“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:34-35
It had been a long week, the kind of week that occupies my mind so that things like this devotion end up being late according to my timing. The “business” of church is hard work, it can exhaust you mentally, physically, emotionally and yes even spiritually – sometimes. Do not in any way take that as a complaint – I love what I do and where I am doing it – it’s just the reality of “doing church”. I love that I get to use all of my gifts everyday to care for the church and the people who walk into my office. Yes it is hard work, exhausting and sometime painful but, it is also so satisfying and worth it. I think that’s how Paul felt about it too and his job was a lot rougher than mine, a lot rougher than most people’s jobs.
In this week’s passage Paul is saying goodbye to a group of church elders from Ephesus. Paul is encouraging them to keep up the work they had started no matter how hard things got. Reminding them of how he lived and worked hard, despite all of the difficulties he had and would continue to face. In the face of everything I am confident that on those nights where sleep actually found Paul – that he rested satisfied, that he was using the gifts he had been given, working hard to do the work that he had been called to do and that lives were being changed – including his own.
What about you? Are you working hard or hardly working? Maybe you think you are too old to make a difference in someone else’s life. Maybe you are just trying to make it through each day and put food on your table, feeling like there is nothing left to do any more. Maybe you are working hard, but feel overwhelmed by all the need you see around you. Paul got all of his strength from God and he had made sure that these elders, indeed everyone who we might say “worked” for him and with him, knew that that power and strength was available to them as well. To this particular group he told them “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
Whatever you do, work at it with God’s strength. Work hard - to be the best version of yourself and to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for gifts you have given us and for the things that you have called us to do. Give us the strength we need to work hard and to continue working hard when we are overwhelmed by the needs we see around us. Thank you also for the rest that you bring to us and for the satisfaction that comes in the giving of ourselves to others. Show us where are gifts are most needed. In name of Jesus, who set for us an example of working hard – Amen.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
It's Peaceful Here
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”
Psalm 23:2-3
I have a friend, well a virtual friend who lives on the beautiful Australian island of Tasmania. This friend posts incredible photographs of where she lives, many of which remind me of California. One of the photographs she posted was of a tree lined, dirt country road – that much of the image alone sets my mind at ease, but that isn’t the whole picture. In the middle of the road is a lone chook (chicken for my American friends) and at the end of the road a little white country church with a green roof. That is my kind of place, a place that brings peace to my mind and soul.
This week’s passage paints a similar peaceful picture for me – what about you?
I like that God uses the language of farming and nature to teach us about who he is and what He stands ready to do for us and with us if we believe and trust in Him. It is a language we can understand. David was just a young shepherd, the youngest son when he appears in the Biblical narrative. God would make David a hero and King, but the journey to becoming king would not be an easy one. Through it all David’s God led him to places of peace, gave him courage when he needed it and at times when David failed miserably, God showed him incredible mercy, grace and forgiveness – now that’s peace.
Jesus refers to himself as “The good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14), which means He’s the one who makes us lie down in green pastures. He’s the one who leads us beside quiet water. He’s the one who restores our souls. No matter what we are facing he will lead us to places of peace, He will give us courage when we need it and when we fail miserably…well we’ll find more peace as we receive His mercy, grace and forgiveness.
What makes you say – it’s peaceful here? Is it a tree lined country road? Is it the shore with the roar of the sea? Is it the mountains? Maybe it’s a sunset from your front porch or back patio. I hope that is being in His presence wherever you are.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the incredible peace that you have for us. Thank you for leading us to places where we can rest and be restored. Thank you for giving us the courage we need to face the storms and battles of this life. Thank you for Your mercy, grace and forgiveness which also brings us peace. Help us to share Your peace with those around us. In name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd - Amen
Psalm 23:2-3
I have a friend, well a virtual friend who lives on the beautiful Australian island of Tasmania. This friend posts incredible photographs of where she lives, many of which remind me of California. One of the photographs she posted was of a tree lined, dirt country road – that much of the image alone sets my mind at ease, but that isn’t the whole picture. In the middle of the road is a lone chook (chicken for my American friends) and at the end of the road a little white country church with a green roof. That is my kind of place, a place that brings peace to my mind and soul.
This week’s passage paints a similar peaceful picture for me – what about you?
