Devotion.al

Tag: learn

  • Cursing Blessings

    Cursing Blessings

    Numbers 21:4–9; Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22; Ephesians 2:1–10; John 3:14–21

    One of the biggest dangers of constant is that we often disdain them. We become so accustomed to them that we become blind to them. Even worse, we then grow to despise them.

    The Israelites were in the middle of the desert. They were being sustained by the hand of God. Instead of looking at the blessing and the miracle that they were experiencing. they instead wanted to go back to slavery. The rejection of the blessing and the rejection of protection.

    The interplay between the Israelites, Moses, and God is interesting. The consequence? Poisonous snakes. The ? We were wrong. The directive? Make a snake statue. The result? Get bit, look at the snake, and live. However, if the Israelites were really sorry, would the snakes have remained?

    One could argue that the snakes were an ongoing consequence. However, as the snakes were a consequence of bad behavior, it also can be concluded that the Israelite really didn’t have a of heart, but a desire to avoid the consequences. Yes, it is a stretch assumption from the Scriptures, but it certainly isn’t in regard to human behavior.

    Paul’s notes such about how all of us followed the ways of destruction before coming to , and that all those who do not yet know Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior still have that tendancy (i.e., spirit). We all are better than we were (just being aware puts us in a slightly better position), but we all have struggles and issues that we are dealing with as we strive to be more like Jesus.

    The biggest struggle though for Western Christians are the blessings that they despise. One of the biggest has been Christianity. This applies both with those who despised Christianity by doing ill in its , and for those who took Christianity for granted and did not put the effort in to pass on the faith (or care to it). In addition, there has become the human arrogance of blessing where people begin to assume it’s God’s blessing on their ways, rather than God’s blessings so as to be shared with others.

    The blessings then become cursed, which is certainly not what God wanted it to be for us. We became sucked into the world’s desire for more and more blessing. That pursuit of blessing becomes -dealing.

    The promise of , and not just a worldly life, has always been part of the pull to follow God. Paul emphasizes that salvation and new life cannot be earned. Only God can grant it. Only God can it.

    Worldly life, such as the the bronze serpant represented, still ends in death. It is the life found in the cross lifted up that is everlasting.

    ※Reflection※

    • Can you, have you, counted your blessings?
    • Have you ever taken any of your blessings for granted?
    • Have you ever looked at a blessing and thought it was actually a curse?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help us to your blessings and the life you have given us. Amen.

  • Missed A Spot

    Missed A Spot

    Psalm 84; Ezra 6:1–16; Mark 11:15–19

    If you are unaccustomed to the lectionary (again, what is being used this year for the passages), it can seem odd, annoying, and definitely repetitious to see the same Psalm for multiple days. As I, too, am reading it each day, I try to glean something new from it each time. This time I thought of a mess.

    I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. There is a rail system there (that was supposed to be for Seattle) called BART. As it was close, I could walk to the BART station and get to many places in the area.

    One of the things I didn’t like was all the pigeons. They had found hard to reach (for humans) places to nest and congregate. BART did try to put up barbs to keep them from landing there, but it didn’t really work. So, it could be a hazardous trip to get your ticket or even for the train. You had to learn to look on the pavement for the telltale droppings of pigeons so that you could usually avoid being hit.

    Even the sparrow found a place in the . If you’ve seen sparrow colonies, they’re not much better than pigeons. The sparrow lays eggs beside the altar.

    We read about temple purity laws. They were significant and had severe penalties for violation. The laws were almost impossible to bear. Yet the sparrow found and security in the Temple of God.

    cleansed the Temple, not because of sparrow dropping, but because the hearts of humanity had turned from God to gain, and from God’s to humanity’s power. Although, if we think about it, if they were selling animals in the temple, it was probably much worse than a few sparrows.

    Of course, the Psalmist might be taking some poetic liberty. On the other hand, if you read the Law, the rules almost all apply to people. This means that there may have not been a “purity” concern regarding sparrows in the Temple.

    Sometimes our house is a mess. It could be your house. It could be God’s house. Truly, all of us recognize that at least something in our is not as it should be, and it may be something completely out of our control…such as a sparrow in the Temple.

    This shouldn’t discourage us, however. We are called to come to God in good times and bad. We are called to come dirty and clean, with both being relative. Was there something about ritual purity? Yes. However, as Jesus displays through his actions, ritual purity is not necessarily the .

