Tag: daily devotion

The Big Ten

Old Testament: Exodus 19 & 20

Poetry: Psalm 27

New Testament: Matthew 23

Today’s reading of Exodus 19 & 20 is probably one of the most familiar passages in the whole Bible for it includes the Ten Commandments.  It is important to understand the context of these commandments.  God entered into a covenantal relationship with Abraham and Abraham’s descendants through Isaac and Jacob and Jacob’s sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel.  God promised to bless and provide for his people and in exchange His people promised to be faithful and obedient to God and worship God alone.

After 400 years of slavery, Israel has grown from 12 sons and their immediate family to millions of people.  These people, God’s covenant people, will be settling in a land where they will need to live in community.  They are no longer slaves.  They are now responsible to live in that community in peace and productivity.   They need help to know how to live together.  God provides His people with the structure of how to live together as God’s people.  The Ten Commandments and subsequently nearly 600 additional laws were all designed to help them be healthy and blessed representatives of God to the rest of the world.

God loves all people.  We must never falsely believe that God only loves certain people.  God considers all human beings His children and loves them all.  God wants to be in a right relationship with all of his children; however, many are disobedient and have no willingness to be in a relationship with God and many deny that God even exists.

So God needed to start with one group of people and prepare them to be a special, chosen people who would bring the knowledge of God to others.  Exodus 19:5-6 says, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  A priest is one who helps connect people and God.  God would go on to designate priests in Israel to help the people connect with God, but His expectation for Israel was that the whole nation serve as priests to help other nations connect with God.  Because the whole nation was being set apart by God to be priests for the world, they needed to live holy or set apart lives.  There were behavioral expectations that they were to follow.  They had to be exclusively loyal to God, they could not murder, steal, lie, cheat, they were to be respectful and honoring of parents and not misuse God’s name.

Now we are completing what God began in Israel.  Through Christ we have entered into a covenant with God.  We are now the covenant people, we are called to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  That is the Church’s role.  And God expects us to live lives of holiness as we are set apart to serve God.  As you read through the many laws in the Old Testament, recognize that some applied very narrowly to the Nation of Israel and do not necessarily apply to us.  Dietary laws and sanitary laws were important in Israel at the time they were given but are no longer applicable.  However, some of the laws which pertain to morality have been reaffirmed by Jesus Christ for the Church.  In other words, as Christians we are free to eat pork and worship on Sundays, but we are not free to practice polygamy or murder.

God is truly a God of grace and mercy, but God is also a God who hates sin and punishes sin.  In this way we are still to live in fear of the Lord: Exodus 20:20 “the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Jeff Fletcher

(originally posted Feb 5, 2020 for SeekGrowLove)

Reflection Questions

  1. Looking at each one of the Ten Commandments, what can you learn about God? Why do you think He included each one in this list?
  2. Which of these commandments do you need to look at more closely in your own life? What will help you abide by them better?
  3. Looking at Matthew 23, the scribes and Pharisees Jesus was speaking about had worked hard at following the Ten (and additional commandments). But Jesus was not pleased. What were their problems? How can you avoid these problems?
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Fight-Pray-Watch-Write

Old Testament: Exodus 17 & 18

Poetry: Psalm 26

New Testament: Matthew 22:15-46

Sunday I said I love a good underdog story. It just so happens I also love a good battle story – and the Bible does not disappoint. There are many great battle stories in God’s word, including one in today’s reading in Exodus 17 of young Joshua (this is the first time he is mentioned in Scripture) battling the Amalekite army that attacked the Israelites.

My favorite kind of story though are the faith stories. How did God come through and save the day – again? What was needed and how did God deliver? Who was praying, where, and who witnessed the answer to prayer? And, how did they praise God for the answers sent? And – once again – the Bible does not disappoint. 

In fact, the battle story of Joshua vs. the Amalekites is also a great faith story. For while we have Joshua leading his very first battle with an army he put together in a day, we also have Moses holding the staff of God on the top of a hill overlooking the battle below. The action on the battlefield is just part of the story. It is the intercession on the hill which is pivotal in the outcome below. ”As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were wining, but whenever he lowered his hands the Amalekites were winning.” (Exodus 17:11) 80 year old Moses wasn’t on the battlefield but he was so important in the events of the day!

