Be afraid, be very afraid – Devotion for 9/22/08
I must admit, one of my favorite messages in the Bible is the whole “fear not” theme that is found through out. In my mind I am drawn to Joshua when he first took over as the leader of Israel, and all the times in the first chapter of Joshua that God had to tell him, “fear not.” I am drawn to the story of Gideon in the book of Judges, and the way the angel of the Lord had to console him telling him not to fear. And still I am always pulled toward the passage where Jesus walks out on the water, and when the disciples are filled with terror believing him to be a ghost, Jesus reassures them, “Fear not, for it is me.” Being the “fraidy” cat that I tend to be, I need to hear those words quite often to maintain a posture of strength in the midst of the storms.
But this morning in my devotion time I read from Psalm 33. We do not know who actually wrote Psalm 33, but this anonymous hymn of praise calls on the righteous to praise God because the dependability of his words and works. All of that is well and good, but the part that gets to me today is verses 16-18: “The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness.”
What hits me about that today is that so many of these “fear not” passages found in the scripture are said to mighty men of valor – Joshua the warrior, Gideon who would lead a rebellion, the disciples who would lead a revolution. And while they are being told to “fear not,” it certainly has nothing to do with their physical stature. As the Psalm says, the king isn’t saved by a great army, nor a warrior by his strength. The fear we have is a very real demonstration that we recognize how dependant we are upon God. The fear the Psalmist speaks of is the fear that comes with knowing there are some things that we cannot control by our own strength and might.
So many times in life we live things the “safe” way, where we stay in control and where we think we don’t have to fear anything. I guess what’s really hitting me today is that if we don’t have some fear in our lives right now, maybe we aren’t living as courageously and dependently upon God as we should
Monday, September 22, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
On your own - Devotion for 9/18/08
On your own – Devotion for 9/18/08
I love the book of Genesis. I love the story of Abram, and I love Sarai’s laughter. I love the story of Jacob, and who in the world couldn’t love Joseph – the comeback kid. Of course, we all “noah” about the flood as well. But as I’ve been teaching this book the past couple of weeks, one particular verse has really stuck with me – “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’”(Genesis 2:18) What that says to me is that God never intended for us to be alone. Granted, I do think it is kind of funny that after God said he would make a suitable helper, the very first things He creates as that suitable helper are every beast of the field and every bird of the sky. I’m all about animal rights, and I love my pets, but I can see where Adam wasn’t exactly pleased with these animals as a suitable helper. So ultimately, God made woman – who led all of humanity down the path to sin (just kidding!).
We are not intended to be alone in this world. God intends for us to be connected with others. Too many times we try to tackle difficulties in our lives on our own. Too many times we try to make a drastic change in our lifestyle on our own. Too many times we think of prayer as something we do on our own. Too many times we think of . . . well, just about everything - on our own. But God knew that “on our own” was not good. I think it is interesting that when Jesus was asked to basically sum up the Law, he did so not just by emphasizing the love of God, but he also brought in the love of neighbor. If we learn anything from the book of Genesis, let us know that God does not intend for us to be alone in this world. Whatever struggles, whatever burdens, whatever worries or fears – God has always wanted us to be in community. What are you keeping to yourself, on your own?
I love the book of Genesis. I love the story of Abram, and I love Sarai’s laughter. I love the story of Jacob, and who in the world couldn’t love Joseph – the comeback kid. Of course, we all “noah” about the flood as well. But as I’ve been teaching this book the past couple of weeks, one particular verse has really stuck with me – “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’”(Genesis 2:18) What that says to me is that God never intended for us to be alone. Granted, I do think it is kind of funny that after God said he would make a suitable helper, the very first things He creates as that suitable helper are every beast of the field and every bird of the sky. I’m all about animal rights, and I love my pets, but I can see where Adam wasn’t exactly pleased with these animals as a suitable helper. So ultimately, God made woman – who led all of humanity down the path to sin (just kidding!).
