Category: love

Committed Love

Song of Songs 7-8

Psalm 108

Revelation 1

-Devotion by Jerry Wierwille (NY) – today we cover Song of Songs 6-8

At the conclusion of chapter 5, which we looked at yesterday, the woman gave an elaborate description of her beloved and what she loves and admires about him to the daughters of Jerusalem (who are an unnamed group of women that are likely being used as a literary device in the poem). Now, chapter 6 opens with the daughters of Jerusalem asking where the woman’s beloved has gone. Whereas in chapter 5, she seems to not know where he went, now her answer is quite confident: “My beloved has gone down to his garden” (6:2). The tone of her response differs drastically from her frantic search in the previous chapter. And so, she apparently knows where he is now, and she knows where she stands in her relationship with him.

Verse 3 presents one of the most significant themes in the book, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (6:3). Back in chapter 2, the woman said, “My beloved is mine, and I am his” (2:16). Interestingly, now the order is reversed. The emphasis falls on the fact that she has given herself to him before she speaks of him belonging to her. Whether or not the change is intended to mark some growth in their relationship, or her perspective, it nonetheless expresses how she sees their mutual commitment to each other. This major theme of the book can help us see how healthy love is not built merely on asking, “What am I going to get?” but more importantly, “How can I give myself faithfully to the person I love?”

In response, the man begins praising her again, “You are beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners.” (6:4). He compares her beauty to famous cities and a strong army proudly carrying banners. Something that we can note is that the man responds after the situation in chapter 5 when he went to see his beloved and was not greeted at the door with wonderful sentiments of praise and admiration.

It is important to remember, though, that healthy relationships are not free of problems, much less ignore problems. But it does remind us that conflict should not overwrite or erase our affection or desire. It is easy to reduce our opinion of someone to what has frustrated us about them most recently. But love resists that temptation and remembers the whole person and doesn’t neglect to speak what is true, beautiful, and worthy of gratitude, even when our present emotions may not drive us in that direction inherently.

In 6:10, the woman is described in this way: “Who is she who looks forth as the morning, beautiful as the moon, clear as the sun and awesome as an army with banners?” picking back up the militaristic imagery of verse 4. This imagery is striking. The woman is not presented as a fading light to the eyes of the man as something drifting into the background, but as someone whose presence is radiant, illuminating, and commands his full attention.

Lastly in chapter 6, the Hebrew in verse 13 is notoriously difficult, and it is hard to understand what the phrases are meant to conclude from preceding context. But what can be known is that they seem to bridge to chapter 7 where the man continues his elaborate description of his woman’s beauty.

Chapter 7 presents, yet again, several images and metaphors that may sound unusual to modern ears, but the point is as clear as it was previously: the man is delighted in his beloved and struggles to find the words to aptly describe the great love he has for her and how deep his affection is for her.

Then, in the middle of the chapter, the woman replies again with that familiar language from one of the main themes of the book, “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” (7:10). This statement conveys that her confidence in their relationship is one of strength and security: she knows both that she belongs to him and that she is desired by him. The woman perceives how much she is desired and her beloved’s attitude and affection toward her is not passive but firmly vocalized—she knows that she is wanted by him.

This brings out something important in healthy loving relationships: the ability to rest in another’s faithful and abiding love. The relationship that is filled with tension and conflict, instable, uncertain, and constantly hanging in the balances is one that asks, “Do they still want me? Am I enough? Has something changed? Has their love grown cold?” But a committed, loving relationship seeks to create an environment where those questions never surface. The reassurance, the verbal and non-verbal communication, and the unwillingness to entertain the destructive thoughts or patterns of interacting fortifies the relationship so that it is beyond assault from such nagging questions and self-doubts.

At the end of the chapter, the woman takes initiative by asking her lover, “Come, my beloved, let’s go out into the field. Let’s lodge in the villages” (7:11). Earlier, the man invited her to rise up and come away with him. Now she extends the invitation back to him. Their relationship is reciprocal. She is not simply waiting to be pursued by him; she also pursues him back. It is customary in many cultures for the man to initiate and make the “first move,” but love is not bound by cultural conventions. When two people love each other, it can be a beautiful combination of mutual pursuit where each knows that they are wanted by the other.

And finally, chapter 8 brings the book to a fitting conclusion by emphasizing the strength, exclusivity, and enduring nature of love. The woman says, “Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death” (8:6). In the ancient world, a seal represented ownership, identity, and a pledge, and so the image of a seal in the context of a relationship communicates the woman’s belongingness, security in the relationship, and the enduring place that she will hold in the heart and life of the one she loves. 

She goes on to say that “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it” (8:7). After all the longing, delight, distance, searching, reunion, and mutual desire that has been described throughout the book, Song of Songs ends by reminding us that genuine love is not fragile or disposable. It cannot be reduced to momentary emotion or physical attraction. Real love is powerful, persistent, and immeasurably valuable—so valuable that “If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.” (8:7).

