Devotion.al

Tag: united

  • House Building

    House Building

    Psalm 127; Matthew 24:1–2; 1 Corinthians 3:1–11

    Unless the Lord is in it, it will fail. This is a common adage heard in the , and it is based on Psalm 127:1. Yet, the interpretation often is, if it is successful, God is in it. This spiritualizes (or over-spiritualizes) far too many things.

    The sun also rises on and good. The rain falls on the and unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45)

    The vanity spoken of in Psalm 127:1 isn’t earthly or failure necessarily. It’s about what it means for the of God. Striving to be the CEO at the age of 25 (or even 65) is all well and good, but what’s the point?

    Is God in Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, IBM, Apple, etc.? Yes, insofar as God is everywhere. Are they blessed by God? Insofar as they are made by people made in the image of God, yes.

    That isn’t the point, though. How do each of these affect one’s with God? That is the question. Whether it was the or it is the States of America, in the infinite eyes of God it all falls down.

    We are all called to be coworkers and laborers in God’s fields. We are called to be builders, maintainers, repairers, and even remodelers of God’s buildings. People are God’s fields. People are God’s buildings.

    The Kingdom of God is for people, not stuff or titles. People are to fill the Kingdom of God for only eternal souls can fill an eternal kingdom.

    ※Prayer※

    Eternal God, help us to grasp even a little more of what it means to be part of your eternal kingdom, , and . Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) How can we be both laborers/builders and fields/buildings? What does this tell you about God?

    2) Why is it important to acknowledge that while all success is God allowed, all success is not God blessed?

  • Whatcha Doing?

    Whatcha Doing?

    Psalm 46; Luke 10:38–42

    It’s a crazy world. There is so much going on. If you live in the States, you know the next election is just around the corner. Although, it seems all of 2020 has been an election year.

    If you are on social media, your “stream” may be flooded with this and that. People arguing over things discussing, just not worth hating. The amount of content created by the end of this year will likely be quadruple the amount of the previous five years.

    There isn’t much that is settled at the moment. In fact, as far as the world around us goes, it seems to get more unsettled every day.

    “God is our refuge…Stop fighting (be still).” Psalm 46 may well be the mantra for 2020. God is our refuge. We just have to stop fighting in our own strength.

    We also cannot allow the world to distract us. It isn’t the government that’s the problem (which everyone, or ones, you don’t like). It isn’t the rioters that are the problem (though many are destructive, while are not). It isn’t even COVID or terrorism or (insert some “global” issue here).

    It’s the heart. In the story of Mary and Martha, we see the struggle firsthand. Martha is busy. It’s not even that she is busy with bad or wrong things. It’s that Mary chose to be busy with the better “thing”.

    We’re all busy with things. Right now, it would seem that we are best situated to be like Mary. It doesn’t seem to be the case for far too many.

    They are distracted by the bad news, filled with anxiety, filled with anger, feeling the need to (just to do something). They are busy.

    However, many are busy not because they are doing good/right things at the wrong time. They are busy doing non--following things right now.

    ※Prayer※

    As we watch the world seem to spin further into chaos, remind us, God, that you are God, and we are not. Help us to work on being still in your . Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What struck you about you in this? Why are “you” more important in this than others?

    2) How will you help be the of Christ’s in a time of anxiety, anger, and ?

  • Fruit Basket

    Fruit Basket

    Daniel 3:8–30; Matthew 7:15–20; Revelation 20:11–15

    Thinking about is often not comfortable. Homes burn. Forests burn.

    On the other hand, metal is purified through fire. Through that fire, many beautiful and amazing things are made.

    Just like in our own lives, fire serves different purposes in the Scriptures. The number of times it is mentioned is numerous.

    Most of us are familiar with the story of the three companions of Daniel tossed into the fiery “pit”. Nebuchadnezzar (though really those around him) used it to kill the three. Instead, God used it to show God’s power and might, and the protection of those loyal.

    This is not to say that we should all jump into fiery pits. On the other hand, the world is full of many other kinds of fiery pits.

    There is a thin line between a fire of refinement, and a fire of destruction. Without God’s saving hand Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would have died. That is often the case with us.

