Advent Devotional Week 4

The Visit that Changed Everything

December 23, 2012

Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”  So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The shepherds made a choice.  They heard the message that the angels brought to them from God.  They witnessed a great concert of praise.  They had that powerful and life changing experience and their response was to go and do.  This meant that they had to leave their jobs while still on duty.  It caused them to take a risk and to break with what was expected.  Yet they decided to go and see.  An experience with God brings with it an opportunity to choose.  The Lord invites His people to “go and see” what He is doing.  Sadly, we often let other things stop us from going and seeing what the Lord has for us.  Perhaps this Christmas we can choose differently.

Sure enough, they listened to the angels, followed their directions, and found Jesus just as he was described.  At this point they were no longer shepherds.  They were messengers.  They were a blessing to Mary and Joseph.  Mary treasured what the shepherds had to tell her.  They were the confirmation of everything the angels had told Mary and Joseph.  They brought joy to what was surely a difficult night.  Then the shepherds went back to work.  Everyone they met they shared the Good News with.  Their lives and their words were praise to God.  The shepherds as examples of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  May we be like them. Let’s be a blessing.  Let’s share the message.  Let’s praise the Lord! 

Advent Devotional Week 3

The Good News that Changed Everything

December 16, 2012

Luke 2:8-14

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

The first to go see the Messiah are shepherds.  Shepherds aren't clean.  They do not smell good.  They are not highly respected an influential parts of society.  They aren't wealthy or powerful.  Yet they are the ones to whom the angel appears.  The Lord chose to give the greatest message the world had ever know to everyday people that the world tended to overlook.  God sees what the world does not.  The message of the Lord is for all people, including those that the world does not value.  The things of heaven are sometimes best seen in the most humble of people and places.

The shepherds were terrified.  This is a common and natural reaction to an angel’s appearance.  They did not consider themselves worthy of the message the Lord was giving them.  Yet they listened.  When the angel says not to fear, they did not debate the point.  They heard the Good News and did not run away from what God had for them.  How many of us have run away from the Good News?  We ignore, avoid, disconnect, or rationalize away the things of God far too often.  Simply by staying and listening these shepherds heard an angelic concert of praise.  Who else has ever heard such a thing?  How beautiful and life changing must that have been?  Are we missing the message God has for us?  Let’s listen this Christmas.

Advent Devotional Week 2

The Manger that Changed Everything

December 9, 2012

Luke 2:5-7

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born in a manger.  A manger is not beautiful.  It is not special.  A manger is where newborn sheep are placed so they do not hurt themselves.  It is also used to feed other livestock.  A manger is not a place you would choose to put your newborn child if any other choices were available.  Yet this is where Mary and Joseph find themselves.  This is the will of the Lord.

So why the manger?  Why not a nice room someplace?  We are given the information that there was “no room for them in the inn”.  This isn't like a “no vacancy” sign on a hotel window.  It meant that Mary and Joseph had no family or friends to go to in Joseph’s hometown.  It meant that even strangers who set themselves up to welcome guests would have nothing to do with them.  In the culture of the day refusing hospitality to a guest was a serious issue.  It didn't happen often.  Room was made.  In this case, the innkeeper extended only the bare minimum of hospitality to an expecting mother.  Mary and Joseph had been rejected at a time of high need in a place where welcome should have been found.  This was the will of the Lord.

In the birth of Jesus we see the state of the world.  It devalued the one who had come to save it.  It rejected those it could have helped.  It was ignorant of the amazing reality of God’s coming.  In many places and for many people the world is still this way.  But it doesn't have to be this way for us.  The King has come.  Because there is a manger, there is salvation. A new reality. A greater life.  This birth changed everything. It should change us. Will you allow it?

Devotional: The Path Week 4

The Path

November 25, 2012

Matthew 25:31-33

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.”

The Lord is the judge.  We are called to be sheep.  We are called to follow the shepherd.  We are given a path to walk that leads us to a meaningful and full life.  How we choose to walk that path matters.  Among the sheep are goats.  Goats do not follow.  Goats do not accept the guidance of the shepherd.  Goats got their own way.  The Lord will separate the sheep and the goats.  Let’s remember, sheep do not earn their status as sheep.  It is simply who they are.  Yet a sheep follows the shepherd.  A Christian does not earn salvation.  They are saved because of Christ’s work.  Simply being a Christian changes how we act.  We must live out what we believe.