Perhaps that is the best way to bring the message of Song of Songs together. Throughout the book, we have seen love celebrated as something beautiful, passionate, patient, protective, sought after, vulnerable, and committed. The book is a love poem of two people delighting in each other, speaking words of affirmation, enduring moments of disappointment and distance, pursuing reconciliation, and continually reaffirming that they belong to one another. 

Although Song of Songs is primarily a celebration of human romantic love, its language can also remind us of the steadfast love God has shown us. His love is not something we earn or purchase, and it is not extinguished by changing circumstances or fluctuating emotions. We have a God of love who calls for us to respond to Him in love. He has committed Himself to us and is looking to see if we will commit ourselves to Him. Do we desire Him? And are we willing to show Him our true heart?

Reflection Questions

  1. Reread paragraph 4 in today’s devotion. Consider your beloved, or anyone you are close to, but sometimes find yourself in conflict with. What are his/her overall positive characteristics, personality, and actions that have drawn you to this person? It could be helpful to even write them down, print them out. How can you commit to remembering these, and speaking of them, in the next time of conflict.
  2. Particularly for the married: how well do you show committed love and desire to your spouse? What could you do to improve in this area? How might this concept apply (and not apply) to other relationships?
  3. “Do we desire God? And are we willing to show Him our true heart?”

Prayer

Dear God of love and faithfulness, I thank You for not seeing me and treating me as the product of all my failures and flaws. You know them, and You still love me. Help me to love others with the same committed love and mercy.

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Healthy Love

Song of Songs 5-6

Psalm 107

Jude

-Devotion by Jerry Wierwille – today’s devotion will be over Song of Songs 4 & 5 since the first day we covered just chapter 1 we are working one chapter behind this week.

Chapters 4 and 5 of the Song of Songs deepen love by showing us the beauty of intimacy and the pain that can emerge when love feels distant. Chapter 4 is filled with admiration, while chapter 5 moves into hesitation, separation, searching, and longing. These chapters remind us that love thrives when it is expressed, protected, and pursued.

Chapter 4 of Song of Songs begins with the man speaking words of admiration and affirmation to the woman he loves (4:1-6). While we may not appreciate the imagery he uses to describe her eyes, hair, smile, lips, and appearance, they are nonetheless very romantic and poetic. And so, some comparisons may sound quite unusual to us, and perhaps even borderline insulting, but his purpose is unmistakable: he is captivated by her beauty and is not hesitant to tell her so in a multi-dimensional way. It seems as though he is drawing attention to every aspect of her that he finds lovely.

When the man concludes with, “You are all beautiful, my darling. There is no spot in you.” (4:7). To have a “spot” is the biblical expression for a flaw. Far from claiming that she is perfect, indeed, flawless in every regard, the man doesn’t see her flaws and dwell upon them or point them out to her; he loves her just the way she is.

There is an important lesson here regarding romantic relationships. Affection should not be presumed as though the other person certainly must understand how we feel. Rather, love must be verbalized and communicated. People need to hear words that build them up and remind them that they are valued. Over time, in any relationship, it can become easy to notice flaws and irritations more quickly than virtues, but healthy love intentionally looks for what is beautiful in the person and then is not ashamed or hesitant to say it out loud.

As the chapter continues, the imagery becomes more intimate. The woman is described as “a garden locked up,” “a locked up spring,” and “a sealed fountain” (4:12). These metaphors communicate that romantic relationships, and particularly sexuality, are something private, exclusive, and precious that is not available to everyone. The woman’s love and sexuality are portrayed as something carefully guarded and reserved, not common or shared with others openly.

As the chapter moves to the end, the imagery shifts to the woman inviting her beloved into the garden: “Let my beloved come into his garden and eat its delicious fruits.” (4:16). The locked garden now becomes an available garden, but by invitation only. They are committed to each other and the desire is mutual. And so, the imagery portrays how love must be welcomed, never forced or pressured.

At the beginning of chapter 5, the man responds to the woman’s invitation with great delight. The imagery points to the abundance of the garden with myrrh, spices, honey, wine, and milk. The poetry is certainly sensual and intimate. And as the chorus celebrates with the chant, “Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved” (5:1b), the mood suddenly changes.

The woman says, “I was asleep, but my heart was awake. (5:2). Her beloved comes to the door and asks to be let in, but she hesitates. She has already taken off her robe and washed her feet. She is already in bed. Getting up would be inconvenient. Her response might sound mundane to our modern ears, but what the woman is conveying is what makes the scene so relatable. The idea being expressed is that love is sometimes interrupted not by betrayal or distrust, but by inconvenience, fatigue, hesitation, or reluctance.

By the time she changes her mind and opens the door, she finds him gone: “I opened to my beloved, but my beloved left and had gone away” (5:6). Suddenly, what seemed inconvenient becomes alarming. Immediately, realizing what she had done, she searches for him, but this time the search is filled with challenges and pain. The watchmen of the city find her, beat her, and take away her cloak (5:7).

