The Man Who Fell Among Muggers

Luke 10:30-36
A Parable by John Killinger

And Jesus said that a certain man, while doing his Christmas shopping, fell among muggers, who stripped him of everything, beat him to within an inch of his life, and left him in an alley behind St. Luke's Church.
The minister came along on his way to a service, and, when he saw the man, hurried into the church, afraid of becoming involved. And likewise an elder of the church came by and hurried past, as frightened as the minister. He even dropped the holly wreath that he was carrying and didn't return to pick it up.
But the neighborhood agnostic, who didn't even believe in exchanging Christmas presents, when he heard the poor man groaning, investigated and felt sorry for him.
Bringing his car around, he helped the man into it, ignored the blood on the velvet seats and drove him to the hospital.
"Here," he said to the receptionist, who presented him with a battery of forms. "This is my credit card, and he is my brother. Give him a private room and the very best of care and, if it exceeds the limit on my charge account, I'll borrow the money and pay you. What the heck, it's Christmas Eve!"
Which of these three men, do you think was the neighbor to the man who was mugged? And which one had a Merry Christmas?


NOTE: I hope you don't mind that I didn't write a devotional this morning. I may not even write one this week. There is so many last-minute things to do as I plan to spend these holy days with friends and family.  If I am unable to write something, I'll still try to share something with you each day this week. I plan to continue to journal into the new year. Thank you for your faithfulness in reading.

You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Psalm 117, Psalm 119:81-176, 2 John 1 and 3 John 1.

Seek God's Glory

Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. -John 12:42-43 (NRSV)

Even after Jesus has done all kinds of miraculous signs in their presence, most of the people still do not believe. And yet, at the same time, there are many (even among the leaders) who do believe but will not confess their faith openly for fear of what might happen to them; they love the praise of humans more than the praise of God.

I suspect that all of us struggle with loving human glory more than the glory of God. I know that in my ministry through the years, this has been a constant temptation. I have made decisions knowing that they would please people more than God. There are things that I should have said but did not; there are things that God would not have had me say that I said.

When I love human glory more than the glory of God, I let the opinions of others determine my value and my worth. My highest goal becomes pleasing others rather than pleasing God. Today, my highest goal is to please God. My main objective is to seek God's glory even when it's not the easiest or most popular choice.

May God grant you the grace seek God's glory more than humanity's glory today.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 15-18. On Sunday, I encourage you to go to a church of your choice. If you don't have one and live in the Fayetteville area, please join us at First United Methodist Church of Fayetteville (8:30 and 11). Sunday's suggested readings are John 19-21. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from 1 John 1-5.

Heart Break

Jesus wept. -John 11:35 (NIV)

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, becomes ill. Mary and Martha immediately send word to their dear friend, Jesus. Jesus, upon hearing the news, acknowledges that this illness will not end in death and then does not make his way to Mary and Martha for two more days.

By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has died. Both Mary and Martha tell Jesus that their brother would not have died had Jesus come right away to help. Jesus assures Martha that Lazarus will rise again because Jesus is "the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me (Jesus), even though they die, yet shall they live." Yet even though Jesus knows that Lazarus will live again, he is nevertheless moved to tears by his friend's death.

The verse on which I have chosen to reflect this morning is mostly known for being the shortest verse in the Bible. If you ever need to memorize a scripture verse, this is the one. And yet what strikes me about the verse is not that it's so short but that's it so revealing.

Jesus, the son of God, who has the power to make the lame walk, the blind see, and the dead rise, is arguably so overcome with grief following his dear friend's death that he cries. Jesus, who knows more than anyone else that death is not the final chapter, is nonetheless stung when it hits close to home.

With last Friday's tragedy in Connecticut still fresh on my mind, I find that the tears are still flowing for me. I can only imagine what it's been like for the families and friends of the victims. I'm sure that some well-meaning but ill-timed comment has been made to them like: "Don't cry. Your loved one is in a better place." I believe that with all of my heart, that even though these those teachers and students died, they live. I believe then and now that in Christ death has been swallowed up in victory. And yet, the tears still come. Oh how they come! And indeed oh how they should.

Today I pray that God would grant all who grieve the grace to trust that the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father knows what it's like to have a heart broken by death. He cries, thus validating your tears. And he goes one step further by promising that even though our loved ones die, yet shall they live.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 12-14.

Offering What Little You Have

Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. -John 6:12 (NIV)

Jesus and his disciples are sitting up on a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee when a crowd begins to gather. Jesus asks Philip where they can buy enough food for all of the people to eat. Philip replies that eight month's worth of wages would not be enough to provide each person with even just a bite. Another one of the disciples, Andrew, speaks up about a boy who has five small barley loaves and two small fish. Still, Andrew is unsure how so little food can go so far in serving so many. Jesus takes the bread and fish that the boy has brought, gave thanks to God for it, and then distributes as much food as the crowd wants. After every one has their fill, there are twelve baskets of bread remaining.

I want to be more like the boy in this account but find that I am often more like Philip and Andrew.

When Jesus asks where they can get food to feed the crowd, it seems Philip's first reaction is to say that it cannot be done. Perhaps Philip is thinking only in terms of what he can do and he knows that it is humanly impossible to feed that many people.

You might argue that Andrew has a little more faith. At least he goes and assesses the situation, trying to determine if there is any way that the people can be fed. He finds a boy with a little bit of food but Andrew himself offers nothing of his own for the cause. Perhaps he doesn't have anything to offer or perhaps he just doesn't want to share.

 Jesus takes the boy's loaves and fishes, presumably not by force but because the boy is willing to give what he has to Jesus. Jesus gives thanks for the food and then begins to distribute it. Amazingly enough, there is not only enough to feed those in attendance but there are 12 baskets left over after everyone has been fed.

Like Philip, sometimes I sense a need but decide that it is impossible for me to meet it, even with Jesus by my side. Sometimes I have a little more faith, not enough to offer what I have to help meet a need, but at least I try to find someone else to help. But I want to be like the boy in this story. What I have to offer often does not seem like much but today I will offer it to God. I will be mindful that Jesus can take what little I have to offer and use it to meet the need of others.

May God grant you the grace to see the needs around you today and a willingness to offer what little you have to meet those needs.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 9-11.

Motivation, Not Resignation

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” -John 5:6

While in Jerusalem for one of the three required feasts, Jesus passed known for its healing power; many disabled people had gathered there. One man had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed.

I find it interesting that the man does not directly answer Jesus’ question. Instead of answering yes, the man offers an excuse: “Sir, I have no one to help me get into the pool when the water is stirred; someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

I can’t help but wonder if this man had resigned himself to the fact that he would never be healed. After all, it had been 38 years and it would have been easy to become discouraged. And yet, if he had become resigned to his condition, why did he still go to the pool every day?

