Devotion.al

Tag: father

  • Holy Night

    Holy Night

    29 April 2020 Devotional

    Genesis 1:1–19; Genesis 22:17–18; Psalm 134 (read online ⧉)

    I try to settle, but I just pass through
    A rain dog, gypsy
    A wandering Jew
    All those homes were not ours
    Then I slept one night
    In Abraham’s field
    And dreamt there was no moon
    The night he died
    Counting stars

    from The Orphan by the Newsboys

    One of the interesting conflicts in the is the tendency to the dark (because of bad people and wild animals). Yet, on the other hand, God did not make the dark to be bad. God called it good.

    We want to conquer the darkness. As our cities become fuller (or at least were pre-COVID), the “light pollution” was significant. If Abraham was, for example, a homeless person in Seattle, there would be very few stars to count. It wouldn’t be much of a .

    If you’ve had any experience away from cities, you’ll understand the magnificence of God’s night sky as created. If you’ve been someplace really remote on a moonless night (i.e., “new moon”), it is even more spectacular.

    As the “” aged, the simplicity of day=good and night=bad developed into a theology that happened in the day, especially in the morning to go with the day or morning star (the sun being a symbol of Jesus). Modern churches did develop night worship to a degree, but it has been far and away diminished in comparison to daytime worship.

    The psalmist’s very short homage to the night workers at the House of God brings to point the many people behind the scenes of churches, schools, hospitals, and many institutions that do not get the recognition for they are behind the scenes. The night workers at the House of God were not any less important than the ones assigned in the day. It was just that they were not as visible. Did they get the accolades? Probably not. Did they fulfill their calling? Yes. Without them, worship couldn’t happen during the day. The night was just as essential to daytime worship as those who were there during the day.

    There is one thing that the night can bring us that day often doesn’t…stillness. Under the night sky, there is often a greater willingness to just (or lay down) and stare at the jewels that God placed in the heavens. In that place of stillness and of sparkling jewels, God can speak in that still small voice…and we might actually hear.

    Prayer

    Father God, through the Word, Jesus, you made the moon and the stars, and all the heavenly bodies. Help us to recognize your glory and love in them. May your Spirit guide us today to stop and just gaze in wonder at what you have made. Amen.

    Questions

    1) What do you think of when gazing at the stars? What is the strongest memory you have of the night sky?

    2) Who are some of the people behind the scenes that you can think of, that glorify God by their humble and hidden service?

    3) We often on people to be humble. On the other hand, there is often this desire to have a superstar who is charismatic and often needs some lessons in humility. How do we get to this point?

  • Wholesome Speech

    Wholesome Speech

    Leviticus 19:11–18; 2 Corinthians 12:19–21; 1 Peter 2:1–5 (read online ⧉)

    Slander is one of the biggest things that divide people whether it be in families, churches, the internet, the world. Slander can be small things, it can be large things. The reality is that it often hurts the innocent and the guilty the same. Slander and gossip can be very destructive. However, while we often focus on the person who is being slandered or gossiped about, we often miss the larger picture.

    Let’s take any leader. If you heard them slandering or gossiping about someone else, it should make you pause. If they are willing to say that about a person who isn’t present, what are they saying about you when you are not present? Slander and gossip can undermine leadership, , , and most of all love.

    This does not mean that we cannot vent or our struggles or feelings regarding another person. That can be bad, too. What we share about others needs to be considered carefully. Often we don’t carefully and prayerfully consider what we say about others. It is when we react with our responses that the greatest damage can occur. In our anger or pain, we often attribute characteristics to others that are more a of our feelings than the other person.

    In fact, there is no simple way to do any of this. are often a struggle. While we struggle to relate to one another, we are hurt by one another, and hurt one another. Some of the pains we experience and have yet to identify or process will come out in ways we do not understand or anticipate. Celebrate Recovery (a 12-step Christian recovery program) has a great and very useful saying for when we deal with other people:

    “Hurt people, hurt people.”

    It is simple. If we think about it, though, we can see the in it. Humankind has fallen from God’s intent. Out of our sin, and as a consequence of the sins of others, we hurt that which bears God’s image…each other.

    Prayer

    Father God, you show such grace, mercy, and patience with us your wayward children. Thank you for the of , giving us a way to overcome our frailties that does not depend on us. Holy Spirit, and heal us into a Christlike image that seeks to restore and heal others and ourselves. Amen.

