Devotion.al

Tag: knowledge

  • Breaking Ties

    Breaking Ties

    Psalm 86; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1

    “But thank God, who is always leading us around through Christ as if we were in a parade. He releases the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere through us.” —2 Corinthians 2:14 (CEB)

    I have to admit, I tried to be optimistic that I would be able to stop alluding and directly addressing US after the election. Bluntly, it gets rather tiring. However, as I see my brothers and sisters in Christ responding to the world, it may well be that politics is the greatest worldly vice that the church needs to confront. As a pastor, I cannot help but believe that addressing church politics may be a for a while.

    Much of the reason is that the church is hurting. As much as certain people would like to blame the current president for the situation, that is really denying reality. The (yes, blessing) of the current (yes, soon to be former) president’s time in office is that the church, in particular the white evangelical brand, has had to confront how much it has been in the pocket of politics.

    What has followed quickly behind, is the awareness that the so-called liberal (not sure the label applies) “side” of the church (universal) is equally in the pocket of politics, just a different side’s. We, as the church, need to confess that we are in bondage to sin…political power.

    The Corinthians have been turning away (or withdrawing their affection) from , as local influencers are successfully convincing them that Paul is a sham. Who these influencers are exactly is open to interpretation, but much of the challenge is due to the apparent difference in Paul’s tone and “” when he is away versus when he is physically present. Paul calls out the Corinthian church for being “yoked” to these unbelievers, rather than Jesus Christ.

    The church has been unequally yoked with US politics and has seemed to cast off the yoke of Jesus Christ.

    To be clear, I follow many Christians on both “sides” (which in and of itself is a sad witness of the church) of politics. The general lack of grace given to Christians and leaders of opposing political views breaks the heart of God. Whether we’re talking about splinters and logs (Matthew 7:2–4), abortion, the death penalty, homelessness, unemployment, COVID, we are called to love one another…ESPECIALLY our brothers and sisters in Christ.

    In a republic, but even in a dictatorship, the church should use what influence it has to make the world look just a little bit more like the of God. That can be a tall order. The world, however, has been successful in turning the Church into a loyal voting block rather than a prophetic witness against the ills of the world.

    Being “unequally” yoked is an odd turn of phrase in this context. Yet, it is due to one thing…the world’s power is not the Church’s. The Church’s powers are not the world’s. The world seems to know that its power is not the same, so tries to convince the Church that the world’s power is the best way to “reach” the world. The ? The Church cannot successfully wield the world’s power and remain the Church.

    Paul’s admonition to the Church of Corinth is regarding the church allowing unbelievers to tell the church how to treat and behave toward fellow believers. That admonition stands today.

    ※Reflection※

    • What do politics and politicians tempt you (personally) with? How might that interfere with Jesus’ call on your life?
    • As harsh as it sounds, why might political power be a sin? How might it not be?
    • As Christians, we are called to God’s Kingdom. As earthly citizens, we are called to exercise our right/responsibility to vote. How do we balance the 2 powers, and be to being salt and ?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, forgive us. Help us have the , endurance, love, and grace to be healers of our homes. Amen.

  • Thankfulness as Discipleship

    Thankfulness as Discipleship

    2 Timothy 1:1–9

    is often for that which benefits us. We are thankful for homes, jobs, food, family, Jesus. Paul is thankful for Timothy.

    Paul’s simple gratefulness for Timothy’s enduring is plain to see. Paul does view Timothy as a , but not as the biological son of a father, but more of the ultimate . Timothy, it seems, represents the ultimate expression and thus inheritor of Paul and Paul’s .

    In modern terms, we might use the term mentor or coach. Except on rare occasions, however, neither mentor nor coach adequately explains Paul’s feelings for Timothy.

    It is unusual for us to be thankful for those like Timothy in our lives. Some teachers are truly grateful for a few of their students (often outweighed by the ). By and large, though, people who “bring up” others are often only grateful or thankful if those who were “brought up” bring them credit, honor, or .

    However, often what we don’t realize is how much we about ourselves and our when we “bring up” others. For many years, apprenticeship was the way a person learned. The “master” would be challenged by the apprentice as the apprentice would seek to exceed the master.

    In a discipleship , the “elder” will often learn as much as the “young”. If the “elder” is not learning and changing, too, then discipleship has become a system and not the Way of Life. This is how one becomes grateful for those “bought up”, for one learns that with them, one would not have grown as well.

