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.