Devotion.al

Tag: grace

  • Open Invite

    Open Invite

    Acts 8:26–40; Psalm 22:25–31; 1 John 4:7–21; John 15:1–8

    In many respects, the story of the Ethiopian is one of my favorites. It, along with the Samaritan woman, reflects the and grace of God.

    Yesterday, in Amos 9:7, Cushite was used as a disparaging term toward the Israelites infidelity to God. A Cushite is what the Old Testament calls…an Ethiopian. So, the people group used to disparage the Israelites…can have a saving with Jesus Christ.

    Then there is another issue. The Ethiopian was a eunuch. Per the Law, a eunuch was not permitted in the . Granted, had redefined things a bit.

    One thing often disappears in this is the reality that one cannot reproduce biologically when one is a eunuch. However, as a one still produces children…spiritual ones (think and Timothy).

    The Ethiopian was already on the spiritual journey, for he was going to at the Temple. It means that he was a worshiping as a Jew. He was, then, almost there.

    The Ethiopian is symbolic of just how outside of God’s “” a person can be, and still be called into relationship. We could dismiss the so-called minor issues of the Ethiopian, however, the Law helped to define what was for the Jews.

    So, this isn’t a minor thing. Instead, it shows that while God is holy and separate, God still makes a way for those whose hearts are open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. That’s pretty open. God’s grace is wide open.

    ※Reflection※

    • Have you ever felt so separated from God, that God would never take you back?
    • How would you explain this grace to a person who does not understand ?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, you are the reason for this grace that we have been given. Thank you for what you did for us on the cross. Amen.

  • Even Smaller Than That

    Even Smaller Than That

    Psalm 22:25–31; Amos 9:7–15; Mark 4:30–32

    The Lord’s condemnation of Israel puts Israel in the same category as the people that were pushed out of the Promised Land in the beginning. In many respects, the in the West probably is similarly categorized. You may have had your instantaneous of, “Yes, THAT part of the church has THAT issue.” Yes, they probably do. And don’t forget that they see some issue with you.

    This is . It is also the saving of the church. Yes, that there are two such severe wings of the church is actually a great potential for the greatest grace lived out since the last reformation.

    Viewing Amos as a of the church (a very loose interpretation, granted), there was a silver lining to being categorized alongside the enemies of God. God wasn’t done with them (Israel or the church), and they would eventually be restored.

    In these times, we (even we cynics) must look for both the silver linings and the little ways that God is moving in the world, especially the Western World that appears to be alienated from or directly opposing God (including or especially in the church). We need to be actively looking for God’s mustard seeds.

    ※Reflection※

    • What mustard seeds are you seeing in your ?
    • What mustard seeds are you seeing in the lives of ?
    • What will you do to nourish these mustard seeds you see?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, you are never sparing in sowing the seeds of grace. Help us to be equally generous as we our lives which you have changed through your . Amen.

  • Restoration

    Restoration

    Psalm 95; Micah 7:8–20; Mark 14:26–31

    In this passage in Micah, Zion is the personification of Jerusalem and the Promised Land. Zion also takes on the aspect of the people themselves. What is interesting is that Zion proclaims in regards to God, but the actual people weren’t open to that way of thinking.

    The recognition that the consequences of destruction are well-earned is also something many of the people would not understand. If we are honest with ourselves, none of us like the negative consequences of our actions. We only want the positive ones.

    The poetic hyperbole of the rebuilding of Zion is about the speed of versus the speed of falling into one’s own mire. God gave the descendents of Israel plenty of time to allow themselves to descend into the mess of their own making. God also gave them plenty of time to . They chose not to.

    God still them, though, just as God still loves us even when continue to do things that God does not want us to do. That is the beauty and the grace in the poetic rebuilding of Zion. In many respects, we can see a resemblance to what occurs when a person first truly gives their to Christ. Restoration! Restoration of our with God is always there waiting for our surrender.