    ※Reflection※

    Do you have a person that “walked” alongside you as an “elder”? Do you have someone you are walking alongside?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help us be grateful for those you have brought to us, and make us mindful of the mission you have for us. Amen.

  • Wall Repair

    Wall Repair

    Ezekiel 13:1–16; 2 Peter 2:1–3

    If you ever lived in a dorm or rented an apartment (especially a college one), you may have been “enlightened” by friends or acquaintances about tricks to get your deposit back. One of the biggest items has always been holes in the walls, whether nails, tacks, pushpins, or anchors.

    The “great” suggestion is to use toothpaste instead of spackle (because spackle is expensive?). Toothpaste is definitely not spackle. Spackle bonds to drywall, almost (sort of) like new.

    Toothpaste and spackle may seem strange to bring up. Toothpaste holds up for a time, but ultimately it will not last; just like whitewash lasts only for a time on a broken wall.

    Ezekiel’s words to the people of Israel were pointed straight at the prophets and priests. The imagery of a broken wall was specifically not the walls of a house, but the defensive walls of the entire city. In other words, the walls may have looked pretty, but the plaster and whitewash just covered over the cracks and holes.

    The is that the people of the city were deceived by the apparent “protection” of the pristine walls. They thought they were safe from enemies.

    The city’s walls were symbolic of the people’s , understanding, and with God. Perhaps, we ought to say the prophets and priests have done nothing except deceive the people so that they thought they had the “right” faith and that they were following the “right” god.

    God disagreed.

    By the time Peter wrote this letter (2 Peter), the false teachers had already started showing up. He was warning the people that they needed to be aware and . They couldn’t be like the people that Ezekiel spoke to that had already been led astray toward destruction.

    Peter was concerned not just about any kind of false doctrine/teaching. He was concerned about destructive false teaching. Peter seemed to divide between two types of false teaching, the kind that is wrong/unhelpful and the kind that will lead to false gods or false understanding of God.

    What heresies Peter was concerned about exactly is unknown. It may have been a general concern or just a reality of the experience and of the Israelite experience.

    The deepest issue is that the implication in the text is that the false teachers would come in knowingly with false teaching. Most of us would be puzzled were a pastor, for example, were to do that. It has been known to happen. It is where the pastor or other influencer changes their mind/understanding about critical issues. We aren’t just talking about knowingly false doctrine. We are also talking about presumed that is false when it comes to God.

    ※Questions※

    1) Peter wasn’t just talking to leaders. He was talking to everyone. What does this mean for you?

    2) What kind of plaster and whitewash are you seeing around you?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, open our eyes to see your Truth and not ours. Amen.

  • Salvation Balance

    Salvation Balance

    Matthew 16:13–17; Romans 10:6–14

    In the US, individuality is all the rage, and it has been since at least 4 July 1776. Individuality is not a bad thing, automatically. While there are many aspects to our that are indeed communal (and must remain that way), there are others that are certainly .

    The most significant aspect is our salvation. US Evangelistic created almost a creed out it, “Do you know Christ as your personal savior?” It certainly isn’t a bad question.

    One of things it opposes, however, is a longer running of the church with is infant and child baptism. Infant and child baptism generally falls under the rubric of collective salvation. This is not to say it is invalid, quite the contrary. It is just a that is different. Sadly, though, it was definitely a tactic use to divide certain traditions (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist) from others (Baptist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational).

    However, once a person is able to right from wrong all traditions recognize that salvation has become individual. Whether by baptism or by confirmation, there is some recognition of the individual’s acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

    There is a danger, though, in regard to individual salvation. The danger is a mental one. Many people can get to the point of intellectual assent. Others can get to the point of emotional assent.

    It is not to say that only having one means that you are not saved, for God works through all aspects of our personalities and can redeem them. It is to say that is only through both intellect and emotional that we “…may be able to comprehend with all the what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses …” (Ephesians 3:18–19, CSB)

    ※Questions※

    1) Is it easier for you to intellectually understand God, or emotionally? Why do you think that is? Where else in your do you see that?

    2) Why do you think intellect and heart are needed in our relationship with God?

    3) How might a person maintain balance between intellect and emotion? What practices do you have to do so?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, to know you is to know God. May the knowledge of hearts be equal to the knowledge of our minds when it comes to relationship with you. Amen.

  • Mercifully Faithful

    Mercifully Faithful

    Matthew 9:9–13; Luke 10:25–37; James 2:5–13

    “For I desire faithful and not ,
      the of God rather than burnt offerings.”
         — Hosea 6:6 (CSB)

    It’s interesting that the same translation, the CSB, translates Hosea 6:6 with faithful love, while in Matthew 9:13 it’s mercy. What makes it even more interesting is that the same used for “faithful love” in Hebrew is also used for “mercy”.

