Devotion.al

Tag: word

  • Wolves Invisible

    Wolves Invisible

    Psalm 62:5–12; Jeremiah 20:14–18; Luke 10:13–16

    Do you know the story of “The Boy Who Cried, Wolf”? The shepherd boy who falsely cried “wolf” so many times that after some time no one would come to his aid. Of course, as the case with moral tales, the real wolves came, he cried “wolf”, and no one came. He died.

    This could be a tale of bearing false witness (the 9th Commandment). It also could be because not everyone has the same vision.

    We see that all the time from politics, to businesses, to churches, to families. Each person has a slightly different “vision” of the . Often, we criticize, minimize, denigrate, and insult those that have a different vision. It can be hard, especially if they’re , yet those differences are the “spice” and “flavor” of .

     The 11 Apostles (, one of the original 12 died) received their commission, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” [Matthew 28:18–20, CEB]

    Go into the [whole] world. Such a small thing. It’s kind of like a commencement address, full of a huge concept that sounds awesome and inspiring, then (just like commencement) on the other side, reality hits.

    It is what is on the other side that reveals the foundation of our life.

    The Psalmist that God is “rock and salvation”, a “stronghold”. If indeed humans are nothing but a breath, nothing but lies, and don’t even register on a scale (all from an “absolutist” infinite deity ), what little remains of a human’s worth is based upon their foundation.

    Jeremiah mourned the event of his birth. His grief was based on a couple of things. First, he was a “messenger of doom” for Israel. That was pretty rough.

    Second, he mourned the hardness of heart of the Israelites. He couldn’t understand how the Israelites could be so heart- and faith-less toward God. The entirety of the story of Israel revolved around what God did!

    ‘ reprimands to Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum echo what Jeremiah said. “Doom is coming. The consequences of your decision to harden your hearts and reveling in that hardness is coming.” (Ian’s summation)

    The reprimand is a result of cities not welcoming the harbingers of the of God (it’s more of an advance warning for when it happens). The disciples of Jesus were to be completely dependent upon the towns and people they would come to.

    They were not sent with massive amounts of money, food, clothing, or protection (no weapons). They were sent as they were. They might have had a drachma or denarius or a few. They had a pair of sandals (which they were wearing). They had the clothes (again, that they were wearing). That’s it.

    And off they went, the commencement of the first missionary event.

    Most of us are uncomfortable with being missionaries. Regardless, the Great Commission is still our mission. You are a missionary right where and when you are now.

    If you think there is no one that you are and are to be a missionary to, pray that God gives you the spiritual eyes to see who is before you. Perhaps why the is so weak right now isn’t because we are “set aside” or are “unimportant”. Perhaps we have long forgotten that we are to not just be missionaries to the world; we are also to be missionaries to each other (the “bible-ish” word is edify).

    Many of us are looking for that special answer or that perfect argument. of us want to be an example yet realize that compared to Jesus we are not much to look at.

    We are called to cry, “wolf”, and the world doesn’t believe us. It’s hard to explain the wolves coming that they cannot see.

    ※Reflection※

    • When we looking for the special answer, perfect argument, or being the example, what is the real foundation of that?
    • Why is it necessary to be missionaries to one another (to edify)?
    • The example of the disciples’ first missionary journey is not burdened with “stuff”. How can that be an example of our journey? What could be a wrong application of this lesson?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord Jesus, you have called us to go into the world. Help us be the encouragers of others, that all your church—your bride—will reach the world for your name’s sake. Amen.

  • Live Freely

    Live Freely

    1 Corinthians 6:12–20; John 1:43–51

    In the US, is a significant cultural word. Often, we use language such as “free country”. The Declaration of Independence is quoted most often with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are , Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

    The problem with such an ideology has been shown in the context of liberty. We are currently watching political extremes play out in the public “square” where one person’s pursuit of happiness in in direct conflict with another’s.

    The US Constitution is an imperfect document. It cannot deal with the myriad of people who want to rewrite it in their own image (equally an issue in the 2 primary political parties).

    The US Constitution is, in many respects, a contract. Far too many people read it just like the read the terms and conditions on credit cards, mobile phones, internet agreements, account usages, etc.. In other words, there are too many people (politicians, media hosts, regular people) who haven’t read the constitution.