Many people come to church for the same reason that this man went to the pool. They recognize a need for healing and restoration in their lives. Perhaps they thought if they would not sleep in on Sunday, if they’d get up, get dressed, and come to church, healing would magically happen. Then, when just coming to the pool (or the pew) does not instantly provide the healing they desire, many resign themselves to a life of brokenness and despair. They offer excuses like, “God obviously does not care about me” or “Not one single person has ever bothered to help.”

After Jesus heals the man, he commands the man to take the initiative in his life (“Stop sinning or something even worse than a disability may happen”).

Just showing up at church, just reading my Bible, or just praying about something may not be immediately result in healing taking place. I may need to take more initiative. God may be calling to me to be more actively a part of the answer to my prayer. I also need to make sure that faith, and not resignation, is the motivating force in my life. I don’t want to just sit by the pool (or in the pew) and simply wait on God to do God’s thing. If God desires that I do something or change something, I want to do it. With God’s help today, I will not sit around making excuses but will instead look for how God might be calling me to be a part of the solution.

May God grant you the grace to know if God wants you to be more active in bringing about healing in your life or in the lives of others.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 7-8.

Living in the Light

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God was not with him." -John 3:2 (NIV)


As a Pharisee and as one of the most religious people of his day, Nicodemus had been taught to believe that salvation came from strict obedience to the Jewish law.  But the miracles and signs of Jesus left Nicodemus convinced that Jesus had come from God. Afraid of what the other Pharisees might think but determined to find out more about Jesus, Nicodemus goes to speak with Jesus in the cover of night (darkness).

I've lived much of my life in darkness. I have struggled to turn over parts of my life to Christ. In some cases, it was because I was not quite ready to give up control in those areas. In other cases, it was because I was afraid to acknowledge to God (and others) the sin that was hiding there in the dark. What would people think if they knew the sin that lurked there? Just as Jesus describes in John 3:20, I preferred the darkness; I did not want my sin brought to the light.

In the aftermath of last Friday's tragedy, I've given a lot of thought to darkness and light, goodness and evil. But before I consider pointing out the darkness and evil in another person's heart, I'm going to begin this week by exposing any darkness or evil in my own.

Today I will take an inventory of my life. If there is an area that I've tried to keep locked and hidden from God, I will open it to God. I will not only open it to God but also to a trusted friend. A friend will help keep me accountable, especially when I tempted once again to lock certain areas of my life off to God.

May God grant you the grace to identify the areas of your life that need to be exposed to the light of Christ today. And may the light of Christ overtake your darkness and the darkness of our world.  





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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 5-6.

Taming the Tongue

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse the very men and women who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this ought not be so!  -James 3:9-10 (NRSV)

In this morning's suggested readings, James spends an almost an entire chapter talking about the tongue. In the same way that the small bit in a horse’s mouth is used to turn the whole animal and in the same way that a large ship is steered by a small rudder, so the tongue has that kind of power. James compares the damage that the tongue can do to a raging fire and suggests that the tongue cannot be tamed.

My first thought is that, if the tongue cannot be tamed, why should I even bother trying? Can I not do all things through Christ who strengthens me? But perhaps James is just trying to make the point that we are not and never will be perfect. There will always be times when the same tongue we use to praise God will be tempted to curse God or others; we who are created in the image of God are also bent to sinning.

But that does not mean that we should not attempt to tame our tongues. I have seen in my own life how, with God’s help, the tongue can be tamed. And I have seen the benefits of taming the tongue; it can certainly keep a person like me out of trouble.

Today, I ask God to help me tame my tongue. When I am tempted to complain about something, or tell a joke I should not tell, or gossip about someone, or brag about something, I will ask myself if my speech brings praise to God and God’s creation or does it curse that which is created by God and/or harm another child of God? There are benefits to choosing words carefully. There is value in leaving some things unsaid.

May God grant you the grace to pause before you speak today...especially if what you are about to say might damage your relationship with God or other people.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are 1 Peter 1-5. The suggested readings for Sunday are 2 Peter 1-3 and John 1. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional through from John 2-4. 

I pray that you have a blessed weekend and I hope you'll worship in a church of your choice on Sunday. If you don't have a church and live in the Fayetteville area, I invite you to either the 8:30 or 11 am worship experiences at First United Methodist Church. 

The Value of Valuing

Let mutual love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. -Hebrews 13:1-3 (NIV)

If you're in the hospital on Christmas Day, you are very sick! My family and I learned that truth years ago when our son became critically ill and was hospitalized in mid-December. As Christmas Day approached, the hospitals emptied of patients and staff except for only the sickest people and the staff needed to care for the sickest people.

With so few cars in the parking lot on Christmas Day, we were surprised when there was a knock at our door and a small group of people stood there with presents for the children hospitalized on Christmas. We were so touched by their thoughtfulness that my family and I decided that we'd begin doing the same thing on Christmas Day: delivering toys to critically ill children in the hospital. We did this for a couple of years but stopped because we realized that lots of people remember critically ill children at Christmas but far less likely are critically ill children remembered throughout the rest of the year.

In today's scripture, we are instructed to make time for strangers. Doing so may turn out to be a big blessing; we may be entertaining angels without even knowing it. Additionally, we are challenged to put ourselves in the shoes of others, specifically those who are imprisoned and those who have been mistreated.

Perhaps during the holiday season, you are more attentive and sensitive to strangers and those who have been mistreated and imprisoned. Perhaps you've purchased presents for an angel tree child or made a donation to a domestic abuse center. Perhaps you've purchased a gift whose proceeds support the children of inmates or perhaps you have sent Christmas cards to prisoners. Thank you for assisting the stranger, the mistreated, and the imprisoned during this holy season.

But I encourage you to not just be a Hebrew 13 Christian at Christmas and Easter only. May God grant you the grace to see the value of valuing the stranger, the imprisoned, and the mistreated throughout the entire year. You'll no doubt be blessed... and they will too.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are James 1-5.

While You Wait

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation for those waiting for him. -Hebrews 9:28-29 (NIV)

Yesterday afternoon I had an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. When I flew to Disney two weeks ago, my ears stopped up on the plane. When they did not unstop, I decided that I needed to go have it checked out.

I don't know if you've ever been to an ear, nose, and throat doctor before but guess what? They spend a lot of time looking in your ear, nose, and throat. So I always try to get to the doctor's office early. While I wait, I go to the restroom to brush and floss my teeth/tongue and then for extra precaution gargle a little mouthwash. I don't want my breath kicking like a Bruce Lee movie when the ENT asks me to open wide. I also Q-tip my nose and ear to make sure that those passageways are as clear as possible. Finally, I make sure my hair is combed and that there's no evidence of lunch on my mouth or the front of my shirt. All of these things I do as I wait to see the ENT. He's never said so, but I'm sure he appreciates it!