We are not intended to be alone in this world. God intends for us to be connected with others. Too many times we try to tackle difficulties in our lives on our own. Too many times we try to make a drastic change in our lifestyle on our own. Too many times we think of prayer as something we do on our own. Too many times we think of . . . well, just about everything - on our own. But God knew that “on our own” was not good. I think it is interesting that when Jesus was asked to basically sum up the Law, he did so not just by emphasizing the love of God, but he also brought in the love of neighbor. If we learn anything from the book of Genesis, let us know that God does not intend for us to be alone in this world. Whatever struggles, whatever burdens, whatever worries or fears – God has always wanted us to be in community. What are you keeping to yourself, on your own?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Looking for trouble - Devotion for 9/17/08
Looking for trouble – Devotion for 9/17/08
I remember quite vividly hearing my parents and grandparents talking about certain people who were always “looking for trouble.” Maybe it was a cousin or another distant relative, but these trouble hunters were always described in negative terms. Maybe they were always getting into bad relationships, going from one job after another, or even actually getting to know the community law enforcement folks a little bit better (frequently), I early on got the understanding that you do NOT want to be someone who is “looking for trouble.”
As I became a teenager, I began to wonder why someone wouldn’t want to look for at least a little bit of trouble. I mean, some kinds of “trouble” seemed quite intriguing, and who wasn’t at least a little bit curious about what kinds of trouble you might could find? Not looking for trouble seemed almost too stable, too much the “same old, same old,” and to be frank (even if I am Adam), too boring.
That’s why I think the mischievous part of me truly loved finding trouble in new ways! In Eugene Peterson’s The Message, he words 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 like this: “You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! – taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.”(emphasis added) Paul is commending the new Christian servants for the way they have handled receiving the word, which truly does not come without trouble. And I feel like that same commendation needs to be offered to each one of us.
I don’t believe that the church is always supposed to be a place of peace. To paraphrase Michael Slaughter, lead pastor of Ginghamsburg UMC, I believe that in the church we need to “comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.” To paraphrase many of the writings of John Wesley, Christianity when rightly practiced will always be met with resistance. So if everything is comfortable, if there is no resistance to what is going on, then maybe the right things aren’t going on. A church where everyone agrees all the time is a church that probably is not truly living the Word. So I encourage you today to look for trouble. Look for trouble with joy as you live in the Word, and find the ways that we can continue to imitate the Master “troublemaker.”
I remember quite vividly hearing my parents and grandparents talking about certain people who were always “looking for trouble.” Maybe it was a cousin or another distant relative, but these trouble hunters were always described in negative terms. Maybe they were always getting into bad relationships, going from one job after another, or even actually getting to know the community law enforcement folks a little bit better (frequently), I early on got the understanding that you do NOT want to be someone who is “looking for trouble.”
As I became a teenager, I began to wonder why someone wouldn’t want to look for at least a little bit of trouble. I mean, some kinds of “trouble” seemed quite intriguing, and who wasn’t at least a little bit curious about what kinds of trouble you might could find? Not looking for trouble seemed almost too stable, too much the “same old, same old,” and to be frank (even if I am Adam), too boring.
That’s why I think the mischievous part of me truly loved finding trouble in new ways! In Eugene Peterson’s The Message, he words 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 like this: “You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! – taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.”(emphasis added) Paul is commending the new Christian servants for the way they have handled receiving the word, which truly does not come without trouble. And I feel like that same commendation needs to be offered to each one of us.
I don’t believe that the church is always supposed to be a place of peace. To paraphrase Michael Slaughter, lead pastor of Ginghamsburg UMC, I believe that in the church we need to “comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.” To paraphrase many of the writings of John Wesley, Christianity when rightly practiced will always be met with resistance. So if everything is comfortable, if there is no resistance to what is going on, then maybe the right things aren’t going on. A church where everyone agrees all the time is a church that probably is not truly living the Word. So I encourage you today to look for trouble. Look for trouble with joy as you live in the Word, and find the ways that we can continue to imitate the Master “troublemaker.”
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Blanket of Protection - Devotion for 9/16/08
Blanket of Protection – Devotion for 9/16/08
I remember when I was little how I would sometimes get afraid at night. I will never forget one night when I was there in my bed, already somewhat fearful from some of the noises I was hearing. Apparently I did eventually drift off to sleep, but in the midst of my sleep I rolled over. When I did roll over my hand must have knocked a picture that was hanging on the wall above my bed. I awoke to the sounds of this big picture frame swinging back and forth on the wood paneling wall, and all I could do was scream and hide under my blanket! Since I’m so “manly” now, I’m sure that is difficult for you to imagine, but it is true. After all, would you think it is a pretty scary thing to have a picture swinging up above your head? Yes – I was 23 . . . but still!