    When the disciples made such sure and quick promises to Jesus that they would never betray him, their words were honest to the best of their understanding. However, once the hard times came, they quickly ran away (granted, after today’s verses). They were truly overwhelmed by the (, religious, cultural, and political) that came to take Jesus.

    They made a rash proclamation and broke it quickly after. Jesus still came and restored the relationship. Restoration is always around the corner.

    ※Reflection※

    • How has God restored you? Can you recall how many times? What lessons were learned from them? What person or people were common in any of these experiences (whether individuals or roles)?
    • What does this tell you about God? What does it tell you about yourself?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, under your grace and , we are always under construction. Thank you for working on us. Help us to surrender each wall, door, or room of our hearts that is not like you. Amen.

  • A Matter of Age

    A Matter of Age

    Psalm 95; 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Peter 5:1–5

    Are you old, or are you young? It might seem to be an easy answer. Even with twins (or other multiples), there is always one who is older. Except, that far too often, we focus on chronological, rather than contextual age.

    There are stories after stories in the Scriptures where youth isn’t the issue, but rather to God. To be sure, some of the most showed their faithfulness from their youth (Samuel and David, for example).

    David and Samuel were both young when God called them to amazing things. What we often don’t discuss is that these two, for example, were surrounded by those older than themselves. Whether it was David’s (or later counselors) or the priests and seers around Samuel, there was bound to be someone older who spoke into their lives. We know that even Eli (Samuel’s mentor) spoke into Samuel’s in a God-filled way, despite having fallen away from God in other ways.

    While Peter’s letter is generally assumed to be by chronological age, there is another . While age was still a factor, in particular, it was age of faith. Peter’s calling to the leaders was as , elder, and age. There is something to be said about long and deep experience in the faith (rather than a short time or any length of time in shallow faith).

    This gets particularly interesting for us in regards to people who are older who then come to faith. There are many situations where a person comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ as an adult. Logically, we can understand that they may be less wise and educated in the faith than a (for example) teenager that came to faith as a child, but a life of experience can make a great change, too.

    It is a both/and situation. It is both chronological age (and theoretically experience in the world) and duration of faith. There is also the factor of .

    In the Church of the Nazarene, we hold baptism and moral responsibility at the point of accountability. Just like the preceding words regarding elders of age and faith, there is a lot of discernment and grace that goes into it. We often don’t really know who is accountable according to God. We often just have to guess.

    This is the same as who is “the elder” of the church. It isn’t only a title. It is also a way of being. You may find that discern that you have greater spiritual wisdom than you think you should (by the grace of God). On the other hand, you find yourself thinking yourself much more of a elder than everyone else finds you.

    ※Reflection※

    • To whom might you be a spiritual elder? Why might that be?
    • Who is a spiritual elder to you? Why?
    • What makes someone a spiritual elder?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, may the guide us into all Truth, including the truth of ourselves, so that we look for spiritual elders and so that we may become God-honoring spiritual elders to others. Amen.

  • Take the Message Forward

    Take the Message Forward

    Psalm 150; Jeremiah 30:1–11a; 1 John 3:10–16

    We have a lot in front of us. The of the COVID-era seems to be approaching. Although there seems to be a step back for every step forward, at least we are moving forward. This doesn’t mean we’ll be going back to . In fact, the normal we knew before is dead.

    Many of will grasp for the past looking for the comfortable. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, if the past we hold onto results in two steps back for every step forward, then that is not effective, nor does it fulfill our to Go and (p)Reach. The promise of restoration that we find in Jeremiah is indeed a message of hope. In it, though, is an underlying truth. The restoration is to the place of home/old with a new model.

    The exiles would certainly enter the Promised Land again. However, they wouldn’t return to either the ways that led them to exile, nor would they return to the years of David and Solomon. It would be something new.