I like that God uses the language of farming and nature to teach us about who he is and what He stands ready to do for us and with us if we believe and trust in Him. It is a language we can understand. David was just a young shepherd, the youngest son when he appears in the Biblical narrative. God would make David a hero and King, but the journey to becoming king would not be an easy one. Through it all David’s God led him to places of peace, gave him courage when he needed it and at times when David failed miserably, God showed him incredible mercy, grace and forgiveness – now that’s peace.
Jesus refers to himself as “The good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14), which means He’s the one who makes us lie down in green pastures. He’s the one who leads us beside quiet water. He’s the one who restores our souls. No matter what we are facing he will lead us to places of peace, He will give us courage when we need it and when we fail miserably…well we’ll find more peace as we receive His mercy, grace and forgiveness.
What makes you say – it’s peaceful here? Is it a tree lined country road? Is it the shore with the roar of the sea? Is it the mountains? Maybe it’s a sunset from your front porch or back patio. I hope that is being in His presence wherever you are.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the incredible peace that you have for us. Thank you for leading us to places where we can rest and be restored. Thank you for giving us the courage we need to face the storms and battles of this life. Thank you for Your mercy, grace and forgiveness which also brings us peace. Help us to share Your peace with those around us. In name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd - Amen
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Prove It
“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”
Proverbs 27:19
Birth certificate…check. Marriage certificate…check. Two items to prove residency (signed lease and utility bill with my name on it)…check. California driver’s license…check. Social Security Card…check. Those are all the documents I needed to prove that I am me and that I now reside in Kansas, so I could get a Kansas drivers license. I don’t think you have to work that hard to get a U.S. Passport. Whether or not I think that was a little overkill is not the point. The point is sometimes we have to prove who we are and sometimes, as followers of Christ we have to prove we are citizens of another kingdom as well.
This week’s passage is really just an introduction to how we go about proving who we are in Christ. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” So we prove our identity in Christ, in part by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Note Jesus doesn’t say anything about denominations here; He just says others will know we are His by how we treat other members of the family. Earlier in response to a question about the greatest commandment Jesus says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Loving God and loving others, sounds easy, but in a fallen world it is often easier said than done, because it means loving people we don’t like or who are different from us or who from our fallen perspective are worse sinner than we are.
Fortunately, there are some other things we need to help prove we are who we say we are. The Apostle Paul speaking to the Colossian Christians and us says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (let’s sit with this a minute – we are chosen, holy and dearly loved by the creator of the universe), clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love (there’s that word love again), which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).
Are you ready? If you are called upon to prove who you are in Christ by how you love God and others will you be able to prove it?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word provides for the information necessary to prove our identity in You. Help us to stand ready to love those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in such a way that others are drawn to You in order to find their true identities. In name of Jesus who showed us what it means to prove it - Amen
Proverbs 27:19
Birth certificate…check. Marriage certificate…check. Two items to prove residency (signed lease and utility bill with my name on it)…check. California driver’s license…check. Social Security Card…check. Those are all the documents I needed to prove that I am me and that I now reside in Kansas, so I could get a Kansas drivers license. I don’t think you have to work that hard to get a U.S. Passport. Whether or not I think that was a little overkill is not the point. The point is sometimes we have to prove who we are and sometimes, as followers of Christ we have to prove we are citizens of another kingdom as well.
This week’s passage is really just an introduction to how we go about proving who we are in Christ. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” So we prove our identity in Christ, in part by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Note Jesus doesn’t say anything about denominations here; He just says others will know we are His by how we treat other members of the family. Earlier in response to a question about the greatest commandment Jesus says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Loving God and loving others, sounds easy, but in a fallen world it is often easier said than done, because it means loving people we don’t like or who are different from us or who from our fallen perspective are worse sinner than we are.
Fortunately, there are some other things we need to help prove we are who we say we are. The Apostle Paul speaking to the Colossian Christians and us says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (let’s sit with this a minute – we are chosen, holy and dearly loved by the creator of the universe), clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love (there’s that word love again), which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).
Are you ready? If you are called upon to prove who you are in Christ by how you love God and others will you be able to prove it?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word provides for the information necessary to prove our identity in You. Help us to stand ready to love those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in such a way that others are drawn to You in order to find their true identities. In name of Jesus who showed us what it means to prove it - Amen
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Dangerously Beautiful
“On the morning of the third day there was there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”
Exodus 19:16, 18-19
The American Mid-West is subject to fierce storms. These regular thunderstorms in the right circumstances can cause severe damage and under the right conditions can turn deadly. However, the run of the mill storm is beautiful in its power, color, light shows and varying sorts of thunder. We had been living the Mid-West for five or so months when the conditions became ripe for a regular thunderstorm to go very wrong. Emergency sirens blared, people sought cover in all sort of places. Pictures in the days that followed the storm showed tornadoes and damage. As I look at the pictures of tornadoes I couldn’t help but think that in the midst of those potentially deadly weather events that tornadoes are dangerously beautiful.