I still think it is funny that I would take refuge under my blanket, as if my blanket was made of steel or iron that would protect me. But I also know that I am not alone as one who would hide under a blanket (admit it – you know you did). Somehow we could hide under the blanket and hope and pray that it would provide us with protection in our desperate time of need. Sometimes I still want to hide under the blanket . . . it always felt safe there.
This morning as I read Psalm 3, I think about some of the troubles David was going through at the time he wrote this Psalm. David’s son Absalom had killed his brother Amnon (deservedly so, but that’s a different story), and then he had fled for 3 years. When Absalom finally returned, he began to set up plans to overthrow his father, which he ultimately did, which caused David to become the one who flees. In Psalm 3, David is lamenting his troubles, but in the midst of acknowledging how his adversaries have increased, David proclaims this: “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.”(Psalm 3:3) David has taken refuge under his “blanket of protection” – the Lord God. Maybe you are facing attacks – maybe you are facing storms – maybe you are facing fear – draw near and be covered up by the blanket of protection that is the Lord God. Cry out to Him, and recognize His presence.
I remember when I was little how I would sometimes get afraid at night. I will never forget one night when I was there in my bed, already somewhat fearful from some of the noises I was hearing. Apparently I did eventually drift off to sleep, but in the midst of my sleep I rolled over. When I did roll over my hand must have knocked a picture that was hanging on the wall above my bed. I awoke to the sounds of this big picture frame swinging back and forth on the wood paneling wall, and all I could do was scream and hide under my blanket! Since I’m so “manly” now, I’m sure that is difficult for you to imagine, but it is true. After all, would you think it is a pretty scary thing to have a picture swinging up above your head? Yes – I was 23 . . . but still!
I still think it is funny that I would take refuge under my blanket, as if my blanket was made of steel or iron that would protect me. But I also know that I am not alone as one who would hide under a blanket (admit it – you know you did). Somehow we could hide under the blanket and hope and pray that it would provide us with protection in our desperate time of need. Sometimes I still want to hide under the blanket . . . it always felt safe there.
This morning as I read Psalm 3, I think about some of the troubles David was going through at the time he wrote this Psalm. David’s son Absalom had killed his brother Amnon (deservedly so, but that’s a different story), and then he had fled for 3 years. When Absalom finally returned, he began to set up plans to overthrow his father, which he ultimately did, which caused David to become the one who flees. In Psalm 3, David is lamenting his troubles, but in the midst of acknowledging how his adversaries have increased, David proclaims this: “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.”(Psalm 3:3) David has taken refuge under his “blanket of protection” – the Lord God. Maybe you are facing attacks – maybe you are facing storms – maybe you are facing fear – draw near and be covered up by the blanket of protection that is the Lord God. Cry out to Him, and recognize His presence.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Where did I set my mind? - Devotion for 9/11/08
Where did I set my mind? - Devotion for 9/11/08
A few weeks ago I found myself sitting at the pharmacy waiting to pick up some prescriptions. As I sat there and waited, I decided to make use of my time and started checking email on my BlackBerry (yes – it is an addiction), and then when I was finished checking, I started surfing the net. As I was being pretty self-absorbed in my own world, I did notice out that I was not sitting and waiting alone. To my right was a young guy who obviously was a member of the United States Air Force. Instead of checking his email or checking the scores from the games the night before, he was simply sitting there staring off into space. As I turned to back check the scores from the games the night before, the thought crossed my mind that I should talk to this guy. Why would I talk to him when I could instead be checking my scores, I thought to myself. But I kept having this feeling that I should talk to him, so I took my mind away from my own preoccupation, and I turned my attention to him. I turned to him and I asked, “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” OK – no, I didn’t ask that (but that’s probably where you thought it was going, right?). I simply asked him about what he did in the Air Force. From there it went to where were all the different locations he had served, where he was originally from, what does he want to do when he gets out, and so on. Only after we had been talking about 10 minutes (and I was really getting curious what in the world was taking so long for my prescriptions to get filled), did I casually mention that I am a minister. That’s not usually one of the first things out of my mouth, because as soon as I mention it, many people begin to get this scared look on their face like, “Oh no, he’s going to ask me if I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior!” It wasn’t too much later that finally my name was called and my meds were filled, but before I left, this young airman asked me for my card and what church I was a minister at. We shook hands (which probably wasn’t a wise thing since we were both sick), and I left.
