Devotion.al

Tag: move

  • Chained or Unchained

    Chained or Unchained

    Deuteronomy 27:12–28:1; John 8:31–40; Galatians 3:7–14

    There are many wonderful things in that begin well and then become dead weight. Buying a house is one of those. We are now in an era when people buy houses and pay against a large debt for 15–30 years. It doesn’t take too long for the of home “owning” to be faced with the frustrations of maintenance, flaws, age, vision changes, life changes, and so on. It doesn’t have to be a house. It could be a car. It could be student loans. It could be your job.

    The Law wasn’t intended to be life-giving. It was intended as God-oriented protection. If you followed the law, there was a framework that guided one into a righteous life.

    Somehow this became twisted, and the Law became life.

    “Whoever does not put this law into practice is cursed.” (Deuteronomy 27:26)

    This does not say that the Law is life. It says that not following the Law results in bad consequences. Within the Law there were “resets” built in. Sins, errors in judgment could be dealt with. Life could on.

    However, there is a difference when it is a lifestyle. This is not about ignorance. This is not about an unbeliever. This is about those who declare God their God and live in such a way that they have not put God first in their lives.

    What becomes the struggle is “proving” that God is first in our lives. Often, we “prove” it by living a more “” life. The of the Nazarene, for example, was long known for its stances against alcohol, smoking, and dancing. Not doing these things was the mark of “” but is what the areas of broken relationships where these things occurred that was the real issue.

    When holiness (or the appearance thereof) become chains rather than , then holiness has become the Law. If that is the case, then that might make a lie out of, “who the Son sets free is free indeed,” because then, it seems, we want to find new chains to live in.

    ※Questions※

    1) What are some Christian “rules” that you can think of? How do you think they became rules?

    2) What rules can you think of that were intended to “give” or “preserve” life, but ended up chaining it? Does that make the rule bad?

    3) What is a rule that you wish wasn’t a family rule? Why?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, you called us to a life of following you. Help up freedom from chains as we try to follow your way. Amen.

  • Can You Relate?

    Can You Relate?

    1 Corinthians 3:5–9; Philippians 1:12–21

    “It can never happen here.”

    “No one respects God here.”

    “How could God move in this [horrible] place?”

    You can probably think of a number of or statements that an excuse or justification for why you can’t be a missionary where you are. Let’s not devalue those statements. Let’s identify them for what they are…barriers to the Gospel.

    Missionaries have gone to foreign countries for generations. The Church of the Nazarene [the “umbrella” denomination for this devotional] has missionaries in “Creative Access” areas. The denomination does not publicly identify them. When they go home, they are not recorded or associated with their missional area. For many of them, martyrdom (killed because of faithfully the faith) is a real possibility.

    In comparison, our hard to reach areas are not so hard.

    Paul wrote the letter to the church(es) in Philippi from jail. Through a confluence of circumstances, he was able to share about Jesus, both directly and indirectly. One could think that jail could be a pretty hard place.

    Yet, the Gospel is growing (yes, growing) in the prisons even today. Through methods such as Discovery Bible Study, cell groups (pun intended) are growing in the prisons. Some of the hardest prisons where the further separate inmates into pods are establishing groups.

    Did Paul start immediately preaching the Gospel to the guards? Probably not. He developed with them over time. Then as the guided, he shared.

    Where you are may be a place where you are called to only plant seeds. Perhaps you are in a place where you are called to water the seeds that planted. It might even be possible for you to be in a place where you plant and water. Depending on the people, each person may be in a different place.

    Relational Evangelism is the new buzz-phrase. It shouldn’t be. This is the most effective way, at this point in history, to reach people for Jesus and deepen their (and our) with Jesus. Even 20 years ago, the most successful churches with the deepest were built on relationships.

    ※Questions※

    1) What relationship is the hardest for you at the moment? How could/might the use that to bring Jesus into the picture?

    2) What kind of seeds are you planting right now? In whom are you planting them? What are some ways to plant seeds?

    3) What seeds/plants are you watering right now? How are you watering them? What are some ways to water the seeds of faith?

    4) How’s the weeding going? Are you having to pull some weeds in your or others’ lives? How might weeding work (or not) in the newly planted and/or watered relationships?

