Devotion.al

Tag: Kingdom of God

  • House Building

    House Building

    Psalm 127; Matthew 24:1–2; 1 Corinthians 3:1–11

    Unless the Lord is in it, it will fail. This is a common adage heard in the , and it is based on Psalm 127:1. Yet, the interpretation often is, if it is successful, God is in it. This spiritualizes (or over-spiritualizes) far too many things.

    The sun also rises on and good. The rain falls on the and unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45)

    The vanity spoken of in Psalm 127:1 isn’t earthly or failure necessarily. It’s about what it means for the of God. Striving to be the CEO at the age of 25 (or even 65) is all well and good, but what’s the point?

    Is God in Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, IBM, Apple, etc.? Yes, insofar as God is everywhere. Are they blessed by God? Insofar as they are made by people made in the image of God, yes.

    That isn’t the point, though. How do each of these affect one’s relationship with God? That is the question. Whether it was the temple or it is the States of America, in the infinite eyes of God it all falls down.

    We are all called to be coworkers and laborers in God’s fields. We are called to be builders, maintainers, repairers, and even remodelers of God’s buildings. People are God’s fields. People are God’s buildings.

    The is for people, not stuff or titles. People are to fill the Kingdom of God for only souls can fill an eternal kingdom.

    ※Prayer※

    Eternal God, help us to grasp even a little more of what it means to be part of your eternal kingdom, , and . Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) How can we be both laborers/builders and fields/buildings? What does this tell you about God?

    2) Why is it important to acknowledge that while all success is God allowed, all success is not God blessed?

  • …Who’s There?

    …Who’s There?

    Matthew 7:7–12; Luke 13:22–30; Revelation 3:14–22

    “Knock, Knock” jokes rank up there with “dad” jokes. Most of the time they are a play on words, and almost all the time they’re only cute (or funny) when a kid says them.

    These passages with knocking in them are probably quite familiar to you. If not, hang around circles, and they will show up.

    The first passage is probably number two on the knocking list. It is filled with a great . However, some have misunderstood the promise, and that has caused a lot of .

    When taken out of context, the passage sounds like God is some cosmic vending machine. You just put your in and out comes whatever it is you want. Within those same circles, there is an added, God just wants you to be happy.

    In context, though, the passage is about entering the . It’s not about wealth or health. It’s about where your citizen is while on Earth, and where you will be after your time here is gone.

    The second knocking passage is similar to the first, however, it adds a rejection clause. The implication is people trying to force their way “past” the gates. The implication in this passage is that just because you’re at the right place (let’s say, church) and saw God, that doesn’t mean your heart has submitted to God.

    As continues, he goes so far as to poke at the Jewish pride of being the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Just because they were born in the right place of the right blood did not them the right to enter the Kingdom of God.

    The third of our knocking passages is probably the most famous of them all. It sounds so warm and fuzzy that Jesus is knocking on the door. However, when we have the warm fuzzy feelings, we should often double-check them.

    The message isn’t Jesus come on in. The message is really a question, do you know Me? One generally does not open one’s doors strangers without some caution. One certainly doesn’t invite them in for dinner. The implication is that they don’t know or forgot Jesus!

    Knocking is making one’s known to another. It can be a sound of warning. It can be a sound of greeting. What it is exactly depends on the between those on the other sides of the door.

    Knocking doesn’t stop at knocking. There is a choice that goes along with it: yelling, “go away”; opening the door grudgingly; opening the door gladly with a warm welcome; ignoring the knocker, and they go away; there are probably other responses, too.

    Which door will Jesus walk through?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord Jesus, there are many doors in this life. Help us to view them as opportunities to seek and see you, and to also bring others through those doors to you. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What feelings did/do each of today’s passages create in you? Why?

    2) The first two passages are about the Kingdom of God. How does the third passage affect your understanding of the first two?

    3) We all want to believe that we would warmly and gladly welcome Jesus if he knocks. How comfortable are you if he knocks right now? Now what?

  • Self of Nothing

    Self of Nothing

    Judges 4:1–24; 2 Samuel 6:12–22; Psalm 18:20–29

    Many have often condemned Barak as a coward who hides behind a woman’s skirt (so to speak). What if there is something else at play?

    If you read the Book of Joshua and 1 & 2 Samuel, the Ark of the was part of the army’s formation. It went out into battle with the people. It was a symbol for the people of Israel that God was with them.