The trouble is – fatigue and weariness set in and his arms were getting heavier and heavier. He couldn’t hold up his arms any longer. He couldn’t do it alone. Intercession for the army below was not a one man job. Luckily, Aaron and Hur were on hand, saw the need, and stepped up. They provided a stone for Moses to sit on and with Aaron on one side and Hur on the other, they propped up Moses’ weary arms so that his hands remained outstretched toward heaven. 

And at the end of the day (and it did take all day) the Israelites beat back the Amalekites. And it wasn’t just because of the Joshua and his soldiers. And it wasn’t just because of the steadfast intercession of Moses, Aaron and Hur. It was a direct result of all of those AND mostly due to a mighty God who gave the victory. Moses realized this and he gave the glory to God as he built an altar to God and called it, “The LORD is my Banner.”

Does your prayer matter? Yes! There is great power in prayer and too often we take it much too lightly. We might mumble off a few sentences about, “Dear God please be with _____ and help her with ______ today.” But, when was the last time we let prayer and intercession order the events of our day, inconvenience us, or even cause a bit of pain? 

What could be changed if we take more seriously the job of lifting our hands to the throne of God? Realizing that prayer is not a one man job, who can we involve in praying with us? If you are currently on the battlefield, who can you ask to lift up hands in prayer for you and the victory you are fighting for? And how will you give the glory to God for sending answers and showing his goodness, power and love. 

I am thankful these stories have been written down to for us to learn and remember. And, I love that God told Moses to write the events of that day long ago down for Joshua to remember. How often do we forget how God displayed His goodness and power in our own lives and through the intercession of others? What great faith stories have you witnessed – perhaps as the warrior on the battlefield or perhaps as the intercessor on the hill? Will you write it down?

-Marcia Railton

Reflection & APPLICATION

  1. It is not recorded what specific words Moses may have been praying aloud or silently. In fact the word pray is not included in this passage. Do you think we might focus a bit too much on what words we say in prayer when God is more interested in our heart and arms uplifted to him (not just physically, but spiritually lifting needs to him with a devoted heart)? 
  2. There were a lot of questions in the devotion to contemplate. Which ones do you want to spend more time on?
  3. This has been on my mind for awhile now – so today is the perfect day to ask for your help! I would love to compile a collection of written faith stories from warriors and intercessors who have seen the One True God provide the victory – in both big and small ways: the keys were found, the prodigal son returned, the need was met in unexpected ways. Do you have a story you would write down to be shared? If so, please reach out to me so I can read and share your story! You can leave a comment below or find me on facebook or email me at grow16br@gmail.com. 
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Your Royal Wedding Banquet Invite

Old Testament: Exodus 15 & 16

Poetry: Psalm 25

New Testament: Matthew 22:1-14

What was the best party you have ever been to? How did you get invited? What was your relationship with the host? With the guest of honor? Who else was there? What did you wear?

Or, maybe there was a party you were invited to that you didn’t make time for? Perhaps you didn’t really know the guest of honor that well so you weren’t too interested. Or maybe you were mad at the host so you stayed away? Or you figured it would be boring since they didn’t have (insert hobby/entertainment/person of interest). But then, come to find out – you missed out on the party of the century.

Jesus knew we like to talk about parties. Wedding receptions are particularly exciting – and royal wedding parties top the charts. So what a perfect parable and analogy for the Kingdom God is preparing. God is the King – and as host of the party he decides who to invite to this event of all events which will honor His Son – Jesus.

The guest list starts out somewhat small and elite which is very fitting for a royal party. The Jews were the first to be invited to the party. They could trace their heritage back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the fathers of the faith. But, they ignore their invite and the God who sent it. They don’t even RSVP. God sends his servants out as messengers (the prophets and those who speak for God) to remind God’s people of the graciousness of their host and the splendor of the party. But, the potential guests of the party are too deep into other things – their fields, their businesses, their homes, their selfish pursuits, their false gods. Most just ignore God’s messengers – but some decide the best way to decline the invite is through violence. In rage they attack God’s messengers, even killing some. For a time they may have thought they got away with it. But, God knows and delivers judgment.

The guests didn’t show but the party isn’t cancelled. God sends his messengers again. They hit the streets with new invitations. “Invite them all,” says the host. It no longer matters who your great great great grandfather was. It doesn’t matter who you were or what you did. Old, young, rich, poor, men, women, children, black, white, and every color in between. You are invited! And all your neighbors in the world are invited! Let the party begin.