    ※Prayer※

    Father, from the beginning you have used the picture of planting and watering to convey deep truths to your Creation. Please guide us into how planting, watering, and weeding needs to be lived out in our lives. Amen.

    A quick summary and methodology outline for the Discovery Bible Study can be downloaded here, or you can go to the Discovery Bible Study site (not all views are necessarily the views of this site.)

  • Kinda Stuck

    Kinda Stuck

    Kinda Stuck

    7 September 2020

    Leviticus 4:27–31; Leviticus 5:14–16; 1 John 1:6–10

    When we talk about sin, we often operate with the presumption of commission of sin. In other words, we did something. There is also the sin of omission. In other words, what we didn’t do.

    The morning confession in the Book of Common Prayer reads
    Most merciful God,
    we that we have sinned against you
    in thought, word, and deed,
    by what we have done,
    and by what we have left undone.
    We have not loved you with our whole ;
    we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
    We are truly sorry and we humbly .
    For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
    have mercy on us and forgive us;
    that we may delight in your will,
    and walk in your ways,
    to the of your . Amen.

    In many respects, this confession is hard, because in it we confess that we are not loving God and others as God has called us to do. On the other hand, this confession is freeing, as we aren’t required to go down all the items we messed up on (and some days that can be quite a lot).

    When we read Leviticus, we can often get bogged down in all the rules. Yet, if you read the rules in today’s verses, there is in them. In them, while the rules regarding are stringent, at the same time there is the recognition that someone may not recognize the while in the middle of committing it.

    We all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are sins. Sometimes they aren’t sins, per se, but still hurt others. We aren’t supposed to beat ourselves up about it. We are supposed to confess, repent, and on.

    Even in Leviticus, barring a few acts, there isn’t a “no repeat” rule. This means that God will gracefully accept our confession and repentance. While we will often continue to sin (sometimes even the same thing), if we are truly repentant in our hearts and confess, God moves on, and so should we.

    Yes, we are called to be better than we were yesterday. Being better than we were yesterday also means better to ourselves than we were yesterday. People will often continually condemn themselves about their failures. When we condemn ourselves, we are often closer to the than God.

    Through the Holy Spirit, God convicts. The purpose of that conviction is to free us from the guilt and reconcile us to God. The enemy condemns. That condemnation will often tear our hearts and souls into pieces, leading us to further separate ourselves from God.

    This is not God’s intent. Yes, we are to be aware of what separates us from God. We are to confess and work on what separates us from God. It’s hard enough to improve our walk with God, let us not help the enemy take us further away from the reconciling heart of God.

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help us be true to you through our confessions and our to you. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) Is there a sin or struggle in your life that you can’t seem to get a handle on, and are concerned that God just won’t let it go? Is it God, or is it you that won’t let it go?

    2) Why do we often let our mistakes and errors bind us?

    3) One aspect of the Good News of the Gospel is freedom from chains. How will you share with others the chains you have been freed from?

  • Nope. I’m Good.

    Nope. I’m Good.

    Nope. I’m Good.

    2 September 2020

    John 8:31–41; Philippians 3:1–11

    What are you relying on? This is a question that we each need to ask ourselves on a regular (if not daily) basis. It becomes easy to slip into relying on something without realizing it.

    In industries such as manufacturing, timber, construction where safety is a big issue, it can be easy to fall into ease. As organizations create stronger safety programs and better safety equipment, workers can into a sense of . Then they may overly rely on their safety equipment. Then they make mistakes that endanger themselves, , and the successful completion of their jobs.

    This can also be seen when people spend lots of money (often more than they make) to have a good life. This somewhat works when the economy is going well, but things happen, and economies weaken.

    This can also be seen in , from local to international, as people make assumptions about their supporters or even their countries as they move around and make deals.

    It is also seen in the . While the apparent dominance of the Moral Majority of the 1980s–1990s indicated that the “church” was strong, it showed that the church had lost its way. The church relied on politics and to make a difference, rather than the and of . As the church becomes culturally sidelined, there is a growing awareness of not just the earthly power lost, but also the freedom gained and the power from on high that comes with it.

    The Jews understood and venerated their ancestors, particularly Abraham and Israel. They venerated Moses as the Prophet of the Most High. They had the Law.

    They had become reliant and comfortable. It seems strange for them to be comfortable with the Roman occupation. It was just the status quo, and no one wanted the boat to be rocked.

