Devotion.al

Tag: physical

  • God of Sight

    God of Sight

    Numbers 24:2–9; Matthew 6:19–24; Ephesians 1:15–20 (read online ⧉)

    Eyes are fascinating organs (sounds odd, doesn’t it?). Our eyes, when functioning, can see things near and far. They see colors. They can even see heat waves (under certain conditions).

    Other creatures have interesting eyes, too. Predators and prey have different eyes depending on need. Insects have compound eyes that are so different than ours (part of what makes them hard to swat) that see dozens if not hundreds of images.

    Under even more special conditions, eyes see visions. Some cast them aside as a delusion. Some see them as nothing more than daydreams.
    Today, we think we know all about it. However, the reality is that even in our fictional stories, we understand that there is a in the eyes. As an old man once said, “Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t them.”

    If you’ve taken any of a myriad of tests, or seen memes, you know that between your eyes and your brain, what can be done is amazing. Yet, we take so much of it for granted. As we get older, we lose certain aspects of our eyes. We can get glasses to get some of them. However, some lose their eyesight forever. Others never had eyesight, or lose their eyesight, they can still “see”, it’s just not the same.

    In ages far past, the eyes were supposedly the “window to the soul”, or (as Jesus said) the lamp of the body. This is where concepts such as the “evil eye” came from. There is a touch of truth in the concept. When some have certain mental illnesses or are on certain medications, their eyes may display a lack of vitality. When we look at a person’s eyes, we draw far more conclusions than we are aware of. That doesn’t mean that we’re always right. It just means that we view the eyes as something more than just a pair of organs that allow us to see.

    It’s not just Jesus’ words that guide us in this direction. , too, talks about it in a strange way. In most modern English translations, it is “the eyes of the .” The King James Version actually translates it as “the eyes of your understanding.”

    What does this mean? In a simple way, our eyes guide us to understanding. Actually, this isn’t that hard to understand in our day. We read. We watch. We write. All require, fundamentally, . Seeing is important, and how we see is even more important. By now, we aren’t just talking about the , but the mental and spiritual, as well.

    Perhaps, “see” and “eyes” are the wrong word. They are the words provided by scripture, so they are worth using and worth thinking about.

    ※ ※
    Lord, us your eyes to see your as you want us to. Help us to see the world with your heart. Amen.

    ※ Questions ※
    1) If you were to use something other than eyes as a symbol to use in the context of Paul’s words, what would you use? Why?
    2) Sight and Sound are the 2 primary ways we express interacting with God. How would you use touch, taste, smell to discuss interacting with God?
    3) How do you think eyes are “windows” or “lamp” for the soul?

  • Barrier Breaker

    Barrier Breaker

    Luke 16:19–31; Acts 16:1–5; 1 Corinthians 9:16–23 (read online ⧉)

    One of the more interesting things that is occurring in this event called COVID-19 and its physical distancing are the conversations that are going along with it. There are plenty of political and health conversations (neither necessarily with all the facts or research, and this comes from all corners). There are economic conversations. There are logistical conversations. There are, amazingly, religious conversations.

    For some of us, we are watching religious conversations regarding topics that some people had been thinking about (for example, communion online) for a time, to an immediate need. There are those that were dismissive (at best) of having any sort of online (and dismissing those who had it as shallow) who now are doing their best to understand what it means to actually do it.

    Then, there are those who need to be theologically “correct” who have decided to do nothing. Taking a prophet’s words out of context, they kicked their out to the wolves because they couldn’t feed them the “right” grass. Yes, that is more than a bit snarky.

    However, this a different form of the conversation Jesus continually had and that was having.

    In Jesus’ story of the beggar Lazarus (not to be confused with the Lazarus who was brought back to life), Abraham points out to the rich man that the prophets and the laws were already there. He and his brothers either didn’t see them, ignored them (either of these two would fit in the context of Jesus’ story), or believe that they were rich thus they were righteous (a common belief then and now).

    How does this apply? Well, the so-called righteous living was not be lived through the filter of the Law or the prophets. In other words, they confused results, riches, and power with being followers of God.