Then the representative “daughters of Jerusalem” ask her, “How is your beloved better than another beloved”? What they want to know is what makes her beloved so special. Her answer tells us exactly how she feels. Instead of focusing on her situation, or her longing due to his absence, or her frustration with what has happened, she begins describing everything she admires about him (5:10-16a). And the ending captures her heart perfectly, when she says, “This is my beloved and this is my friend” (5:16).

That last utterance is especially powerful. The woman’s lover is not only the object of her romantic desire; he is also her friend. It entails the truth about deep love; it includes attraction and desire, but is also accompanied by companionship, admiration, and the joy they bring.

We can draw a spiritual lesson from this about our relationship with God. At times, God calls us to draw near, but life has a way of putting things in our way. We become distracted, tired, complacent, or simply slow to react. When we become aware of how we have been responding, we may realize how deeply we miss the nearness we once enjoyed. Yet rather than remaining stuck in regret, we can do what the woman did when she realized she had not responded the way she should have. She got up and began to seek him. And even if there are challenges, and even if there are pain and sacrifice, we must remember what is beautiful about the God we love and why He is worth pursuing.

So, let’s protect love (especially intimacy) as a sacred blessing that we have been entrusted with by God, guarding it and only giving it to the one who should be invited to enjoy it. And in our relationship with God, let’s not allow spiritual complacency to make us slow to answer His invitation to draw near and enjoy the blessing of His presence in our lives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How well do you communicate love and admiration with your words? How can you work towards improving in this area?
  2. How is the world’s view of and guidelines for intimacy different from God’s? What problems are caused by the world’s? How is God’s way best?
  3. What do you often do with regret in human relationships? Do you try to ignore it, letting it grow, or do you actively seek resolution and restoration? What do you often do with spiritual complacency? Do you try to ignore it, letting it grow, or do you actively seek God and His presence in your life? What does seeking God look like and what are the blessings from it?

Prayer

Dear God – I praise and thank You for being a God of love. Thank you for showing us how to love – in Your word, in Your Son’s example, and in Your own love. Help me to verbalize my love to You and to my spouse and others You have graciously put into my life. Help me to see opportunity to love rather than inconvenience. May I be moved by regret to pursue, resolve and restore. May I grow deeper and deeper in love with You and with my beloved and friend.

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Protecting and Pursuing

Song of Songs 3-4

Psalm 107

3 John

-Devotion by Jerry Wierwille (NY) – today’s devotion will cover Song of Songs 2-3

Song of Songs chapters 2 and 3 continue the beautiful picture of mutual affection and love that was introduced in the first chapter. The woman and her beloved delight in one another, long for one another’s presence, and speak openly about the joy they find in being together. But these chapters also introduce another dimension of love: love must be protected, patiently received, and sometimes pursued through seasons when the one we desire feels distant.

Chapter 2 opens with the woman describing herself as a “lily of the valley” (2:1), which seems as though she is comparing herself to a rather ordinary flower that grows abundantly in the countryside in Israel. But that is exactly why the man’s response (i.e., her lover) is so meaningful. She may see herself as simply one flower among many, while he sees her as exquisite and incomparable. She is “a lily among the bramble” (2:2).

Moreover, she reciprocates with a description about the uniqueness and blessings of her lover by comparing him to “an apple tree among the trees of the forest” (2:3).  and affirms that she delights to sit “in his shade” (2:3). This imagery communicates how she feels safe and refreshed in his presence. And then comes one of the most memorable statements in the book: “His banner over me is love” (2:4). His love is not something she hopes for or tries to earn but is the atmosphere surrounding her and is what is made known to her—she knows herself to be loved.

A few verses later, the beloved calls to her: “Rise up, my darling, my beautiful one, and come away.” (2:10). Winter has passed, spring flowers are appearing, and the season of singing has arrived. The imagery in this section is full of vibrancy, freshness, and new life. His love invites her out of hiding and into shared joy for something wonderful is developing in their relationship—“our vineyards are in bloom” (2:15).

Yet right alongside this excitement comes a repeated warning: Do “not stir up nor awaken love until it so desires.” (2:7). Song of Songs celebrates romantic desire, but it does not treat this desire carelessly or purely sensually. Love is powerful, and because it is so powerful, we must take care not to be manipulated or rushed into it. There is a proper time for love to awaken and a proper way for it to be expressed. But too often we are caught up on love and fall prey to the adage, “Love is blind.”

There is an interesting and difficult passage in chapter 2 that uses a striking image to teach an important lesson: “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards” (2:15). The image suggests that a vineyard may be flourishing, but little creatures (like foxes) can quietly damage what is growing. Relationships are often harmed in the same way. It is not always one enormous betrayal that shatters a relationship and breaks trust. Sometimes it is the accumulation of a bunch of small actions, such as perhaps a few too many times of neglect, some residual resentment, foolish words repeatedly spoken, too much secrecy, the presence of selfishness, or unresolved hurts and wounds. Love is something to enjoy, but also something to carefully guard and protect.