    Yet, drew a different picture. Jesus’ picture was that of fruitless lives. For those who view themselves harshly, these words of Jesus are hard. They can even be -destroying.

    What is good fruit? Is it only the fruits of the ? Is it only disciples? Is it only baptisms? Is it only giving water to the thirsty? Is it only loving the unloved?

    The hard question for too many Christians is not what good fruit is, but what is enough good fruit. If a parent has five children, and only 2 follow the Lord, is that enough good fruit?

    If one is joy-filled and generous of but doesn’t “see” a single person come to Christ through them, are they still producing good fruit?

    If you are one of the blessed that doesn’t view life through the how much is good enough lens, be grateful that you aren’t, and be grace-filled toward those who are.

    In a performance-based culture, such as in the States, how much fruit is not a small question. For many, this may indeed be why they shy away from faith and faith questions. If you will be judge by how much fruit, why walk into a judgmental situation?

    The flip side of this is also bad. Not counting the fruit has other issues, such as not equipping, discipling, and holding one another accountable. This flip side has also become an issue in the church. In not counting the fruit, it’s hard to evaluate (including, but not only, self-evaluation) one’s spiritual life.

    The fact of fruit (or lack thereof), the quality of fruit, and the quantity of fruit are all valid questions that Christians should ask of themselves and others. Truth must be balanced in and grace; that way we are all willing to and confront the truth.

    ※Prayer※

    Lord Jesus, if our hearts our weighed by the thought of fruit, lighten our load. , guide and prune us that we produce fruit for God’s . Father God, we put our very being into your hands, trusting you with your creation. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1)Do you ever count your fruit? Why or why not?

    2) Evaluate your fruit right now. After “evaluating” your fruit, what is your conclusion?

    3) How does the fire of refinement and destruction apply to producing fruit?

  • Passionate Rightful Love

    Passionate Rightful Love

    Luke 11:14–28; Romans 12:9–21

    Can you think of a house that is divided? It shouldn’t be hard at this point. It is displayed for the whole world to see.

    The States has a motto: E pluribus unum. It means, “Out of many, one.” Yet it seems that instead, it ought to be, “E pluribus chaos”.

    There is little that appears orderly at this time. While the US looks first to itself, and other countries, too. Even the countries that ridicule the current US situation have their own divisions to deal with.

    Within our states, cities, and even homes, the division has increased. seems further away and harder to grasp. Regardless of which person wins the presidency in 2020, they will have the unenviable (and likely impossible) task of trying to reunite a divided .

    The is not any better at this point. The church is divided, too. An even harder task will be the church trying to be united after it is over.

    What will happen? Only God knows. What will the church do to reunite?

    The church has forgotten, in many ways, what it means to be the church. is first. Earth (and its powers) are maybe second. Perhaps second is rating it too high.

    Romans 12:9 starts out with “ unhypocritically” or “love without dissimulation”. At this point, the people of the church are not doing this very well. Political allegiances or motives come before loving one’s brothers and sisters in Christ.

    So-called “Christian” Republicans and Democrats espouse love of fellow man and yet castigate one another in hatred. Perhaps it’s not “real” hate, but the hardening of hearts is undeniable.

    Let us on one another to have a Romans 12:9–21 political season. Imagine what would happen if the world saw that.

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, your follower Paul gave us from long ago. Help us to apply to all we and especially all with whom we disagree. May your love flow more strongly from us than our worldly beliefs. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) If you don’t know the word, look up dissimulation. How might dissimulated love be different than hypocritical love? How are they the same?

    2) How does following the guidance in Romans change how you will interact with ?

    3) How does following the guidance in Romans show the world Jesus? Is that important to you?

  • Wicks Asmoldering

    Wicks Asmoldering

    Isaiah 7:1–9; Philippians 4:4–9

    Ahaz received encouraging words from God through Jeremiah. Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet, was not exactly known for positive words. Ahaz, not altogether faithful, received a positive message.

    In many respects, Christians in the States are like Ahaz. Far too many are lukewarm. They think they do “enough”.

    Ahaz wanted enough of God to be safe, at the moment. Over the long-haul, however, Ahaz wasn’t so faithful, and in fact, destroyed much of the temple to worship another God.