    Paul, on the other hand, knew that he was dealing with the “blind”. He did an odd thing. He circumcised Timothy. As this was all part of the context of delivering the message from the Apostles about what needed to do to be “right”, we understand that Paul did not impose this upon Timothy because Timothy needed it to be done to be righteous. Paul did it so that there would be one less barrier between Timothy (and Paul) and the Jews.

    Paul’s mission was to the . He understood that there would be barriers (mental, emotional, logical, theological) between him and . He would do his best (without violating the Way of Jesus) to identify with them enough to remove barriers and build .

    Often, even usually, people want others to remove their barriers. However, the love of Jesus Christ should be goading us to remove our barriers so that the message of the Gospel is receivable by others. Whether it is online, in person, through music, through television, or some other medium we need to remove our barriers.

    It is not their responsibility to move closer to us. It is our responsibility to move closer to them. How do we know this? God came down as a baby. The infinite became the finite. We could not remove the barriers between ourselves and God. Only God could.

    ※ Prayer ※
    God, help us to our ways for your ways. Help us set aside our desires for your desires. Help us to reach people with the Gospel who neither know nor believe they need it. Amen.

    ※ ※
    1) What is one thing that keeps you from “agreeing” or “getting along” with people from another political party? Why does that one thing matter to you? Why might that one thing matter to them differently?
    2) One of Jesus’ lessons is that our religiosity can inhibit others from having a relationship with God. What might one religious thing of yours might that be?
    3) Why is it so important to understand that we have the responsibility to approach others? What might that mean for our daily lives?

  • Serving Service

    Serving Service

    Acts 6:1–7; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; 2 Corinthians 9:1–15 (read online ⧉)

    One of the struggles that the as in this day (without COVID-19) is people to . The seven that were chosen by the people and deputized by the Apostles had a particular service to the widows of the .

    The Apostles set out some expectations. They would not wait on tables. We, probably, think that it’s obvious that the Apostles wouldn’t be waiting on tables. However, that they used that wording tells us that at least some of the people had that exact .

    Once we all return to “church” (as in the building), all the patterns that make for a worshiping and serving community will be for a change. This is not because anything in particular was bad, but because it is a time for renewal, and all the habits that were built up have been destroyed.

    Each person has a particular calling or two for the church. It doesn’t mean that we can’t or won’t do multiple things, it just means that there are one or two that are our sweet spot between God’s call on our lives and our talents and our gifts.

    Caring for one another, however, is very important, and for many, it is quite difficult. This is not necessarily because they are bad people (or even introverts), it is because they have developed habits that are less gregarious than . The whole COVID-19 for them is probably making these habits worse. They may well be the ones that struggle the most when we get back together.

    The other interesting and frustrating part about COVID-19 and physical distancing is that creates an uncomfortable, and almost irreconcilability to the call to serve one another and to stay away from each other. Many people need service, but yet to be responsible we are to stay away.

    Some have found a balance. Some haven’t. Yet, it is something we all need to wrestle with, and this will still be the case when we come back together. When we come back together may indeed be the hardest to find a way to serve each other and yet maintain our distance.

    ※ Prayer ※
    Lord , you commanded us to love one another. Help us to figure out what that means when we are torn between things that seem to be opposed. Let the guide our hearts and minds so that we are able to share and experience the loving and mercy of God the Father. Amen.

    ※ Questions ※
    1) What is a new thing you could do to serve others? What is a new thing you could do to serve the church?
    2) Are any of the above something you could do now? Why or why not?
    3) When you think of church, are you primarily serving, or are you primarily being served? What can you do to “flip the script”?

  • Worship Space

    Exodus 35:21–36:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9–21; 2 Kings 12:4–16 (read online ⧉)

    When things to , well, they probably won’t return to the past normal. In fact, who knows what the new normal will look like. Will places such as churches have to remodel to the new “physical separation” ? Really. While we may return to the building this year, there will likely be an extended expectation of physical separation. There are some people who already have a 6-foot bubble of separation (or larger) and are looking to everyone being like them (truly).