    Yet, many people believe they have “rights” based on the tendency to misunderstand that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are not the same document and have completely different intents.

    So, what do “rights” and “freedom” have to do with Jesus Christ? A whole lot and very little.

    As a Roman citizen, had rights and privileges that many people didn’t. Since he was born a citizen (see Acts 22:28) and was a Jew (a Benjaminite), at a minimum his had bought rights or was granted them. Thus, at birth, Paul was a citizen.

    Paul’s privilege may have well put him in a place of societal and political superiority of the Jewish world. He was an official part of Roman society and had special legal protection. From a legal standpoint, Paul’s privilege was not “white privilege” (as we hear today). From a functional viewpoint, however, it may not be far off.

    When Paul talks about freedom, therefore, we must understand that he knew quite well what his freedom was in comparison to many (even most) Christians. He could do things, own things, influence things in ways could not.

    Recently, an acquaintance—George Holleway—wrote, “Christians, you may have freedom of constitutionally, but you don’t have it biblically.”

    The immediate was an argument that combined scripture with US culture and (and the constitution fits into both). It showed an ignorance of scripture and a presumption of culture that should deeply concern the .

    Paul’s words are slightly different than George’s, but both Paul and George have the same presumption…Christ comes first. Even the secular constitution has something with Paul’s words, others are important to our freedom.

    For the constitution, it was to protect the people from the overreach of government (remember, we elected them). For the church, and Christ, it is to protect people from Hell.

    Christians, we aren’t free to do whatever we want. We are free to do the will of Jesus Christ who came to earth to live and die, that we might be children of God.

    ※Reflection※

    • Why is it important to understand the difference between constitutional freedom and freedom in Jesus Christ?
    • To you, what does “freedom in Jesus Christ” allow you to do? What does it—if anything—prevent you from doing?
    • What is the difference between “freedom of” and “freedom in”?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, we call you Lord and Savior. In our world, Lord doesn’t have the impact it should. Help us to truly understand what it means that you are the Lord of our lives. Amen.

  • Mighty

    Mighty

    Judges 2:6–15; 2 Corinthians 10:1–11

    At this point, there are a lot of stirred up people. You might even be one of them. The question is, what really is stirring you?

    Is it a belief that the current president is a lunatic and must be destroyed (metaphorically or in reality)? Is it a belief that the current president is the that will lead the country to some sort of glory?

    In the middle of this mess are Christians. Some are confused. Many are disgusted. Some champion the president. Some champion the president-elect. Theoretically, all treasure Christ as Lord.

    That’s the rub.

    One of the constant mutterings of the (on myriad “sides” of many issues) is about a Christian . A real Christian nation wouldn’t [fill in the blank]. What if we never knew what a Christian nation was? What if, there has never been a “true” Christian nation in history?

    When we look at what happens after the death of Joshua, it’s easy (and understandable) to put much of the blame on Joshua and that’s generations’ leaders. On the other hand, no one forced the Israelites to pick up the patterns of the defeated people, especially the Baal and Astarte’s .

    In far too many respects, the mythos of a Christian nation is as spiritually deadly as the mythos of an Israelite nation upon the death of Joshua (and his peers). “We are a/the [] nation.” It can become a great deceit.

    Thus, God’s word is sharper than any sword. Paul’s words in letters were far sharper than his presence. Why? Often a letter is missing so much of the feeling and emotion of presence.

    There is a reason why emojis and emoticons have become such a part of the digital world…text only goes so far. However, sometimes the lack of emotion in the text makes it the very thing we need.

    Just as Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was one of love, his previous letter(s) had apparently earned him a reputation.

    God’s letter, the Bible, is much the same. It is God’s story to us. We do miss a lot of God’s emotions. Yet perhaps we need a lot of sharpening.

    It was my that we would be beyond this. It was my hope that we would be stepping toward . That is not the case.

    While it will be easy to point at one president or one political party, the truth is that we are as much the issue as anyone else. The truth is that we are in as great a need of God’s word shaping and sharpening us as anyone else.

    ※Reflection※

    What is something in your that needs sharpening by God’s word?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, let your word shape us, and your love strengthen to be your hands, feet, and words in this world. Amen.

