Devotion.al

Tag: relationship

  • The Next

    The Next

    Psalm 47; Deuteronomy 34:1–9; John 16:4–11

    Who will come next is part of the “calculation” of many things. Psalm 78:4 speaks of telling the next generation about God. Proverbs 13:22 tells of leaving an inheritance for grandchildren. In 1 Timothy 1:2, tells Timothy that he (Timothy) is his (Paul’s) true child in the faith.

    The last chapter of Deuteronomy reminds Moses (and the Israelites) that God did marvelous things from the beginning (before the Israelites became the Israelites), and that the next step is coming. It also reminds us that while God worked miracles through Moses, there was a consequence for certain behaviors, even though their seems not to have otherwise changed.

    The person to follow Moses (the “next”) was Joshua. While Joshua is often raised up almost to Moses’ level, Joshua missed the biggest lesson that Moses taught him, the next. This, of course, is inferred from the lack of Scriptural mention of a successor to Joshua, and the Scriptural mention that everyone forgets with the next generation. The next is really a form of individualized, focused, mentoring, and discipleship. Part of the whole process is further illustrated by Jesus. When we realize that all we have for him covers 3 years of his ministry (yes, plus a few childhood vignettes), he really did spend most of his time with the 12 that would train them to walk in his ways and footsteps. It is these words that we should pay particular attention to, as these were the words that struck his disciples as important.

    This is deeply illustrated by John 16:4. He flat out tells them that he didn’t tell them everything in the beginning. It may well have taken years to get the ground (the disciples) for the entirety of Jesus’ message. It was revolutionary, after all.

    We live in a world that wants everything now. We may not be looking for instantaneous, but certainly quickly. In comparison, the early would usually 3 YEARS to baptize a convert (this is after Paul). Yes, there was probably some filtering out of bad apples. There was also theology that was deeply placed on hearts.

    Our baptize them now thought process—and this is only one of many such things in general, not just Christianity—would not be able to withstand waiting. Truly, not only would the person being baptized likely not have the , but many of the leaders, elders, pastors don’t either.

    Perhaps being more like Jesus means leading 12 for 3 years to a deeper with Christ.

    ※Reflection※

    • What do you think makes a discipling relationship?
    • Why might mentoring be different than ?
    • Who is discipling you?
    • Who are you discipling?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help us find those who will us, and help us find others to disciple. For we know that we must be purposeful in both to bring your here on earth. Amen.

  • The First Rule Isn’t One

    The First Rule Isn’t One

    Psalm 93; Deuteronomy 11:1–17; 1 Timothy 6:13–16

    Our common reaction, even as we get older, is that “rule” was made to make my harder, or limit my freedoms, or something else. Of course, in our current era, you may have immediately turned to face masks or even the potential of some sort of requirement for vaccination against COVID. This isn’t new: motorcycle helmets, no smoking, seat belts, and likely thousands of laws that limit on the front , but have had other beneficial effects, many of which we cannot see (such as with face masks) because there is really no way to do a control test without putting lives at risk.

    That is one of the issues that Moses had with explaining the whys of following the Law. Following the Law did not come first. Following the Law came second. This actually may be the real pitfall of how the leaders of the Jewish became misguided. They appear to have started with step 2, with the presumption that a successful completion of step 2 would mean that they would “get” step 1.

    In jargon, we often place this under the title of legalism. Earning God’s through following the rules. If a parent only shows their love to their child when their child obeys perfectly, we’d generally question their parenting and probably their understanding of love. Yet, this is often how many people view God and God’s love.

    Loving God doesn’t make following the rules any easier. Love, however, helps us to carry on when we don’t really understand. This is especially important as—just like our rules and laws, such as seat belts—God doesn’t want us to experience the natural and spiritual consequences of our actions. God wants us to instead experience the fullness of God’s love.

    ※Reflection※

    • To you, what is the difference between being legalistic, and following the rules? How might that affect your with God?
    • How do you think through your actions regarding consequences, especially those that might have long-term consequences that you can’t predict or otherwise see?

    ※Prayer※

    God, thank you for your love. Help us to love your first and foremost, that way we are able to follow your will in love more (much more) than our will. Amen.