    In the context of Hosea, “faithful love” makes sense for the wayward Israelites. One of the issues, though, for the Israelites was that they did not show mercy to the orphans and widows (or, it seems, anyone else).

    One could then conclude (reasonably) that the issue is that one of the ways that the Israelites did not show “faithful love” by not showing “mercy” to those who desperately needed it. It should not be lost on us that faithful love is mercy, and mercy is faithful love.

    The world could use a lot more mercy. Imagine being merciful to your enemies…any of your enemies. They could be political, family, religious, national, tribal, even sports teams. Enemies aren’t just those we perceive as being our opposites.

    Sports teams are the perfect example. Some you know probably like a sports team that you don’t (if you’re into sports). There can be times when sports fan blends into tribal then into gang behavior. Football (i.e., soccer) had “hooligan” troubles for many years. Team fans would riot at games and after games, trying to harm each other. Troubling or harming a fan based on their team is certainly not merciful.

    As we delve into politics, everyone’s favorite topic, being merciful to people who seem to be on the opposite side of you is a response. They love their families, too. What if they love Jesus? Then it’s even more important in many ways.

    These days, being merciful means NOT responding to that social media statement, or too snarky comments made in the same tone that it was delivered. If you must respond (which may be necessary), it should be, “While I love you, we don’t see things in this area the same.” One would hope that this would be taken well. However, it’s not your responsibility for how they take a lovingly gentle response.

    ※Questions※

    1) What are your thoughts and feelings regarding faithful love as mercy, and mercy as faithful love?

    2) While it sounds strange, how might we show mercy to God?

    3) What are ways that you show and can show mercy to (hint: think beyond “”)?

    ※Prayer※

    Merciful , we thank you for your mercy, personified by the life, , and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. May we show that same of mercy to the world through our faithful love. Amen.

  • Graveside Dancing

    Graveside Dancing

    Psalm 30; Hosea 13:4–14

    Yesterday was the birthday of my stepfather. He passed away years ago. For whatever reason, this year his birthday hit me kind of hard. He and I had our good moments. We had our bad moments. Just like any parent-child relationship. I was his only child.

    At his burial, the priest spoke about his sealing him to Jesus Christ. This was spoken pastorally to people grieving. However, scripturally it has some weaknesses. His , and to my knowledge, and beliefs were not of Jesus Christ.

    On his death bed, my wife shared the of Jesus Christ. He was in a “non-responsive” state. Yet, she felt a response to the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. Only in Heaven will I learn if the baptism was “sealing” as the priest said, or whether the physical response truly was an acceptance of Jesus. I can only hope and trust in God.

    Why the angst? “I cried to you for help, and you healed me.” In our pain and sorrow, God is there to “turn [our] lament in dancing”. Joy in Christ in the midst of the pains of life is the life we are called to.

    In lament and pain, it is easy for our in God to be shaken, while at the same time relying more firmly on God will help us through the pain.

    There are many kinds of loss. The verses of Hosea summarize loss. The people lost (walked away from) God. They had experienced blessing, then they lost it. The of loss sounds brutal. Think of it though from God’s anguished heart.

    “…like a bear robbed of her cubs.” Have you seen a momma bear (or many human mothers) separated from their children, with the feeling that the kids are threatened? I’ve seen a recorded version of one and lived the other. Don’t be the one that separates momma from the cubs. Just don’t.

    THAT’S GOD! Something is between momma (God) and the cubs (the children of God)! That is just not going to go well! It could be a that has the name Israel or Judah attached to it.

    THAT is the concept of ransom and redemption. Death and Sheol are not going to be forgiven for taking away the Children of God. The exact mechanism (despite a whole lot of theologians arguing over it for centuries) is unknown. All we know is that heart of God wants to turn our lament into dancing and our sorrow into joy.

    ※Questions※

    1) What’s do you think about dancing at the death of death?

    2) As Christians, why does death still frighten us? If we truly believe that a fellow Christian is in Heaven, why do we grieve?

    3) “Deathbed Conversions” will continue to decrease, as too many don’t know the basics of Jesus. How will you turn regular conversations into God conversations?

    ※Prayer※

    Father, thank you for redeeming us from death through the death and of your Son. May the guide our hearts to speak the words of Christ to the world. Amen.