But, wait – that’s not yet the end of the parable or God’s expectations. The host has indeed invited all and is ready to receive all into His Kingdom Party. But, you must come dressed appropriately for the party so you aren’t tossed out. No, God won’t check to see if you have a designer label – but He will check to make sure you have clothed yourself with salvation. To accept your invitation accept God’s Son as the only way to salvation. And then put on the robes of righteousness – seek to live the life that will bring glory to the Father and the Son. There are many passages that continue the analogy of being properly clothed with righteousness, not stained with sin (some are Job 29:14, Isaiah 61:10, Jude 23, Revelation 3:4 and 19:8).

The greatest party ever to come is about to begin and you and all your neighbors are invited. Don’t turn down the invite because you are mad at God or don’t know Jesus well or are busy at home and work. Accept His invitation. Come to the party. But don’t make the fatal error of trying to sneak in unprepared. Accept His Son and clothe yourself with righteousness. Make sure your neighbors know they are invited and help them select their proper attire.

And then – let the party begin!

-Marcia Railton

(originally posted for SeekGrowLove on January 22, 2021)

Reflection Questions

  1. Some of the people invited to the wedding banquet in Matthew 22 paid no attention because they were too busy with other pursuits. In your own life what vies for the time and attention it will take to accept the wedding banquet invitation? What do you value most? Are you making plans and preparations now to attend the wedding banquet? 
  2. Are you already clothed in the proper garments? Have you accepted Jesus as the only way to salvation from the Father? Are your deeds, words and attitudes reflecting your desire to live a righteous life? What are you still lacking? 
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Stop! And Just Listen to Him…

Old Testament: Genesis 49 & 50

Poetry: Psalm 22

New Testament: Matthew 17

We live in a very busy culture in America. For those that are students, you are expected to fill your schedule with 8-hour school days, additional homework when you get home, some extracurricular activity after school, and then sometimes a part-time job on the side. Then, you are also expected to have some time on Wednesdays and Sundays to give to God at the church. For adults, if you aren’t spending at least 40 hours at work, plus some additional overtime, you feel like you didn’t accomplish much. Although, you also have to prioritize keeping up on your house, caring for your family, finding some sort of hobby to enjoy yourself, and also dedicating some time to serving at your church. If we have any “dead time” in our schedule, we feel like we wasted our day.

Did Jesus intend for us to be this busy as disciples? Did he want us constantly running, even when it comes to serving him?

In our passage today in Matthew 17, Peter acts very much like we do. On the top of a high mountain, as Jesus is transfigured before him, James, and John, and they are witnessing a glimpse of what the kingdom of God will be like with Moses and Elijah, Peter immediately wants to jump into action by building some shelters for these great heroes of the faith. At that moment, God speaks up (which is VERY rare in the Bible) and says to simply listen to Jesus, His beloved son. God stops Peter from acting too quickly and slows him down so that he can truly embrace what is happening in front of his eyes: He didn’t want Peter missing the moment by doing something about it.

We are encouraged today that discipleship with Christ isn’t only “doing” something for him: sometimes it is simply “being” in Jesus’ presence and listening to his voice (does this sound like Mary and Martha in Luke 10?) One of my “life-verses” right now has been Mark 3:14, which I used to read over without really reading it. It states, “And Jesus appointed twelve, so that they would be with him and that he could send them out to preach.” Did you catch that? The first thing that a disciple is supposed to do is “be with Jesus”, even before we “do” anything for him. We need to understand that time spent “with” Jesus fuels everything else we “do” for him. We need to re-learn Jesus’ words in John 15: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing… abide in my love.” (John 15:5, 9)

Brothers and sisters, break away from the rat-race of life today and do what Jesus commanded us to do first: sit and listen to his voice. Spend some time today simply “being” with Jesus, realizing that you can do nothing without this dedicated time with your Savior. He loves you as you are, not for what you do for him: abide in his love today.

Talon Paul

Reflection Questions

  1. Is being with Jesus and listening to him important to you? Why or why not? 
  2. If it is, how can you make time to be with Jesus and listen? What can you rearrange (or eliminate) in your day to make a better space of time to listen?
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The Good Soil

Old Testament: Genesis 31 & 32

Poetry: Psalm 13

New Testament: Matthew 13:1-23

Today’s reading in Matthew covers the parable of the sower. I want to focus on one of the soils. The last of the four types of ground that the seeds fall on is good soil. This soil allows the seed to grow deep roots without competition from neighboring weeds. Roots play a crucial role in the life of a plant – both anchoring it to the ground and absorbing important nutrients. Jesus explains later in the chapter that the good soil is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom and understands it. 

