Devotion.al

Tag: mystery

  • Whose Will

    Genesis 12:1-7, Hebrews 11:1–12 (read online ⧉)

    “I will” is a major component in God’s sending statement for Abram. God will be doing a lot. It’s not, though, as if Abram will be doing nothing. He’ll be doing a lot of traveling, caring for his herds, caring for his people. In fact, much of his daily was caring and leading .

    There have been 2 major trains of thought when it comes to God’s sovereignty. The first (overly simplified) view is that God sets everything in motion, and we are effectively puppets. The other (again, overs simplified view) is that God gave free will to humankind with God’s will (i.e., “I will”) still very much in play. How this later view works out is somewhat of a , which is why many oppose it. On the other hand, with what we know of God through the , this understanding (despite the mystery) is the most harmonious with God’s nature/.

    The balance between I did and God did is not always a hard line. For example, if the doubled in attenders next week, would it be God or would it be of mouth or would it be advertising? Or would it be a combination of them all? That’s the rub for many. People want a cause and effect so they know the path they are and will be walking on. Yet, that’s the whole point of Abram’s story, including how the author of Hebrews refers to it.

    We are called to walk by faith in the direction that we have discerned (for few have had that “God encounter” that can provide some guidance). We have to walk the best we are able, including reading the Scriptures, talking to friends, and talking to those who are also on their own walk to follow .

    Whether we a looking to the next decade, year, month, week, day, hour, or even second, all we possibly do is to step in faith, one step at a time.

    1) What things in your life are you having to “trust in faith” right now? Why?

    2) What can you do to make sure that you are doing your part to follow the path of faith? Why do you think that is your part? Are you sure you have no other part? How?

  • Thankful Reset

    Psalm 147, Deuteronomy 26:1–11 (read online ⧉)

    There are plenty of tales around Thanksgiving. While historians try to break out the supposed of what “really” happened, people are still adding pieces of their own making to the legend and story that surround the “first” Thanksgiving. There will be people that will try to paint the Puritans (and other colonists) with a wide disparaging brush (not without some justification). There will be people that will paint the First Nations Peoples with an overly generous brush. Regardless, there were people involved that, for whatever their reasons, gathered to gather to thanks.

    When Lincoln called for a national observation of Thanksgiving, it was during the Civil War. Some viewed it as a calculated political , and it probably was. However, there was also the beginning of exhaustion with the whole thing. This was around the time when the Union realized that the war was not going to be quick. In the midst of such turmoil, a time of thanksgiving helped the people to , even temporarily a horrible situation. Also, this is a way of resetting the mind and to look at a picture bigger than oneself.

    Thanksgiving in helps to lighten our hearts, especially when we carry the heavy burdens of , trial, finances, and so forth. How it works is somewhat of a mystery, yet science is confirming that and gratitude help to rewire our brains. These re-wired brains are more resilient to trials and tribulations. In other words, we are able to withstand the emotional turmoil of trouble when thankfulness and gratitude are foundational elements of our regular practices.

    Take Psalm 147, for example. Say it out loud. Does something happen inside? If yes, great! If no, then it’s time to meditate on this Psalm. Recognize who God is and what God has done. These should not be empty words. If they are empty words for you, then you will likely struggle deeply with developing gratitude and thanksgiving.

    Moses’ direction to the Israelites prior to the entry into the Promised Land was to set a tone. They hadn’t yet worked for the fruit of the land. They were not to make assumptions. They were not to be arrogant. With the land promised to be fruitful, they were to be thankful that it was. Their hearts were to be full of gratitude toward God for it. If we follow along with the story of the Israelites, their focus on themselves and their own ways quickly lead them away from God.

    1) Why might ingratitude lead a person away from God?

    2) Why do you think gratitude changes your perspective and improve your resilience?

    3) Do you think it is important that we have a national observance of thanksgiving? Why?

  • Path Selection

    2 Samuel 24:1–25

    What the reason was for inciting the census has remained a . Why God would incite David to do this, and thus punish the Israelites, is also a mystery. Some have claimed that this was still the penalty of David’s murder of Uriah and his affair with (and marriage to) Bathsheba. The implication is that while David was the empowered person who did wrong, the people also did wrong by standing by and doing nothing.

    When David could not choose a path and left it to God, God chose the supposed lesser penalty against the people. That David gave up the choice to God, and God chose this path strongly implicates the peoples’ in something. Why the plague for a census? That’s another interesting thing. In Exodus 30:11–16, there is a penalty for everyone if a census is taken and each man (males over 20) does not pay a half shekel. Apparently, there were many who could not pay the price.

    In the midst of his indecision, David’s (people against him for 3 months) resulted in the of his people, those for whom he was responsible. He obviously came to a point of remorse and regret and knew that the path taken was his responsibility. He chose to make amends the best way he knew how…sacrificial .
    Even the site and animal sacrifices (not inexpensive) were offered to him for free, but he chose the correct path and paid for it. The site of this saving ? It became the home of the built by Solomon. This site which was first used to atone for the census (and whatever else we don’t “see”) became the place where people “met” God.