  • See and Be Seen

    See and Be Seen

    Genesis 16:7–14; John 1:47–51

    Have you ever been to a big event? Maybe a concert? Maybe a sports game? And then you spend anywhere from 2 to 4 hours with thousands of your closest friends.

    Most of those people really aren’t your friends. Unless you are ticket holder buddies, you are unlikely to see them again.

    The reality is that a service, even when small, can often feel the same way. You gather with other like-minded (at least somewhat religiously) individuals. You sit, stand, sing, pray, sit, listen, leave.

    You may not feel that way. You may feel like your church is your . If so, that’s great! It is also as it should be.

    However, there are those that don’t feel that way. They can feel separated, ignored, unknown. They can feel unseen.

    Hagar was cast out. She and her were no longer welcome in the place she called home. She and Ishmael were now in -threatening danger. In that day and , being alone in the wilderness does not bode well for a woman and a boy.

    There are a lot of people inside and out of the “the body of Christ” that are in a place of being alone. Human survival is far more than food, shelter, and clothing. We need to be known. We need to be seen. We need to be heard.

    Hagar’s story is stronger than the simple story of Nathanael. Yet, Nathanael’s heart was open to because Jesus saw him. Yes, Jesus saw him from far away. Jesus, though, identified Nathanael’s character, as well. There is more than just sight. There is of the person.

    Developing those relations is important for human thriving. It is also important for the spiritual growth of the individual and the body of Christ.

    We all have spiritual growth of some sort. However, what sort matters greatly. If your growth is alone, then you can be sharp, but you can also be blunt. Without to stand beside you, and sometimes in front of you, your growth may be that of a monster not of a believer.

    Only in fellowship are we kept on the narrow path. Only in faithful fellowship can we really be seen by others. Only in faithful fellowship can do more than just survive.

    ※Questions※

    1) Who are you actively walking with to disciple and be discipled by? If no one, who could you see being discipling partners with?

    2) Why do you think so many people do not have healthy discipling relationships?

    3) What will you do to champion healthy discipling in your church?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, thank you for your example of walking for years with people as broken as me. Help me see that I still need healing just like others. Help me be your to others and help me accept your light from others. Amen.

  • Evangel

    Evangel

    Evangel

    28 September 2020

    Luke 1:68–80; Ephesians 4:7–16

    Many years ago, there was campaign against man-caused forest fires. The campaign “starred” a little bear cub that, while burned, survived a man-caused forest fire. The tagline for the campaign was, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

    From a strict understanding, of course, it’s not just you that can prevent forest fires. It’s you and everyone else around whose behavior contributes to the amount of man-caused forest fires. Of course, you can only prevent forest fires when you are the contributor of the originating fire.

    That was the beauty of the campaign. Ultimately, it was just you that can prevent forest fires, it was you and your friends and everyone else working together to prevent man-caused forest fires.

    What, you may be asking yourself, have to do with Zechariah’s -driven prophetic speech over an infant John the Baptist? Re-read it, and where it says, “you, child…” say, “me, [your name]…”

    Just like the campaign starring Smokey the Bear, it wasn’t just John the Baptist who was called to go before . Each and every one of us is called to “go before” Jesus in our daily lives.

    How that works in each person’s life will, for most, remain a mystery. However, when we live out a life that witnesses to the , , and of Jesus Christ, we go before Jesus. Once we are asked a why or how question about our lives, then we get to announce Jesus.

    You probably never thought of yourself as John the Baptist. That’s probably a good thing, for none of us can be another person, nor did God us to be that way. We are not called to be John the Baptist.

    You are probably not called to eat wild locusts and honey. Nor are you probably called to wear a hairy coat. We are called to follow in the “ of” John the Baptist by proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ.

    When we think of evangelism, we generally think about sharing Jesus with people who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Perhaps, however, we are just as called to Jesus with those in the Body of Christ (the church).

    Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the varying roles within the body. The overarching goal is, “…unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son…” He wrote that to Christians.

    Our (good) desire to reach people who don’t know Jesus may well have obscured something essential. We need to continue to evangelize (i.e., tell the Good News about Jesus) each other.

    ※Questions※

    1) Where and how do you see yourself evangelizing those that do not yet know Jesus? How about those who already declare they know Jesus?

    2) What scares you most evangelizing? Does that fear depending on whether they are already or not yet believers?

    3) What are some ways evangelizing is (or should be) performed within the body of believers?

    ※Prayer※

    Holy Spirit, guide our hearts to always be evangelizing one another. Amen.