At the climax of chapter 2 is the woman’s declaration, “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” (2:16). This language of being “someone’s” is not possessive or controlling but rather is the product of mutual commitment. Love creates a place where both people can say, in effect, “I give myself to you, and I receive you with joy.” The woman and her beloved are sharing this belongingness to each other as an expression of their true love.

When entering chapter 3, it is apparent that the mood has shifted. During the night, the woman searches for the one she loves and cannot find him. She gets up, walks through the city, asks the watchmen if they have seen him, and continues searching until at last she finds him, and she says, “I held him and would not let him go” (3:4).

There is something very relatable about what is described in this scene. When we love someone, their absence can feel like an enormous hole—a vacuum that nothing can fill. What once felt secure and steadfast can suddenly feel uncertain, and our longing can quickly turn into restlessness. But the woman does not respond to her anxious thoughts with fears and inner turmoil. Instead, she goes and searches diligently until she finds him.

Although Song of Songs is primarily celebrating human romantic love, this scene can also remind us of our relationship with God. There are times when God’s presence feels close and very perceivable, like the break from the sun when sitting in the shade of tree or spring blossoms and flower blooms in spring. But there are other times when our prayers may feel dry, less connected. Maybe reading Scripture feels less insightful, more rote and mechanical, and God seems strangely distant. Those experiences do not mean that He has abandoned us, but they can expose how deeply we desire His presence—the peace and comfort only He can give.

The woman’s intense searching can challenge us in those seasons. Instead of responding to a time of spiritual “dryness” with fear and worry, we can get up and seek Him. We can continue to pray even when prayer feels difficult; we can devote ourselves to Scripture even when reading seems to lack emotion and delight; we can keep meeting with God’s people and continue to serve; and we can refuse to let a temporary feeling of distance rewrite what God has already told us about His faithfulness and nearness to us.

Chapters 2 and 3 remind us that healthy love has elements of both delight and caution. It rejoices in the presence of the one we love, respects proper timing, protects what is precious, and continues to pursue even in times when we might feel disconnected or frustrated in moments of longing. Therefore, let’s receive the love God has given us with gratitude, protect the relationships He has entrusted to us, and keep seeking Him even when we do not immediately feel what we wish we did. His love is faithful, and so let’s be faithful in loving Him back.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific “little foxes” (including those of your own making) have the power of sneaking in to spoil your love relationships (both with a spouse, and/or with God)? What can you do to protect your love relationship(s) from each of these “little foxes”?
  2. What do you think it means to, “not stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (or various other translations, as seen in 3:5)? How many times does Solomon repeat this phrase? What is the danger in not following this advice?
  3. What is your common response when your love (spouse and/or God) feels difficult or distant? What would seeking look like in your case? Have you been through a dry spell that then revived? What do you think helped?

Prayer

Dear God, You are a great lover of me. Thank You for faithfully loving me. I confess the times I have allowed little foxes to eat away at my devotion to You, and times when I am more distant from You, often due to distractions I have allowed. Help me protect and pursue our love – with time, desire, effort, and a full heart. Thank you, too, for the gift of loved ones You have given. Help me to protect and pursue those relationships – particularly that of my spouse (as it applies) – what a wonderful plan for marriage and family You have created for me to honor, enjoy, protect and pursue. Help me be the spouse You want me to be.

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Insecurity and Love

Song of Songs 1-2

Psalm 106

2 John

-Devotion by Jerry Wierwille (NY)

The book Song of Songs (also known as the Song of Solomon) is one of the most beautiful and captivating books in the Bible. It is a collection of love poetry that celebrates affection, desire, beauty, commitment, and the joy of belonging to another person. Rather than treating romantic love as something embarrassing or unspiritual, Song of Songs presents it as something to be sought after, treasured, and protected.

Throughout Christian history, many believers have read Song of Songs as a figurative representation of the love between God and His people, or the love of Christ for His church. But that allegorization should not be the primary way to understand the book. Nevertheless, while we should read Song of Songs primarily as romantic poetry celebrating human love, the vivid imagery and language of longing, delight, pursuit, and belonging, though not romantic in nature, can also help us to understand the depth of affection found in our relationship with God—our love for Him and His love for us.

Song of Songs begins with a description about a deep longing. The unidentified woman figure desires the presence of the one she loves, and throughout the first chapter there is a strong sense of mutual delight between them. They speak about their admiration, affection, and tenderness toward each another. They take note of what they see as beautiful, and they are not afraid to express it.

Yet right in the midst of this jubilee of love is a hint of the woman’s insecurity. She says, “Do not stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me” (1:6). Apparently, she is quite self-conscious about how she appears to others. She says that she works in the sun and seems aware of the fact that she has become dark because of it, and that may not fit the standards of beauty in her culture.

