The Lord is with You, But…

2 Chronicles 15-16

Psalm 80

1 Thessalonians 1

-Devotion by Juliet Taylor (TN)

2 Chronicles 15:2 – The Lord God is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will let you find him.

Beautiful.

But if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

Scary.

What does that mean?

I tend to push the narrative of God being our loving father, disciplining us as we need correction and direction, but I don’t often talk about verses like this, wherein it is said of him, “…but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” (2 Chron 15:2), nor “…for God troubled them with every kind of distress” (2 Chron. 15:6). I don’t enjoy thinking of my God like this, but we need to understand why this may be said of him, and be ready with an answer for our hope whenever asked.

It all boils down to becoming a person like Jesus, who doesn’t want harm to come to anyone, I think. But we cannot live in a world wherein lawlessness reigns. If you forsake God, you’re not going to be a person who desires to do God’s will for the good of others. This line of thinking and behaving will result in a nation like that in the time of Noah over time. In the end, who would enter the kingdom wherein there will be no more death, crying, mourning, or pain?

We need God’s teaching and law (New Covenant law). We need to seek God for that (he put it all in Jesus). For now, I don’t think God renders much judgement towards the nations, as he’s waiting for all who will repent, to repent (2 Peter 3:9). But he will, through Jesus in the end. He will not leave the guilty unpunished. Perhaps we can win some over beforehand, such as is our job under Christ.

In Asa’s time, he did well to heed the wisdom of God coming through the priest Azariah and acted accordingly. The result was that many from Israel, the split kingdom, defected to Asa’s kingdom. The people celebrated God and his laws and his goodness with sacrifice. They even entered a covenant with God, to do what the LORD had spoken to seek the LORD with their heart and soul.

Anyone who did not would be put to death (!!!). But for those who sought him earnestly, he let them find him. And they did it with joy because they understood the goodness of God. Then God gave them peace.

Of course, Asa eventually forsook God.

Aren’t you glad that we don’t live in a time like Asa’s, even though he was generally regarded as a “good” king? It is so good to realize how good we’ve got it under our Lord Jesus. For all the “good” kings of Israel/Judah, none can even come close to what we have in Jesus. It is good to honor him for all he’s done for us like Paul does with many of his writings to the churches of Jesus.

His opening statements are almost always letters abounding in love for the brothers and sisters in Christ. I enjoy reading about what an apostle of God did in the early church years through these letters. I think we can all learn a little from them when it comes to interacting with members of the body of Christ today.

To the newly formed church in Thessalonica, Paul writes about his love for them, but also encourages them to keep the faith.

The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul, Salvanus, and Timothy because of their tribulation upon hearing the word of the Lord. But they had joy of the holy spirit despite circumstances. They became an example of faith to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaiai because they preached the good news of Christ.

Their deeds were made known to Paul, how they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God, how they waited upon Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, who rescues us from the wrath to come (the wrath being whatever happens to those in the end who did not want to conform to the image of Christ).

They sound a little like Asa to me. Oh that they, and we, would be the people who desire to keep covenant with God joyously, ongoing, to the end of our race, for the good of others. Oh that God may shine his face upon us because of his beloved son, the son of Man Jesus, who directs us to put our hope in God. Praise God for his eyes that “move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chron. 16:9).

QUESTIONS:

1.      Asa was king who had not been brought up to know the LORD God, nor serve him. Yet, he is listed among the “good” kings of Israel (Judah). Why do you think Asa chose to listen to the words of the LORD in the first place? I think it’s because there was much distress in all the lands. Sometimes, it is in the most hopeless times that people decide to turn to God. What do you think?

2.      Because Asa eventually relied on another for help instead of turning to God in his distress, his peace ended. He became a foolish man in his last days instead of turning to God. Why do you think Asa chose not to seek God after hearing admonishment from the LORD?

3.      Did you know that you too are beloved of God and his choice?

PRAYER

Dear Lord God, You are the One true God and the One that I seek. Help me to seek You and follow Your ways all the days of my life. Forgive me for the times I am distracted from following You whole-heartedly. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the perfect king in submission to You who shows us how to love You and others. Help me to show others the goodness of seeking and following You.

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Battles and God’s Will

2 Chronicles 13-14

Psalm 79

Colossians 4

-Devotion by Juliet Taylor (TN)

In the Old Testament passages we read today, I pondered a lot. I wondered if Abijah actually sought God’s wisdom about starting the civil war against his brethren or if he took his own initiative. He slighted his father for not being aggressive and starting the battle during his reign. We know through scripture that his father refrained on account of God’s will.

What is evident in the passage is that when Abijah called upon the name of the LORD in times of war, he and his kingdom were saved in miraculous ways during each battle. Because they called out to God in their distress, God acted on their behalf. God acts as they humble themselves before him.

Another thought I pondered was God’s heart when it came to hearing his children brag about him, and how they kept his commandments and served him. This bragging seemed to be a part of Abijah’s decision to begin a civil war because it made the people proud. Though it ended victoriously, it led to the slaughter of thousands of Abijah’s own bloodline. 