Now if I were going to see a podiatrist about my foot, I wouldn't worry too much about getting to the office early enough to floss. But you better believe that I'd bring some baby wipes and a fresh pair of clean socks with me. I'd go to the bathroom, give my feet a quick once-over and then put on those fresh pair of socks while I waited to see the podiatrist. I'd cut my toe nails and maybe even shine my shoes as I wait for the podiatrist to examine me.

In our scripture lesson this morning, we are told that Christ is coming again. In fact, I've suggested in these daily devotionals that Christ is always coming to us. So that begs the question: are we doing anything special in anticipation or preparation for his coming? As we wait and prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas, what are we doing to be as prepared as possible to see Him?

May God grant you the grace to be prepared for the many ways that Christ comes during this season.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Hebrews 12-13 and Jude 1.

Easy to Miss

But Jesus lives forever; he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. -Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

This morning I'm on my way to Nashville for a meeting. I read the suggested scripture readings and nothing quickly came to mind for a devotional thought. Perhaps it will as I make my way to Nashville.

So instead of a devotional thought on one of the assigned readings this morning, I thought I'd share with you the link that I used in our contemporary worship service on Sunday. It's a youtube video and it's about a minute long. I want you to especially notice that near the end of the video (at about the 50 second mark), a statement is printed on the screen about missing something. Ask yourself this question: what might this statement have to say to me as I prepare my heart, mind, and soul for the many ways that Christ comes?

Here's the link to the video: Awareness Test


You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Hebrews 9-11.

Why He Comes

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. -Hebrews 2:17-18 (NIV)

This morning I'm thinking of several mothers I know whose children died way too young. There are few things, if any, that break a parent's heart like losing a child. And yet what amazes me about these women that come to mind today is the way that they have been able to minister to countless others who have experienced the death of a child. These women have been so much more helpful than me to other grieving mothers because they know how these mothers feel. Oh how I wish that these women had never known the premature death of a child but I thank God that they've allowed God to use their painful experience to help others experiencing similar pain.

That's one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth, at least according to the writers of Hebrews. Jesus came in order to know what's it like to be me and you. Walking among humanity helped him to be even more merciful to us. It made him uniquely qualified to be a mediator on our behalf to God. He better understood our pain, our temptations, our shortcomings, our struggles and everything else about us.

The Good News of Advent is that the One who came on Christmas still comes today. He still knows our struggles. He still knows our pain. In fact, that's one of the reasons why He still comes.

May God grant you the grace to experience the presence of Christ today in a special way... and may you find in Him the help and the hope that you need.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Hebrews 5-8.

Saying Yes to God's Call

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. -1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NIV)

Paul realized his unworthiness of being called and thanked God for God's mercy.

Paul was so successful in sharing the gospel with the Gentiles. It would have been easy for him to "believe his own press clippings." But he never forgot that he was a sinner saved by grace. He never forgot how unworthy he had been to receive such a call. He never forgot to give thanks for God's mercy.

During this season of Advent, as we prepare our minds for the many ways that Christ comes, I am reminded of all the different times in scripture when God came to people that I might have avoided: people with questionable pasts, people who were unimpressive, uneducated, uncultured, and/or unlikely. Paul comes to mind. Mary, the mother of Jesus, also comes to mind in these days leading to Christmas.

Mary was from Nazareth, a town not even on most maps during Jesus' day, a town known for its peasants and farmers more than anything else. She was a seemingly insignificant woman from a seemingly insignificant family from a seemingly insignificant place. Indeed, as Nathaniel once asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" And yet God used Mary, granting her grace and favor, and she birthed the Savior of the world into the world.
 
None of us reading this devotional are worthy to be called by God to do something. The reasons NOT to call us are likely far more numerous than the reasons in favor of calling us. And yet God still calls each of us (yes, you too). And though it's not always the easiest or most enjoyable call, we should thank God for the call, in humility recognize our unworthiness to be called and we should seek to be faithful to the call. Just like Paul and Mary.

May God grant you the grace to hear the way that you're being called, the humility to recognize your unworthiness to be called, and the faithfulness to nevertheless say yes to the call.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are i Timothy 5-6 and Titus 1-3. Sunday's readings are 2 Timothy 1-4. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional thought likely from Philemon and/or Hebrews 1-4. 

Consumed

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

Recently someone said that the days leading up to Christmas are especially difficult because his thoughts often turn toward earthly possessions: the things that he wants but does not have. It's not like he can afford these things; his credit card bill is already more than he can pay off and he hasn't even begun shopping for Christmas. 

The scripture lesson this morning leads me to think that God's word for us today is to not get consumed with commercialism this Christmas. Our focus needs to be on the real reason for the season, not on material things that will one day end up in the trash dump or at the recycling center. I'm not saying that we shouldn't give gifts. I like to give them, I like to receive them, and I have friends who own businesses that depend on us to buy them for their own family's livelihood. But perspective is key. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that can't be wrapped and placed under a tree.

May God grant you the grace to focus on the things that are heavenly during this season, not as a way of escaping, but as a way of realizing what's really of great value.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are 1 Timothy 1-4. 

Preparations

So you must also be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. -Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

The season of Advent is the beginning of the Christian year where with intentionality we reflect on and prepare for the many ways that Christ comes to His people. Yes, Christ came as a baby in manger over two thousand years ago but Christ continues to come to us today. Christ is always coming. Advent reminds us of the importance of preparing for the many ways in which Christ comes.

A young couple I know is expecting a baby. Ever since they found out they were expecting, they have been preparing a place for their child. They did not wait until a week or two before the child's arrival to get ready to receive their child; they have been getting ready for months.

As we begin this season of Advent, we may be already tired of Christmas decorations, sales, and Santa suits. But let's not let our attitude about those things stop us from getting our hearts and minds ready for the Savior. Read the Bible more faithfully. Pray more regularly. Form or find a small group that's determined to be intentional about making their lives ready for the many ways that Christ comes. As one of my favorite Christmas hymns puts it, "Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing."


You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Ephesians 5-6 and Psalm 119:1-80.

Betrayal or Faithful?

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." 
-Matthew 26:19-20 (NIV)

It's our first morning at Disney. As we arrived at the Orlando Airport last night, we were greeted with a beautiful display of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere. Noticeably absent, at least to this point, is any religious symbolism of the season. I haven't seen a baby in a manger or a star of Bethlehem. I haven't seen three wise men...although I did see a wise guy yelling at the car rental clerk at the airport about his car not being ready. I've yet to see Mary, the mother of Jesus, but Minnie and Daisy have been around almost every corner.