I think this expresses something deeply human as we all know what it is like to feel exposed, inadequate, or less than what we think others expect of us. We compare ourselves to others; we think about our weaknesses or our failures; and we often wonder whether people would still accept us if they knew everything about us.

What comes next pierces through that chatter. The response of her beloved counteracts her insecurity: “O most beautiful among women,” (1:8), and “Behold, you are beautiful, my darling!” he says (1:15). He does not respond to her insecurity by pointing out her flaws but speaks words of love, affirmation, and delight. He seeks to overwrite her negative self-image with truth. In his affirmation of her, the lover does not trivialize her mistaken view, but simply paints an entirely different picture on the canvas of her mind so that she can begin to believe a different narrative than the one she has been telling herself.

This can remind us of the way God sees us. God sees us more clearly than anyone else ever could. He knows every weakness, every hidden thought, every regret, and every place where we have failed. Yet through Christ, we are not defined by shame, guilt, and unmet expectations. Instead, we are forgiven, accepted, and brought near.

In our insecurity, we might imagine that God merely puts up with us. But we know that He loves us dearly since Scripture tells us He does. But perhaps we struggle to believe that He actually delights in us. And so, if we think about that passion and eagerness of desire that the woman and her lover express in the first chapter of Song of Songs, even though it is a picture of human love, then it can challenge us to dismiss any fictional view of God’s love that is less than the truth.

Let’s have the truth God has told us in Scripture be the narrative we believe, and not the distorted story our fears, insecurities, failures, or past experiences try to write for us. So when insecurity, shame, comparison with others, or regret begin to creep into how we see ourselves, don’t let it! Instead, allow the truth of God’s love and grace overwrite that false portrait of who we are. We are God’s beloved. And He desires us!

Reflection Questions

  1. What lies about yourself do you tell yourself? What insecurities, shame, comparison with others, and/or regret have you allowed to distort your image?
  2. Have you accepted Jesus’s sacrifice to save you? What do you think God sees when He looks at and in you? Pray for God to show you.
  3. How can you help someone else see the truth and the beauty (inside and out) God has made them to be?

Prayer

Dear God, You are worthy of all my desire and love and it boggles my mind that You indeed desire a deep relationship with me. The lengths of Your great love for me, which Your Son then learned from You, are extraordinary. Help me to see clearly who You have made and saved me to be, removing all lies, attitudes and actions that interfere with me receiving Your love, returning love back to You, and spreading Your love.

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Adding More and More

Job 40-41

Psalm 102

2 Peter 1

-Devotion by J.J. Fletcher (MN)

(2 Peter 1:5-10 ESV) …make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

In contrast to the list of negative attributes to avoid in the second chapter of 1st Peter, we see in the first chapter of 2nd Peter a list of attributes that we should aspire to. Believe, absolutely, but belief must be supplemented with action. Virtue = moral excellence; let your character be representative of Christ. As one called to redemption in the name of Jesus, your motivations and behaviors should be indicative of Jesus’ righteousness (he is your righteousness, so honor it with your lifestyle). As we strive for moral excellence, we should seek to understand. 

Sir Francis Bacon coined the term “knowledge is power.” Knowledge gives us an advantage. Simply hearing that we should behave in a certain way is one thing, but studying the scriptures to understand WHY we should behave a certain way is more powerful and compelling. As someone who grew up in the 90’s, “The More You Know” PSA’s come to mind. To be discerning in addressing the many challenges of life, the knowledge and understanding of scripture is crucial.

Our knowledge gives us a basis to exercise self-control. Having an understanding of scripture gives us a metric by which to measure our behavior. If we know what we should do, then we can aspire to behave that way and recognize where we might fall short. Our salvation is not based on our works or actions, but our works/actions speak, or bear witness to our faith. If the way we behave is supposed to point others to Jesus, then we should be passionate about being self-controlled. If we can’t manage our emotions or behaviors, what message is that sending to others about our faith and character?

Add to your self-control steadfastness; this is understood as endurance or staying power. It is one thing to exercise self-control for an hour, a day, a week… Even someone who is convicted or passionate about something can get worn down or discouraged over time; so we continually need to renew our minds and evaluate ourselves.

Godliness can be understood as the way that we submit and respond to God and the way that we look at and respond to his creation, namely that which is created in his image (spoiler alert, that means people). Brotherly love (or affection) and agape: general love, care, concern, and treatment of people in general, are the logical and spiritual outpouring of our submission to God’s will in the way that we relate to and treat others.

Lacking these characteristics is tantamount to blindness, but practicing them is indicative of absolute victory. We don’t have to be perfect in our execution, but we need to strive for all of them in our behavioral orientation.