    Questions

    1) Can you think of a time when you believe someone slandered you or gossiped about you? What was that like?

    2) What is wholesome speech? What should the characteristics of wholesome speech be? What should the end results of wholesome speech be?

    3) How do you heal relationships torn apart by gossip or slander?

  • Proof

    Proof

    27 April 2020 devotional

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

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

    These are some of the we in our quest to learn 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 , 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 Jesus that he prove his validity. Miracles and teachings should have been sufficient, but it wasn’t. Even those that were, supposedly, of the same 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 human perspective. 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 and ignorance, and too little deep information out there. What there is are people who take the pieces they do have and weave something together that fits for them. Often, though, the result ends up having an unexpected growth beyond anticipation that increases blind fear resulting in the wrong in response.

    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 truth 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?

  • That’s a Christian?

    Psalm 26; Matthew 23:11–15; Titus 1:5–16 (read online ⧉)

    “One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.”

    Titus 1:12-14

    This is oddly comforting. That there were such people that recognized as Christians is astounding in our current age. People are quick to call Christians hypocrites (including other Christians). Yet, it would seem that there were some lying, evil beast-like, and lazy gluttonous Christians in Paul’s day. It’s not really as if it’s new today. It’s also not as if Paul didn’t have “constructive criticism” for the Cretan Christians. The implication from Paul is that the Cretan Christians should not be identified with the Cretan stereotype. They need to mature in their Christian walk.

    Hypocrisy is often a term cast at Christians, for we are not perfect. There was a time where Christians were very much like the religious leaders that castigates, “You travel over land and sea to make one convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are!” There has been a sea change in American Christianity. There has been a willingness to confront the uncomfortableness of being held to a Biblical standard that the world sometimes seems to understand better than we do.

    On the other hand, there is a fundamental misunderstanding, too. Most honest and humble Christians that they have a long way to go. In comparison, the hypocrites were those that acted as if they were perfect. It’s not as if Christians don’t have this problem. Most humans do, as they do not wish to appear weak before others. Often the “we have it together” appears when we don’t say, “I know I have issues.” The other time is when we say “we’re fine” when we’re about to fall apart inside. These, however, are common to humanity. So, Christian hypocrisy (which definitely exists) applies when it refers to a Christian ideal.

    An easy one is reading the Bible. If you tell people they ought to be reading their Bible daily, you’d better be doing it yourself. On the other hand, were you to say, “We all should seek to read the Bible and connect with God at least daily,” that indicates that you don’t measure up to the standard/expectation and that you know others don’t either, yet still acknowledging that there is a standard to strive to achieve.

    And this is where it gets interesting. There are those that will call you a hypocrite for you don’t live up to the standards you call for and acknowledge that you don’t . Christians are called to live up to a standard (Jesus Christ) that they can never meet and will spend their lifetimes pursuing. That is not hypocrisy, that is being a .

    Father, you send us Jesus as are the source of our life. Jesus, you are the one we seek to resemble. Only by the Spirit are we being transformed into your likeness. , as the world seeks to keep us from being transformed encourage our souls to pursue Christlikeness. Amen.

    Questions

    1) Have you ever feel like an “impostor” Christian, never measuring up? If so, how so?

    2) What is your definition of a hypocritical Christian? Is that any different than a non-Christian hypocrite?

    3) What is an area that you call others to a better Christian walk? How are you doing in that area? If you were to broaden that area to a larger or more general application, how are you doing?

  • At His Word

    At His Word

    Psalm 19; Proverbs 1:1–8; Romans 15:4–13 (read online ⧉)

    When you read the , are you reading words or are you reading the Word?

    If you have been a for any length of time you know what the “right” answer is. That doesn’t mean that for you it is the true answer. Many people read the Bible because it is the “right” thing to do, or they’ve developed habits (which is good, too).

    The saddest situation is those that read the Bible but have lost the and wonder with reading. If you’ve never had any joy or wonder, then the opening question applies. If you’ve lost the joy and wonder…it might be time to pause and reflect.