It's in that context that I read the betrayal story this morning and I cannot help but wonder if what I've seen in Orlando thus far is one of the ways that Jesus feels betrayed in 2012.

Christmas is bigger than ever in our culture. More people are decorating. More people are shopping. At the same time, Jesus (the real reason of the season) seemingly has never been smaller. "Merry Christmas" has been replaced by "Happy Holidays." The baby in the manger has been replaced by a super-sized Santa in a sleigh...or a mouse with a high-pitched voice.

If you were Jesus, would you feel betrayed? What will you do to be faithful to the real reason for Christmas this year? How does that stack against the other trappings of this season that you encounter?

May God grant you the grace to be faithful today.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Matthew 20-22. Sunday's readings are Matthew 28 and 1 Thessalonians 1-3.

Forgiven People Forgive

Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had on you?' -Matthew 18:32-33 (NIV)

I'll never forget the first time that it happened. I was in the Drive-Thru line at a McDonald's in Columbia. When I got to the window to pay for my food, I was told that my debt had been forgiven. Okay, so she didn't say it just like that, but she did tell me that the person in front of me had paid for my meal. I asked the drive-thru worker, "What's the catch?" and she said, "Just pay it forward."

Since that day, I occasionally pick up the tab for someone else's meal. Having been on the receiving end of having one's debt forgiven in that way, I'm more intentional about forgiving the debts of others in that way.

In the suggested scripture readings this morning, Jesus tells the story of a king who wants to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owes a lot of money to the king and begs the king to be patient with him. The king goes beyond patience and actually forgives (cancels) the entire debt.

The servant whose debt has been canceled then runs into someone that owes him money, not nearly as much as he owed the king. This person begs the servant for patience in repaying the debt just like the servant had requested from the king. The servant, however, was unwilling to show patience or grace.

The king finds out about the servant's unwillingness to cancel the debt of another person even after having had a huge debt of his own canceled. The king is so angry that he throws the once debt-forgiven servant into jail and requires that he pay back his entire debt to the king before being released. We're not told this specifically in the text but the servant's debt is so large, he most likely did not live long enough to repay it.

What I take away from this story is that forgiven people are called to forgive. When someone pays your tab at McDonald's, then out of gratitude you should want to pick up the tab of someone else. But it's more than that! When you have experienced the forgiveness of Jesus (and you have experienced it whether you realize it or not), especially when you don't deserve it (and if you're anything like me you don't deserve it), then you should be more inclined to forgive others (whether they deserve it or not).

May God grant you the grace to experience and extend forgiveness today.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Matthew 20-22. Sunday's readings are Matthew 23-25. I hope to be back on Monday with a devotional from Psalm 125 and/or Matthew 26-27.

Eat (Feed) and Be Satisfied

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. -Matthew 14:19 (NIV)

As I write this morning devotional, a group of people are in the kitchen of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church cooking. In a few hours, the doors of the church will open and a crowd of hungry people will gather.

It would be easy to just say that Thanksgiving is a day spent alone with our families. Like Jesus in Matthew 14, we could just seek a solitary place and do our own thing: eat some turkey, tap a nap, and then wake up long enough to watch a football game or go to a movie.

But much like Jesus is mindful of the crowd in today's suggested reading, the people of our church are aware that there are lots of people who have nowhere to go on a day like today and/or have nothing to eat. So as tempting as it is to be alone or to do our own thing, we've heard the call of Jesus to gather what food can be gathered, to give God thanks for it, to distribute it among hungry and/or lonely people, and to sit down together with these our sisters and brothers in Christ and cultivate relationships with them. Our goal is to share the same love of Christ that we have experienced with others in our community.

Our prayer is that the crowds of people who come today will eat and be satisfied and that the volunteers will feed and be satisfied. We want our guests to feel like family and to know that we're not just concerned about the hungry and lonely on Thanksgiving, but that our church will be back providing food and fellowship in December, January, February, and every month after that.

Today, as you enjoy food, family, and fellowship, be mindful of the people who have none or little of those things...and may God grant you the grace to want to do your part to make sure that they do.





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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Matthew 17-19.

After Being Touched

He touched her hand and the fever left her and she got up and began to wait on him. -Matthew 8:15 (NIV)

Jesus goes to Peter’s house and finds Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. Jesus touches her, the fever leaves, and she begins serving.

This has never really been one of my favorite miracle stories. It reminds me of the sexism of Jesus' day (which unfortunately still exists today) suggesting that the role of women is to wait on men. But today it strikes me that perhaps this woman waits (serves) on Jesus because that’s what all of us are supposed to do with our lives; we are all called to serve Christ out of the new life that he offers. Peter’s mother-in-law then is expressing her gratitude for life and for being touched by Jesus.

So many of us have been touched by Jesus, healed or restored in some way only to go right back to doing what we were doing before Jesus touched us. But I want to be touched by Jesus and then devote my entire life to serving him.

May God grant you the grace to be touched and then to serve today.





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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Matthew 11-13.

Be Salt

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. -Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV)

I am reminded of what author and preacher Bill Hybels says about salt in his book, Becoming a Contagious Christian: it creates thirst, it enhances flavor, and it preserves. This is helpful in trying to understand this teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5.

We are supposed to be salt. We are supposed to live our lives for Jesus in such a way that they would create a thirst in the lives of those we touch. We are supposed to enhance the lives of others with whom we come in contact and we are supposed to live in such a way that they would see how a relationship with Christ preserves a person from being completely destroyed by sin.

How are you like salt? Does your faith create thirst, enhance flavor, and preserve?

May God grant you the grace to have a faith that creates a thirst in others, enhances the flavor of the lives you touch, and preserves lives from decay.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Matthew 8-10.

Growth in Giving

But since you excel in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you- see that you also excel in the grace of giving. -2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)

Oftentimes, people will tell me that they want to grow in their prayer life. So we'll talk about the many different ways of praying (and there are many).

 I've had lots of people tell me that they want to grow in their knowledge of scripture. I point them to different resources or small group opportunities where such knowledge is available and where growth regularly takes place.

I've also had people tell me that they're struggling with a particular issue-fear, grief, anger, unforgiveness- and they want to grow beyond those issues. So I arrange counseling with someone especially trained to help people deal with those issues and find healing and hope.

And yet in my almost sixteen years of ministry, I can count on one hand the number of people who have come to me and said that they want to grow more in their giving. No one has ever tossed their checkbook on my desk and said, "Help me find a way to give more to God."