    For those who remembered the old , the new (to be built) temple would be a shadow of the old, and they would (understandably) mourn its loss while rejoicing with the new. Others would have only legends, dreams, and “when I was your age” stories. They would not be able to rely on the old ways. They would have to forge a new way of being in the midst of their ongoing identity.

    Part of our new way of being is the reality that Christians are a minority, and even the treasured word Evangelical is almost a curse at this point. It right and understandable to mourn and grieve. It is also expected that we will be in a mode of reflection and repentance for a while, as we try to heal the rifts of our own brokenness, and the division solidified because of it and the brokenness of others.

    John writes that we shouldn’t be surprised that people of the world hate us. Nor should we look for their hatred, which sometimes seems to be our default . Nor are we to behave in a way that will solidify their hatred or their negative opinion of us. Of course, this does not mean we water down the message of reconciliation, repentance, change of heart, and .

    How we do it is in a state of flux. Relations are definitely a way to allow communicating the message. There will always be a place of of the heart (i.e., compassionate ministries). There will also always be a place for preaching. There is no one way, anymore. In fact, there never was.

    We are in an awkward place where we need to be functioning in a reconciling, repenting, and heart-changing relationship with our fellow Christians. That may indeed need to come first, and only a united church will reach the world (and denominations have their place, too). Only when Christians aren’t ripping into each other and the moral life that they are called will the world bother to listen to us. Maybe, just maybe, then they will be open to hearing about Jesus.

    The future is never fully in focus. The church may be a shell. It may be completely reinvented. It may return to the First Century. The church may change, but the message never will.

    ※Reflection※

    • What has been the hardest thing about interacting with people the last year or so? What has been the greatest thing?
    • What is the one thing you are holding onto from our pre-COVID era? What are you grieving about that we are losing from the pre-COVID era?
    • These things that we are holding onto, are they for the benefit of the mission to reach the world for Christ, or are they our place of ?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, the Giver of Life, we need to find the path that will lead us in such a way as to bring life and life-giving water to the world. Help us to be strong in the face of difficulties and change. Fill us with your grace and love so that we see others as bearers of the image of God, no matter about which we disagree. Amen.

  • Go and (p)Reach

    Go and (p)Reach

    Psalm 4; Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19; 1 John 3:1-7

    The disciples are still struggling with the Resurrection. You’d think they’d have accustomed themselves to being alive, but they were obviously still struggling. As part of this last appearance, Jesus explained the Scriptures and His place in them. This is not the first time he did this after the Resurrection.

    This time, though, it comes with a command, to preach the Resurrection and a of heart and life for the forgiveness of sin. This mission doesn’t start immediately. It has to wait until the heavenly power comes (the Holy Spirit at Pentecost).

    Waiting in Jerusalem, however, does not mean being inactive. Peter’s of the lame man (Acts 3:1-10) opened the door (so to speak) to begin the mission. Peter tells his listeners what it is all about, “But this is how God what he foretold through all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. Change your hearts and lives! Turn back to God so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:18-19, CEB)Much later, John wrote that we have hope in Jesus as we (progressively) purify ourselves (so as to become more Christ-like). This reflects the changing of hearts that Jesus and Peter made known.

    Jesus’ and Peter’s declarations could also be restated as it is in Matthew 28:19–20, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you…” [CEB]While the passage in Matthew could be interpreted as only applying to the disciples, the passage from Luke cannot be (without serious contortions). The changed heart is also consistent across the Scriptures.

    We are all called to tell the world about Jesus, sin, , and the place of changed hearts in all of that. In the current culture, we are having to learn how to do this well. Sadly, we are in the midst of getting rid of the baggage that we’ve been carrying, and that is painfully difficult. So much so, that most of us no longer have effective tools or methods to reach (and “preach to”) others.

    In all likelihood, the Western Church will have to relearn how to live in a true and deep community. We have all become accustomed to the shallow community of the Western Church, not the fellowship as described in the Scriptures.