I began that time waiting on my prescriptions focusing on me – Adam-centric. I left that time focusing of the people of God – God-centric. Sometimes we need those reminders to wake up and realize that not everything is about us. Instead of setting our minds always on us and our own needs, we need to remember Romans 8:5, which states, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Today, set your minds on the things of the Spirit – the people of God. Find at least one way we can take the focus off of ourselves, and set our minds somewhere else. Now, where did I set my mind?
A few weeks ago I found myself sitting at the pharmacy waiting to pick up some prescriptions. As I sat there and waited, I decided to make use of my time and started checking email on my BlackBerry (yes – it is an addiction), and then when I was finished checking, I started surfing the net. As I was being pretty self-absorbed in my own world, I did notice out that I was not sitting and waiting alone. To my right was a young guy who obviously was a member of the United States Air Force. Instead of checking his email or checking the scores from the games the night before, he was simply sitting there staring off into space. As I turned to back check the scores from the games the night before, the thought crossed my mind that I should talk to this guy. Why would I talk to him when I could instead be checking my scores, I thought to myself. But I kept having this feeling that I should talk to him, so I took my mind away from my own preoccupation, and I turned my attention to him. I turned to him and I asked, “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” OK – no, I didn’t ask that (but that’s probably where you thought it was going, right?). I simply asked him about what he did in the Air Force. From there it went to where were all the different locations he had served, where he was originally from, what does he want to do when he gets out, and so on. Only after we had been talking about 10 minutes (and I was really getting curious what in the world was taking so long for my prescriptions to get filled), did I casually mention that I am a minister. That’s not usually one of the first things out of my mouth, because as soon as I mention it, many people begin to get this scared look on their face like, “Oh no, he’s going to ask me if I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior!” It wasn’t too much later that finally my name was called and my meds were filled, but before I left, this young airman asked me for my card and what church I was a minister at. We shook hands (which probably wasn’t a wise thing since we were both sick), and I left.
I began that time waiting on my prescriptions focusing on me – Adam-centric. I left that time focusing of the people of God – God-centric. Sometimes we need those reminders to wake up and realize that not everything is about us. Instead of setting our minds always on us and our own needs, we need to remember Romans 8:5, which states, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Today, set your minds on the things of the Spirit – the people of God. Find at least one way we can take the focus off of ourselves, and set our minds somewhere else. Now, where did I set my mind?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Transformers - Devotion for 9/10/08
Transformers – Devotion for 9/10/08
I have a confession. No, it is nothing juicy or gossipy, but still it is my confession. It is something that I usually keep in secret out of shame, but here it is: I once was a UNC fan. Yes – I know – I’m shocked as well. You ask, “What were you thinking?” I’m still not sure. All I know is that I had Carolina Fever, and I bled Carolina Blue. Not even drinking from the cool springs of Buies Creek (what creek?) and Campbell University could change my devotion to the Tar Heels. So what happened? When I was accepted into the Divinity School at Duke University I made a determination that if my money was going there, so was my loyalty. For a while I actually tried to pull for both schools. At first I didn’t really see the conflict. Slowly (not so slowly) but surely (definitely surely) I began to realize that I was no longer a UNC fan – I was a Blue Devil. I began to see all the negatives of that school in Chapel Hill, and I saw all the positives of Duke. When I threw away my UNC shirts and began to stock my drawers with Blue Devil shirts, I knew the transformation was complete.
We are called to go through a similar transformation in our lives and in our relationship with God. We are born in sin, and we live in sin, but we are offered acceptance into the Kingdom of God. Though our nature is to remain devoted and committed to the life of sin, if we act upon our acceptance into the Kingdom, then a transformation is to take place. In much the same way we can’t be fans of both UNC and Duke, we also are called to not be a part of the kingdom of sin AND the Kingdom of God. This morning in my devotion time I was reading from Romans 6, and verses 1-2 reminded me of this principle: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” If we have entered into God’s Kingdom, then we can no longer demonstrate our devotion to the kingdom of sin. Now I am not saying that we will not ever sin again, nor am I fully defining what sin is, but I am saying that sin will not govern our lives. Today, how can we recognize the ways that God truly rules in our life, and how can we see that we have let sin still have a grasp?