    ※Reflection※

    • What things/thoughts/so-called “dirtiness” keep you from approaching God?
    • How does being ritually pure (usually outside performance) differ from purity of heart regarding our with God? How do we confuse them?
    • What “sparrows” are nesting in your house?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, all of praises you. Let us not be distracted from praising you and seeking fellowship with you, no matter what the world throws at us. Amen.

  • Before and After

    Before and After

    Psalm 105:1–11, 37–45; Genesis 21:1–7; Hebrews 1:8–12

    “Remember the wondrous works he has done…”

    It would be nice to say that part of the culture and religious practices of the Jews made them different than others. Christians don’t have that luxury. We are the spiritual descendants of Abraham. The wondrous works of God did not begin with the Cross, or even ‘ birth in the manger, they began with, “Let there .”

    Christianity, or perhaps we should say the Western European iteration of it (including the US and Canada), has broken much of that lineage. As the evangelical “discovers” church traditions such as Lent, it is starting to a little bit about church history.

    Most Western Christians probably know more about their respective country’s history (and other Western European countries’) history than they know of history except for where the two crossed. The history of the church around the world is as varied as the nations and the peoples it has impacted.

    All of history is filled with the “wondrous works he has done.” Too often, however, we think more about rather than God. We also forget that so many things (the sun rising, the full moon, the wind, our very breath) are wondrous things, no matter how small and simple they appear to be.

    Isaac was Abraham’s and Sarah’s proof of God’s wondrous works (just as any child is). Sarah was held to account when she laughed when God’s messenger promised that Sarah would be pregnant. Abraham probably laughed when Sarah became pregnant and a was born. Maybe, just maybe, they named Isaac (he laughed) because they thought God had “the last laugh.”

    How we look to the past influences the . As the author of Hebrews quoted from Psalms, God is everlasting. The author of Hebrews (I cannot to confirm who wrote it) affirms that God is everlasting. Long after our history disappears, God will be there. Yet, that doesn’t absolve us from continually remembering what God has done.

    ※Reflection※

    What has God been doing in your life recently? Are any doors closing? Are any doors opening?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we don’t know the future, and we are far too tied to the past we think we know, keeping the future bound to misunderstanding. Help us to open our eyes and heart to the future that you have for us while helping honor the past. Amen.

  • So Over It

    So Over It

    Psalm 25:1–10; Daniel 9:15–25a; 2 Timothy 4:1–5

    For nearly a year, we’ve had COVID. For nearly a year, there have been limitations in gathering and movement. Finally, 9 months in, there was news of a vaccine. Then there were multiple vaccines. Now we .

    Still, though, we often catch ourselves asking, “when will this be over?” Or the question that many are asking, “when can we get back to ?”

    Daniel’s words really aren’t that different than ours. Yes, he’s talking about the Israelites. Yes, he’s talking about Jerusalem. “When can we go home?” “When can we to the new normal?”

    Just as the generations that passed in Egypt, breaking free of the practices left behind. Then leaving Egypt with new practices to learn and form. Those fleeing Egypt, “when can we go home (Egypt)?” “When can we go back to normal (slavery)?”

    The words that Daniel received, “yes, Israel will go back.” “Thinks will seem to be positive and even (the new) normal.” “Then disruption again.”

    The promise of return for the Israelites (though not really for Daniel) was not exactly all positive. There would definitely be loss. There might be gains. They just couldn’t judge the return to the before, because they were different.

    Many people have spoken words similar to Daniel’s about “the people” not listening to God, and not following God’s commandments. The words were often spoken against the US culture as it appeared to diverge from its so-called Judeo- roots. Whether it was a particular disease primarily affecting a “different” culture/people, or whether it was COVID or some other virus, or the , or rock music, or free , or what have you.

    Those who often spoke those words forgot important words: , justice, grace.

    When we read the words of to Timothy, many often conclude with something like communism, capitalism, consumerism, any of a number of things. “They” don’t want to the “”. These words weren’t Paul’s to Timothy for the world. They were Paul’s words to Timothy about the church.

    There are a lot of things the church is hearing, but doesn’t want to. While the church has been huddled in homes and buildings, God has been moving. While phrases such as, “the new normal” are becoming, well…normal. Everybody wants whatever the new normal is going to be to happen already.

    ※Reflection※

    What if God doesn’t want us to “normalize”? What if God wants to shake us free of our (the church’s) complacency? What if we have 70 more years to go? What will you do?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we don’t know what is coming. In Lent we are called upon to strip away that which is not for you. Help us, Lord, to follow your will in this. Amen.