  • Not Yours, But God’s

    Not Yours, But God’s

    Psalm 69:1–5, 30–36; Genesis 17:1–13; Romans 4:1–12

    “Abram” translates to “exalted ancestor”. “Abraham” translates to “ancestor of a multitude”. While Ismael was Abraham’s son (the son he had with Sarah’s servant), it didn’t quite connect with Abraham as Ishmael wasn’t a result of him and Sarah (his wife and love).Both names had their own sting. “Exalted ancestor” requires more than just the son of a servant, but grandchildren. “Ancestor of a multitude” probably stung worse, for that would seem to imply even more. He had only one.

    Yet, as Scriptures attest to (and Paul recapitulates) Abraham trusted God, and Paul notes that God “attributed” to Abraham righteousness. The strong implication for many commentators was that God “considered” Abraham righteous because of his faith/, not because of his actions. In addition, many infer that it also means that God viewed Abraham as righteous in spite of any possible failings or sins that Abraham had.

    Circumcision was the act that in some respects “remembered” the that God made with Abraham. One could view it as God choosing Abraham’s descendants, setting them aside, and treating them as righteous, even when they weren’t. The Israelites were set aside for God. The males bore the mark.

    The similarity between circumcision and are often drawn. Especially in the traditions that baptize infants, it is quite simple. Even in the traditions that perform believer’s baptism, the imputation of righteousness is still there.

    When we are baptized (as infant or believer), the righteousness we receive is that of . It isn’t ours. Just as in circumcision, or even infant baptism, the is performed before the child has a choice.

    The reality is that almost the entirety of our relationship with God…the entirety of our becoming more like God…is because of God.

    Paul draws baptism and circumcision . Paul needed his Jewish brethren to understand that baptism was a valid entrance into the family of God. He also needed the Gentiles to understand that baptism was part of tradition that went back in time, tying them to a tradition and people and God they were only beginning to understand.

    ※Reflection※

    • What traditions family, cultural, and/or religious tie you to the past? Why is being rooted in the past helpful when going forward?
    • The majority of church traditions/theology (there are outliers) believe in only one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Why do you think that is?

    ※Prayer※

    God, your goes to a past we do not fully know. Your word also goes forward to a time we cannot see. Thank you for the guidance that your word provides us, and may we share the of your word to . Amen.

  • Path of Strength

    Path of Strength

    Psalm 29; 1 Kings 2:1–4, 1 Kings 2:10–12; Luke 5:1–11

    In their younger days (and sometimes in their later ones), would flex their muscles, and show off the bulge (even if it was small) of their biceps to their friends. Males, as a general rule, spend much of their lives trying to show their strength. The reality is that for many men, strength is where they find their validity.

    Females may not understand that, and that’s okay. Sometimes, guys look at other guys and just shake their heads.

    We have carried one of those displays as a word-image: saber-rattlers. The basic understanding is that an army would stand before another army, and rattle their sabers in the sheath. As sabers (or swords) did not fit snugly in their sheaths, the gathered rattle of hundreds or even thousands of sabers all at once would make a loud noise.

    This display was meant to…avoid battle. Much of the flexing and such that men display is to not fight (physically, at least). The goal is for the other to decide that it’s not it. As we all know, physical strength is not everything. Often it is not your strength, but the strength of the ones around you that truly decides the next steps. This is much of the effect of saber-rattling.

    Solomon took over the throne of Israel. The military, political, and economic strength he started with wasn’t his. His father, David, had built up the nation mostly with the sword. God determined that the of the Lord could not built by such a person, despite David’s orientation toward God.

    Solomon had the option to take the same path, but even without the wisdom God , it seemed that there was an underlying that Solomon wasn’t the warlike person that his father was.

    Often we model those that appear successful. This is why males tend to continue saber-rattling and flexing…it works.

    We often choose to model the behavior that appears successful, or model what we think is the behavior that achieved success. Other times, we are confronted with the fact that we are not that person. Their way of success is not ours.

    Solomon did not follows his father’s way of success. He chose a different path.

    Peter, James, and John changed their lives, and followed . They couldn’t recreate the miracle of a fishing trip so successful that it threatened to break the nets.