Maybe if I were as bold as Paul, I'd more often challenge people not just to excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in earnestness, and in love, but to also excel in the grace of giving. God wants us to grow in all aspects of our lives and our level of giving is one of them. What we give says a lot about what we believe and what we value.

What does your level of giving say about you? May God grant you the grace to excel in the grace of giving.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are 2 Corinthians 11-13 and Psalm 124. Sunday's readings are Matthew 1-4. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional on Matthew 5-7. 

Endurance

If we are distressed, it is for our comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. -2 Corinthians 1:6

Paul is testifying to the fact that he knows suffering! Just because we submit our lives to God in obedience and seek to live a Christ-like life does not mean that life gets easier or that suffering stops. In fact, the way of Christ often leads to more suffering; it led Christ himself to the cross. Paul says that the Christian life does not end suffering but it does comforts us in the midst of suffering.

If suffering ended the moment we submitted our lives to Christ, everyone would submit. But this would not be submission born out of love; it would be submission born out of our own self-serving motives. God wants us to submit to Him but only out of our great love for Him. His promise is that He will comfort us- give us the strength to endure struggles when (not if) they come.

May God grant you the grace to submit your entire life to Him out of love. May you be prepared and strengthened for whatever struggles lie ahead.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are 2 Corinthians 3-6.

By the Grace of God

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. -1 Corinthians 15:9 (NIV)

It doesn't happen as often as it used to happen but whenever I run into someone from my childhood that doesn't know what I grew up to become, they're often surprised that I'm a pastor. It's not that I was a bad kid; I wasn't. But I certainly didn't walk around with the Bible in one hand while making the sign of the cross with the other. I resisted the call of ministry for a long time because I wasn't sure that I was good enough. I'm more convinced now that I wasn't good enough then. And though this won't come as a shock to any of you, I'm still not good enough today. I have gifts and graces but I am nonetheless unworthy of the calling that I have received.

Christ has seen fit to use me despite my shortcomings and failures. And though it's still hard for me at times to believe that I'm a pastor, it shouldn't come as any surprise that God would use unlikely people for His glory.

Just look at Paul. He was a persecutor of Christians who was intent on stopping Christianity before it really started. And yet Christ saw fit to use him, to call him, and equip him to be a faithful disciple of The Way. He too felt unworthy. He too was unworthy.

When people share with me that they don't understand how God could love them or how God could use them, I nod understandably. I've been there; I've experienced those same thoughts. But I've also experienced the grace of God. I've seen firsthand how God can forgive and redeem, equip and empower.

May God grant you the grace to experience that kind of grace today.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are Job 41-42 and 2 Corinthians 1-2.

God is Really Among You!

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" -1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NIV)

I am thankful that I was exposed to many different expressions of faith as a child. On Sunday mornings, I'd go to the Baptist Church. On Sunday nights, I'd go to the United Methodist Church. I lived across the street from the Church of Christ and I had friends who were Presbyterian so it was also not unusual for me to attend church in those two places as well.

But it was experience in the Church of God tradition that I probably remember best from my childhood. My mother had several friends who worshiped there and we'd go visit from time to time, especially during Vacation Bible School. The people were very friendly, the food was always delicious, and VBS was always a lot of fun. But what I recall most about that experience was the fact that, when we prayed together, everyone prayed out loud at the same time. Even more memorable to my young mind was that sometimes people "spoke in tongues".

Though unfamiliar to me, I didn't mind the praying out loud part. You could be quiet and listen to what other people were praying about and sometimes hear some interesting stuff about people you knew. But the speaking in tongues part always scared me. I couldn't understand what in the world they were saying. I couldn't help but get the feeling that they were possessed...and not necessarily by the Holy Spirit. Because I was frightened, because I couldn't understand what they were saying, and especially because I had never spoken in tongues myself, I was often hesitant to go back again.

Now that I'm older and have read passages like the one suggested for today, I find myself thankful for those experiences at the Church of God. I have a better understanding of why they did (do) what they did (do). People who speak in tongues do not speak to people but instead to God (14:1). When a person is speaking in tongues, there should always be someone there to interpret it to others in attendance. And I don't have to worry that I've never spoken in tongues myself because apparently not everyone has that gift. But Paul states that everyone does have the ability to prophecy (14:31).

Even though I've never spoken in tongues, I am mindful that I often speak in a language that some don't understand. When I use words like sanctification, liturgical, Lent, or Advent, there are usually people who are not familiar with these words or concepts. In the same way that a person speaking in tongues needs an interpreter, I need to make sure that I speak in a language that others can hear, understand, and to which they can respond to the Good News of Jesus.

I don't know how you feel about speaking in tongues but it's pretty clear to me that it's biblical and of God. But it is important, as the key verse I've chosen this morning says, that we speak in ways that confirm that God is among us.

May God grant you the grace to hear and to speak in a way that confirms that God is really among you today.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are Psalm 149 and 1 Corinthians 15-16.

Songs in the Night

People cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. But no one says, "Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night..." -Job 35:9-10  (NIV) 

Elihu is still trying to help Job realize why he is in the shape that he's in! Though he is not right in this particular case, there is some truth to his statement in the above cited scripture. So many times we experience trouble in life but try to handle it ourselves. We don't look to God who desires to give us songs in the midst of our darkness.

I know that troubles are going to come. I know that I am going to find myself in situations like Job, situations where it seems as if I just can't catch a break. I may even try to eliminate the cause of my oppression and pain myself. Although that may be possible and appropriate, I want to remember to call upon God and I want to believe with all of my heart that God can give songs in the middle of the darkness.

May God grant you the grace to hear songs in your night.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are Psalm 122 and 1 Corinthians 9-11. Sunday's readings are Job 37-38 and 1 Corinthians 12. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from Job 39-40 and/or 1 Corinthians 13-14.

Loyalty to Christ

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings? What after all is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe...-1 Corinthians 3:3-5 (NIV) 

Do not go beyond what is written. Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us against the other. -1 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

It's hard not to read this text from 1 Corinthians without thinking about the presidential election and the way people are responding to the results. Reading and hearing what many people are saying suggests that there is indeed much quarreling among us. On one side, we have the Obama followers. On the other side, we have the Romney followers. Roughly 50% of those who voted on Tuesday placed their hope in the party of the donkey and roughly 48% placed their hope in the party of the elephant. It sure seems like people are puffed up about the candidate they follow. I'm saddened that many on the winning side appear to be "rubbing it in" and many on the losing side have, what at least one person described as, "sour grapes."