    In the passage from Isaiah, the two powers fighting over Jerusalem (the ones that terrified Ahaz and the rest of Jerusalem) were called smoldering wicks. This was not a phrase of respect. There was plenty of smoke (blustering) from the two, but no fire ().

    Ahaz took it for the moment, but he, like the rest of us, was overwhelmed by his immediate surroundings. His faith was not based on the sureness of God’s faithful . His faith was rocked to and fro by the strongest winds.

    Whether it is political parties, the media, social networks, rumors, the latest social fad, Christians are just as likely as to listen and follow the blowing smoke. In times like these, looking to Christ FIRST before a particular thought stream must be our first .

    The fractures in US society in particular, but even the rest of the world, has come into focus with simultaneous events. There, sadly, has often been an immediate response based on our political beliefs or any other biases that we each have. And we all have them.

    The most saddening part is how this affects our Christian witness. When we to the social waves rather than to Christ, we diminish Christ. Even worse, by our actions, we say that Jesus Christ is less than a smoldering wick.

    ※※

    Lord, help us keep the that surpasses all understanding. As the powers of the world try to influence us to follow them, rather than you, may you, Spirit, keep us firmly grounded in the faithful love of God. Amen.

    ※※

    1) Who (more than one) are the smoldering wicks of today?

    2) When we follow people as they want, who are we showing the world (and ourselves) who we really have forefront in our hearts and thoughts?

    3) How does being lukewarm allow for listening to the “smoking wicks” rather than Jesus?

  • Dividing Rightly

    Dividing Rightly

    Luke 12:49–56; John 17:20–26 (read online ⧉)

    Jesus’ words are definitely uncomfortable. They are intended to be. The image of warm cuddly Jesus is great in pictures and in our hearts. It also true. However, there is a hardness to Jesus that we try to ignore, for when we see it we often become afraid.

    It is here in these words that some of our fears seem to be right there. Separation from family is a big one. In a culture where family was the primary social and survival network, dividing from one’s family was often a death sentence.

    If you were to take Jesus’ words and put them in someone else’s mouth (for the sake of argument, President Trump), there would be many people who would immediately agree that this sounds like Trump. Trump, whether by his own actions and words or by the overwhelming dislike toward him by many seems to have fulfilled this.

    Before you think that this is supporting or defending Trump, it is neither. It is actually a mirror. Our society, and in many ways the whole world, is divided just as these words of Jesus go.

    If we view as being part of the family of God (whether in our biological family, family, city, state, country, continent, the world), these words had better be distressing! We are divided from our brothers and sisters in Christ, because of skin color, language, nationality. Not much of “be as one” as we ought to be.

    In many respects, this is what makes faithful Christians dangerous to many powers. Loyalties that supersede the state is bad. Authoritarian countries have been known to keep or gather familial “hostages” to assure the return of scientists, teachers, politicians, athletes, and business leaders. Faithful Christianity is more dangerous insofar as keeping things within the state, yet strong ties outside of the state.

    It’s likely you thought of one of those authoritarian nations. It’s not just authoritarian nations. We can look at the States and see the tensions that go along with Christianity. Certain Christians are challenging the authority of the government around churches being closed for health safety. Many of these same Christians challenge the Patriotism and even the of those who question the government or the country in other circumstances.

    This is not to point at a side, nor think that another side doesn’t have as bad or worse issues regarding faith, patriotism, and country.

    under the direction and of Jesus Christ isn’t bad. In fact, it is scriptural. However, within the division, there still needs to be of heart. This unity of heart is toward fellow members of the Body of Christ. We love them because God loves them.

    When we question whether another’s motives are Christian, we first need to look in the mirror to make sure we are being Christian.

    Remember, the love of each other (unity) is how the world knows that Jesus is in us and that Jesus was sent by the to the world. Our love for each other, especially in these times, is how the world can see that Jesus is love.

    ※※
    God, you are love. As your children, we are to be love. Help us to be strong in love. Amen.

    ※Questions※
    1) Arguing well and respectfully is a lost skill. Why do you think such a vital skill to a democracy, republic, and faith communities has been so deeply lost?
    2) Why does arguing often devolve into issues of authority and ?