  • Billboard or Reflection

    Billboard or Reflection

    Isaiah 58:1–12; Psalm 51:1–17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10; Matthew 6:1–6, Matthew 6:16–21

    Today is Ash Wednesday. This ancient goes beyond Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox. It a time of self-reflection. Many it a time of self-mortification. This is why it is often a time of fasting (of varying sorts). Truthfully, the fasting is often something that should be done anyway as a form of self-improvement or just a matter of separating oneself from the immediate to dedicate time to the truly important.

    The words in Isaiah allude to this. Sacrificing (e.g., fasting) because it is the religious thing to do is not the point. It seems, in fact, that religious sacrificing is actually an affront to God when one’s around it is not God-honoring. That should be a gut check (no pun intended) for us all.

    Pursuit of the knowledge of God without pursuit of the of God is often an empty pursuit. Yes, we can learn more facts about God. That doesn’t mean we actually know God. God wants us to know God, not merely know of God.

    2020 was a banner year of self-mortification realization. From , to race, to gender, to the police, to riots, to COVID, there was so much that God seemed to be telling the church. The church has been too busy, for too long, doing the religious sacrificing without knowing the heart of God. Looking back on 2020, you may well have an idea of what God wants you to put to death.

    From an Isaiah point of view, 2020 was a great year! All that extra stuff (much of it dead) just needs to be cut off! The church, and people in general, still want to cling to what is dead, rather than lean into what and who gives life.

    The Psalmist though cries out the Lenten cry, “HAVE ON ME!” While is to be a time of putting un-Christ-like things and behaviors to death, it is such a time of , for God had mercy on us. This mercy, and the joy because of it, is part of our witness to the world. It is part of that which makes us Christian.

    Some churches will have Ash Wednesday in the morning, so that the congregants go into the world proclaiming Christ. It could seem to be a billboard of, “look how religious I am!” For some communities that may actually be the case. On the other hand, Ash Wednesday is a “stamp of strangeness” for most people. If you were to go to work (whether in person or on a video call) with a big black cross on your forehead, you might get some strange looks. Others might even mock you. Yet, it is a chance that it might open the door to talking about Jesus.

    It isn’t bad to wear a cross of ashes, nor is it bad to fast. It is about the why and the of your life.

    ※Reflection※

    • What does a cross of ashes mean or represent to you? Why?
    • What have you decided to “put to death” for Lent? Why that? If nothing, why nothing?
    • How do mercy and joy fit into your understanding of Lent?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, as we begin this time of reflection, help us to truly be reflective and not reflexive. Grant us the grace to see more of you and to become more like you. Most of all, help us to reflect your light into the world. Amen.

  • Willing to be Sharpened

    Willing to be Sharpened

    Proverbs 27:17; Acts 15:36–41

    I’m sure you’ve never fought. Ever. With anyone. I’m sure that you’ve never raised your or yelled in anger or frustration. Ever. At anyone.

    was strong-willed and opinionated. Barnabas was a person who seemed to always be the forgiving type. He was known as an encourager.

    Paul and Barnabas had been on mission . They had been in trouble together. They had seen God’s together. They had seen the move people. By all accounts, they were successful missionary partners.

    From Paul’s letters, we know that he really cared about the people gathered into the churches. There was probably a strong motivation to make sure they were okay and hadn’t fallen prey (again) to non-Christians (both Jew and Gentile).

    Then we come to Mark. It is unclear why Mark had left them in Pamphylia. Based on context, some commentators believe that Mark left Paul (going to Jerusalem) because Mark didn’t believe that Gentiles should not have ties to Judaism. The thought process was that Paul would not have been so opposed to Mark if it had not been something serious (versus being young and unaccustomed to travel, as other commentators have said).

    Here is where we see the . Barnabas and Paul were not opposing each other regarding the mission (i.e., they were united). One could even say their disagreement proved that they both believed in the mission. What they disagreed on was Mark’s part in the mission.

    They couldn’t agree. They parted ways.

    Paul’s was sharp and straightforward (one might say similar to an oncoming train). Barnabas was the type who sought to lift up. What is interesting here is that Barnabas chose to “lift up” Mark, despite Paul’s insistence.

    Whether in church, work, or home, there will be times where people do not agree in approach. All too often, the only option seems to be separation. Yet, when two such “opposites” each other, that which comes from it will often be greater than the only one. The trick is how to make it happen.