Jesus goes on to describe the difference between the sheep and the goats.  The sheep are told; For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.  The goats failed to do these things.  When did these things happen? ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’  

The judge of all humanity seems to place a high value on caring for others.  He rewards those who sacrifice.  He protects those who serve.  A Christian is known by the love they have and what they do with that love.  A loving heart cares for people simply because God’s heart cares for people.  It’s simple and clear.  If we want to walk the path of God we must love as God loves.  How’s your heart?  What do you see when you look at people?  Is that what God sees?  

The Path Week 3

The Path

November 18, 2012

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Our lives are moving us down a specific road to a specific gate that leads to a specific end.  The hard road to the narrow gate leads to life while the easy road to the wide gate leads to destruction.  Jesus doesn't give a lot of wiggle room in this statement.  It’s very clear which way is best and which way Jesus wants us to go.

So why the hard road to the narrow gate?  The image is dramatic isn't it.  Couldn't God make life easier?  I wonder, is greatness ever easy?  Make no mistake, the Lord’s desire is that we live amazing lives that impact this world for generations after us.  Greatness doesn't just happen.  It takes time, attention to detail, and a lot of effort.  It is a disciplined life.  Living the great life God has planned of us requires us to make choices and take action.  Often those choices will require us to go against the flow of our culture and society that tends to work against God and embrace sin.  Living God’s way isn't easy not because God made it hard as much as it puts us against the sinful, wrong things of this world.  Let’s consider…

Everything in this world has two aspects—how it looks at the moment, and how it will look in the time to come. The easy way may look very inviting at the moment, and the hard way may look very daunting. The only way to get our values right is to see, not the beginning, but the end of the way, to see things, not in the light of time, but in the light of eternity.^[1]

Let’s take the more challenging path.  Let’s work and strive for greatness in the Lord.  Let’s live for eternity and not for the moment.  Let’s make the choice to follow the path that leads to life.

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^[1] The Gospel of Matthew: Volume 1, ed. William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 280.

The Path Week 2

The Path

November 11, 2012

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.                                              Psalm 23

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.                                                                       Revelation 7:17

The Lord is our shepherd.  He gives us what is needed for us to live.  He will lead us through difficult places and into good places.  He is hope.  He is strength.  He blesses.  He provides a home.  Psalm 23 uses two images to help us understand the Lord’s guidance for our lives.  The first is the image of shepherd.  The shepherd cares for the sheep.  He leads them to places where they are safe and will thrive.  He protects them from danger.  Without the shepherd, the sheep become lost, vulnerable, and isolated.  The Lord is OUR shepherd and we are the sheep.  With him we have what we need.  Without him we are in danger.

The second image is that of a home.  The house of the Lord.  The guidance of God has a destination in mind.  It is not aimless wandering in the wilderness of life.  The guidance of the Lord is purposeful.  In the house of the Lord there is a throne.  On that throne sits the lamb that was slain (for us).  In that home, God wipes away every tear.  It is a good home.  It is the destiny that God has for us.  Will we follow the shepherd?  Will we allow ourselves to be led beside peaceful streams and through the dark valley of death?  Will we trust God to show us the way home?  Let’s follow him today. 

The Path - Week 1

The Path

November 4, 2012

Psalm 25:4-10

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead us by your truth and teach us, for you are the God who saves us.  All day long we put our hope in you.  Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.  Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.   Remember us in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.   The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.   He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

There is a right path for us to follow.  God has prepared this path.  He calls us to it.  He will show us the way.  He is the only one who can show us this path.  He is the only one who can lead us the right way.  His guidance is not forceful.  He does not angrily herd us in the direction He wants us to go.  The Lord operates with compassion and unfailing love.  The one who knows the right path is the one who loves us most. 

The problem is that many don’t walk this path.  Many want to forge their own trail in life.  Many pride themselves on taking charge of their lives and going it alone.  Somewhere along the line the idea of being guided became somehow less than going it alone.  This is a false reality.  Living in it leads us astray and off the right path.  The goal of the church and the goal of all Christians is to follow God.  Following God requires us to walk the path He has prepared for us.  When we go astray He will lead us back, but we must first be willing to allow Him to guide us.