    1) While we understand that “meeting” God happens in all sorts of places, no matter where we are, we humans like (some say need) places to God. What are your thoughts regarding how God transformed this place of sacrifice?

    2) How did God transform the suffering of the Israelites and David?

  • Consequential Freedom

    Psalm 75, Amos 1:3–2:8, Ezekiel 18:25–32

    While Israel is being foretold of its doom, it is probable that a great many people were responding to the prophets (and therefore, God) that God just wasn’t being fair. Why shouldn’t they be able to be “free” as the other nations?

    While the focus is on them, their sins, and their need for repentance, God tells them that the other nations that they want to be like will also be receiving consequences. The interesting part about this passage in Amos is that God repeatedly says that those nations also had a choice. Their choice was how they would fulfill their part of the of Israel. They overdid it.

    How exactly it works is a . God released the surrounding nations to Israel and Judah. However, these nations, instead of just (for example) invading, they destroyed and annihilated.

    Definitely not the intent. So, while Judah and Israel can expect some misery ahead, so can the countries around them.

    1) What does this tell us about the of God?

    2) Why is important to understand that both the “” and “not-chosen” will receive discipline from God?

    3) What is discipline when it comes from God?

  • Spirit Movement

    Psalm 51, Isaiah 66:1–16, Acts 16:6–15

    How the Spirit moves in our lives is both a mystery and very important. The psalmist requests to be restored. Attributed to King David after being confronted in his sin regarding Bathsheba and Uriah, there is definitely some that needs to happen.

    While David as an was often not the shining example, at the same time he led the people of Israel to God fully. While we recognize David’s shortcomings and sins, we also have to recognize what he brought. Does that mean that what he did was okay? Obviously not. As we see in Psalm 51, David did repent.

    On the other hand, but the time if Isaiah, the rulers, and the people were not fully worshipping God. God was just another god, one of many. Many followed the prescribed outward practices but did not have the that was yielded to God. Isaiah wasn’t the only prophet calling to account, either. Contrast this to David. Nathan had a very short speech, and David was contrite. David was humble, submissive in spirit, and trembled at God’s world (Isaiah 66:2).

    David and the chided (by Isaiah) Israelites had very different responses to the . Both had an experience of correction. David had additional experiences of support and direction.

    , by this time in Acts, had had a number of interesting experiences with the Holy Spirit, but this might be one of the most important as it applies to us. Paul wanted to go to Asia. That was the plan. God wouldn’t let them. Think about that for a moment. Many in the church (rightfully) talk about the loss of evangelism. Paul was told not to evangelize. Then he tries to go to Bithynia and is again stopped by the Holy Spirit. Stopped. Prevented. No evangelism here.

    Then Paul received a dream from a (nameless) man to come to Macedonia. He does so and makes his way to Philippi. There he meets Lydia. She converts to Christianity and becomes a strong supporter of the church. Some have called her a deacon, and yet others claim that her role was more pastor or bishop. While who knows what could have happened in Asia or Bithynia, Lydia’s conversion along with the establishment of the church at Philippi is all pretty important.

    Sometimes the Holy Spirit, as some say, knocks a person on the head with a 2×4. Other times the Holy Spirit nudges and encourages by whispers. Other times, the Holy Spirit closes the door. Being aware, being responsive, and being obedient to the Holy Spirit is what will shape and us. Also, this is how we are transformed to be more like .

    1) When you believe the Holy Spirit is telling you to stop, how do you test whether it is the Holy Spirit or your ?

    2) When you believe the Holy Spirit is telling you to go, how do you test whether it is the Holy Spirit or your desires?

    3) When in the last week have you felt either go or stop from the Holy Spirit? If you haven’t, are you open to asking (and listening to) the Holy Spirit about what should be stopped or started?

  • Nourishing

    Exodus 16:13–36, John 6:29–41

    Who’s On First? was a comedy routine honed and made famous by the comedy team of Abbot and Costello. It is a masterful—and frustrating—play on words.

    Mana ≈ What is it?

    How would you like your food—for 40 years, no less—to be named, “what is it?” Imagine teaching a child the language, and how confused the poor child would be when they asked, “what is it?” And the answer was, “exactly” or “yes”.

    “What is it?” was a daily food for 40 years. It behaved differently than food. 6 days a week it appeared, and on 1 of those days you gathered twice more than you did on the other five days, and it lasted for 2 days, even though that which was gathered on other days rotted. “What is it?” is both a great question and a great answer.

    “What is it” was the nourishment of God. It was a daily reminder that they were daily dependent upon God. There was no question that without God’s provision, the Israelites would have been in deep trouble. One would think that after 40 years, especially the children who were raised with it, would have an ingrained understanding and habit that God is the provider. It is reasonable to that these same people would not have been self-reliant, independent, or quick to turn away from God. One could make those assumptions. One would be wrong.