    The of us will also need to adapt. Grocery stores that currently have aisles designed (on purpose) to keep as much of the product in your eyesight as possible may have a cultural impetus to remodel. How this will affect tight spaces such as the arena in Everett (where one gets to watch hockey, for example) or the baseball fields or the football fields, or the gyms of schools, and so on. All these spaces originally designed to fit the maximum number of people in the smallest amount of space may very well find themselves having to change their maximized seating to fit the new reality (our knees will be grateful).

    The church will have to adapt, too. Not just Generations, but the whole concept of church, too. The facility we have, for example, was going to start to get some major work done. Some of it has moved forward. Most of it (obviously) stopped. Now what? Do we remove every other pew? Do we hand 6-foot rulers? Does it matter anymore?

    Here’s the harsh reality, the churches will likely be empty for a long time. It isn’t that everyone got used to meeting online (though it will that for some). It won’t be because people got used to having a mostly free Sunday (though that will be the case for some). It will because people will have become trained through fear (back to that, again) to avoid public places and tight gatherings. The culture may well have trained many of our people to stay away.

    There is no doubt that renewal and remodeling often revitalize and grow a church. People are attracted (understandably) to something that is obviously growing (why numbers are often more important than spiritual growth). When the building is changed to reduce the number of people who can participate at a time, rather than increase, what then?

    Now, the church is not a/the building. However, a sense of place creates a sense of identity. The Israelites gave large amounts until it was no longer needed. In Exodus, it almost seems, “Stop! No more! We have no place to put it!” The Israelites laid claim to “their” temple. Yes, it was God’s. It was also core to their identity.

    Like many of us, we don’t recognize how a physical building becomes part of who we are. It may actually explain why people connect to certain places (including church buildings) and not others. What also is of concern is what happens to spaces when they are changed (for no matter the reason), and how people will respond.

    Space deeply affects our worship and fellowship, too. How people fill a space affects behaviors and responses, too. All of the outpouring of support to our churches would be great, and the plans that are made will be the best we are able. In the , it is the people…it is you…that will make the difference in the new church in the new space…that was the old church in the old space. Be ready!

    Prayer

    God, you have gifted us the ability to not fear in the face of such uncertainty. Strengthen our faith and resolve to face the world as it is and to present your and grace to the world. Amen.

    1) When you imagine the “perfect” church space, what is it like?

    2) Before all of this, did you sit in the middle, the back, or even (dare we say) the front of a church? Do you think where you sit and with whom you might sit (other than your immediate ) might change?

    3) How does a church building shape you? If you think it doesn’t, go back to question 1.

  • Mind Killer

    Psalm 23; 2 Chronicles 6:28–33 (read online ⧉)

    Of the devotionals written so far, this the 54th one around fear. That is greater than 10%. Fear is a monster. It is a consuming monster, and the world is being consumed by it.

    In the great science fiction saga, Dune, Frank Herbert (the author) had his primary religiousesque order, the Bene Gesserit, recite the following in times of fear:

    “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

    Now, this is certainly not to extol Herbert’s religious perspectives, and there are many Christians who object to the Litany Against Fear. The biggest objection involves reading into it something which isn’t there. Herbert’s blending of Catholicism and Islam, plus Stoic and Arabic cultures (plus, Spartan) makes for a mosaic that is valuable when not taken to an extreme.

    I must not fear. How about #? in God drives out fear.

    Fear is the mind-killer. Think about mobs both physical and social. Fear drives out rational thought.

    Fear is the little-death…a coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only one.

    …that brings total obliteration. Fear can often override our very identities. When driven by fear, we are more prone to do things (horde) that would not normally do.

    I will face my fear. People will often deny their fears. Fears are often hidden pains. Chemical dependency, people dependency, depression, anxiety, anger, fight-or-flight all can come from fear. However, facing it means not be brave, it means understanding it.

    I will permit it to pass over me and through me. We must choose to not identify ourselves by our fear. Fear is an emotion. It is our emotion. It, in and of itself, isn’t us.