    As part of their following of Jesus, they even lost their way and ran away. Yes, they came back, and then…they chose their path.

    Following the heart of Jesus, rather than trying to replicate Jesus. Granted, no one wanted to be crucified. Certainly, though, the miracles they experienced post-Jesus…wouldn’t that be great?

    Through those 3, and others, we know who Jesus is. Through those 3, we have the . Were they alone? No! Yet, in many respects their story is our story…or it should be.

    ※Reflection※

    • When have you followed a bad (for you) path of success or acknowledgement?
    • How do you balance the modes of success that we have been trained and nurtured in with what your heart, soul, and skills provide?
    • How we succeed deeply affects those that follow us. What are ways we as both church and culture need to improve our paths of success to aide those that follow?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, in far too many respects, the signs of your success are beyond are capabilities. Thank you for not calling us to that, but instead to the ways you have designed us for. Help us to both the and the path that you have put before us. Amen.

  • Inconceivable!

    Inconceivable!

    1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Timothy 4:11–16

    In the movie, The Princess , Vizzini the Sicilian (trust me, it’s part of the plot) faces against the supposed Dread Pirate Roberts. The Dread Pirate Roberts defies Vizzini’s plans and expectations. Each time, the word, “Inconceivable,” escapes Vizzini’s lips. Finally, the “dumb” “brute” (again, a tongue-in-cheek part of the plot) looks at Vizzini and says, “I do not think that word means what you think it means.”

    In stories of God, “inconceivable” is often the underlying . Even to this day, “inconceivable” is that thought that God would become a human being (we all know how bad of an idea that is) and then die for them. It’s, a Vizzini would say, inconceivable.

    That God would promise a mere a place and a massive group of descendants, it’s well…inconceivable. That God would rescue these (now) slave descendants from the most powerful military in the world, walk them through standing water, create a with them and, call them God’s people. It’s inconceivable.

    If we Christians, our Jewish predecessors, and even our somewhat related (though tenuous at best) Muslim fellow Monotheists were really honest regarding the faith that we have been handed, we should be able to sympathize and even empathize with those who do not believe that God would do this. To them it makes no sense! It is inconceivable!

    That’s part of our problem. We are so close to the issue (not, sadly, necessarily God) that we are often unable to see just how inconceivable our faith is. This is especially true for those who claim to only hold onto the “” they can see before them.

    For Samuel, it had been inconceivable that people would not choose God. The reality was that the people themselves, had insight that Samuel may have forgotten. People are fallen, and even those with the duties (e.g., priests, seers, etc) from God can be bad people. Their choice of King was logical (to a point).

    King Saul was, really, a valiant king. He did a few unwise things. He did play “priest”, which was a career (i.e., king) limiting move. God called the next one. The next one? Was a shepherd boy sent out to the far fields and not quite forgotten by his . The selection of David was…inconceivable.

    There is a reason why God talks to Samuel about seeing as God sees. Samuel thought it was inconceivable that the sons of Jesse who were present were not satisfactory.

    This is also the underlying message of Paul to Timothy. Paul told Timothy that while it may be culturally and religiously inconceivable that such a young man (scholars put him at around 35-40, at this point) should be the “pastor-in-charge”, it was Timothy’s charge to fulfill.

    While Paul supported the presbyters (we’d say elders, and Paul really did mean AARP elders who were deep in the faith), Timothy’s call was not to be taken lightly. In fact, what we know of Timothy was that he was likely a little sickly, and almost definitely the “quiet as a mouse” type who avoided conflict. Paul was telling him that these people were his responsibility. He must not hide away from it.

    Think on that. Paul, who was not shy about conflict, had “raised up” a person to fill his shoes who was not like him. Paul who got in the proverbial face of Peter, who had to have dramatic confrontation with to take the right path…Paul “chose” that timid guy? It’s (yep) inconceivable.

    ※Reflection※

    • Why is it important to not only recognize, but to also embrace, the inconceivable-ness of God?
    • You might be offended (or know someone who is) that thinking about God as inconceivable. Why would such be offensive? Why might it help to understand God’s inconceivable-ness when it comes to explaining your faith?
    • If you were to take “the brute’s” words of, “I do not think that word means what you think it means,” and apply it to the inconceivable-ness of God, what happens?