This is where Jesus and the New Covenant direct my thoughts. We should absolutely strive to keep God’s commandments and serve him through Jesus, and we should be proud if we are able to do that, but we should brag about how we were able to do it with the help of Jesus. We should not brag about our works on account of ourselves, lest it puffs us up and leads us into battle against our brother or sister (whatever “battle” that may be). 

Though God led Abijah to victory, I don’t think it was God’s will for him to start a war in the first place. But since he acted, got himself into trouble, then humbled himself, God acted on his behalf. I don’t think it was the boasting that led God to work on his behalf, it was his/his people’s humility in their distress.

If we are going to boast, we should boast in Jesus. Boast that you died and were buried with him, then raised to life, so that you can live like him, loving as he loved, to help another conquer like he conquered. If we let love drive us, maybe there won’t be a need for victories to be won—at least not victories conquering our opponents.

Our victories will be measured by the way we loved our “opponents.” Colossians gives us a few examples of how to love our “opponents” in our everyday lives with the relationships we have.

Most of us will never be a master of slaves. But we do have relationships that need cultivating, like that of an employee to an employer, husband to wife, child to parent, apostle to church goer, etc., that we can respect and behave in with wisdom, working for the good of both parties like Jesus would, with the same endgame; save others. And if we mess up, we have a God we can seek in the name of Jesus, who will look on the humble who cry out to him for help.  

How do we cultivate good in these relationships, rather than going to war in them? Colossians 4 gives us some wisdom about this. Devote yourselves to prayer and thanksgiving, especially for those who have the opportunity to meet others, for a door to be opened to share the gospel. We should conduct ourselves with wisdom towards outsiders (by asking for it), so that our speech towards them will be seasoned with salt, so that we’ll gain more wisdom about how to speak life to them. 

It is good for those doing the Lord’s work to talk about it with the churches, so that we can be encouraged and join in the fight for lives, and provide for those in the trenches. We must remember their labor, especially when we’re comfortable in our more stationary position in the body of Christ, without much hardship. Remember those imprisoned for Christ’s sake. 

QUESTIONS:

1.      How many times do you think God answers your distress call after you’ve messed up?

2.      Kings who do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD often receive such a title by doing what?

3.      What wisdom do you get from reading Colossians 4 that can help you in your “battle” with one of your relationships?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father – I need Your wisdom to walk in Your will. Help me come before You seeking direction to do only what is pleasing to You. Give me a humble spirit and strength to do what You want me to do – in the way You want me to do it. Help me be a wise witness of You and Your son in all of my interactions with outsiders, “opponents”, brothers and sister. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen

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Examining Your Work and Way

2 Chronicles 11-12

Psalm 79

Colossians 3

-Devotion by Juliet Taylor (TN)

In the previous chapters, I concluded that Rehoboam was wrong in dividing the kingdom of Israel in two, because he followed the advice of his young friends over the elders, whom I assume advised him to listen to God’s will in the matter, as they are often more inclined to adhere to the word of God than youth, having gained wisdom in their years. But now we read that God says that the dividing of the kingdom of God was from him, and that Rehoboam should not fight against his relatives to restore the one kingdom.

This is what I think is going on:  God allows us to make our own decisions. If we make a bad choice about what’s good for us without his wisdom about it, he decides the next move, not necessarily that he planned everything out the way it goes. And accordingly, we have the chance again to seek his will and choose to follow it or not. He moves as we move, though we should strive to move as he moves. We’ll see more of this happening in today’s readings. 

This time, Rehoboam listens to God’s words (his wisdom about what to do). His choice to listen to God yields to the creating of many notable fortified cities and prosperity in gaining his kingdom food, oil, and wine. Perhaps most importantly, the priests and the levities who were in all of Israel came to serve God with Rehoboam – at least for 3 years.

There is so much going on in Rehoboam’s reign that I think relates to this present age. It is after being established and strong that Rehoboam (and likewise most) forsook the law of the LORD again. Think about that. When we’re weak and in need, we tend to call upon the LORD. But when we’re healthy, strong, established, wealthy, etc., we forsake the Lord and his laws by going our own way (seeking our own will/wisdom about what we should do).

Why? The bible talks about this often. When we rely on our own wealth/power/established state, we forget God and all that he’s done for us.

In response, the LORD brings word that since Rehoboam forsook God, he’ll forsake him (and his kingdom which God gave him). This time, their response was good, though their repentance wasn’t without punishment. God sent an army against them. But because they humbled themselves, instead of allowing them to perish, he allows them to become slaves, “so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” (2 Chron. 12:8).

Though it may sound harsh, it is good to realize how good we’ve got it when we are in service to the LORD, rather than in service, or a slave, to another. God’s wisdom about this is also all throughout scripture. We must learn to understand that punishment is good for us, when it is ordained by God. It can humble us.

Now read Psalm 79 and ponder upon the humility displayed from those who are God’s who have been downcast. Now read Colossians chapter 3.

This life in Christ is supposed to be one wherein we live as Christ lived, not how those whom we read about in the past lived. They should have continuously looked to God’s laws and been thankful for them, so that they could do them and live well.