The Lord leads.  The Lord is good.  The Lord loves.  The Lord is faithful.  Our response to the Lord should always be humility and openness to His guidance.  The promise is sure.  If we follow the Lord, obey Him, and remain faithful He will show us the right path.

Devotional: Money, Money, Money

Money, Money, Money

October 28, 2012

Malachi 3:6-12

“I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.  Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’  “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.  You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!  Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

The Lord does not change.  He asks for obedience.  He makes clear what obedience looks like.  He promises a healthier and more meaningful life to those who obey and live as He directs.  Yet people have always struggled to do this.  Despite generations of evidence proving God’s promises are true, we still disobey.

“Return to me” says the Lord.  The people ask “How”.  The Lord’s simple answer is “stop cheating me”.  This is strong language from the Lord.  Does God need money?  No!  Do we need God?  Yes!  So why does God care about what we do with the money we have?  Money and wealth can become idols.  If we are not careful, we will serve money rather than the Lord.  We cannot do both.  The tithe exists for our benefit.  It puts life together in a healthy and proper manner.  All we have comes from the Lord.  When we honor God through obedience we experience blessing.  God meets our need.  “Put me to the test” says the Lord.  Are we?  Will we trust God?

Devotional - Skillz

Skillz

October 21, 2012

Exodus 31:1-6

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.  I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.  He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze.  He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make

God gives people talents and abilities.  Some we are born with.  God built them deeply into us.  Others we learn as we go along.  Still others are given to us when we fully embrace the salvation of Jesus and follow him.  God actively works in us to help us develop and grow.  God wants us to put these skills to use.  Have you ever had the joy of watching a child develop skills before your eyes (music, athletics, etc)?  Imagine how God might feel watch us use the skills he has given us.  It honors him.  It is a form of praise.

For Moses, the task God had given him was huge.  He could not do it alone.  He needed the leadership, talents, and abilities of others.  God provided those others.  He surrounded Moses with a master craftsman to build all that was needed to worship.  He provided a skilled organizer to assist him.  He gave special skill to all the craftsmen that would do the Lord’s work.  God took the raw talent in each individual and magnified it to do His work.  Together they created a means of worship that would last generations. 

What talents, abilities, and skills has God given you?  God gives the church everything it needs to do His work.  When people use what God gives, the church has all the resources it needs and those people are healthier and more in tune with God.  Are we using all that God has given us?  Are you?  How can we change this?

Time Management - God Cares Devotional

Time Management – God Cares

October 14, 2012

Exodus 18:13-18

The next day Moses sat as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?”  Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.  When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.”  Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.  You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.

God wants us to live healthy, meaningful lives.  God gives us time, talent, and resources to do this.  God commands us to be stewards (managers) of what he has given us.  God cares about what we do with the time we have.  Moses wasn’t a good time manager.  He worked from sunup to sundown.  He worked hard every day.  This is a good trait.  God honor hard work.  Yet what Moses was doing with his time was not good.  His father in law saw what Moses was doing and pointed this out.  For all his hard work, Moses was just wearing himself and his people out.  He was less able to do the work God called him to do because of how he was managing his time.

For a lot of us, our lives are similar to Moses.  We work hard.  We give a lot of time to our jobs and the various other parts of our lives.  Yet we sometimes feel like life lacks health, meaning, or purpose.  Sometimes we are just worn out.  God has created a rhythm to life.  We see it every day when the sun sets and rises again.  We see it every time we go to sleep and wake up.  God created priorities for life.  He is first followed by family then everything else.  Getting out of rhythm in life equals getting out of rhythm with God.  Our lives are to be examples of how God created us to live.  What does your time management say about God?  Let’s work to be good examples.

Four Weeks of Prayer - Week 4

Four Weeks of Prayer

October 7, 2012

James 5:13-16

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.  Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  

Prayer is absolutely important in the life of a Christian.  It is a primary connection point between our lives and God.  Prayer is a community effort.  It can be done when a collection of individuals pray for the same thing.  It can be done when the whole church gathers together to anoint those who need healing and/or forgiveness.  It can be done when a small group of people gather to pray for each other in an atmosphere of confidence and confidentiality.  All are needed for us to live well round lives of prayer.