    However, in the time of the Book of Judges, a lot was lost (and so very quickly, too). Perhaps, as a matter of morale and tactics, Barak wanted Deborah there as the symbol. Barak could have been doubtful of his military , so wanted backup (God).

    Regardless, it is Barak’s lack of a response to Deborah’s “penalty” that is our focus. Basically, Deborah told Barak that he would not get the glory of dealing with Sisera (the enemy leader) and that it would be given to a woman (a dig in a patriarchal society).

    Whether it was acceptance or tolerance, Barak’s lack of response shows a greater concern for the success of the battle, rather than the resulting glory. Some it cowardice. Some call it degrading. Some call it .

    Humility does not just take one form. Whether you believe the Barak was weak, scared, or lacking , how many people hide those exact things behind a façade of bravado? Not hiding it, is often a sign of humility.

    Sometimes humility is what you are willing to do and be in public. David’s dancing in public to display joy in front of the people must have been something to watch. Was it because of how he was dressed? Was it because he didn’t refined?

    His goal wasn’t the eyes of humanity, it was the eyes and of God. Yet, his first wife either tried to shame him or was ashamed of him.

    David would not accept that. He understood that whatever her issues were, they were nothing in comparison to bringing glory to God.

    It is interesting to realize that David didn’t say, “that wasn’t embarrassing!” He said that his personal honor and pride are not important when compared to the glory of God.

    Two different men, with two different forms of humility. These are not the only forms of humility. It can play out in many ways in our lives. One person’s humility may seem like nothing to another. This is why true humility is between a person and God.

    Humility is something we should all seek. As the person we call Lord and Savior was humble enough to touch the outcast, broken, dirty, and then die for all, humility is a characteristic of a disciple of .

    ※Prayer※

    Spirit, guide our hearts and souls to greater depths of humility, even while knowing that the humility of Jesus is deeper still. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) Who is the humblest person you know? What makes them humble?

    2) Name the ways Barak and David were humble. What are other means of humility?

    3) Why is humility so important to growing the ?

  • Too Small

    Too Small

    Deuteronomy 7:7–11; Judges 6:13–16; Matthew 13:31–33

    One of the best scenes in the movie, The Princess Bride is when Princess Buttercup and (the Dread Pirate Roberts) Wesley are about to enter the Swamp. Buttercup looks at Wesley and asks, “what about the R.O.U.S.s?” “The Rodents of Unusual Size? I’m sure they don’t exist.” He says the as an R.O.U.S. makes an appearance, and Buttercup’s back is to it and is oblivious.

    Size makes a difference. Often, we are overwhelmed by a problem. As a child, we could have been overwhelmed by something being so much bigger than we were.

    When we hear about the monumental amount of some people have, and compare our meager bank accounts, size makes an impact. If you’ve ever been in a small car with a big semi coming up quickly behind you, size can be terrifying.

    On the other hand, ants can carry 10–50 times (depending on species and gender) their weight. Humans can indeed lift such weight, but not actually walk and carry over long distances. Grasshoppers can jump 20 times their length from standing. The world record for running long jump is not even 5 times.

    Size does matter, but just not always in the way we think.

    The people of Israel were not a powerful people. They had no place to provide them . Yet, this weak people God would take and overturn the ways of the world.

    After years of oppression, God took the weakest man of the weakest of the weakest tribe to remove the oppressors from the land.

    Jesus uses a mustard seed to show the of the Kingdom of God but notice that it is not a power of domination. It is a place a habitation and a place of new life. Yet this place of life and birth starts very small.

    The Kingdom of God starts small in each of us. We often look at the tiny thing in us and wonder how we can make it through.

    Yet, we must always keep in mind that it is God’s seed in us. The smallest thing of God is larger than the largest thing of humanity.

    Oh, and the R.O.U.S.’s were defeated by using the power of the mind, not strength.

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, thank you for the seed of . , thank you for the nurturing of the seed in our souls. Heavenly , thank you for being the tree that gives us home and life. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What is one of the first memories you have of your size in comparison to another’s? What was the feeling like? Did it cause you to change focus or intent?

    2) Why is it important to understand the imagery of the Kingdom of God in the image of the mustard seed?

  • Who Wears Your Crown?

    Who Wears Your Crown?