We have more wisdom than they I think, to be able to do God’s will, because we are in Christ. The “how to” though often finds a way to baffle us.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks as if the things we need to do come naturally to those of us in Christ – at least that’s how it has been perceived by me when preached.

I find myself more inclined to think that the things Paul writes about affect me much in the same way they affected Rehoboam and Jeroboam, though in Christ, I received the spirit of Christ, urging me to follow him. Every act I make is a decision to let God be the judge of what’s right and to do accordingly, or to let myself, my flesh, be the judge and act foolishly.

But by remembering Christ, what he did, God’s plan of salvation through him, and who I am in him, I can be prudent to humble myself in good times and in bad and walk as he walked. This takes prayer. It takes the reading of God’s word. It takes much action from me.

My actions may be to make my days routine full of what it says we should be doing in Colossians 3 by reading God’s word, by discussing it with my brothers and sisters in Christ, by allowing myself to be taught and admonished by them and vice versa; to sing with them and gush with thankfulness to God in unity.

I can be a wife subject to my husband as unto the Lord (and he thus to me, both with love for each other). I can raise my children to be obedient but without causing them to lose heart, teaching them the love of Christ and why it is so good to desire that he rules over us, admonishing them when they miss the mark. It is all a part of God’s plan of salvation, which is so good for us.

I can think of the things I decide to do in word or in deed as actions I take for the Lord Jesus, thanking God our father through him. I can decide to work heartily for the Lord, and not merely for men when in my job, as an employee to my boss, doing my best to please my Lord (I liken this to a slave working for her master in Paul’s time). And I can do it all with a mindset that I want all whom I come across to be affected by my behavior, acting in such a manner to win others to Christ because it is so good for them.

QUESTIONS:

1.      Do you think that under the New Covenant we’ve entered into that God will forsake us if we forsake him? What does that even mean?

2.      Do you think that under the New Covenant we’ve entered into that God allows us to be slaves to sin when we follow the urging of the flesh instead of the urging of the spirit to do what is right so that we may learn the difference between his service in Christ and the service to sin again?

3.      Paul gives the Colossians a lot of instruction regarding what they should do in Christ. However, it doesn’t read as if he’s giving them laws to follow under the New Covenant like that of the Old Covenant. To me it sounds like he gives them a lot of great wisdom relating to their lives that they can adhere to or not. What do you think?

PRAYER:

Dear God of wisdom and might – I want to follow You well all of my days. May I abide by your will with a heart of humility, eagerly doing the work You have for me to do. Help me to show the world that You are a good God and that there is great joy in serving Your Son Jesus Christ. In his name I pray, Amen.

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Walk in Wisdom – in Christ

2 Chronicles 9-10

Psalm 78

Colossians 2

-Devotion by Juliet Taylor (TN)

Listen to the beautiful words from the Queen of Sheba, regarding the wisdom of Solomon, which God had given him when he asked. Though a gentile, she knew that it was God who gave such wisdom to men, and that those who heard it were cherished by God. For it is God who gives such blessings – to place a ruler on his throne over his people, who will judge rightly:

2 Chronicles 9:7-8

7“How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. 8“Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”

Having someone judge over us rightly for God so that it will be well with us, because his wisdom about what’s right for us is what we can expect and hope for in the Kingdom age, and to an extent now, if we are allegiant to the King now. That is love. I yearn for all of Christianity to get this right – to know that it is so good for us to desire to be ruled – but only by a just king, who gets his wisdom from our just loving father.

For now, we wait hopefully for that day when God gives us such a gift, when our Lord Jesus returns to rule justly from the throne of David. In the meantime, I see myself like all of the other children of God who have been saved (think of “being saved” like the Israelites were from slavery to Egypt, to serve God, or how all of humanity under Christ are saved from slavery to sin, to serve God like Jesus did, yet we must finish the race to enter the kingdom of God at the end of our lives). I’m in a race to the finish line of this life, aiming to do well and to please my father God, because he’s so good, just like the people of God of old were supposed to. 

It is surprising to me that the man who had nothing hidden from him in terms of wisdom from God, could not pass on such wisdom just one generation later. Though I should not be surprised, as the Bible foretells an ongoing story of his people succeeding and failing, ultimately failing until Christ.

When crowned King, not only did Solomon’s son Rehoboam fail to make wise choices based on seeking God’s wisdom about how he should rule, he also made a decision based on the will of his young friends that split the kingdom of Israel in two!

The wisdom from God remains the same for us to adhere to or neglect today. Our destruction will be great when we choose our own way without his wisdom about what we should do. That has always and will always be the case. It is a wonder in our day and age too that we don’t get this right, even after Jesus had to die (lest we forget).

This is why I believe Paul is struggling with the Colossians in his letter to them. Paul is well versed in the Old Testament. He knows how easy it is to forget what God has done for his people and go astray, especially when there are others out there trying to persuade Christians to make subtle changes in their thinking because of wisdom from men, which results in following a different gospel.

Paul sees an urgency for the Colossians to continue in their faith. Yes, they were God’s children. Yes, they loved greatly, yes, it sounds like they were even praised for their faith. And yet, Paul is still distressed, as someone could still teach them a gospel that was contrary to the true gospel, which could cause great demise for anyone carried away by it.