Confessing our sins to another is often more difficult than confessing our sins to God.  It requires us to open up the doors of our hearts and become vulnerable to another.  It requires trust in another person.  This trust is not to be given lightly or casually.  This trust must not be betrayed.  When this trust exists everyone is strengthened.  God did not create us to go through life alone.  We are greater when we have deep personal relationships with other people.  This is God’s design for the church.  How many of us have a group of people like this?  How often do we admit our failings and our sins to others or even to ourselves?  What stops us?  Healing is found in the prayers of the faithful and in the atmosphere of trust. 

This week, let’s each make an effort to seek out a trustworthy believing friend.  Let’s be open with and pray with that person.  Let’s use our 30 minutes of prayer each day to help us make this happen.

Four Weeks of Prayer - Week 3

Four Weeks of Prayer

September 30, 2012

James 5:13-16

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.  Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  

Prayer is absolutely important in the life of a Christian.  It is a primary connection point between our lives and God.  Prayer is a community effort.  We don’t just pray by ourselves.  Our prayers for each other are to be visible, active, and intentional.  When a church prays, people change.  Lives are changed.  Sickness is overcome.  Forgiveness is received.  The church comes together and becomes more united than it was before.  This scripture paints a beautiful picture of the church.  It is a place where the leadership and all the people humble themselves in faith before God.  It is a place where God’s work is being done and can be seen.  It is a place where people experience forgiveness and have their lives changed for the better because of it.  Does our church look like this?

The prayers offered are offered in faith by faithful people.  A church is a place where people regularly step out of faith in their daily lives.  It is a place where people are intentionally choosing the path of righteousness.  Stepping out on faith often feels risky.  It is believing and acting when you can’t fully understand or know what will happen.  It is sometimes difficult to trust.  Yet trusting God opens the door for us to experience to power of God.  Faith works.  Prayer works.  This week we invite everyone to live lives of righteousness.  Let’s spend 30 minutes in prayer every day.  Let’s be the church, lifting each other to God.  May God show us his power this week.

Four Weeks of Prayer - Week 2

Four Weeks of Prayer

September 23, 2012

James 5:13-16

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.  Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  

Prayer is absolutely important in the life of a Christian.  It is a primary connection point between our lives and God.  Prayer is unavoidable in life.  We pray for those who suffer, we pray for the sick, we pray for troubles in the lives of people we care about, and we pray for our country and world.  Our instinct is to go to God in times of uncertainty or trouble.  Yet life is more than suffering, struggle, disease, and uncertainty.  Life is also full of joy, laughter, fun, excitement, anticipation, and wonder.  God calls us to bring these things to him in prayer as well.  Prayer brings help for the helpless and prayer brings indescribable joy to the joyful. 

How much rejoicing do we do as part of our everyday routine?  It’s easy to focus on the problems.  Many of us are great problem solvers.  I wonder if we really know how to have fun with the Lord.  If we are cheerful, we take it to God.  He adds power to our cheerfulness.  He magnifies our joy.  He gets us energized and excited about life.  When we take our joy to the Lord we end up standing in awe of him.  We end up amazed by his blessings, by what he has done as is doing, and at how his love speaks into our lives.

I invite you to spend at least 30 minutes every day for the next four weeks in prayer.  This sort of prayer will change our lives.  This week let’s take our joys to the Lord.  Let’s fill our week with praise, joy, and awe.  May God show us how awesome he is.

Devotional: 4 Weeks of Prayer Week 1

Four Weeks of Prayer

September 16, 2012

James 5:13-16

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.  Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.  

Prayer is absolutely important in the life of a Christian.  It is a primary connection point between our lives and God.  Prayer is an instinct found in every human being.  When we face a time of trouble or suffering we often feel compelled to pray.  Yet all prayer is not created equal.  It is a reflection of our relationship with God.  The stronger and more intimate our relationship with God, the more powerful and effective our prayers.  This does not mean that God doesn’t listen to all prayers equally.  It means that the more we know and follow God, the more we connected to him we will be in our prayers.  God uses prayer to change us.  The more we allow God to change us the better we are able to pray.