    And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Back to facing our fears. Once we know the source and cause of our fear, it is no longer unknown. It becomes…less scary. We become less afraid, and less likely to be triggered into fear.*

    Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. This ties back to the beginning. If we allow fear to control us, we become the fear bearers. However, once we acknowledge and identify the fear, we remain and the that is Christ remains in us, lighting our souls against the fears of the world.

    Psalm 23 could well be the “Christian” version of the Litany Against Fear if we allow it to be. The in Psalm 23 is that . It is only when we truly operated from a place of trust in God that fear has no .

    When Solomon said his public prayer to God, pestilence and starvation and many other horrible things were “common”. Solomon’s prayer was against the common deadly things of the world. Let us be glad that these are not so common for us. On the other hand, while there are other illnesses just as deadly (or more so) than COVID-19 in the world, for some strange reason (and there are plenty of—fear-filled—conspiracy theories) this one has taken the world by storm…a storm of fear.

    This is not to say let’s not abide by the authorities, it is a call for us to be bringers of . However, for us to be bringers of hope, we need to abolish the fear inside of us.

    Prayer

    Dear Heavenly Father, you call upon us to trust you and not fear. Through the power of the , guide us to be the brave example of your Son, Christ. Blessed , ignite the spark of our hearts to be the light of hope to the world. Amen.

    Questions

    1) What do you fear right now? Why? Is it anything you can really do anything about?

    2) Why does COVID-19 seem to outweigh the fears of cancer and the flu?

    3) Why does knowing who you are (your identity) help you stand firm in the face of fear?

    *Now, the inner eye concept is one of the big objections from Western Christians (Eastern Christians much less so). There is an aura of New Age cultism and other non-Christian religions that use the “inner eye” wording. However, the mysticism aspect isn’t that to Christianity (not by a long shot). What you do with it, and where you go with it is something else entirely. This is not to condone the wording, but to look beyond it.

  • Stepping Forward

    Psalm 104; Exodus 13:17–14:4; 2 Corinthians 4:14–18 (read online ⧉)

    What must Moses have had to understand why God chose the path for the Israelites? What did Moses think of his own people to think that God’s decision was right?

    The is between two paths, a path against man, a path against nature. Against nature might not be the most apt description. Yet, the Israelites’ path across the Red Sea was not the most obvious. It was quite the opposite. However, opposing man would have been most disastrous. If one has to choose enemies to fight, does one choose the unknown (the Philistines) or the known (the Egyptians)?

    There is an interesting piece of trivia tucked in the middle of this, and that is the bones of Joseph. Joseph had made sure to hand down instruction that his bones be carried out of Egypt…to the place of the fulfillment of God’s to Joseph’s . Think of that. In many respects, Joseph’s bones were the symbol of a deep and abiding in God regardless of timing.

    While God was concerned that, as a whole, the people of Israel would give on God, Joseph did not. understood that God was not human, and thus could not be judged by our understanding of or desire about things.

    Each day is another path on the path with God. Paul notes that we do not give up (as long as we continue our walk, that is). He observes (and science backs up) that our bodies are being destroyed every day. There is the cell aspect, and there is just the reality of our mortality. Paul also observes that God renews our inner being (our soul, per se) day by day. Just as we take 1 step to walk further, so we must go through each day willingly being renewed by God.

    Joseph often did not focus on the things seen. He focused on God in whom he trusted. He trusted God to guide his paths, even when he couldn’t see where the path was going. As rough as it is, we are called to do the came. Paul was saying that this too was to be the path of the Corinthians. They just had to choose it.

    God grant us your and guidance as walk in blindness through the situation we find ourselves in. Help us to rely on your rod and staff to show us the way. Help us to keep our hearts open to your call. Help us to not succumb to the fears of the unknown, the fears of the world, or the fears of our hearts. Amen.

    1) Where do you currently see your path with God going? As you look back, what do you recall about the times you were “blind”?

    2) Why do you think Moses felt it important to , where he did, the piece about Joseph’s bones? What do you think he was trying to tell the Israelite generations that were to follow?

    3) We often talk about , that 1 day a week set aside to focus on God and . However, each day requires renewal, too. What are you doing every day for spiritual, mental and physical renewal?