  • On the Other Side of This

    On the Other Side of This

    Matthew 18:15–20; 1 Peter 1:13–24 (read online ⧉)

    Once, an old warrior told a young man that the young man’s was killed by a certain individual. The young man later confronted the certain individual and learned that the certain individual was actually his father. The young man then confronted the old warrior said that it wasn’t a lie, it was the told from a certain point of view.

    There are many perspectives floating around at the moment. Most are carried with verve and vigor. Many are carried with . Many are carried with anger. Many are carried with fear. Many are carried in vengeance.

    In the midst of chaos and strife, it is easy to get caught up in the emotions, especially the negative ones. People will often watch or other otherwise consume media that reinforces their viewpoint. This further entrenches the hearts of people, making the divides wider.

    Right now, there are many paths being laid, and the sad truth is that each will walk a path, and there is little likelihood of . It is not just our country, it is our cities, our state, our world. The saddest place of is in our churches.

    While we are going through the COVID-19 situation, to have the additional stress and strain of societal disruption (regardless of right or wrong) will result in hearts that harder then they were already.

    There are cultural and societal sins at play. Individuals are not guilty of these sins, but they are responsible for them. We as ambassadors of the Heavenly Kingdom—where our citizenship rests—are called to be of one mind.

    Being of one mind is hard, especially when we focus on all that separates us. If we were, for example, to focus on Christ, what Jesus has done for us, the that he has given us, our ability to move beyond our earthly desires should improve.

    This does not mean that sorrow, grieving, repentance, and reconciliation don’t need to happen. They, in fact, do need to happen. It is through these that the human walls between us are broken down and we can truly be .

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, as our hearts ache and our tempers flare, grant us peace. As we look to the world in disarray and fear, give us peace. As the world seeks answers and , make us peace. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) What do you plan to do to heal the rifts between fellow Christians?

    2) As barriers , how will you lovingly break them down?

  • The Universal Call

    The Universal Call

    Matthew 4:18–22; Matthew 9:35–10:1 (read online ⧉)

    Are you working for Jesus? Yes. As a Christian, you are called to.

    The real question is, how well are you working for Jesus?

    The calling of the fishermen to be disciples is a great example of how to to Jesus’ call on our lives. You, however, might be looking at that calling as if it doesn’t apply to you. You’re not one of the great Apostles.

    Sometimes we see the prompt as a conviction. We believe that we are supposed to drop whatever we’re doing and follow Jesus. We are. That does not mean—unlike the disciples—we are supposed to stop our career, stop our , stop our schooling. What it does mean is that we are to now dedicate whatever it is to Jesus. Our goal is that whatever we do, we do it for Jesus.

    As Christianity continues to decline in Western Civilizations, it continues to elsewhere. The estimate is that almost 1-in-3 people are Christians worldwide. It doesn’t feel that way here.

    Jesus called on his disciples to be laborers in the harvest of the world. The responds to that call usually via missionaries. We are all missionaries. We are all laborers. We are often blind to it.

    The Global South (where Christianity is growing) is looking at the Western World to return the favor of being led to Jesus. Yes. The Global South is sending missionaries to the States and Europe.

    This doesn’t excuse us from sending and supporting missionaries. This should actually encourage us to do so. Missionaries provide us a better lens to view our biases and cultural blindness. This teaches us how to better missionaries to our own cultures, and to be better laborers.

    Whether we are water-carriers, swinging the scythe, bundling the sheathes, carrying the sheathes, threshing the wheat, or gathering the final wheat, each of us has a task and purpose. We cannot leave it to .

    ※※

    Jesus, as the Lord of the Harvest, guide our actions to make sure that the entire harvest is brought to Heaven. Help to not look at ourselves as unqualified on not required. You have called us to your harvest. Amen.

    ※※

    1) What are your thoughts about being a missionary? Did you ever confuse the field with “someplace else”?

    2) What is one of the hardest parts of being a laborer? What is one of the easiest?

    3) Of the list of task orientations in the last paragraph, which one is yours? Why do you say that? Do you think there is a task missing?