I have a confession. No, it is nothing juicy or gossipy, but still it is my confession. It is something that I usually keep in secret out of shame, but here it is: I once was a UNC fan. Yes – I know – I’m shocked as well. You ask, “What were you thinking?” I’m still not sure. All I know is that I had Carolina Fever, and I bled Carolina Blue. Not even drinking from the cool springs of Buies Creek (what creek?) and Campbell University could change my devotion to the Tar Heels. So what happened? When I was accepted into the Divinity School at Duke University I made a determination that if my money was going there, so was my loyalty. For a while I actually tried to pull for both schools. At first I didn’t really see the conflict. Slowly (not so slowly) but surely (definitely surely) I began to realize that I was no longer a UNC fan – I was a Blue Devil. I began to see all the negatives of that school in Chapel Hill, and I saw all the positives of Duke. When I threw away my UNC shirts and began to stock my drawers with Blue Devil shirts, I knew the transformation was complete.
We are called to go through a similar transformation in our lives and in our relationship with God. We are born in sin, and we live in sin, but we are offered acceptance into the Kingdom of God. Though our nature is to remain devoted and committed to the life of sin, if we act upon our acceptance into the Kingdom, then a transformation is to take place. In much the same way we can’t be fans of both UNC and Duke, we also are called to not be a part of the kingdom of sin AND the Kingdom of God. This morning in my devotion time I was reading from Romans 6, and verses 1-2 reminded me of this principle: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” If we have entered into God’s Kingdom, then we can no longer demonstrate our devotion to the kingdom of sin. Now I am not saying that we will not ever sin again, nor am I fully defining what sin is, but I am saying that sin will not govern our lives. Today, how can we recognize the ways that God truly rules in our life, and how can we see that we have let sin still have a grasp?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Unmerited - Devotion for 9/9/08
Unmerited – Devotion for 9/9/08
We all want to get what we deserve in life. I know I do. I remember having a job back in high school as a “sandwich artist” at a particular fast food place, and I always worked extra hard because I wanted to get what I deserve – which was more money. When I was in grad school, I would do all my readings (OK – most of them!) and study extra hard, because I wanted to get what I deserved for a grade, which was obviously an “A.” When I’m driving in traffic, I’m always willing to let someone merge into my lane, and then I feel like I deserve the opportunity to merge when I am in need. I want what I deserve.
This morning in my devotion time I read Ephesians 2:1-10, and I was convicted once again. In particular vv. 4-5 spoke to me today: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Even when I didn’t deserve it, He made me alive in Christ. Even though I still don’t deserve it, He has saved me by grace. I’m grateful to receive that which is completely unmerited. Thus God continues the pattern of turning my life upside down.
In my conviction, I am drawn to the prayer entitled “An Evening Prayer,” by C. Maude Battersby:
If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain,Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have been perverse or hard,
or cold,If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,
When Thou hast given me some fort to hold,Dear Lord, forgive!
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me and my keeper be,Dear Lord, Amen.
We all want to get what we deserve in life. I know I do. I remember having a job back in high school as a “sandwich artist” at a particular fast food place, and I always worked extra hard because I wanted to get what I deserve – which was more money. When I was in grad school, I would do all my readings (OK – most of them!) and study extra hard, because I wanted to get what I deserved for a grade, which was obviously an “A.” When I’m driving in traffic, I’m always willing to let someone merge into my lane, and then I feel like I deserve the opportunity to merge when I am in need. I want what I deserve.
This morning in my devotion time I read Ephesians 2:1-10, and I was convicted once again. In particular vv. 4-5 spoke to me today: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Even when I didn’t deserve it, He made me alive in Christ. Even though I still don’t deserve it, He has saved me by grace. I’m grateful to receive that which is completely unmerited. Thus God continues the pattern of turning my life upside down.
In my conviction, I am drawn to the prayer entitled “An Evening Prayer,” by C. Maude Battersby:
If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain,Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have been perverse or hard,
or cold,If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,
When Thou hast given me some fort to hold,Dear Lord, forgive!
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me and my keeper be,Dear Lord, Amen.
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