There are a couple of other places in the New Testament that use the idea of being rooted. One of those places is Ephesians 3:16-19, which says that Christ dwells in our hearts and that by being rooted and grounded in love we may fully grasp the incredible love of Christ. I love using plants and roots as a metaphor for our lives as believers, both individually and together. When we hear the message of the Kingdom and it takes root in our lives, the power of God’s spirit strengthens us in our inward being. We have a union with Christ, as well as a union with each other as brothers and sisters in him. What does this mean for us? 

The idea of being “rooted and grounded in love” seems to imply the love of the believers around us. That together we can fully know the love of Christ. “Grounded” can also be translated as “to lay the foundation.” It is actually the same word used in Matthew 7:25 when Jesus talks about the wise man’s house being founded on the rock. This foundation, this ground that we are rooted into is love. 

Reading these verses made me think of the tree called Pando. Have you heard of this tree before? It is a one-tree aspen forest in Utah. There are over 47,000 trunks all connected through ONE root system. On the surface, they look like individual trees, but underneath, you see that they are all one–together. Crazy, right?

I think this is a beautiful representation of the body of Christ. When the word of the Kingdom is planted in your heart you join the foundation called the Church. We are built up, encouraged, and loved by each other. 

As you read this parable, I want to encourage you to think about how the gospel has taken root in your life. Can you see how your faith has grown? How are you being rooted and grounded in love in your local church body? Is there one way this week that you can build those roots further? 

-Katelyn Salyers

Reflection Questions

  1. Can you see how your faith has grown? How are you being rooted and grounded in love in your local church body? Is there one way this week that you can build those roots further? 
  2. Can you give an example of each of the other types of soil in the Parable of the Sower? Have any of these been a problem for you? 
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A Golden Thread

*Old Testament: Genesis 27 & 28

Poetry: Psalm 11

New Testament: Matthew 11

Jumping into our Old Testament reading today of Genesis 27-28, we find ourselves among a muddy set of characters. Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau are quite the dysfunctional family in a lot of ways. As a kid I heard the story of Jacob and Esau many times, and I remember coming home from Sunday School one week quite indignant as to why the “liar” got the blessing.  That just didn’t make sense to my immature brain which was picking up information from stories in isolation, and in many ways, is still working on weaving them all together. Jacob and his manipulative mother had stood out to me as being the “bad guys” in the story since they were busy lying, sneaking around, wearing hairy disguises, whipping up really good goat stews that just might taste like something Esau’s hunting could have contributed to, and yet somehow, they got away with it. What good Sunday school teacher would have the moral of the story be “lie, cheat, and steal and you’ll be blessed”?

 Now when I read this story, I realize….it’s kinda like war. Ultimately, like most stories of human beings, all of the characters are wrong in different ways at different times and full of mistakes. In this case, at times they were all conniving and trusting in themselves to fix problems versus trusting God wholly and His sovereign plan.  While Rebekah had been told the older would serve the younger, she certainly hadn’t been told to take matters in her own hands and assume she had to be manipulative and conniving to achieve what God himself had already told her was going to happen. Nor had Jacob been instructed to trick and lie to his father. And Esau certainly was not just an innocent victim with his misplaced priorities like bowls of red stew and pagan wives. Interestingly, according to commentaries, Isaac lived 40 more  years after giving the blessing to Jacob. I always pictured him on his deathbed in this story, but apparently he had another 40 years to see what unfolded! 

God had a plan, a promise, a land and blessings to give, despite this family’s actions, not because of them. The story of this imperfect crew in Genesis 27-28 falls after Abraham has died. They are descendants of the promises given to Abraham already, and in Chapter 28, Jacob hears those promises reiterated again to him personally. As promised, not because his costume was really good and his lying skills were top notch, Jacob’s descendants are bountiful, and form the biological lineage of King David and our Messiah, Jesus. Genesis in fact, is a book full of beautiful promises, and not just promises found in interesting tales of old, full of characters who like red stew. They are full of incredibly relevant promises for any Christian today, and are absolutely central to the gospel message. For that matter, these passages are also very relevant to current events today and a land that we must trust to God’s sovereign plan. He doesn’t need our plotting, manipulating, and worrying.  Not only that, He doesn’t want them. God alone knows the who, what, when, where, why, and how of it all. Jesus will return. The meek will inherit the earth. 