So what should we pray for?  James speaks clearly.  If you are suffering, pray.  Simple.  Suffering isn’t defined in the narrow terms of physical or visible suffering.  It can apply to any person in any situation that feels overwhelmed, alone, hurt, in pain, or any other form of suffering you can think of.  It could be said this way…if you are hurting you need God and prayer can get you to him.  God invites us to share our hurts with him.  He can handle it.  He can help.

 

I invite you to spend at least 30 minutes every day for the next four weeks in prayer.  I believe this sort of concentrated effort will change our lives.  This week let’s take our hurts, whatever they might be, to God in prayer.  

Acts Devotional Week 19

Acts: Open Eyes, Open Ears

September 9, 2012

Acts 28:23-31

After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets.  Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe.  So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, (Isaiah 6:9-10) ‘Go to this people and say, you will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.   For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.’ Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”  He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Paul puts his very best effort into preaching and teaching the message of Christ to the Jews (church).  He uses every conceivable tool he can to do this.  He does it day and night.  All he found was argument.  Some believed, other did not.  Neither was content to allow the other side to have their beliefs.  Paul observes and participates in all this and at the end of the discussion he had a realization.  These particular people have allowed their hearts to grow dull.  They message lacks power because they are unable and unwilling to see and hear what God is trying to say.  He quotes Isaiah, showing that it has been this way for a long time.

What happens when a heart grows dull?  It lacks passion.  It becomes content with things as they are and it isn’t able to accept anything else.  A dull heart doesn’t move and it doesn’t get excited about new things.  A dull heart intentionally shuts the eyes and intentionally refuses to listen.  A dull heart doesn’t want to see or hear anything different from what they already know or have experienced.  

A dull heart misses the continuing work of God.

How willing are we to look at and listen for the work of the Lord?  How willing are we to try and understand God’s continuing plan for our lives and our church?  Are our eyes open?  Can we hear the call of God?  Do we feel the drive and passion that comes from doing God’s will?  Do we hold ourselves back from God and His work?  Paul doesn’t.  Paul goes to those not-Jews (outsiders) because they see, hear, and understand the message of Christ.  Paul did not let closed eyes and ears prevent him from doing God’s work.  Neither should we.  Let’s be open to God.

Acts Devotional Week 18

Acts: After the Storm

September 2, 2012

Acts 28:1-10

After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta.  The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it.  Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.  When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”  He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.  They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

Paul helps everyone safely survive the storm.  He is helping everyone prepare for survival on the island.  In that process he is attacked by a viper.  This should kill him, it doesn’t.  People thought Paul was being punished for surviving, he wasn’t.  God had greater plans for Paul and God’s protection was with him.  The ones that expected Paul to die were amazed when he didn’t even get sick.  They thought him to be a god.  Amazement is always a proper reaction to God at work.  When others see God at work in our lives, they may be amazed.  There is something different about a Christian.  There is a unique strength in the followers of God.  How close to the surface of our lives do we hold that uniqueness?  What would happen if people saw a little more of God at work in us?  Do we ever try to hide what God is doing in our lives?

 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.  It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him.  After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.  They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.

Paul promised safety in the storm because of Christ.  He is kept safe personally because of Christ.  Now he heals the sick because of Christ.  After the storm there are many opportunities to do ministry (God’s work).  Paul doesn’t miss a chance to show people who God is and how he works.  God protects.  God heals.  God is worthy of honor.  Let’s make sure we never miss an opportunity to do God’s work.  After the storm we can serve God more fully and people are more ready to see and hear what the Lord is doing.

Devotional Acts Week 17

Acts: Safe in the Storm

August 26, 2012

Acts 27:21-26

Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss.  But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down.  For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’  So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.  But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

Paul finds himself on a boat headed to stand before the Roman emperor as a prisoner.  The journey is long and difficult.  Strong winds and storms plagued the ship throughout.  Paul takes this time to get to know the captain and crew on the ship.  To them he offers a warning of bad weather, which they do not listen too.  When Paul is proven right they are more willing to listen when he tells them they will be safe in the storm.  Sometimes being heard requires patience and grace. 

