will help them become the fulfilled and Christ-following people we want them to be, whether they are our children, grandchildren, or part of the .

    1) Guiding the next generations does not or begin with children, grandchildren, nephews, or nieces. We are all called to guide the next generation regardless of our . Who has been God been calling you to guide?

    2) We often lead the guiding of those not in our immediate to others. However, being of the family of God means the immediate family is far larger than blood would tell. Who else has God been calling you to guide?

    3) No person should only look to one person to be their guide or mentor. Nor should a guide or mentor believe that they are only responsible for only one. Think of the many who have guided and mentored you over the years. thanks to God, and pray for them.

  • Isle Crossing

    2 Corinthians 5:14–21

    There are many things that are worshipped. Most have supplanted God with something man-made or of origin: science, , , work, . Even the fundamental nature of God—love—has been corrupted by humanity.

    We are all familiar with 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” It is often used as an encouraging verse for the new and struggling believer. We are made new in Christ. However, the verse is placed within the context of a larger picture…a larger mission.

    We are to be messengers of and ambassadors for . If we are honest with ourselves, we have been doing the best we can, but it still hasn’t been very good. We—as the —have put family first in an unhealthy way. It is not that family is unimportant, but that the church family is our family, too, and we often neglect it.

    The church allowed itself to be drawn into politics, and we need to stop. Politics are human, but they are often of greater priority to “Christians” than . We need to be the ones on the forefront reconciling differences and parties, rather than being on side of the aisle or the other.

    Our world is in desperate need of something different, let us be something different. Let us be new in Christ Jesus.

    1) Have you questioned someone’s or spiritual maturity based upon their political disagreement with you?

    2) Have you done the same if they raise(d) their children differently?

    3) What have you done to help people be to one another as an ambassador of Christ?

  • Significance Over Wealth

    Psalm 49, 1 Chronicles 29:16–22, Acts 3:1–16

    Wealth and prosperity have long been a source of strife, envy, pointless striving, overwork, and abandonment of . In an achievement-driven culture, it became an even greater issue as an “achievement” of wealth is measured against those whose wealth is an astronomical amount (i.e., a person valuated higher than many countries). With the 2007/2008 bust, wealth was replaced by influence and likes (wealth was still significantly important). Then Generation Z comes along, and wealth and likes are important, but significance and satisfaction have started to override the others. Many are saying this is a of a “spoiled” and too wealthy generation, and a generation doomed to self-inflicted misery. What if, however, it is instead the greatest of the church in the States?

    Without question, each succeeding generation has had a “higher” starting line than the previous generation. Yet, the likelihood that the next generation will move “upward” financially is far less likely. This is not as bad a thing as many think it is. Due to this, the next generation is looking at what they can do to make a difference, and feel as if they are leading a life of significance, and the difference and significance can be as small as their neighborhood or their job. This generation is also more aware of the impact their lifestyle has on the world around them. Being aware of your impact (both positive and negative) is very healthy.

    Solomon was a wealthy king. His had set a very good solid base financially and militarily. In the beginning, at least, Solomon had a very good understanding of the wealth and success…God had given it, and in response and thanks, Israel returned in . Stuff is always God’s, and God gave us the freedom to choose what to do with it.

    Sometimes it isn’t just and , it is our bodies. Just like the coming generation, there wasn’t much upward mobility in most of the Jewish context. You were at the place your parents were, and that was the way it was. If your body was broken, you “earned” a living for your family by begging. The man who was healed was one of those.

    It is more than the that the man got (though it was great) or the financial and material state of the United States (though it is significant), it is the words of Peter, “…why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk…,” or Solomon’s “…all this wealth…comes from your hand…your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to you…”

    1) What area of your life do you struggle “giving” to God versus “earning” it?

    2) How do achievement and influence affect your with God? How do you see it affect others’ relationship with God?

  • Restoring Broken Bones

    Deuteronomy 30:1–6, Matthew 18:15–20, Galatians 6:1–10

    In his commentary on this section of Galatians, Earle Wilson wrote, “The is a family, not a civic or social club. As a family we are knit supernaturally by the Spirit in common fellowship of love. It is in this context that admonished us to carry one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

    At Generations Church, we talk a lot about —friends who are like family. The question then becomes, is that who we are? Is this how we are really identified? Is this how we live out the to be framily? How do we as individuals and collectively truly begin to internalize and live it out fully?

    is an essential piece of as framily. However, for something to be restored, something has to be broken and acknowledged as broken. We are all broken in some way. We can be too confident in our learning, too confident in our family, too confident in our state, too confident in our country, and definite too confident in ourselves.

    Are we still keeping up appearances? Are we still putting on our “church” face? Are we working so hard that we are blind to where the is actually working?

    We are each too scared at times to be truly transparent and vulnerable. Oversharing can be chaotic and emotionally draining, so we cannot take it too far. However, sometimes a broken bone needs to be re-broken so that it heals correctly. Are there bones in our framily that need this?

  • Blessing of Enemies

    Psalm 3, Genesis 14:17–24, Exodus 23:20–33, John 16:1–11

    Enemies are a thing. Sometimes the enemies are more in our head than outside in the world. Sometimes enemies are those that do us harm when they are supposed to be striving for our good. Other times, and currently the most seen, the enemies are those not like us. In truth, they are not our enemies, they are just different, and difference can be perceived as dangerous.

    Abraham’s victory over those who kidnapped his family was attributed to God by Melchizedek. The enemies of Abraham may not have even known they were the until Abraham came to Lot. For Abraham’s sake, God gave them to Abraham, who was to God.

    As the Israelites have left Egypt and are headed to the Promised Land, they are told that there are enemies. These are the enemies they will have to defeat to recover the Promised Land. God promises them victory over their enemies…as long as they follow his ways. And there is the rub. They didn’t do a very good job of that. Under only a few leaders, and only for a limited time, did Israel actually follow God’s ways. However, the rest of the time God allowed their enemies to be victorious, and it is directly tied to their orientation toward God.

    So, if things were to continue, one could reasonably draw the conclusion that once we have a change and with Christ that our enemies would be . Yet, says the opposite. “You’re mine, and the world hates you because of it. Therefore you are surrounded by enemies.”

    Granted, the enemies that surround us are actually those that have often put themselves against God (whether they are aware of it or not). It still doesn’t make it sound much better.

    1) If indeed we are now surrounded by enemies, how is that the Good ?

    2) There are many kinds of enemies: national, religious, political, general life. Think of those that you know that fall under each of these categories, and what can you do to shine the of Christ into their lives?

    3) Thinking of as enemies can be a beneficial starting point because then you can more easily see the barriers that need to be worked on prior to sharing Christ with them. Why is it important to recognize the barriers that separate? What should we do with those barriers?