One of the study notes in my Life Application Bible points out how easy it is for people to become attached to a leader; when someone has helped us, it's natural to feel loyalty. But Paul warns against such pride in our leaders that then leads to division, slander, strife, or broken relationships. Paul admonishes that our deepest loyalty should be to Christ.

As I posted on Facebook Tuesday (and it's not an original quote), our hope does not come from a donkey (Democrats) or an elephant (Republicans). Our hope comes from a Lamb (Jesus). 

The election is over. What's done is done. If our country has any hope, it will be when we move beyond loyalty to a candidate or a party and when we pledge our ultimate loyalty to Jesus Christ. May God grant you the grace to do to that today.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are Job 35-36 and 1 Corinthians 7-8. 

Elihu and Elections

 I too will have my say; I too will tell you what I know. -Job 32:17 (NIV)

Waking up late and a busy day prevent me from writing much in the way of a personal reflection on today's scripture readings. I did read the texts but nothing really spoke to me as I read. When that happens, I usually consult a commentary to inspire or challenge me. It was in so doing this morning that I perhaps found something worth sharing.

In Job 32, we are introduced to Elihu. He's angry at Job because Job thinks that he is blameless in what's been happening to him. He's angry at Job's three friends because they have not successfully put Job in his place and forced him to realize that it's Job and not God who is responsible for what's happening. After Job and his friends have stated their case and had their say, Elihu speaks his mind.

This is where I find Carol Newsom's New Interpreter's Bible Commentary helpful: "Elihu is a cautionary example of the temptation that besets all interpreters. There is a temptation to use one's authoritative role in an improperly controlling fashion. By selecting some issues and passing over others in silence, by subtle distortions of what the text says, or by caricaturing and ridiculing other interpretations, one can make it appear that there is no other way to understand the text and the issues it presents."

Though I haven't said it as eloquently as Carol Newsom, that's how I have sized up this election season in our country. Candidates select some key issues while totally ignoring others. Candidates distort the positions of their rivals and ridicule anyone who doesn't see things exactly the way they (or their party) sees them. Issues become over-simplified and the suggestion is made that there is only one way to solve the problem and that's a particular party or ideology's way. There appears to be very little room for common ground.

May God grant us the grace on this election day to not ridicule those who don't think like us, to avoid the temptation to over-simplify the issues we face, or to be so blinded by our own interpretation and ideology that we fail to see truth in whatever way it presents itself.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, this weekend's readings are Job 33 and 1 Corinthians 1-3.

Definition, Not a Cure

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator. -Galatians 5:19 (NRSV)

It is faith and not law that makes us right with God. So why, Paul asks in today's suggested scripture reading, do we have or need the law? The simple answer seems to be that the law defines sin, but it does not cure sin. It lets us know what is right and what is wrong but it cannot save us from our sin. The only thing that can do that is grace...God's grace.

May God grant you the grace to respect and obey the law but to remember that ultimately you're not saved by being lawful...you're saved by grace.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, this weekend's readings are Job 25-29 and Mark 13-16. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from Job 31-32 and Galatians 5-6

Christ Has Need of You

"Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it and will send it back here shortly.'" -Mark 11: 2-3 (NIV)

We are in the final week of rehearsals for the Carriage House Players production of the comedy, "Christmas Belles." I play Raynerd Chisum, a Forrest Gump-type character who is odd to say the least (I'm glad they didn't type-cast me) but who ends up saving Christmas. It's a hilarious show and a talented cast.

It takes a lot of people to put on a quality production, many of whom don't get much, if any credit. There are prop masters who make sure that props are placed on stage when they're needed, stage hands who move sets around, lighting technicians who hang and operate stage lights. They don't get the cheers, the laughs, and the claps that the actors on stage get but they are essential to the overall success of the show.

In today's suggested scripture reading, Jesus dispatches two disciples to go untie a colt and bring it to him. On the surface, it's probably not as exciting a job as baptizing Jesus (like John did) or being on stage when Jesus healed his mother-in-law (like Peter was) but it is an essential part of the story in that it is fulfilling the Hebrew scripture of Zechariah 9:9. It's communicating an important truth about the kind of king that Jesus is, not someone sent to conquer the enemies of Israel, but someone sent to conquer sin. Their part wasn't perhaps as glamorous as others in the unfolding drama, but it was important and it was needed.

As you look at your life, you may not feel that the part you're playing in God's unfolding story is an important one. You may not be in a position where you get all of the laughs, cheers, accolades, and applause. But your part, if God has called you to do it, is important. Christ has need of it. Christ has need of you.

May God grant you the grace to do your part in the unfolding of God's story on earth. Christ has need of it. Christ has need of you.


You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, this weekend's readings are Job 25-29 and Mark 13-16. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from Job 30, Psalm 120 and/or Galatians 1-4. 

My Help Comes from the Lord

He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. -Psalm 121:3-4 (NIV)

To the best of my recollection, the first time that I ever kissed a girl was on Halloween night. I remember being so nervous. Should I turn my head to the left or the right? A quick kiss or a lingering one? It was all so very stressful. I remember wishing that I had a book about kissing that could teach me how to do it. Where was Google back then? Around that time, the preacher at our church preached from Psalm 121 and he told us that our help comes from the Lord. Somehow I didn't think that God was going to help me to learn how to kiss.

I remember the first time that my heart was broken over love. Though I had been unsuccessful in finding a self-help book on "How to Kiss," I did find one on how to heal a broken heart. I read it in one sitting, crying through the whole thing. Although there was some helpful advice in the book, advice that I still remember and use today, it really didn't do much to heal my hurting heart.

As I have gotten older, I've noticed that the Self-Help section of the bookstore has gotten larger. I can almost guarantee that you'd find a how-to book on kissing today. It seems as if everyone is looking for help everywhere. And yet I think that preacher was right so many years ago: help really does come from the Lord.

I don't know that I'd expect a kissing lesson from God, but I do believe that God watches over me and God longs to help me. I also know that there are times when I wonder if God has forgotten about me, if God has drifted off to sleep while my heart is hurting. This morning, I read a quote by Martin Luther, who said: "When you feel this way, remain steadfast in faith and await God's help and protection. Even though it appears that God is sleeping or snoring, this is certainly not so, despite the way you might feel and think. God is surely awake and watching over you. Eventually you will learn that...if only you can hold fast."

I'm more confident than ever that my help and my hope comes from the Lord. I look to the hills, knowing that God's protection and guidance is needed and is coming.

May God grant you the grace to find help and hope in the Lord today.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 23-24 and Mark 11-12.