    We do know this, though. Mark and Paul were . Mark and Timothy (Paul’s protege) became ministry partners.

    ※Reflection※

    • Have you ever seen two people whose goal is the same, but their methods are different? How did that go?
    • What does it take for two people of significantly different approaches to try to work together?
    • If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, are you more like Paul or like Barnabas?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we can quickly fall apart on our differences. Help us to take these differences to make a symphony for you. Amen.

  • Mixing It Up

    Mixing It Up

    It can seem strange to question and particularly fear the of disparate people, but that is what is happening here. Jew and Gentile in a single faith. The Jew and Gentile outside that faith assaulted it.

    Unity is a great thing. The is supposed to be a place of unity. Yet, the church also remains the most divided. It is divided by culture, nation, skin color, , location and many other reasons.

    Yet, the “obvious” isn’t all bad. Really. If we didn’t have divisions, well, there would be one pastor…one…for everyone. Already, we know that wouldn’t work.

    Some sociologists state that our effective relational capacity is approximately 100. This “tribal” view of humanity would certainly explain much of what each of us experience in life. It also explains the church.

    In many regards, the divisions that we see in the world are not that surprising. As the ability to connect the whole world in real-time expands and becomes embedded in our lives, we are all experiencing the stress of a “tribal” size beyond our capacity to deal with and understand.

    This does not spare us the responsibility to and understand. The “tribal” concept may be about to be turned upside down.

    The church of Iconium, for example, broke the “tribal” boundaries. The tribal-breaking church remains the world’s greatest . It is this that makes the divided church so painful.

    The world needs an enemy. Tribes need enemies. The enemies may not be ones of warfare. They may be economic or cultural or something else.

    The church is called to cross enemy lines not to defeat the enemy, but to reconcile the enemy, so that there are no more enemies.

    ※Reflection※

    • Which “tribal” identities do you identify with?
    • Which “tribal” identities do you struggle most with?
    • How do you think the early church overcame “tribal” identities?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, grant us the and grace to follow the example of your Paul along with the first churches, that we can truly be the witnesses to the world of your great . Amen.

  • Off To Where

    Off To Where

    Psalm 46; Genesis 12:1–9; 1 Corinthians 7:17–24

    A number of years ago, Randy Craker (our District Superintendent), shared a message with the college-aged students of our ministry. He talked about how their time, whether being in college or not, was their time before going out of the “land” they knew.

    One of the hardest things about leading college ministry wasn’t the students. They were a . The frustration was with people who didn’t understand why we (whether us as leaders or the in general) would invest time and effort in people who weren’t going to stay. It was hard to understand that the entire point of the ministry was to launch the students and to “take” God with them wherever God would take them.

    DS Craker understood that these young people were already called out of the places they called home and would be headed into the world. Air Force Officer, teacher, nurse, pastor, mom, dad are some of the titles/responsibilities of these students. Who were we to question where God was sending them?

    One of the misleading aspects of this is that the “calling out” is done at that point. Many people act as if the will only come when we’re young. Abram wasn’t a young man. The call disrupted his .

    There is no “magic” age or place when God calls you. If we anything from the Old Testament, God will call a person regardless of age.

    Often, we want God to call us out of the place we are in. At other times, we want God to keep us where we are at. Often, though, God calls us exactly where we are.

    Imagine how those who heard Paul’s letter read out loud (that’s how these letters were originally shared) felt. “If you’re a slave, while you’re free in Christ, you’re still a slave. Be happy.” If you were a slave, celebrating your freedom in Christ, and then this.

    The Greeks likely still felt a bit “second” to the Jews. They were probably relieved (especially the men) that circumcision was discouraged.

    Paul’s comment to the Jews was interesting. Apparently, there were Jews that were now trying to be Greek (or Gentile). How that was happening is unclear. There is some mocking as it was, at that time, impossible to become uncircumcised (theoretically, it is possible with today’s medical technology).

    Paul’s words are somewhat prescriptive. We should not expect that choosing to follow Jesus will change our circumstances, nor might it change the where and when of our lives. The biggest change, of course, is the we take with us.

    ※Reflection※

    • Why do you think that some people are called out of their circumstances/places, while are called to remain?
    • Why is it important to understand that both calls are equally valid?
    • Looking at Paul’s letter, what is common among believers? Why is that important?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, may we follow your calling on our lives. Grant us the discernment whether we are called to stay or called to . Regardless, give us the to know that we in your will. Amen.