Paul does with Jesus regarding the New Covenant what God taught the Israelites to do with him regarding the Old Covenant. He beautifully lays out how important Jesus is for those who have entered the New Covenant with God through him. He gives them wisdom from God to follow and reminds them who they are in Christ.

All the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus. To obtain it, you must walk this life as he walked it. Even though you’ve received Christ Jesus as Lord, having been firmly rooted, you must continually be built up in Christ to establish your faith (your trust in God), with gratitude, because you know the cost (and the reward). If you can do this, then no one will be able to take you captive with another gospel (through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, the world, rather than according to Christ) as it seems someone(s) was trying to do to the Colossians.

Let Christ take you captive, because the fullness of the godhead bodily dwells in Jesus, meaning, all that there is to know about God, including his ways, can be found in Jesus. Jesus was made God’s wisdom for us, so that we would know God’s will and keep his commandments. In Jesus you were circumcised (you belong to Christ/identify in him, if you’ve entered the New Covenant of God through him), you were buried with him in baptism (you died to your old self and following your own will), and raised with him, to live a life of one who’s been forgiven (made alive through the working of God to raise Jesus from the dead, so that you will live like Jesus now and stop sinning). Jesus is now our ruler and authority, if we make ongoing plans to give him our allegiance daily.  

If someone is teaching you to do something contrary to Christ, look at what Jesus did to see how he handled those trying to teach God’s people a different gospel (like the Pharisees). If we can do that, we’ll be able to stand against someone trying to be our judge regarding the keeping of festivals, new moons, the Sabbath, or in regards to what we can eat or drink, or whatever it is that’s trying to get into our way of thinking that’s contrary to Christ.

These things are a shadow of what’s to come in the Kingdom, but Christ is the substance. I take this to mean that they can be good things to keep to help you remember God’s plan of salvation through Christ, but Christ is the Lord of them all. The Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. And Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. So if you want to keep the Sabbath, talk to your Lord about it, but don’t get carried away by those telling you you must keep it, or even worse, being someone else’s judge telling them they must keep it if they are Christ’s. These types of teachings, though they can be subtle changes to the true gospel, can lead you astray, so be on guard.

If you’re ever struggling about what to do, seek God’s wisdom in Christ. Follow the urging of the spirit about what you should do. Pray often about it. Remember who your Lord is and what he did for you often. Make ongoing plans so that you will not forget. For it is in him that we are all held together. Emphasis remembering that latter part too – we’re held together in the body—we’re supposed to work as a team, (team body!!), with Christ our head who leads us together.

God, please help us to grow together with the growth that comes from you. Let us be diligent to do as the wisdom from Psalm 78 advises today in our walk, but in regards to our God through our Lord Jesus:

Tell your children and your children’s children of the praises of Yahweh and his strength and his wonderous works. Tell them to put their confidence in God, and not forget his works, especially those now fulfilled in Jesus, and keep his commandments. Don’t be like those who did not prepare their hearts, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

QUESTIONS:

1.      Why do you think Rehoboam didn’t seek God’s wisdom like his father Solomon did, who was the wisest in the world (he had to have known about his father’s wisdom, right?!?)?

2.      What other gospel(s) do you think Paul was warning the Colossians against? Following the Law of Moses? Following the laws created by the Pharisees as they interpreted the Law of Moses? Gentile laws? All or some of the above? 

3.      What do you think Paul means when he says this in Colossians 1:16-17, “…no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”?

PRAYER

Dear God, I pray that today and always I will seek You and Your wisdom. Help me to receive and act upon Your wisdom and pass along a deep desire for Your wisdom to the next generation. Thank You for Jesus and Your wisdom he has brought and will bring as ruler. Help me to recognize and turn my back on any different gospel. May I be guided by Your Spirit, to be a fruitful member of the true body of Christ which brings glory to You.

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If My People

2 Chronicles 7-8

Psalm 78

Colossians 1

-devotion by Juliet Taylor (TN)

To the creator of the universe, our father God, for all his goodness, mercy, and stead-fast love—to what can we give him? Solomon chooses to honor his father David’s wish to give him a house. When he finished building God’s house, he prayed, asking God for help in various trials, come what may. God responds with fire and his glory filling presence. The people respond with reverence, thanksgiving, and sacrifice.

But God didn’t just celebrate this special time when he was given a house. When Solomon was finished with all he had planned for God’s house and the King’s house, God gave him instructions with warnings in a dream:

2 Chronicles 7:13 – 22

13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 17 As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 18 then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.’

19 “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 22 And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt, and they adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this adversity on them.’”

 We know from history that Israel did turn away. They were uprooted from the land and the house, and carried away into exile for a time.

As I read through Psalms 78, I am reminded of a similar account years earlier between God and his people Israel after leading them out of Egypt to serve him in the desert on their way to the promised land.

I am reminded of the ongoing story of humanity, wherein our father God gives his children everything, so long as they seek him for his judgement about what they should do, lest they go their own way and it turns out unwell for them.