    Then along comes Jesus to rock the boat, and all the complacency came to a head. For too long the Jews had taken their (very) special place for granted. It was time for them to wake up.

    Part of Paul’s awakening was through this as well. While he still proudly proclaimed his Israelite heritage, he set it aside for the greater identity of being a follower of Jesus. While he didn’t toss his heritage out (for it gave him the framework to understand the work of Jesus), he recognized it for what it was…a foreshadow of what was to come…the Body of Christ.

    ※ Prayer ※

    Jesus, may we be shaken daily by who you are so that we are never complacent. Amen.

    ※ Questions ※

    1) Where is your life of too complacent?

    2) Where do you see the life of the church too complacent?

    3) Where else in life (outside of faith) are you seeing complacency?

  • I Said, You Say

    I Said, You Say

    Exodus 4:10–17; Matthew 25:14–30

    Moses is highly regarded in Jewish circles. As the bringer of the Law, his place in their history is unassailable. The first 5 books of the Bible also being attributed to him also helps.

    Moses was (and is) viewed as the greatest prophet from a Jewish . Yet, Moses was human. Moses did human things. Moses had human failings.

    In today’s passage, we see that Moses really was trying to avoid his calling. Was he trying to avoid the Pharaoh? Maybe. Was he afraid? Probably. Was he “poor” of ? Probably.

    Moses pleads to escape God’s on him. He didn’t want to be the one. “Please send someone else.”

    How many times have you said that about helping ? How about speaking Christ into the lives of others? We often say to ourselves; God will send someone better than me.

    God calls us for a time and place, and the call may change as the times and places change. Not only are there times we avoid the call, there are also times we hold onto a call whose time has passed.

    There is something to notice. “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses…” That is not the most comforting thing to hear. Making God angry is generally an unwise .

    Even though God is angry with Moses, God still condescends to him by assigning his brother Aaron as the mouthpiece. The co- goes forward.

    Even Moses allowed his fear and apprehension to turn him from God’s mission. No one is immune to fear. We just have to find in our hearts the the trust God.

    ※ Prayer ※

    Lord, help us to embrace the unique mission and ministry that you have given us. Amen

    ※ Questions ※

    1) What is your current commission from God? If you are not aware of it, set aside some time today to prayerfully ask God what the commission is…and give God the space to answer it.

    2) Why do you think that God allows Aaron to for Moses even though it was Moses’ commission?

    3) Think about what you know about Moses. Put times in Moses’ against each of the servants noted in the Parable of the Talents. Which life event of Moses to you apply to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ?

  • Indulge Me

    Indulge Me

    Matthew 23:23–36

    Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology. He was the most beautiful person. He was so dissatisfied with those who claimed they loved him that he expected them to kill themselves to prove their of him. It wasn’t until he passed a smooth pool of water and saw his own reflection that he fell in love. Ultimately, he was so in love with his own reflection that he didn’t leave the pool and died.

    The term narcissism obviously comes from this story. Narcissism is a personality disorder (according to the “official” diagnosis) where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.

    Only troubled relationships cannot be (fully) concluded from our understanding of the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees. As we look at the list of issues that are symptomatic of narcissism, we can see echoes of them in these verses.  Yet, while it really would be hard to accuse them of having traits to the depth necessary to be narcissistic, they definitely had issues.

    We all have issues. Any of these should be an issue for a as they are not in line with a Christian walk. One of the other issues that isn’t covered under the list of narcissism is self-indulgence. This may be the razor’s edge of many decisions.

    Self-indulgence can take many forms. Currently, though, it seems to take more the form of self-. Of course, it really is hard to define self-righteousness, as we are all self- to a degree.

    How does one then evaluate an through the lens of self-righteousness? One must look outside oneself. What is the litmus test being used?

    That should be the question we ourselves as we through these troubled times.

    ※Prayer※

    Lord , help us to look to you to define and guide our actions that we bring and to you. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What is the litmus test for what makes an action or thought self-righteous or not? How about self-indulgence?

    2) What might be the best way to work through self-righteous and self-indulgent actions and thoughts with fellow Christians?

  • Lamenting Forward

    Lamenting Forward

    Ezekiel 2:1–3:3; Lamentations 3:17–33; Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

    There are two prevailing feelings currently: and anger. Neither one is productive over time. In the end, they can destroy a person emotionally and spiritually.