Meditating on the incredible power and beauty of the nature God created I couldn’t help but think how often weather terms are used to describe the power and majesty of God. In this week’s passages the Israelites had made their escape from Egypt and the Lord had led them to the foot of Mount Sinai, where they are all about to have a fearsome encounter with God and where Moses would once again speak to God as you and I would speak to each other.
I really like the picture of power and majesty this week’s passages describe – thunder, lightning, thick clouds blanketing the summit and the Lord descending on the mountain in fire turning the underside of those red and yellow hot with smoke rising and a trumpet announcing His arrival getting louder and louder. It was into this dangerously beautiful environment that Moses went to talk with God. The people left at the foot of the mountain were afraid, so imagine how Moses’ brother Aaron must of felt when Moses came back down to get him to take him to the mountain top.
Later I love what Moses’ said to the people trying to calm them down after what they had witnessed. He said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear (awestruck respect) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
In the New Testament we see another dangerously beautiful event take place – a horrendously, brutal death meant that mankind could be restored and made new if they believed Jesus and accepted his awesome gift of grace and mercy, forgiveness and love.
Being a follower of Christ is a dangerously beautiful journey because followers are called to live against the cultural tide, against the world’s status quo and to be a beacon of light to a world being overcome by darkness.
When we embrace the power God has for us and stand humbly in His majestic power, we can change the world. Are you ready to live a dangerously beautiful life?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word paints such vivid pictures of who you are and what Your powerful love looks like. Help us to live the dangerously beautiful life you have called your people to. Be the power we need to reflect Your amazing light and love to the world. In name of Jesus who showed us what it is to live dangerously beautiful - Amen
Exodus 19:16, 18-19
The American Mid-West is subject to fierce storms. These regular thunderstorms in the right circumstances can cause severe damage and under the right conditions can turn deadly. However, the run of the mill storm is beautiful in its power, color, light shows and varying sorts of thunder. We had been living the Mid-West for five or so months when the conditions became ripe for a regular thunderstorm to go very wrong. Emergency sirens blared, people sought cover in all sort of places. Pictures in the days that followed the storm showed tornadoes and damage. As I look at the pictures of tornadoes I couldn’t help but think that in the midst of those potentially deadly weather events that tornadoes are dangerously beautiful.
Meditating on the incredible power and beauty of the nature God created I couldn’t help but think how often weather terms are used to describe the power and majesty of God. In this week’s passages the Israelites had made their escape from Egypt and the Lord had led them to the foot of Mount Sinai, where they are all about to have a fearsome encounter with God and where Moses would once again speak to God as you and I would speak to each other.
I really like the picture of power and majesty this week’s passages describe – thunder, lightning, thick clouds blanketing the summit and the Lord descending on the mountain in fire turning the underside of those red and yellow hot with smoke rising and a trumpet announcing His arrival getting louder and louder. It was into this dangerously beautiful environment that Moses went to talk with God. The people left at the foot of the mountain were afraid, so imagine how Moses’ brother Aaron must of felt when Moses came back down to get him to take him to the mountain top.
Later I love what Moses’ said to the people trying to calm them down after what they had witnessed. He said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear (awestruck respect) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
In the New Testament we see another dangerously beautiful event take place – a horrendously, brutal death meant that mankind could be restored and made new if they believed Jesus and accepted his awesome gift of grace and mercy, forgiveness and love.
Being a follower of Christ is a dangerously beautiful journey because followers are called to live against the cultural tide, against the world’s status quo and to be a beacon of light to a world being overcome by darkness.
When we embrace the power God has for us and stand humbly in His majestic power, we can change the world. Are you ready to live a dangerously beautiful life?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word paints such vivid pictures of who you are and what Your powerful love looks like. Help us to live the dangerously beautiful life you have called your people to. Be the power we need to reflect Your amazing light and love to the world. In name of Jesus who showed us what it is to live dangerously beautiful - Amen
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