J.J. Fletcher is a 2009 graduate of Atlanta Bible College and has been pastoring Pine Grove Bible Church  (Brooklyn Park, MN) since 2017. He has been married to Hope (Kirkpatrick) for 18 years and has 4 children.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is just having faith not enough?
  2. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Why is having just a bit of any of these not enough? What would it look like to add more and more of each of these qualities?
  3. Is one (or two) of these harder for you than the others? How could you especially focus on that/those? Is there something to get rid of in order to make it easier to build more of this/these qualities?
  4. When have you been blind – missing these? How does your blindness affect your relationship with God? How does it affect your relationship with others?

Prayer

Dear God – I praise You for being the One True God – perfect in all your qualities. Forgive me for the times my faith is incomplete and blind. Help me see where I need to add on more and more that I will be effective and fruitful. And help me do what is pleasing to You, living like Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen.

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Above All

Job 36-37

Psalm 101

*1 Peter 4

-Devotion by J.J. Fletcher (MN)

At the beginning of chapter four Peter says to “arm yourself with the same way of thinking” aligning this directive with Jesus suffering in the flesh. While Jesus’ suffering was likely to exceed what these Christians endured, they were still facing a culture that might ostracize, if not outright persecute or kill them.


Peter points out distinctions in how the gentiles live according to the flesh (perverting many things that God intended for good), and how we as believers are to pursue the will of God – this means among other things giving up things that might feel good or make us feel like we belong.


We’ll home in on what Peter writes in verses 7-11:


“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7–11 ESV)


Considering the coming kingdom (which is immanent, but we don’t know when it will come): Exert Self-Control! Many times, we see this attribute called for in the life of believers (at least 18 times in the ESV). Looking in the letter of James (which I preached from yesterday), lack of self-control can lead to self-deception. When we allow our thoughts to be clouded by worldly things or self-centered behaviors, we are going to miss what God would have us do. By being sober (or clear) minded we can think critically, and we need to think clearly so that we can be effective in our prayers. Jesus gave us a model by which to structure our prayers, but our prayers are not meant to be mindless or rote… We need to be looking at things through the lens of God’s spirit, which allows us to see things that our physical eyes cannot see. Think back to 1 Peter 3 where it says a man should live with his wife in an understanding way as not to have his prayers hindered – the way that we think, live, and act has a direct impact on how we pray and the effectiveness of our prayers.


We’re instructed to love one another earnestly, because love covers a multitude of sins. (Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13). “…in the face of extreme social hostility, love will be necessary for spiritual survival. For Peter the primacy of love is accompanied by a qualification, and this qualification is a partial citation of Proverbs 10:12 similar to James 5:20—’love covers over a multitude of sins,’ rather than magnifying the faults of others. After all, love is patient and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5)” (J. Daryl Charles, “1 Peter,” in Hebrews–Revelation, vol. 13 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition).

How does the Church expect to thrive if we let piddly little things (or even larger disagreements) get in the way of caring for each other? How are we to expect to overcome the world through Jesus if we don’t exercise with others the grace that we have been shown (we all kind of stink at times, to put it mildly)?

We need to show hospitality in a world that is oft inhospitable to Jesus’ way of living. If we’re inhospitable to other believers, they might find hospitality in places that will draw them away from the grace of God. We shouldn’t grumble when we have an opportunity to be hospitable, but rather see it as an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus (Genesis 12 says Abraham was blessed to be a blessing, and through grace and mercy we’ve also been blessed to be a blessing as well).


In everything we do we need to do so viewing ourselves as representatives of God, as ambassadors of the kingdom, and imitators of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-8).


Reflection Questions

  1. How does my life look like the life of Jesus and how does it look different?
  2. How does hospitality with fellow believers prime me to be hospitable to those who I disagree with?
  3. Am I doing well at being self-controlled? What are my biggest obstacles to living in this way? Who can I ask for help or be accountable to help me in this endeavor?

(originally posted for SeekGrowLove on Oct 10, 2022)

Prayer

Dear God, You are worthy of all my praise. Thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ. I want to become more and more like him. Show me where I fail, strengthen my self-control, guide me in thinking and doing what is right and loving better.

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What to Eliminate & What to Survive On

Job 32-33

Psalm 100

*1 Peter 2

-Devotion by J.J. Fletcher – J.J. Fletcher is a 2009 graduate of Atlanta Bible College and has been pastoring Pine Grove Bible Church  (Brooklyn Park, MN) since 2017. He has been married to Hope (Kirkpatrick) for 18 years and has 4 children.

Yesterday we looked at Peter’s exhortation to be prepared and self-controlled. Chapter 1 ends with the following words: “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:22-25 ESV)

As we prepare ourselves for self-controlled lives of holiness, Peter mentions that we should love our brothers and sisters earnestly from a pure heart. 

