Devotions
Monday, July 26, 2010
Galatians 6:6
One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
This verse settled in my consciousness many years ago while I was attending a Bible study at my church in Whittier. The teacher was also a professor at Talbot Seminary and he elucidated aspects of scripture that I had never before known or even considered. He was brilliant, but also kind and humble. One season he taught us the book of Galatians. And when we almost reached the end, this verse just popped out to me. He emphasized this verse with a little humor, but mostly seriously. I was known for my baking back then, so as I was baking for my family the following week, I set aside some cookies to share with my teacher and his family. He was touched and grateful. He was probably happy to know that someone had really listened to his previous week’s lesson, too!
It was revolutionary in Paul’s day to give to a teacher voluntarily. The Jews were taxed for the support of their priests and the Gentiles paid fees or made vows to support their religions. We are told that we MUST share all good things with our teachers. This is NOT a guilt trip I’m taking you on, but consider this: if you support your local church, you are fulfilling your basic responsibility to share. But maybe you could tuck in the back of your mind to do something extra special for your pastor or teacher. When you bake something good for your family – maybe take a plate for the pastor’s family? When you’re buying tickets for a certain event that you know your pastor would enjoy, surprise him with some tickets? When you’re planting some special bulbs this Fall, maybe offer to plant a few in your pastor’s garden? Be open to whatever God would have you do!
Devotions
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Ephesians 5:15, 16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
These verses are telling us to live circumspectly, diligently, carefully. A careful walk depends on wisdom, which can come from knowing the Lord’s will. “Making the best use of time” is referring to redeeming the time or buying up the opportunities that you are given. Moses said in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” This heart of wisdom will inform how we live, the priorities that we have. Life is short. The days are evil. And just maybe you are the only person who can help lead someone to Christ. Maybe someone is watching how you spend your time, how you live, how wise you are.
Many years ago I went to a retreat where Anne Ortlund was the teacher. She was older and wiser than I and she had learned to live with a heart of wisdom. She was telling us the story of a very unusual day recently when she had nothing on her calendar and she just goofed off. She said that it was great fun, but that she couldn’t make a habit of it. It was such a strange occurrence for her, that she included it in her sharing. I remember thinking that day, “Wow, I goof off a lot! Maybe I need to walk more carefully.” Just something to think about – are you making the best use of the time you’ve been given?
Devotions
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Hebrews 4:12, 13
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
When I was growing up, it was fairly common to see a huge golden Bible displayed on someone’s coffee table. It might be open to Psalm 23, or it might be closed. But it’s a pretty fair assumption that it was never read. If you EVER entertained a notion that God’s written word has the purpose of sitting around collecting dust, these 2 verses alone would blow that thought out of the water.
God’s word is living, it has power or creative energy, it can separate even the closest of relationships, it is a judge of the innermost thoughts, and it is the way that God deals directly with the creature – you and me. God’s word can discern what is genuinely spiritual in our thinking and what is completely human. We will someday stand before a holy God and give account of our lives. Reading, studying and applying God’s word to our lives can increase our faith and help us to live in a pleasing way before the Lord.
Devotions
Thursday, July 29, 2010
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Do you have an eternal perspective? Or are you weighed down by what you see around you? Paul certainly felt his outer self wasting away, what with beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments. And yet through this suffering, through the disappointments and discouragement, he experienced the spiritual renewing work of the Holy Spirit “day by day.” Through all of this he was becoming more like Christ. He even called his sufferings “light.” This word is found only once again in Matthew 11:30 where Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When we share the yoke with Jesus, the burden is light.
Paul’s perspective was eternal. He was looking forward to being in the presence of Jesus. He said that the hardships he endured were nothing in view of the eternal glory to come. This eternal perspective sustained Paul during his ministry and it can sustain us today. Difficult family relationships got you feeling down? Stock market taking your breath away? Cruel people in the workplace? Or no workplace at all? Pray for the Holy Spirit to give YOU an eternal perspective, to renew your inner self, to sustain you in these days. And if you feel beyond praying, ask someone to pray for you. Remember from the last verse here – what you see right now is transient, fleeting.
Devotions
Friday, July 30, 2010
2 Timothy 4:7, 8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but to also to all who have loved his appearing.
Oh, my, I want to finish well – don’t you? Paul did not have long to live on this earth when he looked back over his life and summed it up. Of course, his REAL life began on that road to Damascus. Since then he had been a good steward of the ministry that Jesus had given to him. He was looking back and saw that it was good; then he looked forward and saw that it would be better. He was looking forward to his reward. Is the reward going to be an actual crown or is righteousness itself to be the crown? Does it matter? It surely will not matter on that Day, the Day of Jesus’ second coming.
So where is your attitude today? Oh, let it be one of eager anticipation of Christ’s return! To carry Paul’s athletic metaphor one step farther, you are on the winning team! Embrace it! Love it! Long for it!
Devotions
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
One of the attributes of God that I truly appreciate is his pure justice. He can’t lie or be prejudiced. He sees every motive for every deed. If you are out there ministering to the needs of your brothers and sisters in Christ, God is carefully noting all that you do. You are not earning your way to heaven or collecting Green Stamps to buy your mansion there (if you are old, you’ll get the reference!). But you are pleasing your heavenly Father. The author of Hebrews encourages us to continue, to persevere to the end. Serve your fellow Christian with great love and enthusiasm.
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