Devotion.al

Tag: set aside

  • Full Sanctuary, Empty Hearts

    Ezekiel 33:30–33, Matthew 15:1–9 (read online ⧉)

    Let’s be honest with ourselves. Let’s look at ourselves. Let’s look at the lives we lead, the lives we live. Is it us that God is talking to Ezekiel about?

    Reading only the surface of the , of course not. The Israelites had turned prophets into spectacles. Perhaps the merchants and peddlers followed the prophets hawking their wares. Perhaps the people’s hearts were so calloused that even the words of God—sharper than any sword—could not carve the hardness away. Pastors, preachers, teachers, prophets, evangelists, apostles all speaking the Word of God, and no one listens. Truly listens.

    When hearing the word of God, do the people even with a heartbeat, or does it just go in one ear and out the other? God’s word never returns void, but the human often wants nothing to do with feeling the Creator of the universe actually them. Sound crazy when said that way, yet we look at the world and come to no other conclusion. The sad part is much of that same lack of occurs in the pews on Sundays. Yes, it’s true. People are concerned about others falling asleep or being on their devices, but the is that sometimes sitting there “listening” is a more deceptive behavior than anything else.

    The words in Ezekiel continue with empty and pointless worship. Jesus’ words in Matthew while echoing Isaiah also echoing Ezekiel. How many people don’t worship God when singing the songs? How many even listen to the songs?

    As Jesus continues on about traditions, are Sundays or Saturdays the “right” for a day for God and ()? Is it which songs are song, or which words of God are repeated?

    1) If you are concerned about other people worshiping or listening to the word when you should be, what might be the problem?

    2) How do worship traditions strengthen your faith? How could they weaken it?

    3) How are the essentials for worship defined? Who defines them?

  • The Sky Is Falling, Right?

    Psalm 27:1–6, Acts 9:1–22 (read online ⧉)

    The psalm may have stirred up a hymn or worship song in your mind. If wired a certain way, maybe you started singing. This psalm is from a person who is very weary. The psalmist feels as if there are neverending battles needing to be fought. The psalmist perceives that as long as God is there it’s okay. Now that doesn’t mean from a human perspective that everything will work out fine, just that as God is there it’s okay.

    The psalmist resorts to being in the house of God and in the . God is worth it, so thinks the psalmist. Is there hope and assurance that everything will ultimately work out? Yes. However, trusting God often means not trusting ones’ own plans.

    American Christians, with some justification, are perceiving more and more that the culture (and maybe even the world) is turning against the . There has always been some opposition to the faith. It’s not a new thing. Perhaps what we are seeing is a return to true balance, meaning that those that deceived themselves that they were Christians or misunderstood themselves as being Christians have begun to be free of those particular shackles. This in no way implies that Christianity is bad (just to clarify), but that many people misunderstood (and still do) what it means to be a Christian. Instead of mourning or getting defensive or getting angry about all the changes (including in our families) perhaps we ought to look to the psalmist for guidance. We are not called to win on our own, but to work on God’s plan and timetable (honestly, the hardest part). That of course, doesn’t mean we don’t have a part to play. Quite the contrary we each have a part to play.

    (formerly Saul) had a part to play. He was one of those who was slandering and attacking Christians to purify the Jews of this sect. His name became feared. His arrival meant nothing good. Except that God had a plan. It certainly, from the outset, didn’t seem like a great plan. Let’s have this guy harass and even endorse the killing of Christians. Let’s have him go from synagogue-to-synagogue and even town-to-town and cleanse the faith. All seemed lost or at least losing. Until Saul had a fateful encounter with . The event was so profound that Saul chose to go by Paul, meaning that he set aside the old and became new. , he was “the .” Now, his writings are an essential part of the Bible.

    1) Politicians often use to motivate. Fear of “losing” Christianity is starting to grow. What should be the proper motivation regarding working for or expanding the ?

    2) If is the reason for our faith, then why are we allowing fear to drive our decisions regarding our faith?

    Action: Pray the psalm, asking God for insight as to what it means for your faith and your world.

  • Forgiven and Sent

    2 Samuel 12:5–14, John 7:53–8:11 (read online ⧉)

    David’s behavior was wrong. Sadly, in the wider (non-Israelite) culture, it wasn’t all that unexpected. In fact, many of the pieces within the story show a progression that would have not surprised anyone hearing it, that is until Uriah throws a minor monkey wrench into the narrative by not going home to his wife. From a cultural , it was likely that Uriah knew exactly what happened, and by not going home, he did not accept it.