    This does not excuse any of us from looking for opportunities to talk about the grace of Jesus Christ and the change in our hearts. Perhaps, rather than excuse it, it should drive us more.

    ※※

    • Are you doing anything that resembles telling the world about Jesus in the way Jesus talks about in Luke?
      • If you are, it going?
      • If you aren’t, why not?
    • In regard to telling the world, is it your responsibility or someone else’?

    ※Prayer※

    Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace thankfully to receive his inestimable benefits, and daily to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [Third Sunday of Easter Collect, Book of Common 2019]

  • Unlimited

    Unlimited

    Psalm 4; Daniel 10:2–19; 1 John 2:26–28

    are very important to us. Sometimes relationships can seem to be invisible or even not related to us. The invisible and “unrelated” ones will often have impacts beyond our imaginings or expectations.

    Daniel had a with God. It was very solid and sound. Daniel trusted God implicitly and explicitly. God provided and mystical visions to Daniel.

    Some of those visions were…unsettling. Daniel often struggled with those he received. He even needed supernatural support to recover, at least this time.

    Daniel had times where he had to choose God or ease, and chose God. Daniel was secure in God.

    Daniel’s relationship is often called, “anointed.” John refers to anointing, well. While it may seem to be different, it is not, and yet is.

    It is the same insofar as the Holy empowered Daniel, just as the empowers us. It is different insofar as most of us don’t have the gifts of wisdom and mystical visions. There are some that have one or the other, but very rarely both.

    Our empowerment by the Holy Spirit is also not limited to that. Think about that. What we know of Daniel is beyond imagining. We are not limited to Daniel. The church—The Bride of Christ—is not so limited.

    ※Reflection※

    Do you think the church is limited? Do you think you are limited? What does being empowered by the Holy Spirit mean to you?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, us your to do your will in , grace, , and . Amen.

  • Roads of Dust

    Roads of Dust

    Psalm 135; Isaiah 26:1–15; Mark 12:18–27

    As one of the wealthy nations in the world, passages like this in Isaiah should cause us to reflect. Will all our stuff be crushed to dust and be walked upon by the poor? If you’re reading this, you may well say, “I am poor.” Truly a lot of us are poor compared to Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Jack Ma Yun, and far too many of our political leaders.

    Compared to the world at large, however, we are (by and large) rich. Not (by any means) to minimize their experiences or circumstances, many even of our homeless live better than many in the world. This is not to say the life of a homeless person is easy, nor that ours are.

    Are we like the people being alluded to in Isaiah? If we take our wealth for granted and disregard God’s …yes. If we don’t take our wealth for granted and continue to look for and be grateful for God’s blessings, we are much less likely to be those “ on high.”

    Yet, while haughtiness, pride, and greed may not be our particular vices, a lack of righteousness may well be. Righteousness, not wealth, not , is what we are to focus on. It could almost be said that righteousness is second only to , though love without righteousness may not be love at all.

    Godly righteousness results in the peace () that is being in right relationship with the Living God.

    The Living God concept is of course to be the counterpoint to the dead idols that the people surrounding Israel (and even Israel) worshiped. One cannot have a relationship with a dead . Jesus then adds to this by saying that God is not a god of the dead. God is the God of the Living.

    There is the surface aspect of this being about the Resurrection and eternal life. There is also a not-so-subtle dig at the gods of the dead: power, wealth, stuff. The dead being both those who had died not knowing God, but even those who were breathing, but were dead because they did not know God.

    ※Reflection※

    • What are some other ways that Isaiah’s words to you? Do any cause to reflect on changes that you need to make?
    • How does God being a “God of the Living” affect your understanding of the words from Isaiah?
    • Where in your life (immediate circle of influence) can you be a better witness and voice for God’s righteousness?

    ※Prayer※

    Living God and God of the Living, quicken our hearts, minds, and spirits to approach your throne of , , and love, so that we are able to the spark of the Creator with all of those around us. Amen.