Again and again he gives them wisdom about how to live well, and how to avoid the hurt that so easily comes when we choose our own way, which is sin. Sometimes the wisdom comes in blessings and cursing, or in instructions and warnings.

In Masseh and Meribah it came in as a test to see if they would trust in him for their salvation. Though he gave them bread from heaven, water from a rock, and meat just waiting to be caught, they still chose their own will, seeking their own wisdom about what was right for them to do to live well. In turn they tested God.

How often God restrained himself from giving the people what they deserved. How often he continued in his steadfast love towards them, taking care of them and being faithful to those who continued to seek him.

His name does still remain in Israel forever (the blessing of the name given to Joseph’s son, Ephraim). His Kingly Messiah line does carry on through Solomon (the blessing given to Judah, then David), though he did not heed God’s warning. 

Though he continued to give out grace, God knows that unless someone dies, the people will not seek their God. They will not remember all that God has done for them (Psalm 78:34-35). This is wisdom.

Some of the Israelites died in the wilderness after they tested God. Some died before and during their exile that God warned about in Solomon’s dream. Ultimately, God’s only son had to die to save us from our sins.

Jesus is God’s only begotten, worthy son, and yet, God gave him over out of love for the rest of us who are unworthy without him, so that we could be free to serve him by being like his son in our ways (doing God’s will for our good).

God is a just God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us all, God raised him from the dead and made him first place in everything. He is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of all the new creation. All things new are created through him/because of his sacrifice.

But Jesus didn’t just die for his people Israel, he died for all people, both Jew and Gentile, like the Colossians Paul writes to. God’s name is now among those who identify through his son. And Jesus is the King of the world, our Messiah.

Paul tells the Colossians who know the love of Christ that they are doing well, and yet, he prays for more for them.

To this end, to our faithful God who continues in his steadfast love towards us who have not always been faithful, nor even have always bore the name Israel, to what can we give him?

You give him what Paul is praying for the Colossians to give him, even though they’re doing quite well in their Christian walk. You ask God to fill you with all the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

QUESTIONS

1.      God calls his people by his name, and his name is in the house that David builds for him forever. What name do you think God is referring to?

2.      What do you think it means for Jesus to be first place in everything?

3.      How does Paul “fully carry out the preaching of the word of God?” from Colossians 1:25

PRAYER

Dear Awesome God, I want to be a part of Your people today and forever. Help me to be wise and choose paths and ways that bring me closer to You and what You want from me. Thank You for Your Word where You reveal Yourself, and Your Son who makes a way to You. Help me to learn from the past and see and do what pleases You. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen

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Anxiety, Attitude and Action Plan

2 Chronicles 5-6

Psalm 77

Philippians 4

-Devotion by Pastor J.J. Fletcher, son of Jeff & Karen Fletcher (MN)

Anxiety is a significant issue today. A quick Google search yields the statistics that nearly half of U.S. adults report feeling more anxious than in previous years. Nearly 20% of adults deal with some sort of anxiety disorder, and about 15% of young adults experience moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. 

Some anxiety is enhanced or brought on by various disorders, but other anxiety seems to be directly impacted by the way that we order and perceive life. 

In Philippians 4, Paul gives us an action plan for life. Our attitude can directly impact our response to people and situations. I made this point in a sermon once: Everyone annoys me… if I let them. If we’re looking for something to complain about or dislike, we’re going to find something. Paul says: Rejoice always! Look for what God is doing and find joy in that. He doubles down on that idea for emphasis. Even when chaos and pain surround: rejoice. When things are not going how you would like them: rejoice. 

Actively looking for and remembering God in our lives will directly impact our perception of reality and frame our outlook on life. Certainly, there will be difficulties, but God gives us the tools to endure.

Joyfulness doesn’t mean being “Pollyanish”; we should not ignore reality, but we can and should show a resilient life and faith through hardship and disappointment. Being reasonable (not insisting on every right or letter of law or custom, yielding, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant – BDAG) seems to have some implications of not making everything about yourself and being mindful of others, even when you are down or suffering.

Paul says don’t be anxious. Instead, channel your struggles and disappointments into prayer. A couple of days ago, I wrote about complaining… don’t do that; rather, vent to God, tell him how you feel (respectfully), ask for wisdom and grace to deal with your situation. Ask him to work in you and work in the situation that may be pushing you toward anxiety. Peter says in 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

Paul says that this approach will bring the peace of God, which doesn’t make sense. My caveat to this is that it doesn’t make sense to someone without faith. Yes, it transcends what our minds can handle and how we operate, but it should make sense to us who believe in a God that does supernatural things. It’s no biggie for him to change our hearts and minds and bring about a non-anxious and peaceful paradigm.

When things are going poorly or just not how we desire, it is easy to hyperfixate on our disappointments. Paul says not to do that. Look for the good in people. Look at what God has done in your life and the lives of others. If sin is at the heart of your issues, turn away from that sin and look to things that are excellent and worth paying attention to.