This was no small storm.  For 14 days the crew battled the sea and the storm.  They did not eat during that time.  They tossed cargo overboard.  At one point they thought to abandon ship and lowered lifeboats only to cut the boats free at Paul’s warning of trouble.  276 people ate one meal at Paul’s direction.  The next day they found land, cut their anchors, and headed to shore.  Along the way the boat gets stuck and breaks apart.  All 276 people made it to shore just as Paul had promised.  Considering the circumstances, this is a miracle.

The storm came, but it did not stop God’s purpose.  The storm lasted for a long time, but it did not stop God from keeping people safe.  The storm destroyed property, finances, and why physically difficult, but it did not destroy the people God was protecting.  God is always greater than the storm.  God will always be greater than the storm.  If all our attention is focused on the storm we won’t find safety.  When we focus on God in the midst of the storm we find safety and peace.

Each of us faces storms in life.  Perhaps some of us have been shipwrecked emotionally, financially, physically, or relationally.  We cannot deny the power of the storm.  But we can take courage.  God is with us in the storms of life.  God is greater than the storms of life.  God will bring us safely through.  What does taking courage look like for you today?

Acts Devotional Week 16

Acts: A Fearless Testimony

August 19, 2012

Acts 26:16-23

Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future.  And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’  “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven.  I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.  Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me.  But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

Paul spends two years in prison for a crime that everybody agrees isn’t really a crime at all.  He uses every opportunity he gets to share the message of Christ.  The Roman leaders don’t know what to do with him.  If they release him, his Jewish enemies will kill him.  If they keep him, they knowingly imprison a man who has done nothing wrong.  So they decide to send him to Rome.  Before Paul leaves he meets King Agrippa.  Paul stands before the leaders of the local Jewish and Roman societies in chains and uses his time to share about what Christ did in his life.  He tells about the ministry Christ was doing through him.  He paints a picture of what the Christian life looks like.  His message is simple.  1. God calls all people.  2.  People are to repent or turn from an old (wrong) way of living to the new life Christ offers.  3.  Turn to God (make the active choice to make God central to life).  4.  Live a life worthy of God by making sure a person’s deeds match his beliefs.

Agrippa sees what Paul is doing.  Paul is trying to convert to Christianity these powerful leaders.  He is not shy about it.  They are shocked at his fearlessness.  They are also intrigued.  They did not accept Paul’s attempt, but they recognized him as innocent.  While they still sent Paul to Rome, Paul’s testimony made a lasting impact.  How shy are we about sharing our testimony?  How willing are we to speak of God in difficult situations or in places where such things may not be accepted?  What if we were as fearless as Paul?

Acts Devotional Week 15

Acts: Go, I Will Send You

August 12, 2012

Acts 22:14-22

Then he (Ananias) said (to Paul), ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.  And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.’  “After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’  And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.  And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.’ Then he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

 Paul has been rescued from the crowd that was trying to kill him.  He asks to speak to them.  He wants to share his message with people trying to kill him.  He is allowed this by the Roman soldiers.  He tells of his life, how he came to believe in Jesus Christ.  He speaks in a language that the crowd understands.  Paul makes clear who he is and what he believes.  Paul is called by God.  Paul is to be a witness of the saving work of Jesus Christ.  Paul is to be a disciple, baptized, forgiven, and living every day in the name of Jesus.

Yet Paul is not welcome.  The Holy Spirit even warned Paul that the message God had given him would not be accepted among the Jews and those in Jerusalem.  Paul resists this.  He wants to give the message to his people.  He thinks that the change they see in him will help them change and add emphasis to the message.  This was proven not to work.  Even Jesus was not accepted in his hometown.  Sometimes people see only what they want to see.  Sometimes we have a priceless gift to give to those we love that will not be accepted.  Unfortunately there is little we can do about it. 

The people hear Paul’s testimony and still refuse to listen.  When they rejected the message God had given Paul, Paul followed the leading of the Spirit and went to the Gentiles (not-Jews).  They heard the message and the work of God spread like fire.  In just a few short years faith in Jesus spread from a small group in Jerusalem to the “ends of the earth” with thousands of believers.  Still Paul is not accepted.  The crowds do not think he should be allowed to live. His greatest work for the Lord is seen as a crime.  Let us never be like these crowds.

