Sunday
Matthew 12:36-37 “I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” How does the quote go in Batman Begins- “It’s not what you say or think that defines you, it’s what you do.” ? Yeah, well, that sounds true enough… except it’s not. What you say justifies or condemns you. And that makes sense, doesn’t it? Our words are often what will have the most impact on the people around us. Words can be encouraging or degrading, kind or harsh. There’s all sorts of verses in the Bible about speech: bridling the tongue (James), the wisdom of listening or remaining silent (Proverbs), saying nothing corruptive but only that which builds up (Ephesians), and the list goes on. What does this mean? It probably means not gossiping, not being passive aggressive, not mocking, not insulting, not discouraging people with what you say. This, I think, is one of those things that we all need to work on in our day-to-day lives. Monday Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.’” We as Christians usually have something that we consider ‘our gift’. For example, I suppose that I’d say mine is writing. Someone else’s might be their ability to encourage and uplift others. Another’s might be public speaking or leadership skills. Whatever it is… it’s from God. So what right do we have to boast in it? Aside from that, no matter how great our abilities, we’ve got nothing that God needs. We have no reason to boast. Also, when the word ‘boast’ is used here, I think it could also mean rely. Let the wise man not rely on his wisdom, or the mighty man rely on his might. Basically, my point here is that if we get caught up in our gift or skillset, we start to separate ourselves from God. He becomes less necessary. Evangelizing or sharing the gospel becomes our thing, not His. When really… what do we have that He hasn’t given us? Tuesday 1 Kings 12:6-8 “Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, ‘How do you advise me to answer this people?’ And they said to him, ‘If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.’ But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him…” Something we talk about now and again is giving and receiving constructive criticism as Christians. Well, this verse reminds me of how often we receive but don’t apply that advice. Sure, it’s easy enough to hear suggestions and feedback, it’s easy enough to ask for it. But then what do we do with it? If it’s not what we wanted to hear, do we disregard it? Do we sometimes do the same thing with what we read in the Bible? Wednesday Romans 2:1-3 “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgement of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgement of God?” I don’t have much commentary on this one. “Don’t judge others” is something we all know… just don’t always follow. I think this verse and others make it pretty clear that it’s something we should follow. Thursday 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!” Need I say more? Friday Ephesians 1:7-10 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.” I think this is such a powerful verse. Look over the parts I underlined again- redemption, riches of His grace, His purpose for the fullness of time? How cool is that! Just think about it. God has a purpose, a plan, for everything and everyone forever. With wisdom and insight he lets us in on some of this mysterious will, though it’s too awesome and huge for us to get more than glimpses. And the best part of this plan of His? That through Christ, we have forgiveness for our trespasses, so that we can be united to Him. Saturday Hebrews 11 For this devo, I’m assigning homework. Look up Hebrews 11 and read it all the way through. I’d suggest having a highlighter and pen on hand too. The entire chapter is about faith. When I went through it, I picked out the “key points”, shall we say, of what faith is and what faith can do. So once you’ve read the chapter for yourself, here’s those points that stood out to me (each with the number of the verse I took it from) -Assurance of hope, conviction of the unseen (1) -Understanding of creation, and its Creator (3) -Belief in God’s existence, belief in His grace and generosity (not really from a specific verse) -Trust, courage (the entire chapter, specifically verse 8) -Focus and drive for an eternal home (16) -Fleeing sin, being indifferent to wealth and worldly pleasures (25-26) -Endurance, patience, and joy, even in trial (33-34) What stood out to you?
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Sunday
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” To me, this doesn’t mean that everything we do has to involve sharing the gospel with someone or quoting the Bible or literally saying “in Jesus’ name” afterwards. Rather, that we do everything the way we would do it if we were in the presence of God. Because, we are. I don’t mean this as a threat, of “He’s always watching you, so you better be good!”. But, think about it. Do you act differently when you’re with your parents, or say a mentor figure in your life? You would want to impress them, to please them; you desire their good opinion. Part of it is rooted in respect or even the biblical definition of fear, but it’s also driven by your love and admiration for them. So, having a healthy respect, fear, admiration, and love for God, how would You act if He were in the room? Would you be a little kinder, a little humbler? Work harder, serve others whenever you could? Monday John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This should be our constant mindset. Not how we can increase the impressiveness of our faith, or seem like better Christians; but rather how we can increase His Kingdom and Name. Tuesday Psalm 62:1-2 “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” The word alone in this verse is what stands out to me. It’s basically saying that in the day of trouble, God is our only true salvation and fortress. That may seem like the type of thing we all know, but do we actually enact it? When facing difficulty, or grief, or persecution; is it Him we place our trust in? Or is it something material, like money, or assistance from others, or the end of the problem. Not that God doesn’t ever help by providing something material; but is our focus on Him or it? And, are we willing to trust, even when what we need isn’t provided, realizing that He has a bigger plan? Wednesday Isaiah 51:12 “I, I am He who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.” This one doesn’t require much commentary, I think. What do we have to fear on this earth, if the One who made it is on our side? Thursday Galatians 5:13-14 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” Jesus’ death on the cross released us from the law, “we are not under law but under grace” (Rom. 6:15) The law restricts us. Grace frees us. We’re to use that freedom to love and serve. Because that law, and all its aspects, which was our “guardian” (Gal. 3:24); is fulfilled by one commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. Friday Eclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Just a reminder that friendship is a good thing. Sometimes we try to push people away, thinking we need to go it alone. Godly relationships are something to cherish and protect, not shy away from, or try to take down. I believe God designed us to work in pairs and trios and so forth. Most things, most challenges or endeavors, are easier, more effective, and more uplifting with a friend. Saturday John 9:3 “Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” I’m not sure how much I’ve already talked about this, maybe you guys have noticed, that something I’ve been learning a lot lately is this simple fact: God is God, I’m just me. He doesn’t owe me--or anyone--anything, He’s not limited by our rules or wants. How He chooses to work isn’t our business, except to be willing to be a part of it. And sometimes, He puts us in uncomfortable situations to accomplish His will. Whether that’s being born blind like the man in this verse was, or facing constant obstacles, or an illness, or whatever it is. The important thing to remember, I think, is first; our place- we’re mere humans, He’s God, we’re on earth, He’s in heaven. Second; to trust and love despite it. Our reward is in heaven. |
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