    Ezekiel ate words of lament, mourning, and woe. In the vision, the edible scroll tastes a sweet as honey. At the same time, there was no in the words themselves.

    One of the biggest lessons that the current atmosphere can teach us is that we need to mourn what we have lost. We are even still in the midst of losing our perception of culture(s), country, and even . We fight the .

    We don’t want to lose all that we hold dear. At the same time, there is another feeling that is harder to quantify… God is doing something new. We don’t know what that new is, which causes us to be even more emotionally reactive.

    God can (and does) handle our anger and fear. God is greater than that. We, though, need to lament, , and mourn.

    When we lose a one, we miss them. We grieve. We mourn. We understand that it is not only acceptable, it is also healthy. We also must—as hard as it is—find a way to move forward.

    That is currently the way many things are right now. One of the great difficulties is to choose what to mourn and move past, and what to struggle for. As the situation around COVID continues, we will continue to have to work and walk together to find a way forward.

    We all must be -filled as people struggle with their masked in fear and anger. Only the God of hope can turn the anger and fear into a drive to move forward in faithfulness. Let us all be people of hope.

    ※Prayer※

    Heavenly , guide us to be people of hope, not just any hope, but the hope of the crucified and risen . Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What is one thing you are angry about right now? How about fearful? What about grieving?

    2) If you were to rank each of these in order, what would they be, and why?

    3) Which of these has the greatest effect upon your Christian walk? How so?

  • Time Alone

    Time Alone

    Matthew 14:1–23

    Jesus’ cousin and herald was dead. He was murdered. Why was he murdered? He called the powerful to account.

    Herod’s marriage to Herodias had some issues. Herod had visited Herodias while she was still married to Herod’s brother, Philip. They decided they like each other, so they decided to be married.

    However, Herodias didn’t want to share the house with Herod’s current wife who wisely read the writing on the wall and fled to her father’s house. As a historical aside, this created bad feelings and ultimately led to the military defeat of Herod, eventual downfall and exile.

    So, Herod wasn’t really divorced or a widower. His brother was still alive. Yet Herod married his brother’s wife. The only time in Jewish law that was appropriate was when the brother had died with no son.

    John the Baptist condemned it. Herod, probably more to please Herodias than anything, put John in jail. Herodias wasn’t satisfied, and we read the of the story.

    Jesus’ first response wasn’t to call Herod to account. Jesus made no public declaration at all. How different than our current age.

    Jesus’ first response was to withdraw. Just like the rest of us at times, Jesus was not going to just on. It is easy to infer that Jesus needed time to grieve and spend the Father, even though the do not a full explanation.

    Not that it’s bad to step away and grieve. It’s healthy, and there is a Jewish practice that goes with that (something that the needs to approach). 

    Even more so for Jesus, John was his herald, his baptizer, his cousin, and probably the one person that Jesus felt a spiritual kinship due to their tied- callings.

    What happened next is sad, but we see it today. A famous person has a bad (or good) event, and people clamor around them. Famous people today have PR people deliver a statement that often asks for personal and private space to grieve. How sad that it isn’t given automatically.

    Jesus may have intended such, but then see how he them. Jesus set aside his needs for .

    However, there are a couple of pieces that need to be addressed. First, the amount of time spent was actually minimal. It also had an end. Then once the people were satisfied, he sent the disciples away, the people away, and he had time between himself and God.

    Often the focus is that Jesus set his needs aside for others. He did. Jesus also still made sure his needs were met.

    In times of trial and trouble, such as caring for family that are ill, it is easy to set one’s needs aside. In the end, that breaks us unnecessarily. Not only are we hurt, but often we hurt others as our internal limits are broken.

    We are not machines that can go and go. Honestly, machines can’t either. Machines need maintenance. So do we. Make sure that you are finding time for yourself and finding time for God. This is not a waste of time. It is what makes the rest of the time sustainable.

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, as we live in a high-performance culture, help us to keep the vital rhythm of care for ourselves and fellowship with you. Amen.

    ※※

    1) What practices do you have to “maintain” yourself? Do you have any that involve doing nothing?

    2) Have you ever experience relief of anguish or pain because you were distracted by other needs? What happened to the anguish or pain?