Acts Devotional Week 14

Acts: Worship Interrupted

August 5, 2012

Acts 21:26-32

So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them.  The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.”  (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)  The whole city was rocked by these accusations, and a great riot followed. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind him.  As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.  He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.

 Paul has arrived in Jerusalem.  He has told others about what God has done.  They have received this news with praise.  They also face the reality that some fear and hate Paul. They accuse Paul of not following the Law of God.  They accuse Paul of not doing things right (as they understand what is right).  So Paul pays for the purification rights of four men and himself.  This is an act of devotion to God.  It is a time of serious contemplation and spiritual connection to God.  This is a time of sacrifice and worship.  It was definitely the “right” way to do things.

Near the end of this purification ritual some of those who opposed Paul saw him and raised a mob under false pretenses.  They didn’t even work hard to find a real reason to be upset, they just spouted off and started a riot.  Paul is taken out from his purification ritual of worship, cast out of the Temple, and his opponents began to beat him with the intent of killing him.  If not for Roman (non-believer) intervention Paul’s life would have ended right there.

Paul’s heartfelt and expressed desire was to follow God.  Paul was outnumbered and out-influenced.  He stood alone in a riot of righteous violence just because he followed God.  What happens when Christians loose site of God’s work?  What happens when our way becomes more “right” than God’s way?  What happens when accusation replaced love, grace, and understanding?

Acts Devotional Week 13

Acts: Finishing the Work

July 29, 2012

Acts 20:18-28

When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now  I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.  I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.  I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.  “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.  But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.  “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again.  I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.  “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.

 This is a sad farewell.  Paul’s missionary journey is leading him into danger and he knows it.  He is speaking to his friends and fellow ministers.  He is also saying what needs to be said to prepare himself for the unknown trial ahead.  First, he recognizes where he has come from.  He has endured trouble before and it never stopped him from doing the Lord’s work.  This was the work the Holy Spirit led him too.  It was a work that saw the message of Christ shared with boldness, honesty, and humility wherever it needed to be shared. 

Second, Paul expresses where he is going.  Sometimes we need to say something out loud for it to become a reality.  The same faith that led Paul to successfully do God’s work in Asia is leading him to Jerusalem.  Speaking his intention brings clarity and accountability.  It is a reassurance.  In order to do what God has called him to do, Paul must go to Jerusalem no matter the risk.  He will have to trust God for the rest and he knows it.  He will finish the work.

Finally, Paul speaks to his friends.  He has set himself as an example to them.  Now he is going away and does not expect to return.  These disciples of his will need to continue the work.  They must not shrink from the task the Lord has given them.  They are the guardians of God’s message and the one’s responsible for the discipleship of God’s people.  They must also finish the work God began through Paul.  Will we finish the work God has begun in our lives?

Acts Devotional Week 12

Acts: Confusion, Riots, and The Way

July 22, 2012

Acts 19:23-31

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.  It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy.  He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: “Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business.  But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province!  Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!”  At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.  Paul wanted to go in, too, but the believers wouldn’t let him. Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

 Ephesus contains the temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  The town was very wealthy and very active.  Paul spends three years preaching the message of Jesus (The Way) here.  God is working in such a powerful way that the political and business leaders are beginning to notice.  Things are changing.  The town is becoming different and it is hitting the businessmen in their pocketbooks and the political leaders in maintaining public order.  It all comes to a head in a near riot started by a man named Demetrius who was concerned about business (and Artemis worship).

This entire event can be boiled down to one idea.  Safety.  Demetrius and the business leaders felt threatened while their profits and jobs were not safe.  The politicians (town clerk) in Acts 19:35-41 were afraid of Roman retaliation if a riot were to break out.  Their goal was staying safe.  Paul’s desire was to rush into the riot.  He wanted in.  His goal was not safety.  He saw an opportunity to stand up for God and he was eager to take it, even if it was not safe.  Paul’s traveling companions faced the wrath of a mob and Paul wanted to stand next to them.  How often does our desire to be “safe” keep us from following God?  Are we more like the business leaders and politicians or Paul in our service to God?