    David then did the expected and made it so Uriah died, restoring the (again, wider) cultural script. Then the cultural narrative gets destroyed by Nathan. Nathan condemned the king (culturally, might is right), then (shocking the culture) the king said he was wrong. David’s statement about only sinning against God becomes our next struggling point. It is back to a cultural understanding.

    Culturally, David did indeed only against God, and that is only within Israelite culture (God-honoring focused). This is, to an extent, confirmed by Nathan who did not gainsay David. Yet, with a deeper understanding of scripture, and a willingness to cultural norms, we understand that David did (along with ) sin against others.

    We also are able to that God was not happy with David, with or without David’s confession. The consequences of David’s behavior were in line with his position and were also a direct assault against the same. From our perspective, the innocent pay the price for David’s sin (they do), while David escapes. Yet, David receives a penalty both severe and in line with the and influence that he misused.

    This is all-important when we come to the woman accused of adultery. The just‑ness of the circus surrounding her is obviously in question. As they say, it takes two, and number two is missing. It was a set-up. Just as in the story of David, it is definitely a case of power, just not the perpetrator’s power. The woman has been sucked into the power-grab (or defense) of people against .

    Regardless, just as in David’s story, there is no denial. The woman does not deny the accusation. Unlike David, there are men gathered to stone the woman. They are to kill her. Per the law, she and David were to have been taken to the gates and stoned. In neither case did that happen. In David’s case, it was his position. In her case, the Roman government “officially” prohibited non-government directed killing. So, this is perhaps an empty threat. Yet, the threat was there.

    The fundamental difference is, in many respects, the difference between “before Jesus” and “after Jesus”.
    “Your sins are forgiven” and “go and sin no more.”

    1) “Your sins are forgiven” and “go and sin no more.” Why do both of these phrases go together? Why must they not be separated?

    2) What are other similarities and differences in how God responded to David and the woman?

  • Hope in Death

    Isaiah 4:2–6, Romans 6:1–11 (read online ⧉)

    If you have been steeped in thinking you can read this passage as an obvious foreshadowing of the Messiah (Jesus). Let’s our Christian thinking, and look at this from a beaten and downtrodden people. This passage provided beyond the for them.

    The dark times (exile) could not be avoided. In fact, they were guaranteed. The Israelites had to go through the darkness of purification. It was only going through some sort of refining process that they would be stripped of all that had gotten them to the place of exile in the first place.

    Exile in some respects was indeed a . It was to be the death of all that separated them from God. uses the image of the crucifixion to do much the same thing. There is a definite parallel between the death of Jesus on the cross and the exile.

    It is what is beyond the exile (just as what is beyond the cross) that is the true hope. The place and time where we are restored and all that we have done and left undone is erased. No more being stuck. Moving with God.

    1) Moving forward in hope is the great that God. What hope has God given you?

    2) Hope can be fleeting. What can you do in your , and the lives of , to build up hope?

    FD) Can you explain what hope is?

  • 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 move, 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 loss, trial, finances, and so forth. How it works is somewhat of a mystery, yet science is confirming that and 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 and improve your resilience?

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

  • Do You and Can You

    Psalm 119:145–160

    This morning’s devotion is more of contemplation on these verses of Psalm 119.

    The psalmist is under pressure. He seeks .

    Thinking about your ‘s circumstances, especially those when in trouble or hurting:

    Do you…
    …put your in his ?
    …meditate on his promises?
    … that he is your champion?
    …believe in his ?

    Can you…
    … your affliction and look at God?
    …not compare your situation against those far away from God?

  • Sharing Where The Food Is

    Isaiah 55:1-9, Matthew 6:1-15

    When one works with the homeless, one learns that the homeless have an amazing network of information. This network includes which ministry provides food on which day. It can include which ministry provides sundries and clothes. Then there are the ministries that provide free clothes cleaning. They are quick to what will aid one another. Regardless of your perception or feelings regarding ministry to the homeless, their connection to one another cannot be denied. When we our pride and our stuff, Christians more than anyone else ought to be aware that we are truly homeless. This world is not our home.