    There are a lot of ways and methods and suggestions on how to read the Scriptures. It’s not that they don’t matter, they aren’t the first step. You need to know your reason for reading the Scriptures. One could say that the most you get out of it will be based on what you put into it. Yet, that really doesn’t fit with the Scriptures, at least not as a whole. What you might get out of Deuteronomy will likely be different then you get out of the Psalms which will be different than Proverbs.

    The closest description one can probably use regarding all of the Scriptures (other than “the Word of God”) is a love letter. Yes, it is a very long love letter. It also is filled with many hard things. We look around us, and the world is much the same. It is filled with beauty and love. It is filled with darkness.

    There are a few absolutes in the Scriptures about the Scriptures. The psalmist writes about the instructions. Solomon writes about God’s . talks about how the past speaks to the now and the .

    Prayer

    , somehow you are the Word of God and so are the Scriptures we have been given. Thank you for this , for it shows us time and time again the unfathomableness of God. , guide as we read the Word. Help us to see the ‘s love written to us. Amen

    Questions

    1) What is your favorite book of the Bible (if it is a Psalm, which one)? Why? How does it tell you about God, and about you?

    2) How would you describe the Scriptures to another believer? How would describe them to a non-believer?

    3) If you were stuck on an island (or in your house), would the bible be enough for you? Would it be sufficient?

  • Watching Rest

    Watching Rest

    Genesis 1:26–31; Exodus 23:27–30; Leviticus 26:34–35; 2 Chronicles 36:15–21 (read online ⧉)

    We are all very much aware that humanity is not the sole living creature that God created. Many of us have had experiences in wilderness areas and national parks. grew up “on the land” where neighbors were a long way off, and wild animals would often be present or intrude.

    Depending on where you live now, there are probably a few dogs that bark and birds that chirp. You might be one of those who live near wetlands (quite the common thing around here) and are serenaded by frogs at night. There is that occasional spider that draws a scream, or the annoying mosquito followed by many claps to kill it. We are surrounded by other creatures that we disregard, are oblivious to, or dismissive of.

    Sometimes, just like the Promised Land, our lands need a from us. It has been very interesting to watch the wildlife spread out in the National Parks. San Francisco is having coyotes on the streets. In our area, these may not seem all that significant, as we are still somewhat close to open lands, however, even here the signs of God’s other creatures are making themselves known.

    Most of us are separated from the land these days. Farmers will tell you to rotate the crops. Certainly, in areas on the east side of the Cascades, they will let a field go fallow for a year, every 7 years, just as the Scriptures say. The land needs rest, just as much as people.COVID-19 stay-at-home orders still aren’t that old (though it may feel like it). The wilds are quickly coming back. This means that much of the post-apocalyptic stories and movies have it wrong. It doesn’t take years for nature to come back. Nature moves back in very quickly. It also tells us how the busyness of our lives may not only be detrimental to ourselves, it might be detrimental to the rest of God’s , too. The same Creation that we are responsible for.

    , we see the way the ‘s Creation is responding to our absence. Help us to look at the lives we will be returning to post-COVID, and see how rest and rhythm can be reintroduced into our lives so that we are better able to the hope and love of Jesus that he demonstrated through his and his . Amen.

    Questions

    1) Have you seen any change in the creatures around you? If not, have you even been paying attention to them?

    2) Why might other creatures be a mirror to us in how we live our lives for others and for God?

    3) What is one positive thing that you have learned about yourself (including any new practices) during the COVID-19 that you want to take with you to the other side of COVID-19? What will you do to make sure it happens?

  • Walk Away

    Walk Away

    Hebrews 2:1–4; Hebrews 6:4–8; Revelation 13:11–17 (read online ⧉)

    Those who have fallen away is a hard subject for many of us. We know people who at point affirmed that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, but through various experiences, conversations, perhaps even discouraging events, they walked away from their faith that they had held onto dearly. Often it is because they have hard questions and they receive, “you just have to have enough faith,” or “don’t question the teachings,” or many other responses that are not answers.

    The question then becomes, “now what?” It really isn’t something good. Just as teachers are held to higher standards than other believers (James 3:1), former believers are held to a higher standard than non-believers. This is not because they became better people, but because they walked away from their . The author of Hebrews puts is very starkly, to be saved again, they have to crucify Christ again.