  • Running Towards

    Running Towards

    Psalm 93; Deuteronomy 7:1–11; 1 Timothy 6:11–12

    When we read Deuteronomy, we often evaluate it upon our understanding of life, nations, and ancestry. In many respects, Deuteronomy contains thinking that is to Western thinking. Part of this is tied into the relationship between peoples, their gods, and their places of habitation. There was a thought process that tied land to a particular god, and often to a particular bloodline.

    This is portrayed here when Moses talks to the Israelites about the current inhabitants of the Promised Land. We look at Moses’ command as rather harsh, which it is (and will be a question of mine on the other side). Moses takes such a strident tone for the sake of the Israelites themselves. By this point in their journey, an entire generation has died wandering in the desert as a consequence of their sin. During this journey, they questioned, God, Moses, Aaron, the whole Promised Land thing. Moses was likely very concerned that were they to leave the peoples who didn’t God, they would be more likely to fall away.

    The purity of blood and land was probably more due to faithful worship of God than anything else. The Israelites had already shown their struggles in that area over the previous 40 years, including allowing themselves to be married into some of these tribes and worshiping other gods. Thus, Moses was deeply concerned. Let’s also acknowledge that God knew the Israelites would turn from God again.

    The corollary to this for Christians is also the world. In our case, it is the entirety of the world that isn’t . This does not mean that we are to live in isolated communities sequestered from the world. It’s hard to be the unto the world when you put it behind walls or under baskets.

    For Christians, we are called to be in the world, but not of it. This can be a slippery slope. One person wrote that this is like walking along a very narrow path on the top of a mountain with the wind blowing in all directions. It is impossible to stay on top of the mountain by our own strength. It is only through the strength of God, the guidance of the Spirit, and the counsel of other Christians that we can stay on that trail.

    Sometimes, the right choice (sorry, “I can do it myself”, and “I can do it alone” people) is to run away from whatever it is. ‘s advice to Timothy isn’t cowardice. It is . Often our greatest strength is when we are . Actually, other than with God, our only strength is with fellow believers in Jesus Christ.

    Run away from sin? Yes. Run away from the world? Perhaps. When one runs away, one runs toward something else. To what or to whom will you run?

    ※※

    Lord, you called to be the light unto the world. Help us to keep each other’s light shining as the tries to extinguish the light of your love and hope. Amen.

  • Sharpening Together

    Sharpening Together

    Psalm 98; Deuteronomy 32:44–47; Mark 10:42–45

    What are your two pet sins? Or, what of sets you off (lying, adultery, etc.)? And, what sin of yours do you just try to brush off as not being that significant?

    Most of us have these. It may be severe, and it may be mild. Regardless, we rarely appreciate either our response to others’ sins or our own sins being confronted.

    The of Moses’ (the entire book of Deuteronomy) is all about a disciplined with God. Yes, disciplined. All of our relationships have some sort of discipline. Moses helped provide the guidelines of the discipline.

    Discipline, in this sense, means to control oneself. Control oneself so that one doesn’t walk away from God and toward all the things of the world that can pull us away.

    As hard as the law was to fulfill, it was also filled with and forgiveness when people failed. There were ways out.

    Yet, in Moses’ words, there is a foreboding sense that he knows that his words (and God’s) will be tested. From Moses’ perspective and experience, following God is . For him, the Israelites choosing to follow God or not would determine whether all the trials were it.

    Moses didn’t have much trust in the discipline of the Israelites.

    In the life, discipline is not a solo initiative. We need people around us, while they too need us. The real struggle, of course, is being willing to put ourselves in both the place of being held accountable and truly holding others accountable. Both places are uncomfortable.

    ‘ words to his disciples provide some limits—discipline—to what this relationship is supposed to look like. We are not to hold things over one another, for that is a relationship of power. When we hold one another accountable, it is as a servant, meaning we look to the improvement or betterment of the other. Of course, there is a trick to this, which is also what Moses was addressing. The improvement and betterment is toward God not automatically “improving” ourselves. Theoretically, they should be the same, yet much of the world’s self-improvement is not toward becoming more Christ-like, but becoming what Jesus warned his disciples against.

    ※Reflection※

    Who are you helping to be disciplined, and who is helping you do be disciplined?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, help our hearts to follow your words that we can build each other up. Amen.