Finally, put your faith and training into practice. It does no good to simply be hearers of the word; we need to be doers of the word (James 1:22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you tend to handle anxiety or situations that could potentially cause anxiety? What healthy practices have you tried and benefitted from? What unhealthy practices have you used and want to avoid?
  2. When have you hyperfixated on disappointment? What was the result? What would have been a better reaction to the disappointment – and one you will try next time?
  3. “Look for what God is doing and find joy in that.” Look carefully. What do you see God doing? With joy, thank Him.

Prayer

Dear God – I thank You for always being up to something good. We eagerly await Your perfect Kingdom, but until then, help me rest in the peace that only comes from knowing You. Help me see You at work and joyfully serve. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

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The Power of His Resurrection

2 Chronicles 3-4

Psalm 77

Philippians 3

-devotion written by Pastor Jeff Fletcher and posted for SeekGrowLove on August 23, 2023 – Pastor Fletcher died last November and is awaiting the return of his Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing resurrection of the dead – what a day that will be!

            “There Ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down. There ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down.  When I hear that trumpet sound, gonna rise right outta the ground. There Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.”  I love hearing Johnny Cash sing that song with his old, gravelly voice.  He recorded it not long before he died.  I imagine he was thinking a lot about death at that point in his life.  Most old people do think about death.  And most young people I know don’t think much about death.  We all know vaguely that we are mortal and that one day, somewhere far down the road we will have to face our own death, but we usually try to distract ourselves from the reality of death by thinking about other things.  In his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Denial of Death, Ernest Becker wrote: “Modern man is drinking and drugging himself out of awareness…”. I think that’s pretty accurate.

            Personally, I never thought much about my own death until I was diagnosed with cancer 7 years ago (I’m still here).  Cancer doesn’t automatically mean you are going to die, in fact, the majority of people with cancer do not die from cancer, at least not right away.  There are many treatments to delay or send many cancers into remission.  But I can tell you from experience when you hear the word cancer it does make you at least think about death, not just as a remote possibility but as something that you will actually have to experience someday.  I imagine an accident or other near-death experience will do the same thing.  PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) can be caused by exposure to death or fear of dying.

            People deal with the fear of death in a variety of ways. One approach goes back to the time of Epicurus 300 BC who taught that there was no judgment or afterlife.  When you die you simply cease to exist.  There is no future reward beyond this life, and there is no fear of future punishment.  Modern day atheism has embraced this approach to death.  Another common approach to dealing with death is the denial of death by believing in the natural immortality of the soul.  We are all immortal by nature.  Our bodies die but our souls are immortal and when our bodies die our souls live on in another place like heaven or hell or come back in another form, reincarnation.

            The Apostle Paul offers a third, biblically consistent, and hope-filled understanding of death.  We are mortal by nature, not immortal.  Death is a reality, but it does not have to be the final reality.  In Christ there is the hope of the resurrection from the dead.  Just as Christ died and went to the grave and on the third day was raised from the dead (in the same way that Jesus had previously raised Lazarus from the dead) Paul hoped that in Christ he too might attain the “resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:11 NRSV). 

            Paul’s hope was that his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who is currently in heaven will come and transform “the body of our humiliation” (Phil 3:21) into a glorious body like Jesus is today.  Paul’s term “the body of our humiliation” can also be translated as “of low estate” or even “vile”.  In my work at a hospital chaplain, I am daily acquainted with how our bodies suffer decay and corruption.  When people are sick the fragility of their bodies is exposed.  The fragility of Jesus’ body was also exposed in his crucifixion.  Ultimately, our fragile bodies will suffer disease, injury, and slow decay and we will die.  But our hope in Jesus Christ is that he will come again and raise our bodies up in glory, in bodies that are no longer corrupt and subject to death.   This is our blessed hope.

            For Paul there was a daily awareness that he had not yet arrived at the fullness of the resurrected body, that will only happen when Christ comes at the end of this age.  So for now Paul’s focus was to “press on” (Philippians 3:12) or “strain forward” (3:13).  It gives us the image of a runner keeping his eye on the finish line.  Paul is saying “keep your eye on the prize”.

            Paul contrasts this way of being with those whom he says live as though they were “the enemies of Christ”.  Their gods are earthly things (their belly or human appetites- 3:19).  Paul makes their end clear – destruction (3:19).  For Paul, humans are mortal, death is a reality that we will all face one day. For those who make themselves an enemy of Christ by rejecting him and making their own appetites their gods, the end is final destruction.  But for those who put their hope in Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead, their hope is to be raised up from among the dead to be transformed into a glorious body like Jesus has been transformed into at his resurrection.  A body that is not corruptible and cannot die.  They will be clothed in immortality by Jesus upon his return from heaven.

            I hope that you, like Paul and like me and countless other believers, trust in Jesus Christ and keep pressing on to follow him.  Keep your eye on the prize.

            “There Ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down. There ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down.  When I hear that trumpet sound, gonna rise right outta the ground. There Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.”

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions:

  1.  What value can you see in understanding the reality of death and the hope of bodily resurrection at the return of Christ as opposed to the no hope of life after death or the natural immortality of the soul?
  2. Paul named those who were doomed for destruction as those whose gods were their belly/appetites.  What might you name as other appetites/gods of people today?  In what ways do pursuing those gods lead to destruction?
  3. What does the promise of resurrection from the dead reveal to us about God’s character and plan for the world?  What difference does that make in your life?