    Matthew 5:13–16; Mark 9:43–50; Hebrews 2:1–18

    In a recent Leaders Podcast, the host (Jason Daye) said something that should deeply concern all of us. It’s not what was said was false or wrong. It’s that what was said was true.

    “…many people are quicker to share their political views—who they think is right, who they think is wrong—than they are to share their faith story; than they are to share the of Christ.”

    Let that sink in…all the way to your gut…where it should feel like a brick of lead or a storm of nausea.

    In much of our political “discourse” (that’s a generous description at this point), are we really any different than the so-called un-saved? Are we marching to the beat of a political ideology or groupthink that does not honor Jesus Christ first?

    Currently, there is no single political party that fully represents (if that is even possible) the of God. In the mainstream political parties, there are many practicing and devout Christians.

    In those same political parties, there are too many (perhaps far more) that mouth so-called words, but do not have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

    It is time for the church to be militant. Militant is an old term that is related to the military but was used to traditionally mean vigorously active. That is the militancy we need. The church must not militant in so far as walking in lockstep with a political party or against one.

    What this first requires is that we vigorously question every political view we have and put it to the Scriptures. This is hard. Often, we can take a verse out of context, and use it to bolster our view.

    For a long time, the church has been guilty of not using the Scriptures when talking about issues and applying them to a view. Instead, the church has been taking a view and using the Scriptures.

    Jesus is King! Long live the King!

    ※※

    King Jesus, constantly remind us that you are both True king and savior, and nothing and no one of this world could ever be either for us. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) When was the last time (outside of your comfortable group) you shared about Jesus? How about ?

    2) When you statements condemning everyone of a political party, do you agree?

    3) How can you and the church be the Christian to the world, rather than a political follower?

  • Do It Good

    Do It Good

    Psalm 34; Amos 5:4–24; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–22

    Turn away from and do what is good;
    seek and pursue it.
    —Psalm 34:14

    Pursue good and not evil
    so that you may live,
    and the LORD,
    the God of Armies,
    will be with you
    as you have claimed.
    —Amos 5:14

    See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
    —1 Thessalonians 5:15

    Especially in the middle of the Psalm and the otherwise disturbing passage of Amos are very similar words. Paul urges the Thessalonians to do the same. Yet, pursuing or doing good can seem so vague.

    On one hand, handing a panhandler money on the corner is probably not, ultimately, good for the panhandler. However, that same panhandler a meal in a safe and warm environment is. On the surface, both seem good. They might be also done for the right motive ( versus ). One is easy. One is harder (with others, can still be easy).

    The Psalmist is focused more on God giving encouragement to those that love him to do the right thing. In the context of the Psalm, it is like a parent encouraging and guiding. This is what it means, the Psalmist implies, to love God and love others.

    Amos’ words are those received when people do not love God and love others. Yet, as part of Amos’ admonishment to Israel is their claim that God is with them. They are right, as God is omnipresent. However, that doesn’t mean that they are with God, a nuance they missed.

    Paul was a bit more explicit about doing good. When he wrote about doing good, it was to be for the benefit of others. This is self-less good. There is plenty of good, but self-less good is a step beyond. Other-than-self love is what grows the of God.

    However, doing good and seeking the good of others seems to be in short supply these days. One could say that Amos’ words apply to today, too. The rich and powerful, but not just them, are one-upping each other, and others pay the price.

    Doing good for others isn’t just wearing masks in public (they certainly are annoying). It isn’t just yielding one more time to someone who thought that one more car length was worth diving into your line before they hit the cement barrier. It is one of many tiny, small, medium, and sometimes (just sometimes) it’s those really big things.

    Doing good for others is supposed to be integral to walking with Jesus.

    ※※

    Jesus, us your strength to do good to and for others, even when they don’t recognize it. Help us to live in such a way that we do good without thinking about it, so as to give you . Amen.

    ※※

    1) Why do we often relegate good deeds to those that “deserve” them?

    2) Think of someone you don’t like (or might even “hate”). What good deeds have they done? (Be honest with yourself)

    3) When is a good deed authentic? Can you tell when you or someone else is authentic with their good deeds?

  • Eternal Clay

    2 Corinthians 4:7–13, James 4:13–17 (read online ⧉)

    What are you for? Who are you living for? These are not simple . They can be difficult thoughts. They can actually be kind of depressing. They can be quite depressing really. For when we talk about what we are living for, we acknowledge that the we are living now will come to end.