When Jesus is Near, So Is Hope

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him. "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." So Jesus went with him. -Mark 5:22-24 (NIV)

It's hard for me to read the story of Jairus in Mark 5 without thinking about the story of the friends bringing a paralyzed man to Jesus in Mark 2. In the latter-mentioned story, we're told nothing of the faith of the paralyzed man and whether he really believes that Jesus can or will heal him. What we are told is that, when Jesus sees the faith of the four who brought the paralyzed man to him, he heals the paralyzed man. The implication is that when you and I are willing to place others before Jesus, our faith- regardless of the faith of the one we place before Jesus- can prompt Jesus to heal.

In the Jairus story, I expect a group of people to come with him to see Jesus. He is the synagogue leader and no doubt has plenty of friends and colleagues. I expect that Jairus, with his daughter near death, would not want to leave her side. Instead, I expect Jairus to send other people to fetch Jesus. And yet Jairus himself comes searching for Jesus. Maybe unlike the paralyzed man, who had four faith-filled friends, Jairus is alone in believing that Jesus can heal his daughter. Whereas the paralyzed man is not recorded as saying anything, Jairus humbles himself by falling at the feet of Jesus and he pleads earnestly for his daughter's life.

The word that keeps coming to mind this morning as I read this text is hope. Whenever Jesus is near, there is hope.

Is there something in your life that has you paralyzed? Are you not even sure that you can make a statement of faith right now? Hopefully, you have faithful and faith-filled friends who are willing to place you continually before the feet of Jesus where healing can take place. You may not believe that it's possible, but scripture testifies to the fact that the faith of your friends can bring healing to you. There is hope.

Do you feel all alone? Is there no one standing with you or beside you as you go through difficult times? There's still hope. Just humble yourself before Jesus, fall at his feet and earnestly plead your need. Do not be afraid; just believe (5:36).

May God grant you the grace to have faith-filled friends who will continuously place you before Jesus, the grace to be willing to fall at His feet and plead your need, the grace to trust that God will do what's best, and the grace to never ever lose hope.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 22, Psalm 121, and Mark 7-10.

Calm in the Storm

Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. None of you will lose a single hair from your head. After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged (in good heart) and ate as much as they wanted. -Acts 27:34-36 (NIV)

If you have been reading through the book of Acts over the past few weeks, you know that Paul has been on trial and has appealed his case to Caesar and is on his way to Rome via ship. Unfortunately, it is not the ideal time for sea travel. Paul advises the officers on the ship to wait until winter has passed before continuing their journey; the senior officer of the ship rejects Paul's advice and they continue. Unfortunately, a wind of hurricane force endangers the ship and an angel reveals to Paul that the ship will be destroyed. For 14 days, the ship is tossed all over the sea by this devastating storm.

In the midst of this storm, Paul urges the ship's passengers and crew to eat. Using language similar to the way the Last Supper is recorded in scripture, Luke says that Paul took some bread, gave thanks to God for it, broke it, and gave it to the passengers and crew. We're told that they all ate it and that, despite the severity of the storm, they were all encouraged (in good heart).

Holy Communion (some call it the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper) has often had that same kind of affect on me. The storms of life can be raging. I can feel myself being tossed to and fro by things that are bigger than me and outside of my control. And yet when I come to the table of our Lord, I am reminded of God's great love for me, that God has a history of working redemptively in seemingly hopeless situations, and that God has calmed more storms than I've ever experienced. I am encouraged by those things. I experience, even if for a fleeting moment, a calm in the midst of my storm.

May God grant you the grace, in the breaking of bread today, to find encouragement and calm in whatever way you need it most.


You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 19, and Mark 1-2. Sunday's readings are Job 20 and Mark 3-4. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from Job 21 and/or Mark 5-6. 

Give People a Chance

I told them that it is not Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had the opportunity to defend himself against the charges. -Acts 25:16 (NIV)

Many serious charges are made against Paul that the accusers cannot prove. Festus, wanting to do the crowd a favor and wanting to avoid angering them by siding with Paul handed him over to Caesar. A few days later, Festus is talking to some other people and telling them about how he handled the situation with Paul.

I'm not sure that Festus was all that sincere in his dealings with Paul. He did seem to realize that Paul was innocent of the charges levied against him. He did turn him over to Caesar, presumably in an effort to allow for a fair trial. And yet it appears as if he was more concerned about passing the buck than he was doing what was right.

And yet I am struck by verse 16 and the need to give people a chance to defend themselves. I am often guilty of taking the hearsay of others as fact and without taking the opportunity to get to know a person and giving them a chance to refute the charges against them.

May God grant you the grace to be open-minded today and to see people as they really are.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 18, Psalm 114, and Acts 27-28.

Giving Voice to Faith

We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the Temple; so we seized him. -Acts 24:5-7 (NIV)

Paul is guilty of none of these things. He has returned to Jerusalem to worship on Pentecost. He has been and will continue to be faithful to the Jewish heritage even as he understands Jesus to be the fulfillment of Jewish scripture. He is being unfairly accused and persecuted for his belief in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.

Eugene Peterson makes a great point in his “Conversations” Bible. He suggests that God’s revelation is rejected far more than it is accepted, and dismissed far more than it is embraced. He also points out that God’s revelation has been attacked by every major culture. The community of God’s people has survived, but always as a minority- always marginal to the mainstream.

Paul was in the minority and yet he remained true to his convictions. It would have been much easier for him to bow to the pressure around him.

I am often guilty of bowing to the pressure, remaining silent because I fear rejection. I want to give voice to my faith today. I will not be quiet.

May God grant you the grace to confidently give voice to your faith today despite the opposition and rejection that may be around you.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 17 and Acts 24-26.

Knowing the God You Worship

Paul then stood up...and said, "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown God. Now what you worship as unknown, I am going to proclaim to you. -Acts 17:22-23 (NIV)

In Paul's day, as in ours, people made claims to worship a god that they did not know. The altar reference above was erected by the Athenians just in case there was a god out there of which they were unaware. The Athenians didn't want this god to feel overlooked or neglected, less this god either choose not to bless them or (even worse) choose to punish them for their lack of worship.

It is easy to say that I am religious, to claim that I worship God. And yet when I fail to begin each day with God in study and prayer, I am missing an opportunity to know God better. If I claim to know, love, and worship God but am not disciplined enough to actively know God more intimately, I am doing nothing more than giving lip service to God. I don't want a relationship with God that is nothing more than covering my bases, seeking either this God's blessing or avoiding this God's punishment. I want to more intimately know the God I worship. I don't want to worship a God that I'm not seeking daily to know.

May God grant you the grace to know the God you worship.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 15 and Acts 19-20.

Pray Expectantly

When Rhoda recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back without opening the door and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. -Acts 12:14-16 (NIV)

 Three weeks ago, I preached on the subject of prayer and I described how I've recently begun ending my prayer time with God by saying, "These things I pray confidently and expectantly in the name in Jesus." I'm trying to emphasize my belief (or my desire to believe) that through my prayer life, God will change me. That is my expectation when I pray: that God will bend my will to God's will.