    This sounds impossible, for Jesus Christ died once for all. However, that really isn’t what the author is saying. Especially for those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior later in (especially post-childhood), the acknowledgment and acceptance that Jesus Christ died for us has a far deeper and harsher meaning. We become more aware of just what that means. For many of us, that was a hard enough journey.

    Imagine someone whose hard was hardened toward God and walked away. That road back to salvation will be so much harder to walk than the first time. Peeling away the new and probably harder and thicker layers. Often the pride built when walking away has to be torn down, and then the other layers of have to be torn down again. It is no easy road.

    The author of Hebrews isn’t saying it impossible. By God’s grace, mercy and love, the road to redemption can indeed be walked many times. It does depend on how one left the road and how one kept off the road. There are no easy answers, and the road is always different for each person. If you know of someone on a road that is not the Redemption Road…THERE IS HOPE. Do not lose hope! With God, all things are possible!

    As of late, this has come to the fore as there have been a number of high profile people who have “left” the faith (though, when you actually read what they say, it’s not closing the door).

    At the same time, with the COVID-19 , we are seeing good-intentioned Christians stirring up the pot with concerns regarding vaccinations, government controls, “conditioning” and other things using the imagery of “the Beast.” Now, to some degree or another, the concerns have validity. Using “the mark” and “the number” of the “Beast” as a scare tactic (even as perceived justifiable one) helps to plant stones on the paths of those wandering away from the faith, and even those who are struggling in their faith, yet faithfully walking the way.

    This is not to say that those invoking “the Beast” are at fault, just like the person who spoke poorly or wrongly is singly at fault for another person walking away from the faith. And that is probably the hardest thing to hear from the author of the Hebrews. We all have the responsibility to build and strengthen our faith, just as we are responsible for what we do that weakens it. What we can do is be open to as they struggle. We also need to be open to others regarding our struggles.

    Father, , and Holy Spirit, please strengthen our faith, whether it be in trying times or times. Help us to walk the path resolutely even when we stumble. Please help us be among those who will lift us up when we stumble and fall. Help us to be the you have called your children to be. Amen.

    1) What famous person are you aware of that walked away from the Christian faith? Other than the fact of their walking away, what do you know of their story?

    2) When was the last time you answered a seeking question with an answer that you regretted later? What did you about yourself and God through that?

    3) What is the best way to share the love of Jesus to those who are seeking or doubting?

  • Ways of Speech

    Psalm 1; Exodus 13:3–8; Hebrews 1:1–4 (read online ⧉)

    There is no one way that God speaks, and no one person by whom God speaks.

    The author of Hebrews recalled all the prophets that we have in the Scriptures. In addition, there were the Jewish leaders and teachers that went before that the author also had in mind. Often we think only of the great and lesser prophets (those we have in the Scriptures), and less about those who guided both the collection of the Scriptures, recognition of God speaking through certain Scriptures, and who guided those that followed after them.

    The Christian church really is no different in that regard. Sometimes they are called the Doctors of the Faith (those whose thoughts are foundational of Christian thinking and theology). Sometimes they are called theologians (people who study the work of God). Sometimes they are called philosophers (those think about meaning). Sometimes they are called pastors. Sometimes they are called believers.

    Often God speaks through people in a still small that we do not recognize as being God until long after they have gone. Sometimes we don’t recognize those that have spoken God into our lives, and we may not until we reach the other side.

    , however, was something altogether different. In the other 2 Abrahamic traditions, Jesus is only a prophet. This is important for prophets are fallible people, just like you and me, even while they are inspired by God. If Jesus is only a prophet, then we have a problem. If Jesus is who he says he is, then we are blessed to know him.

    In this of many voices, we can be drawn away from God at anytime. It is only by knowing and him that we can maintain our walk with him. This is where we often have to choose and it may feel like we are just stabbing in the dark. This is also where we need to walk alongside one another to lift up and encourage one another in the faith.

    Precious , we give you all the and honor we can, even when we feel as if we are not worthy of your . Jesus, we thank you for the of love that you lived for us, that we could see God’s love lived out. Holy , continue to counsel us into the perfect truth that is you, the Triune God.

    1) In the current crisis, what doubts do you struggle with? How are you managing them?

    2) Who, in your life, has provided the greatest impact regarding your walk with God?

    3) What do/would you say to someone that believes that God no longer speaks or that does not believe that God ever spoke?