    Just like the homeless who share about the sustaining things around, Isaiah announces God’s mighty , mercy, and gifts. Imagine if all of Christ’s followers couldn’t help themselves from sharing this amazing gift that God has given them. We talk about so much that is present in Isaiah’s words: the value (or lack thereof) of , God’s great food, new covenant, not of this world. Yet, more and more, Christians are really nothing special. Now, that isn’t to say that they aren’t, but that they no longer know that they are. By and large, most people view them as political blocks or hate-filled people. Christians have allowed themselves to become this. We are no longer (by-and-large) Isaiah (or the homeless) saying, “come this awesome guy, !” Because of our career positions or career locations, we are not free to share our . We now have to become wiser than serpents to share the Gospel. However, we have to become like Isaiah and believe we have good news to actually share.

    The church has come up with many schemes and methods to share the good news.

    It is good news, right? Is it, perhaps, time to return to simpler words and ways?

    When Jesus provides the template for prayer, it is intended to be an antidote to the excessive prayers of those who made a show of their false piety. Later, it would also serve as a counterpoint to the Roman tendency for long-winded oratories that were so prized by the intellectual culture. The Lord’s Prayer (as we it now) is so simple that a child can learn (and memorize it). Yet, the depth of the Lord’s Prayer from the of God to our place in God’s kingdom here on earth. The Lord’s Prayer really is the tension between the ideal and our reality. We are often uncomfortable with the tension between the two, yet that is where the energy and ability to call those struggling in this life to the new life offered by new creation in Jesus Christ.

    1) Is your life with Christ still an important part of your life that you want and seek to share with ?

    2) When was the last time you prayed the Lord’s Prayer? What do you see as its positives and negatives?

    3) We talk about inviting people to church. When was the last time you invited a person to a new life with Jesus?

  • A Father’s Legacy

    Psalm 89, Matthew 1:6–25, Matthew 2:19–23, Luke 2:41–52

    David: the man (somehow) after God’s own heart. Imagine passing that down as your . Even more, how about passing it down for you. We “” famous people. We “love” famous stories. Fame is fabulous. When we pass on stories, which (we ) are full of the legacy of our faith, we have this desire for immortality. It is this seed in us that seeks to break past the barriers of this life. Even those whose full is in Jesus Christ have a bit of this in them. Children are one part of our legacy (whether biological or adopted or nurtured). Our story is another. However, are you willing to die to yourself?

    Today is the traditional day for Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Yes, that Jesus. That person who lived a life of and , who died on a cross to bridge the divide between man and God, and rose again to show that there is life after this one for those who trust in him. Joseph is the father of that Jesus. The church talks about Joseph briefly during Advent and Christmas. The churches in America might talk about Joseph on Father’s Day. Maybe. That’s about it. Joseph pretty much is a side character to us. Which makes sense, to a point. The Bible is God’s story for and to us. With Jesus being the Messiah and God, it makes sense that Joseph doesn’t quite get the limelight. Rightfully, Mary gets a whole lot of focus (some do take that overboard). Despite the message of our society, it really does take two.

    Sadly, we really don’t know much about Joseph. Some church traditions (not all) teach that Joseph was an older man who died early in Jesus’ life. That is not a rock solid fact. There are plenty of reasons why even a young man, barely older than Mary, would die before Jesus started his ministry. Does it matter when Joseph died? Not really. We can be pretty sure that he died before Jesus’ ministry began, but that’s it. So, why talk about Joseph, other than just it being “his” day on the church calendar?

    Joseph’s legacy is the Savior of the World. Every time we say Jesus’ name in , thanks, and worship, we are also declaring Joseph’s legacy. We don’t think of Joseph that way, but Joseph’s legacy is eternal, even now here on Earth. In fact, we think very little of the quiet legacies. If you have the chance, read Buck Jacobs’ short story, “The Janitor and the CEO.” Basically, the CEO was all sorts of flashy, and the janitor wasn’t. The janitor, however, had a welcoming committee in Heaven. So, perhaps instead of having a Paul kind of legacy (or Peter, Timothy, Jude, John, Mark, Luke), you could have a Joseph kind of legacy.

    1) Think of the legacy you are passing on. Is it all about you? Is it about God? Really, what is it about?

    2) We often compare ourselves to others. Do you find yourself comparing your legacy to those of others?

    3) Often we look at the legacy we passed on to others, but neglect those who are now in our circle. Are there people in your relational circle that you haven’t been looking at as bearers of your legacy?

    FD) Have you ever wanted to be, or still want to be, famous? Why?