  • A Busy In Between

    Psalm 30; Luke 11:29–32; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58; 1 Peter 3:18–22 (read online ⧉)

    This is the day the LORD has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.
    Psalm 118:24

    I believe in Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
    He was conceived by the of the and born of the virgin Mary.
    He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
    He descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose again.
    He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the .
    He will come again to judge the and the dead.
    From the Apostle’s Creed

    Easter has happened. Cries of, “He is Risen!” and “He is Risen, Indeed!” abounded. Yet, there is a mystery between death and resurrection. was a day of uneasiness, grief, morning, and shock, but what about Jesus? Jesus was very busy, apparently.

    Unlike those who had died and came back to life (such as, Lazarus), who knows what their time was after their death and before Jesus or the prophets brought them back to life. That is, curiously, not discussed in the Scriptures. Curiously, because such a death-defying moment must have had something share. There are thoughts, of course, that their mouths were sealed from talking about, or the experience was so profound it was impossible to explain (though that one would still mean stories). It could even be that they experienced no passage of time at all, so the whole question was moot.

    Jesus, on the other hand, was certainly not quiet in that time. Peter describes him as (basically) bringing the Gospel to the dead and setting them free from the bondage of (sin and) death. No rest for Jesus!

    One of the biggest arguments against Jesus and the Resurrection and the love of God is the whole concept that people were condemned to eternal separation from God before Jesus became incarnate, lived, died, buried, and resurrected. However, Peter tells us that this isn’t the case at all! The first thing Jesus did…go some people. Jesus went to the dead people first.

    Jesus said, “Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what was spoken to you by God: I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?, He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:31–32)

    Our concept of death is not God’s. Death overhangs our lives. The entirety of the COVID crisis is the fear of death of our bodies, and also all the little deaths (e.g., physical distancing) that appear to be going along with it. Death is not something that we can overcome. Only God can do that. What happens to us when we die is one thing, what Jesus did when he died is another thing completely. However, when God chooses to die for us, to liberate us from sin and death, where might the sting of death truly be?

    Gracious God, us wisdom and guidance as we try to understand the mysteries of who you are. Allow us, Lord, to of your love and mercy in your Word and apply these first to our minds as we seek to read and understand. Amen.

    1) ‘s death-defying words are inspiring, however, we have all felt the sting of death. Does Paul lie, do we misunderstand, or is there something else going on?

    2) Do you think that Jesus’ words (Matthew 22:31–32) mean that people don’t really die, or what else might it mean?

    3) What does it mean to you that Jesus first went to the dead, rather than his disciples and friends?

  • Mindful Restoration

    Psalm 118:19-29; Jeremiah 33:1-9; Philippians 2:12-18 (read online ⧉)

    Through Jeremiah, God is promising of Jerusalem. This is not “just” spiritual restoration, but restoration, as well. As we read the passage, it would seem that God is going to do this regardless of the state of the hearts of the people. However, there is a very strong implication that their restoration and occur with their repentance. While God does the work of restoration, they need to unbend their hearts and mind, repenting of the wickedness that caused God to turn his eyes away from his beloved.

    In his letter to the Philippians, notes that the Philippians have their own tasks to do. Paul tells the Philippians to obediently submit to God, who is actively working in them in regard to their salvation. The similarity between the Philippians and the Israelites shouldn’t be ignored. Both groups often reflect our own nature and . As such, they both (as do many people in the ) as a mirror suitable for self-.

    Paul tells the Philippians that they are to be “of one mind”, not arguing with one another. Paul is alluding to the murmuring that the people of Israel did, which got them into so much trouble with God, from the Red Sea to entering the Promised Land. Paul wants the Philippians to not be those people who become so obsessed with “their way” that they forego the right ways of God and thereby setting aside their salvation by not cooperating with God (and each other) who is working in them and their progressive .

    1. Why does Paul concern himself with the Philippians being of one mind?

    2. Why do you think being “of one mind” affects one’s salvation?

    3. If it was you, how would you address the Philippians? How about the Israelites (as in Jeremiah)? In both cases, think of ways to say it as if they did not believe in God or .