Devotion.al

Tag: Godsway

  • A Different Movement

    A Different Movement

    Psalm 22:25–31; Amos 8:11–13; Acts 8:9–25

    The diminished place in American society that the American is finally beginning to truly wrestle with is where the church was in many other Western countries many decades ago. As it processes what this means, the American church what it means when “its place” is not the one of honor nor .

    God, however, isn’t as concerned about the church, per se, but about its people. The people (e.g., the future descendants of Psalm 22:30) will still proclaim the , mercy, and love of God. How it’s done, however, will be changing rapidly over the next few years. This isn’t the first time.

    Much of what Jesus opposed during his time of ministry developed when God was quiet (the time between Malachi and John the Baptist). God was very quiet. Yes, there were pious and -led people during those times. They led the people and helped the people. Sadly, over that same time period, others developed ways to “ the mark” that resulted in broken hearts and spirits, and not in a good way.

    The Western church may be in such a place. On the other hand, some of the Western churches aren’t experiencing decline; they are experiencing revival! While they are the exception, it just shows that God is moving.

    There are plenty of Simons in the world. They are successful. They have influence. They have money. Yet, there will be those who, like Simon, will find the message about Jesus to be irresistible and abandon it all.

    Like Peter, though, we will still need to disciple them so that they understand what it means to follow Christ. Even in the church today, there are people who bargain with God. Some will give so that God will give them what they think they want. There are a lot of Simons even in the church.

    How God will , how God will , how people will respond are all in question at this point. We cannot make any assumptions. Nor can we remain comfortable or complacent. God will , let’s we’re beside God as it happens.

    ※Reflection※

    • What changes in church do you see?
    • What changes in you do you see toward God’s movement?
    • How do you see how you will share about Jesus changing?
    • What are your expectations for how God will move?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, as we for your movement, help us to be aware of the little movements all around us, so that we may be present when the big movements come. Amen.

  • Path of Strength

    Path of Strength

    Psalm 29; 1 Kings 2:1–4, 1 Kings 2:10–12; Luke 5:1–11

    In their younger days (and sometimes in their later ones), would flex their muscles, and show off the bulge (even if it was small) of their biceps to their friends. Males, as a general rule, spend much of their lives trying to show their . The reality is that for many men, strength is where they find their validity.

    Females may not understand that, and that’s okay. Sometimes, guys look at other guys and just shake their heads.

    We have carried one of those displays as a word-image: saber-rattlers. The basic understanding is that an army would stand before another army, and rattle their sabers in the sheath. As sabers (or swords) did not fit snugly in their sheaths, the gathered rattle of hundreds or even thousands of sabers all at once would make a loud noise.

    This display was meant to…avoid battle. Much of the flexing and such that men display is to not fight (physically, at least). The goal is for the other to decide that it’s not it. As we all know, physical strength is not everything. Often it is not your strength, but the strength of the ones around you that truly decides the next steps. This is much of the effect of saber-rattling.

    Solomon took over the throne of Israel. The military, political, and economic strength he started with wasn’t his. His father, David, had built up the nation mostly with the sword. God determined that the Temple of the Lord could not built by such a person, despite David’s orientation toward God.

    Solomon had the option to take the same path, but even without the God , it seemed that there was an underlying that Solomon wasn’t the warlike person that his father was.

    Often we model those that appear successful. This is why males tend to continue saber-rattling and flexing…it works.

    We often choose to model the behavior that appears successful, or model what we think is the behavior that achieved success. Other times, we are confronted with the fact that we are not that person. Their way of success is not ours.

    Solomon did not follows his father’s way of success. He chose a different path.

    Peter, James, and John changed their lives, and followed . They couldn’t recreate the miracle of a fishing trip so successful that it threatened to break the nets.

    As part of their following of Jesus, they even lost their way and ran away. Yes, they came back, and then…they chose their path.

    Following the heart of Jesus, rather than trying to replicate Jesus. Granted, no one wanted to be crucified. Certainly, though, the miracles they experienced post-Jesus…wouldn’t that be great?

    Through those 3, and others, we know who Jesus is. Through those 3, we have the . Were they alone? No! Yet, in many respects their story is our story…or it should be.

    ※Reflection※

    • When have you followed a bad (for you) path of success or acknowledgement?
    • How do you balance the modes of success that we have been trained and nurtured in with what your heart, soul, and skills provide?
    • How we succeed deeply affects those that follow us. What are ways we as both church and culture need to improve our paths of success to aide those that follow?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, in far too many respects, the signs of your success are beyond are capabilities. Thank you for not calling us to that, but instead to the ways you have designed us for. Help us to honor both the and the path that you have put before us. Amen.