I'm ashamed of the number of times in my life that I've prayed about something without really believing or expecting God to act. On so many occasions, I've prayed out of a sense of duty or obligation...because it's just what I'm supposed to do in such situations.

I wonder if that's what is happening in today's suggested scripture reading. Peter is in jail and many people have gathered in a home nearby to pray for Peter. When an angel of the Lord frees Peter from jail, he goes to the house where his friends are praying and knocks on the door. A servant named Rhoda recognizes his voice before she opens the door and (without opening the door) runs back to tell the others that their prayers have been answered... that Peter is at the door! Apparently, the people praying are not praying very confidently or expectantly because they don't believe Rhoda; they think that she's lost her mind. Eventually, they realize that indeed their prayers have been answered and Peter is safe and free.

God has convicted me that, when I pray, I should pray confidently and expectantly that God will hear and act. God won't give me everything that I want because sometimes God knows that I really don't know what I want or that I really don't need that for which I pray. I seek to trust that God sees the bigger picture and that God can work for good in all things for those who love God and seek to live according to God's purposes.

May God grant you the grace to pray confidently and expectantly today.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Job 9-10 and Acts 13-14. Sunday's suggested readings are Job 11-12 and Acts 15-16. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from Job 13-14 and/or Acts 17-18. 

Discerning God's Vision

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. -Acts 10:45 (NIV) 

 In the suggested scripture reading for today, Peter falls into a trance, sees heaven open and something like a large sheet coming down to earth. This sheet contains all kind of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice tells him to "kill and eat."

Peter is immediately faced with a dilemma. The vision appears to be from heaven but the message of the vision is contrary to the Jewish law which states that certain foods are not to be eaten. What's a person like Peter supposed to do?

Peter begins by having conversation with God about the vision, seeking greater clarity from God. The vision's message is so different than he expects that he wants to be sure that he understands. Even after his conversation with God, Peter continues to ponder the dream and its meaning (10:17 and 10:19). Not surprisingly, the Holy Spirit provides more direction as to what Peter is to do and God provides confirmation to Peter that what he is doing is what God would have him to do. The final confirmation that Peter receives is when the Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles with whom Peter is speaking (something that would have been contrary to Peter's understanding of scripture prior the vision he experienced).

God's word for me today is to first of all consider what I believe and why I believe it. Then, to ask myself: is there some prompting in my life, some vision or dream that appears to be from God that is seeking to stretch my understanding or my belief? If so, I should pray about it, converse with God, not just once but often. I should set aside time to ponder and wonder about this prompting, testing to see whether it is of God and why I am sensing this prompting at this time in this way. Finally, I should trust that if this prompting is of God that God will provide confirmation. Sometimes confirmation doesn't come until I have acted on the prompting, but I trust that the confirmation will come if what I'm doing is of God.

May God grant you the grace to see, ponder, understand, and find confirmation in God's vision for your life today.




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Tomorrow's readings are Job 6-8 and Acts 12. 

What Are You Doing?

Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what to do. -Acts 9:6 (NIV)

We are first introduced to Saul when Stephen is being stoned. Witnesses to the stoning lay their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Saul then begins to destroy the church, going from house to house, dragging people to jail, and breathing murderous threats against the Lord's disciples.

In today's suggested reading, Saul is on his way to Damascus to round up any Christians there and take them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.  Suddenly, a light from heaven flashes around him. He falls to the ground and hears Jesus say to him, "Why are you persecuting me? Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."

In his study on the Acts of the Apostles, William Barclay writes that "up until now, Saul had been doing what he liked, what he thought best, what his will dictated. From this time forward, Saul would be told what to do.

Christians are men and women who have ceased to do what they want to do and who have begun to do what Christ wants them to do."

May God grant you the grace to do what Christ wants you to do today.





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Tomorrow's readings are Job 5, Psalm 108, and Acts 10-11

What Are You Looking At?

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God. "Look, he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." -Acts 7:54-56 (NIV)

In today's suggested scripture reading, we are introduced to Stephen. He's one of seven people chosen to supervise the daily distribution of food to the needy. According to Acts, the criteria for being chosen for this important ministry is being full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Luke (believed to be the writer of Acts) goes on to say that Stephen is full of grace and power and able to perform great wonders and signs among the people.

Unfortunately, Stephen's ministry meets with resistance because he is calling into question some of their practices and some of their understandings of who Jesus was and what Jesus came to do. Unable to match Stephen's wisdom and Spirit, they form a plot against him and they stone him to death.

What I find so amazing is that, when faced with an angry mob that is gnashing its teeth, a mob that hurls him off a cliff and starts throwing huge boulders down on top of him to silence his witness once and for all, it's as if Stephen doesn't see the mob at all. Instead, we're told that he looks up to heaven and sees the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Stephen asks Jesus to receive his spirit and that Jesus not hold the sin of his murderers against them.

I suspect that all of us have felt attacked on some level or another. It's so easy to focus on the person or the thing that is attacking us. But I want to look beyond those things. I want my ultimate focus to be on Jesus.

May God grant you the grace to look beyond your troubles today to see the glory of God and your Savior Christ standing up for you in glory.


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Tomorrow's readings are Job 3-4 and Acts 8-9.

My Prayer for Your Shadow

As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. -Acts 5:15 (NIV)

Two weeks ago, the subject of my sermon was on the ministry of presence. I suggested that it is important for people to be in worship each Sunday unless they are sick or out of town. Not only do I believe that God is blessed by your faithful presence in church, I believe that you'll be blessed by your faithful presence in church. Even more, I believe that those around you will be blessed by your faithful presence in church.

Today's suggested scripture reading once again features Simon Peter. Remember him? He's the one that Jesus calls "Satan" after Peter tries to rebuke Jesus for something that Jesus said. He's the one that, despite being warned that he would do it, denies knowing Jesus on three different occasions out of fear for his own life. Yet since that time, Peter has received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He has devoted himself to gathering together with other believers for worship, prayer, fellowship, and food. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter has been transformed into someone whose very shadow changes lives.

That's what I want for you. I want for you to make it a priority to regularly come together with other believers for times of worship, prayer, fellowship, and food. I want you to invite and expect the Holy Spirit to fill that worship space. I'm praying that the Holy Spirit will transform your lives in such a way that your very shadow, drenched in Holy Spirit power, will be a source of healing for others.

May God grant you the grace to experience Holy Spirit power today.


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Tomorrow's readings are Job 1-2 and Acts 6-7.