Prayer

Dear God Almighty, I praise You for Your power and Your plan. What a good God You are! I thank You for Your Son Jesus who teaches us still today, who provided a way for us to draw near to You, who died for us, and You rose from the dead. Thank you for those like Paul, and Jeff, and so many others who have and are faithfully speaking Your words and preparing others for life, death, resurrection and a coming perfect Kingdom with You. Help me, too, to press on, to be ready and to actively share the good news with others. In Your Son’s name I pray.

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I Am NOT More Significant

2 Chronicles 1-2

Psalm 76

Philippians 2

-Devotion by JJ Fletcher (MN)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

(Philippians 2:3 ESV)

Be humble. Paul says to count others as more important than yourselves. Selfish ambition and conceit have no place in a life of faith. Jesus doesn’t try to bypass God’s will and establish the Kingdom in his own timing; rather, he understands God’s redemption plan and the need for his sacrifice. He puts the lives of his friends and the future of the church ahead of his desire to escape pain. Succinctly put, he counted others as more important than himself. Contemplate what putting this into practice looks like day by day.

Don’t grumble. This may be hard to grasp, but grumbling and complaining are not spiritual gifts. I jest (kind of…), but if you have been around people for any length of time, even in the church, you have heard someone complain. Some people seemingly enjoy complaining or feel like it is their duty to point out everything that is “wrong” (maybe they were never taught how to channel those thoughts in a constructive way).

Sometimes we grumble and complain when things are tough and unpleasant, but other times we complain because we don’t like the way something is done. Maybe it’s due to our preferences, or maybe it’s because we think we could have done better (i.e., pride). Whatever the case may be, we should not be going through life with our default being set to complain about everything that does not go our way.  

There are tons of things that I don’t like. I don’t like Mondays; I don’t like it to be over 72 degrees outside, and I am not enamored by the chorus “As the Deer”. Whether it is the weather, the way we feel about starting our work week (also, what is a weekend?), or our worship preferences, we are responsible for how we conduct ourselves: our attitudes, our actions, our responses to all stimuli. I can choose to roll my eyes or be grumpy, or I can choose to have a good attitude. 

One mind. Paul’s desire is for the body to be of one mind. Being of one mind, Paul wants us to have the same mindset as Jesus. As we strive to work, worship, and live in unity, we should be following his examples of humility and conduct.

Fear and trembling. Paul says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. All parts of our lives should be evaluated under this primary question: “Does this honor and glorify God?” This should impact our theology, our church structure, and our conduct toward others. There are lots of ways to live out our faith; some ways are correct, and some are not, but some are just flat out different than others and are equally useful for bringing God glory. 

Reflection Questions:

How does my behavior reflect my faith?

What message does grumbling and complaining send?

How can we effectively navigate disagreements in churches and in other areas of our lives?

What does having one mind look like in practical terms?

Prayer

Dear God – You have so much You could complain about me. Forgive me for the times I am proud, selfish and complaining. I want to have the mind of Christ. Help me see myself and others as You want me to. Help me catch when I am going in the wrong direction and make the changes necessary to be pleasing to You in my attitude, words and actions.

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Courage and Community

1 Chronicles 28-29

Psalm 76

Philippians 1

-Devotion by Kyle Shull (MN)

Since June just ended, the grad party season is starting to wind down for everyone. As a recent graduate from high school, it has been fun to host my own grad party and invite my family and friends to join the celebration. Beyond all the gifts, great food, and endless photos, one question always comes up. “What’s next?” For some, it’s college at a university, trade school, starting/joining a business, or even taking time to reflect on one’s next steps. Regardless, the level of responsibility increases substantially for many young people across America.

In 1 Chronicles 28-29, we see a young Solomon having his responsibilities skyrocket, as he officially takes his father’s place as King. His task from the Lord: build a house worthy of God through the plans that David possessed. This wasn’t a simple task, as v. 11-18 describe exactly everything that he had in mind for the Lord’s house. These verses describe divisions of the priests, the chambers, the treasuries, and detail the exact weight of every lampstand, table, gold dish, silver bowl, and many more items! I can’t imagine the feelings that Solomon would have as his father put his trust in him for one of the most sacred structures in the Bible.

However, David says to Solomon in verse 20-21, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the LORD’S house is finished. Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing person of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the leaders and all the people are at your every command (CSB).” Later, in chapter 29, David also prays for Solomon to give him an undivided heart for the work ahead.

David knew the task God had granted to Solomon was challenging. However, David’s words echo the need to trust in the LORD and to rely on one’s community. Today, we aren’t the kings of nations, but we are faced with increasing responsibilities and freedoms each day we live. My relevant example was for graduates, but that isn’t the only limitation. Maybe it’s something that we want to do, like take an extraordinary trip with our family. Our responsibilities might be difficult to fulfill, such as taking care of someone in your neighborhood who is experiencing a long-term illness. 