    “What is it” wasn’t just a question regarding the food, it was also a philosophical question. “What is it” defined the patterns of the Israelites. In so doing, it placed the Israelites in the context of God. “What is it” defined what it means to eat from the table of God.

    “What is it” also is fitting when it comes to the Bread of Heaven—. There have been many theological arguments over what exactly is . When we “eat of the body” and “drink of the blood”, is it literal, spiritual, symbolic, mere ritual, a …what is it?

    1) Does “what is it” drive you a little crazy? Do you need to have an answer?

    2) Why is it important to allow “what is it” with our walk with God?

    3) When we think of “manna”, we don’t think of “what is it”. What other little things are we missing when we read the ?

  • Work Assignment

    Genesis 14:17–20, Hebrews 5:1–4, Acts 13:1–3

    The calling of God is mysterious. The Levitical line produced the priests, but who would be called was something different.

    The calling of pastors is equally mysterious (including to the pastors). How and why God calls certain people to be pastors and doesn’t other equally equipped (or equipable) and people remains a mystery.

    In many respects, King Melchizedek is emblematic of the issue. He just pops into scripture as a priest of God, and then is gone again. The first person titled priest is a mystery. That is really part of the whole point. That the calling of a person to more directly and intimately interact and (in particularly limited ways) in the place of God can often be hard to fathom.

    The author of Hebrews does provide us a boundary, which is good. “No one takes this honor on himself…” One of the of the current culture is that people aren’t pursuing ministry due to its cultural respect (yes, it’s a sad thing, too). In this culture people are making not just a financial , they are also making a cultural sacrifice. In the Middle Ages, for example, the younger son or daughter would be sent into the church, the influence (some security about inheritance fights). The younger son didn’t often have a choice. That being said, many of them became great blessings to the church through their faithful service and guidance. While people angled to use the church (and their children) to gain and influence, many of them surrendered fully to God making a big difference. While those that were sent to the church may have been sent with deceptive or unrighteous purpose, the boundary that the author of the book of Hebrews made was still .

    While priests and pastors have a particular (maybe peculiar) call, all Christians have a call. Yours may not have been assigned. Sometimes the call can be within our work, our hobby, our friends, our neighborhood. In fact, in each of these places, we are “assigned” to work for the Kingdom. However, there are certain areas that God has more strongly called us to do the work.

    One of the biggest clues is how you are wired, and what activities you enjoy. How we are wired and what we enjoy makes our work for the kingdom more infectious and effective. There are limits, of course, to the activities. Not all activities are a blessing.

    1) What activities are you most -filled doing?

    2) How can those activities be used at church, family, work, other social circles, to build the Kingdom?

    3) Roles we are assigned or fill aren’t necessarily joy-filled. How can you take the activities and apply them to your roles? Be creative.

  • Struggling in Unity

    John 17:20–23, Philippians 1:27–28

    E Pluribus Unum.

    If you look at US currency, most (if not all) will have this saying. In Latin, it means “Out of many, one.” While the US might be the gathering place of people of many nations, it is the that should be out this saying more than any entity in .

    Jesus prayed that we (all the church, in all the world, in all of time) would be one, just as he (Jesus) and the Father are one. This is one of those areas of mystery and freedom for the people who make up the church. Our theology and tradition teach us that God is One. Our theology and tradition also teach us that as One, God is still (at the same time) Father, Son, and . In purpose and intent, the Father, Son, and Spirit are One. However, they are also separate (the great conundrum of the ), which should be kind of like us.

    in intent and love, and individual at the same time. As we can see, it hasn’t worked so well in the United States. It certainly could be worse. It certainly could be better. Jesus doesn’t us the excuse of, “it’s a republic.” We are to be united (a perfect single unit) so that the world knows that Jesus is the Messiah. This is not so the world knows we are Christians or good people, or we’re “saved”. Unity is the testimony that Jesus is who he says he is.
    Paul takes unity and puts it as a symbol of in the Gospel. In other words, Paul is saying, “you’re preaching it, but do you believe it?”

    The church in general and even Generations Church has a problem with unity. Unity is hard work. Unity is never about our-self, it is about all of us…together.

    Whether you struggle with being united with an “opposing” political party, a different skin color, a different language, a different nationality, a different sexuality (or lack thereof), we are called to be united. We have seen denominations start the long and painful road to separation. Church history is filled with splits. Even positives, like the Church of the Nazarene (which united different churches), are outweighed by splits.

    It may seem abrupt to tie this in, but evangelism as a practice is in decline. Evangelism, not sharing the faith. Yes, there is a huge difference. Evangelism is often a whip. Sharing the faith isn’t. Unity is the example the world needs. Unity shows the world who Jesus is. Unity shows the world we believe what we say.

    1) Have you ever left a church for a reason other than moving? If so, why?

    2) What are you doing in this church framily to build unity?

    3) One of the biggest struggles in unity is speaking truth in love. To whom do you need to speak truth?

    4) Often the biggest struggle in unity is hearing truth spoken in love. What truths have people shared that you did (and/or do) not listen to?