    This is why Paul’s words can actually be encouraging. You’re a clay pot! Wow! Sounds great! I’m fragile. I’m breakable. Yep, that really encouraging.

    The tale goes like this (how much , who knows), a shepherd boy was throwing rocks into random caves. He heard a shattering noise. When he got to the cave, he found parchment inside a clay jar. What he found, we now call the Dead Sea Scrolls. What was in many clay jars in a series of caves were books from the Bible. Phrased a different way, the of God was in jars of clay. Scripture in jars of clay that lasted (in some cases) more than 1500 years.

    We often look down on ourselves for we often see our and our mortality. Yet a fragile person (or group of them) managed to preserve delicate parchment in breakable jars of clay, and it survived 1500 years. All too often we look at ourselves and limit what we can do. Yet, look at what people who were just trying to do their best could do. The Essenes (the ones responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls) were people who simply lived their best lives for God. We have been blessed because they did.

    Our fragile beings, which suffer along with the of humanity, have the opportunity, however, to carry something much greater than we ought to be able to. We get to carry inside of us. When the image of God was placed into humanity, who could have imagined that we would also be able to receive so much more than the image.

    It’s odd, if you think about it, that by living in these bodies we have, we get to identify with the incarnation of God in Jesus, and we also identify with his death. In other words, by identifying with our jars of clay, we identify with eternity.

    1) What do you say about yourself about what you are not able to do for the ?

    2) If we have eternity inside of us, why are we so worried about that which disappears like a vapor?

    3) If you couldn’t fail, what would you do for the of God?

  • Really Seeing. Really Caring

    John 1:29–42, Luke 4:16–30, 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 (read online ⧉)

    “Sunday Christians” may be a term you are familiar with. It is a term that conveys that a person who looks all clean on the outside on Sunday, is filthy inside the of the week. Often “Sunday Christians” is equated to hypocrisy, which is mostly true (not always). “Sunday Christians” is also often equated to wearing masks. This too is true, yet it should not be viewed as negatively as we portray it.

    The prevailing theme of the wider culture is “authenticity”. The is that none of us are 100% authentic all the time. Of course, what does authentic mean? Well, the thought appears to be that we don’t wear masks. Yet, what if we are always wearing masks? What if the mask we’re wearing isn’t one we’ve put on?

    John the Baptist—‘ cousin—says “…I don’t know him…”. Well, that’s how it’s usually translated. It doesn’t make sense that way. While they may not have been in close proximity often, it is highly unlikely that they didn’t know each other. However, what does make more sense, and still matched the gist of the Greek, is that John knew him as his cousin Jesus. He didn’t recognize him, until that moment, as the Messiah…the one that he was sent to baptize then testify about. Imagine the feeling knowing that there were all the tales about yourself and your cousin…and then realizing the pieces were already there, and you never put it together.

    It’s not as if John was alone in his blindness. Look at the people of Jesus’ home town. Once he stepped into his role as Messiah, they no longer “knew” him. They denied him. Again, it is probable that they knew some of the stories about young Jesus. Yet, like many small towns, it probably entered into the realm of or legend. In other words, Jesus was no prophet, and certainly no Messiah. He was only a carpenter.

    The truth is that for many of us, we will always judged by the masks that people place on us that are not our own. It could be your background. It could be the color of your skin. It could be the language or dialect you speak. It could be the country you’re from. It could be the you attend. It could be the place you live.

    had a certain idea about the Messiah. He certainly had an idea about the “lost” Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. He put the mask of the “traditional” Messiah on and stepped onto his pedestal. Paul then launched his persecution fo the church. Then he was met by Jesus. The scales that were on his eyes symbolized the mask he put on about the Messiah. Along with his awareness and belief, the scales came off, and Paul understood who the Messiah truly was.

    We must be careful of the “masks” we put on . What if we’re wrong? We also must do our best (we won’t always succeed) to understand the masks people put on us, as they make assumptions about what we believe. As the wider culture changes around us, we must be especially careful, as the masks people have regarding Christianity, the church, and (most importantly) about Jesus will inhibit our ability to spread the of God.

    1) How does Jesus’ and friends being blind to Jesus being the Messiah inform how we are to interact with the world when it comes to Jesus?

    2) What do you think your biggest issue is when dealing with people who make assumptions about you? What are peoples’ assumptions about you that you have had to deal with?

    3) How do people false things about others? What does this tell you regarding your responsibility when talking about and to others?