Sometimes we may love someone but not treat them well. There’s an old saying, “familiarity breeds contempt.” As we become more intimately involved in the lives of others, we become more acutely aware of their strengths and faults. We typically know our shortcomings, and we may try to hide or compartmentalize them, but someone may have the same shortcomings, and we can easily hold those things against them in a way that we would never hold them against ourselves. This can be anything from personal sin/temptation issues to lack of social awareness. If someone is transparent with their struggles or confesses sin, it can be easy to look upon them with judgment; it can color the way that we view them or our respect for them. On the flipside, sometimes people carry themselves in a certain way or have mannerisms that put us off. I once shared in a sermon illustration that everyone annoys me… if I let them. If I want to be annoyed, I’ll find a reason. If I am set on people behaving in a certain way, it can be very easy to let irritation or resentment take over my perception of a person. 

Peter’s words at the beginning of chapter 2 are important to understand in a relational sense. Malice can be interpreted as having a “mean-spirited or vicious attitude.” Deceit is “taking advantage through craft or underhanded methods.” Hypocrisy is “to create a public impression that is at odds with one’s real purposes or motivations, play-acting, pretense, outward show.” Envy is wanting what others have, and slander is speaking ill or evil about another. Peter does not address gossip in this section, but all of these things can play into the sin of gossip, which can tear apart people on both an individual and relational level. (Quoted definitions from BDAG Greek Lexicon).

Allowing room for these attitudes or behaviors in our lives will destroy the way that the church is meant to relate to one another; it reminds me of these words from the book of Hebrews: 

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled

(Hebrews 12:14-15 ESV)

So we should not allow ourselves to be caught up with these attitudes and behaviors. We should be willing to receive correction if we are behaving in a way that is detrimental to ourselves and the church, and also we need to be willing to confront those who harm the church by their conduct.

These problems stem from not being focused on what Peter calls “pure spiritual milk.” If our priorities and focus are not on the life that God wants us to lead, but rather on what we want for ourselves, we open ourselves up to relating to others in a selfish or prideful way that opens us up to these types of destructive conduct.

We’ll close out with this excerpt from the NIV Application Commentary:

“Pure spiritual milk” refers to the very things that nourish the Christian community in its growth: knowledge of God, prayer, instruction in the gospel, faithful obedience, and hearing God’s preached word. The desire for spiritual nourishment is the desire of any church that wants to know the Lord and live in light of his will.”

Reflection Questions

  1. Who do you love that you can work on treating better? What will that look like?
  2. Do you allow yourself to be annoyed by others? What are your options? How can you view others instead?
  3. Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander, and gossip. Stop and examine yourself. What can you get rid of in your own life? What will you replace it with?
  4. How do you get spiritual nourishment? How does it help you grow in respect to salvation? If you have been feeling spiritually malnourished recently what can you do to crave – and consume – more pure spiritual milk?

Prayer

Dear Father – I give you praise and worship for You are a great God. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love and the gift of Your Son. Help me to get rid of all bad attitudes and evil thoughts, words and actions towards others. I want to love others well, as You and Your Son have loved me. Thank You for Your perfect Word that lives forever and supplies all we need to grow in You. Help me crave it, learn from it and pass it on until Your Son returns. In his name we pray, Amen.

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Final Reminders

Job 16-17

Psalm 97

Hebrews 13

-Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (originally posted for SeekGrowLove on Oct 27, 2021)

When children finish high school, and they go off to college or to live on their own for the first time, those frenzied final weeks before leaving are usually a flurry of activities.  To-do lists are checked off and then added to, last minute shopping trips become a daily occurrence, and packing everything needed seems an impossible task.  Finally, the day arrives, and the slightly panicked parents are often confronted with this stark realization:  did I prepare them sufficiently for the challenges they will face in life?  And so ensues final reminders, gentle warnings, and many sentences starting with “Don’t forget,” or “Remember.”  The parents want the best experience for their children at college and in life.

The writer of Hebrews also desires the best outcome for his dear readers, his spiritual children, as he finishes his letter.  Of course, that best outcome is eternal life in the Kingdom of God.  Thus, Hebrews 13 concludes with straightforward instruction to reach this prize.

Consider the direct instructions found in verses 1-7, and the reasons WHY these instructions are important.  

  • “Keep on loving each other as brothers”
  • “Do not neglect hospitality to strangers—(WHY?)—”for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
  • “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated—(WHY?) – since you yourselves also are in the body.”
  •  “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; – (WHY?) – for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.”
  • “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; – (WHY?) – for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you.”
  • “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; – (WHY?) – considering the result of their way of life, imitate their faith.”

Verse 17 goes hand in hand with verse 7.  “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, – (WHY?) – because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

Hebrews 13:8 can be a stand-alone statement and beloved promise, easy to memorize (and it should be) and underlined in your Bible.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

What an assurance to us that Jesus has not changed and will not change—he is our Savior and coming King.  Perhaps the writer felt a plain statement of our basic hope was warranted after his beginning list of directives. 

Building on that simple reassurance, verse 9 warns the early Christians and us today, not to “be carried away by varied and strange teachings,” just as parents might advise their departing children—stay true to your foundation, the principles of your upbringing.  It is firm, it is solid, it will keep you grounded. 