    ※Prayer※

    Lord, there is something to be said and to be grateful that we are finite. We cannot understand the depth of your joy or love. We also cannot understand the depth of your sorrow, loss, and mourning that you have experienced. Help us to be grateful for the that is the inconceivable-ness of you. Help us to be grateful for what we do know. That you love us so much that Jesus came to die for us. Amen!

  • Burning Light

    Burning Light

    As the more reclusive type (i.e., sitting alone, or with my wife, quietly in a space without other people), it is easy to fall into a rhythm of not interacting with people. In fact, it’s too easy. These times of non-interaction, however, can produce new thoughts.

    Joni, my wife, baked springerle this Christmas. Springerle is a traditional anise-flavored German cookie that has, for generations, been made by rolling dough into intricate hand-carved molds. She only found a “rolling-pin” style, but it got the job done.

    Springerle molds often served the same purpose as stained-glass windows: telling the story of God through pictures to people who could not read. In preparation for next year (maybe I’ll help do something other than eat the cookies), I started looking for springerle molds.

    One of the websites I found was in German (which makes sense). They had many molds. One of the ones I found was for a lighthouse. In German, lighthouse is “leuchtturm”. Look at that for a moment.

    Perhaps it is just my mind. I saw lectern. According to learned people, lectern’s root is the Latin word “lectus”. However, as the term lectern was (supposedly) only used for the reading of the Scriptures, perhaps leuchtturm is the true origin of our lectern.

    Just as “Star of Bethlehem” drew (the “wise” men or ) from afar, so does the speaking and reading of the Scriptures bring light into the world that is in and dying. Similarly, a lighthouse casts its light into the dark seas, guidance and the promise of security to ships.

    While writing devotionals can be difficult, I’ve now spent enough time with God’s word burning that I cannot help but write.

    I will never be that “great” pastor/writer that people talk about. I am only beginning to understand God’s call on my , knowing that it is still growing and changing. I’m okay to not be okay with not knowing, yet still .

    Those magi “trusted” that something amazing was going to happen. Paul “trusted” that God’s call on his life was to the Gentiles (people he himself once viewed hostilely). I “trust” that God is using me through these devotionals.

    ※Reflection※

    What is God calling you to do more of? If you already have a ministry, what is God calling on you to to fulfill His commission for you?

    What new thing might God be calling you to this year?

    ※Prayer※

    God, Epiphany calls upon us to that even (a star) will draw people to you. Help us to remember that the Gospel is for all people, and that you desire that all people come to know you. Help us to be your faithful, trusting, and open servants. May we be ready and responsive to your call on our lives. Amen.

  • Joy in the Questions

    Joy in the Questions

    “Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.”
    —Luke 1:38 (NRSV)

    When it comes time for the season and thinking about the story of Christmas— coming to earth for all humankind…I often think of Mary and Joseph. I think about what it must have been like to be these young teenage kids seeing an angel and getting this crazy, but amazing news. I think about Mary. She had to have known that by saying yes to this plan that God had for her was going to make Joseph question everything in their . She had to have known that this would have ostracized them both from their and there would be whispers. All the whispers.

    She had to have known the repercussions and probably had so many questions for the angel. I mean—wouldn’t you? And yet. She said yes. She said that she would the Lord in this way. In this crazy unforeseen way she would follow through with what the angel was proposing to her. She could have said no. She could have! But, she knew (somehow) that God had a bigger plan and purpose here and for her. So she said yes. Yes to serving the Lord in this amazing way. She said yes in the face of potentially losing her fiance, dealing with all the whispers and questions, to caring for the Son of God.

    God asks us all to serve. God asks us to serve those around us for the so that all might know Jesus. Ultimately this is what I think of when I think of Mary saying yes. When we invite Jesus into our lives we say yes to Him, but also to serving Him. We are to make disciples of all nations.

    This Christmas may not look . We won’t be in the building like we typically would be for the candlelight Christmas Eve service. But! You can still invite someone to and to experience the and light of Jesus. You can invite them to your home to do circle church or you could invite them to watch with their own families. Tell someone about Jesus this year. Bring joy to someone else the way that God has brought joy to you.