  • Follow Through The Veil

    Follow Through The Veil

    Psalm 98; Isaiah 49:5–6; Acts 10:1–34

    It’s not enough to restore a backslidden, rebellious, unloving, non-grace-filled, unjust people who either don’t acknowledge or hate God. On top of that, the whole world that doesn’t know God is going to look to you for the light of God. No pressure.

    Or how about a valorous warrior, who lead 80 soldiers from the front, a Gentile (dirty to Jews) who followed the Jewish (dirty to Greeks) . A person used to pressure was visited by an angel. Military? Yes. ? Probably. Messenger of God?

    Or how about a simple fisherman, who met this wandering carpenter, followed him, befriended him, deserted him, experience a transformative experience of his friend into the Son of God (and resurrected to boot), going from a simple follower to a leader of leaders of a new faith tradition, and then receive a overturning his entire dietary understanding and eventually his understanding of who died for (everyone).

    You and I are not Isaiah, Cornelius, or Peter. We are not going to be written of in the (they’re closed). Our dreams and visions may be remembered by the internet and perhaps friends and . No one else. Not like Isaiah.

    Some followers of Jesus may turn out to be very much like Cornelius, faith-filled followers of Jesus (eventually in Cornelius’ state) who are also valorous soldiers. However, having a personal meeting with an angle and meeting someone greater than any pope, archbishop, bishop? Probably not.

    While most of us can see aspects of ourselves in Peter, his is beyond ours. He physically walked with Jesus. He learned directly from Jesus. He met Jesus after the resurrection (embodied). Not going to measure up to that.

    We’re not called to that. Maybe. What we are called to is a better and deeper relationship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the of the .

    If you’ve been baptized, it is hoped that you understood (if you were an adult) or were taught (if baptized as an infant or child) that is God’s seal on you (from one perspective) and a public tying of you to the faith. Baptism is only supposed to be at the beginning of the journey. It isn’t the end.

    As we look at Peter’s life, he was transformed day by day. He did not remain the same. That is truly one we can be like Peter.

    ※Reflection※

    • How have you changed since you first followed Jesus?
    • What is the biggest part of you changing in submission to Jesus now?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, change us into the followers you see us to be, rather than the ones we are. Amen.

  • Enter In

    Enter In

    Psalm 80; Isaiah 65:17–25: John 14:18–31

    I might be a nerd (okay, “might” should be replaced by “am”). When I was young I was fascinated by the stories of elves. In particular, I grew up with the Pinis’ Elf Quest. As I got older, I learned about the “real” elves of The Silmarillion (Tolkien’s Elves). I was fascinated by their mythic slowness. Life, , marriage, war, and all those things that define much of human life changed in such strange ways.

    This came to mind as I read the passage of Isaiah. A person who dies at a hundred will be as if cursed. These days, we celebrate those who live beyond one hundred, trying to their secret (there doesn’t seem to be one).

    As Isaiah continues, he shares how God will provide the life essentials to everyone. God will provide a way where everyone need not fear for their well-being. The implication of no orphans or widows (the weakest and most vulnerable) is there too.

    How these verses is also interesting. The serpent is definitely an allusion to the serpent in the Garden of Eden, whose food continues to be . On the other hand, the life and death (and the taking of life to live) of and its creatures ends, too. It indeed would be a new creation, or perhaps Creation as intended before the Fall.

    The totality of this of warmth and belonging won’t be experienced on this side of life. The Father does still us, however, and that is ours to hold onto.

    Remaining “in” the Father and “in” Jesus though is a little more than just sitting. It is an active pursuit of a relationship with God, through the of the . It is the Spirit that remains to teach and guide us, even today.

    Yet, just because the Holy Spirit is here and present, does not mean that we do nothing. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would teach us. Teaching, though, requires students. Until we die (and maybe even after), we are all, to be constantly learning about God.

    ※Reflection※

    • How can the finite (us) not continue to learn more about God (infinite) day-by-day?
    • What are you doing to learn more about God?
    • Who are you bringing with you as you learn?
    • Is anyone bring you along with them as they learn?