Now, remember our reading from Hebrews 10 a few days ago. 

“But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,waiting from that time onward until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:12-14)

Continuing in Hebrews 13, verses 15-16 should be OUR response for this sacrifice. 

 “Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name.  And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Our Salvation Gift from God:

Jesus—ONE SACRIFICE for all time

Our Response:

CONTINUAL SACRIFICE of

  • Praise
  • Doing good
  • Sharing

As the end of verse 16 says, “for with such SACRIFICES God is pleased.”

The writer concludes with a benediction or ending prayer in verses 20 and 21 that sums up his thoughts in this chapter. 

“Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

This prayer serves as the perfect final reminder for young adults off to college, and for each one of us. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What reminders would you pass on to your children (biological, adopted and spiritual children)? What spiritual instruction do you want them to hear one more time?
  2. What did you need to hear again (or for the first time) from Hebrews 13?
  3. What do you love about Jesus’ once for all sacrifice? What will your continual sacrifice look like today?

Prayer

“Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

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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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Generosity of Heart

  

2 Kings 13-14 

Psalm 67            

2 Corinthians 8

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

The Corinthian church was composed of a majority of Gentiles.  Corinth had been a Greek city and now was a Roman city. All the administration and customs there were Roman, and the culture was Greek and Roman combined.  The city was a very rich place by all accounts of that time because of the trade and transportation that went through it from both sides of the peninsula that it was located on.  The culture of that time was very religious, and it was not a question of believing in god, but what gods and when were the questions.  Also the city was full of the Greek philosophers such as the Stoics, Epicurians, Cynics, and others.  Giving and sacrifice was part of all these systems of pagan worship and thought.

Paul had advised the Corinthians about giving and its importance and position in the worship of daily life towards God.  We see evidence of what he taught them in Romans 16:1-4.  The flow of money and help was from the Gentile churches who had received the Word of Truth from the apostles and prophets of the early church, to the work that was centered in Jerusalem.  The church leaders there were James the brother of Jesus, as well as Peter and John.  Paul and Barnabas meeting with them is recorded in the book of Acts chapter 15 where the questions of the law and circumcision for the Gentiles were discussed and then settled with the apostles there.

Giving is a simple and at the same time complex question that we need to understand and teach.  The tithes of the law do not apply to us now in the same way as in the Old Testament so there is no direct formula to follow.  We need to see that true Christian generosity comes from the heart of the believer.  First we are fully committed to Christ, and then our heart needs to change to be fully committed to the care of others both inside the church and outside of it.  Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians 16 the “how” of our giving, and in 2 Corinthians 8-9 the “why” of our giving.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4(NLT) Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. 4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

Great advice about the “how” to do it part of the commitment to give.  We say “give to God” but there really isn’t any way that we can do that.  We can give out of our finances, resources and time to people and organizations but not directly to God.  God has no need of anything that we could possibly have or give to Him.  Everything that we have or possess is because of His grace and love.  Our finances, talents and abilities are all tools that can be utilized in our walk.  What he does ask us to do is to be conscious and generous about how we treat others in Christ, and those in need.  

What is your first reaction when you see a need in the church?

What is your first reaction when you see a need in another believer’s life?  

How about the unbeliever?

This gets difficult to figure out at times.  Giving to my direct church body in Blanchard is easy to figure out.  Giving to the General Conference is another easy choice.  Then there are direct gifts of money or time for those in need that we are directly related or connected with.  Then there are organizations outside the COGGC that may merit our help or financial support.  Paul once again gives us great advice on “why” of our giving in 2 Corinthians 8:8-15.  

2 Corinthians 8:8-12(NLT) I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Paul once again puts financial giving into perspective for us.  We should be eager and willing to walk in truth, knowledge, faith and love.  And to this also Paul shows that our Christian giving is important.  It is not an obligation but rather a choice that we should make about our priorities and directions.  

2 Corinthians 8:13-15(NLT) Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,

“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,

and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

See also the record from Romans where Paul talks about the gifts and the direction of the flow of support to Jerusalem that is recorded in Acts 15. 

Romans 15:25-27(NLT) But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially

We don’t have a law of giving to follow, but the promise from God that those who sow generously will reap generously.  Recognition of the riches of our life that God has given us will change our perspective on our life, family, job, and church body.  This new godly perspective of our position and responsibilities will change us to be able to give with a generous heart and mind.  We will be able to do the good works that God has prepared for us to do in this life.

Reflection Questions

Can we truly do any good work that does not involve God?

If God calls us to do something won’t He give us the resources to do it?

Prayer

Father God, we put our hearts and hands into Yours.  Thank you for your great love to give us the bread of our need this day, and the resources to help others.  Bless the work of our hands, and the responses of our heart.  Be with us this day and help us to do the works You have called us to do.  In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.

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