Whatever your next task is, I pray you will ask God for guidance as you navigate the path you must follow. He might not answer everything instantly, but still trust our Father up above, even when your path is narrow. God can also reveal guidance through the people we interact with. David gave all his leaders to Solomon to help with any task that needed to be accomplished. For many of us, that group of people is our church community. Whatever your next step in life is, ask your pastors, teachers, and people inside the church body. The Holy Spirit can work in mysterious ways through people we don’t even expect. 

We can see this sense of community also in Philippians 1. Here, Paul gives gratitude to the Philippian church for their support in spreading the gospel (especially during his imprisonment in Acts 16). Even the Bible’s greatest evangelicals needed support from fellow believers. This emphasizes the need to reinforce our fellow community members on the right steps or the right people to seek help.

Paul ends Chapter One with a wish to the church: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (v. 27 ESV).” Whatever the next chapter is for you, do it while still living with Christ as the center of action.

Reflection Questions:

  1.  The ideas of strength and courage are found in many Biblical leaders in power. Who are some of the people who stand out to you? In what ways can we live with the same biblical courage that these leaders had in our everyday tasks?
  1. In both passages, we see leaders, citizens, and early church members supporting people doing hard tasks through prayer, giving, and service. How can we support our church leaders, missionaries, and young people through our own experience and skills?
  1. How do you put Christ first in a new world where life is changing on all sides? What sustainable disciplines could you add to make the good news at the center of your heart?

Prayer:

Great and Mighty God, 

Thank you for being our Father and for always letting us put our trust in you when we do difficult things. Please keep our hearts aligned with Christ in the center, wherever our next step is. Help us to be strong and courageous with you and our community supporting us.

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen.

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Jobs for Everyone

1 Chronicles 26-27

Psalm 75

Ephesians 6

-Devotion by Kevin Shull (MN)

1 Chronicles 26-27 are chapters that can be easy to skim past as you are reading through the Bible.  However, hidden within these lists of names and positions, we can gain a glimpse of God’s order.  The Israelites were a nation that were set apart by God.  This can be seen in Leviticus 20:26 and 1 Chronicles 17:21.  What separated Israel from the rest of the nations was God’s Law, which provided the Israelites with the order that they needed to live a holy life.

1 Chronicles 26-27 puts a focus on the specific structure and design that God engineered for the Israelites’ success.  Within these chapters we see how King David is organizing the Levites to serve in the temple.  1 Chronicles 26:1-19 details the divisions of Levitical gatekeepers.  It is specific to their leading men, which gate they are assigned to, and how each watch should run.  26:20-28 focuses on the treasuries of God’s temple, and the individuals responsible for them.  26:29-32 highlights the work of the Levites outside of the temple, who are assigned to be judges and overseers for the tribes of Israel.  Each listing is detailed with their families and locations. 

This is continued in chapter 27, starting with the military.  From verse 1 we learn that the military is to be split into twelve divisions, with 24,000 in each division.  27:2-15 then lists the commanders of these divisions by name for their appropriate division.  In 27:16-22, the heads of tribes of Israel are also listed by name.  The chapter continues in 27:25-31 by listing those who were placed over the king’s various affairs and property.  Finally, 27:32-34 lists the king’s counselors and the commander of the king’s army.

As I was reading through these lists, chapter 27 verse 30 stuck out to me.  “Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.  Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.”  In the greater scope of the Bible, I would not think of these as particularly noteworthy roles that would need to be listed.  But in the time of David, both camels and donkeys were vital to the success of the kingdom.  Camels were of key importance for desert transport and trade.  Donkeys were needed for their agricultural work and carrying heavy loads.  While not particularly flashy jobs, both Obil and Jehdeiah’s work was needed within the Israelite nation. 

We can apply these same concepts into our Church today.  The Church needs members in different roles to thrive.  We have all been given unique spiritual gifts for the purpose of serving our church.  1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  Not everyone is called to be a pastor or musician, but we can still find ways to serve.  God has given you gifts to better your church, even if it isn’t always in the flashiest positions.  1 Corinthians 12:21 reminds us that no part of the body of Christ should be looked down upon. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’”  It is pivotal that we don’t lose faith by neglecting the gifts God has given us.

While 1 Chronicles 26-27 are not the most riveting chapters of the Bible, I believe they are truly just as important.  God had a specific plan for the Israelites’ success, a clear order to ensure prosperity.  Lists like these remind me that God used each of these individuals for a specific purpose, as hard as their names might be to pronounce.  God used these people to orchestrate all the inner workings of complex bureaucracy that was David’s kingdom.  In comparison to a kingdom, imagine how simple our own lives must be to him.  Our God is a God of order, so why do we have such a hard time letting him lead?  I pray that we will be able to let go and follow where God’s plan is taking us.

Reflection Questions

  1. What did you find interesting in the description of the organization of the Levites and David’s kingdom?
  2. Of the jobs listed in 1 Chronicles 26-27, which one(s) would you have applied for if you lived during David’s reign and why?
  3. How has God gifted you for service? What role do you play in the church body? Why does it need to be done? What skills does it require?
  4. Where have you witnessed the God of order at work?

Prayer

Dear God, I thank You for creating the church as a body – not because You need us, but because we need You and we need one another. Help us to serve You well as an active, talented, giving part of the body of Christ.

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