    ※Prayer※

    Holy Spirit, nudge our hearts and minds to pursue relationship with you that we know God better than we did yesterday. Amen.

  • Junk Food Fast

    Junk Food Fast

    Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1–7; Galatians 5:16–26

    Both Psalm 80 and the passage from Isaiah 5 are not warmhearted Scriptures. They both address the reality that the Israelites have not been faithful to God.

    Other places in the Scriptures note that the Israelites were faithful in their actions, or at least they attempted to complete the requirements of the Law. Those same places, however, observed that while the actions were “per the book”, their hearts were far away from the of the Law (true purpose). It could be said that they were further from the heart of the Law than they were from their relationship to God, and that’s saying something.

    As I am looking to sending my last 2 kids to college this fall, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own college freshman year. One of the first things I thought of was the food (like any teenage male). Yes, it was cafeteria food, but like most male teenagers it was quantity, not quality. One of my favorite foods was corn dogs, which I still like. The quantity I would eat at one sitting hurts my stomach at this point. One or two corn dogs a month wouldn’t be horrible, but it wasn’t one or two, and it wasn’t once a month.

    Corn dogs are, bluntly, junk food. They’re tasty (to me, at least). Hot dogs can be okay for you (really, they’re just a sausage). Cornbread isn’t too bad (depending). The combination, especially deep-fried, is not healthy. On the other hand, if one were to only eat a particular food, no matter how healthy it might be on its own, our bodies would break down, as no food has all the nutrients that our bodies need.

    While misunderstanding God’s intent is one thing, but doing wrong is something different. Paul’s message to Galatians talks about the spiritual “junk food” that they were consuming. What we have been taught to think of as sins (understandably) were the ways of the surrounding culture.

    They were part of the surrounding culture and thus were a norm. As these practices were part of the culture, learning to understand that they were not part of a God-honoring would require self- and . If they were to continue their cultural practices, their spiritual bodies would become fatally obese.

    G.K. Chesterton wrote, “the ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

    For the Galatians, dieting from their cultural norms and expectations would have been found very difficult, and probably a little hard to explain to their friends and family. For American Christians, so much of our culture has what we think are Christian trappings, but is actually the junk food of the American culture. Figuring out what is healthy and what is not in our culture for the Christian life is the obligation of the Christian .

    Without question, though, there is a need for significant spiritual dietary changes.

    ※Reflection※

    • What is one thing you know is an American Christian “thing”, but isn’t present among Christians in other countries?
    • How are you evaluating the culture around you and its influence on your walk with Christ?
    • Are you rightly evaluating the cultural pieces you agree with and with?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, we need the to our spiritual diet. Help us, in community, to work out what is and isn’t of you. Amen.

  • Open Invite

    Open Invite

    Acts 8:26–40; Psalm 22:25–31; 1 John 4:7–21; John 15:1–8

    In many respects, the story of the Ethiopian is one of my favorites. It, along with the Samaritan woman, reflects the and of God.

    Yesterday, in Amos 9:7, Cushite was used as a disparaging term toward the Israelites infidelity to God. A Cushite is what the Old Testament calls…an Ethiopian. So, the people group used to disparage the Israelites…can have a saving with Jesus Christ.

    Then there is another issue. The Ethiopian was a eunuch. Per the Law, a eunuch was not permitted in the . Granted, tradition had redefined things a bit.

    One thing often disappears in this is the reality that one cannot reproduce biologically when one is a eunuch. However, as a one still produces children…spiritual ones (think Paul and Timothy).

    The Ethiopian was already on the spiritual journey, for he was going to worship at the Temple. It means that he was a worshiping as a Jew. He was, then, almost there.

    The Ethiopian is symbolic of just how outside of God’s “” a person can be, and still be called into relationship. We could dismiss the so-called minor issues of the Ethiopian, however, the Law helped to define what was for the Jews.

    So, this isn’t a minor thing. Instead, it shows that while God is holy and , God still makes a way for those whose hearts are open to the movement of the . That’s pretty open. God’s grace is wide open.

    ※Reflection※

    • Have you ever felt so separated from God, that God would never take you back?
    • How would you explain this grace to a person who does not understand ?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, you are the reason for this grace that we have been given. Thank you for what you did for us on the cross. Amen.