In trying to come up with an analogy for the importance of the promises of Genesis in relationship to the gospel, and how they impact what we live for, hope in, and are sustained by, I realized Anthony Buzzard, a faithful teacher of the Abrahamic faith, had already done it for me. In an article I ran across recently in his Focus on the Kingdom magazine, I found comfort and inspiration in his golden thread description:

Underlying the entire Bible story, running like a golden thread through Scripture, is the promise made to Abraham that he would receive, as a reward for his obedience to God’s call to leave Ur of the Chaldees, prosperity, progeny, and property. This amazing, divinely promised guarantee of success, which Christians are invited to share as spiritual children of Abraham, is summed up in the compact phrase “the blessing of Abraham.” This beautiful and memorable phrase is found only twice in Scripture, in Galatians 3:14 and Genesis 28:4. This provides the essential link between the two Testaments.

The article, The Land Promise to Abraham and His Descendants: The Key to the Whole Bible Plot, can be read here.

May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you, so that you may possess the land where you live as a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.

 New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Genesis 28:4.

in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

 New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Galatians 3:14.

Reflection Questions:

What can you do to facilitate more trust in God and less tendency to manipulate and control circumstances in your life and around you?

How can you weave more of the “golden thread” of the promises to Abraham into your mind, heart, and life and learn more about what those are?

Have you ever had goat stew? 🙂 

-Jennifer Hall

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All His Wonders

Old Testament: Genesis 23 & 24

Poetry: Psalm 9

New Testament: Matthew 9

Psalm 9 is packed with so many insights into God’s character! Take a moment and read this Psalm if you haven’t yet. Keep an eye out for where David talks about God and His character. 

In this Psalm, David is comparing those who know God and those who are wicked. He mentions God’s holiness, justness, and provision – contrasting God’s response to both groups of people. David also mentions multiple times that he will “tell of your deeds” as he reminisces on the wonders that God has done in his life. David has confidence and faith in God because he knows that the LORD is faithful. 

Ok just a second though… in David’s time, Jesus hadn’t died and risen yet, let alone even been born. But look at how firm David is in his praise! He knows that God has done wonders and will do even more. He knows that God cares about His people.

How much more thankful can we be because we know of Jesus? We can have a beautiful perspective when we read the Old Testament because we know what happens in the New. The hope of God’s throne, of His provision, and judgment have an exponentially greater meaning to us with the hope of the Kingdom. 

Like David in verse 11, we can tell those around us the wonderful things God has done (and will do). We can even see this topic in the New Testament. If we flip to the other side of our Bibles, we see in Hebrews 10:23-25 that we have a steadfast hope because of the faithfulness of God through the sacrifice of Jesus. With this foundation, we can encourage each other as brothers and sisters. This encouragement will lead to love and good deeds – loving God and loving others!

Let’s take some time today to praise God for His faithfulness. That He has done wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1), that He is a stronghold in times of trouble (9:9), that He hears the cry of the afflicted (9:12), and that He does not forget the needy (9:18). I find it so amazing that Matthew 9 reveals the heart of God even more. Jesus’ mission was to do his Father’s will, which means that we can see God’s character through the actions of Jesus. 

In Matthew 9:12-13, Jesus says that he isn’t calling the righteous, but the sinners – the ones who are sick and need healing. WOW! Friends, that’s all of us. Even those of us who have been believers for a while. We must remember that we too were and are sinners and have been saved! Thank you God for seeing the needy, the poor, the hurt, and the sinners. Now THAT is something to praise God with our WHOLE HEART (Psalm 9:1) for. Let us be glad in that. 

Today, I want to encourage you to think about the wonderful deeds that God has done in your life. See if you could ask that same question to another believer in your life. Sharing God’s faithfulness encourages and edifies both ourselves and those around us.

-Katelyn Salyers

Reflection Questions

  1. What wonderful deeds has God done in your life?
  2. Today who will you ask to tell you what wonderful deeds God has done in their life?
  3. Why is it important to tell yourself and others what God has done? What happens when we forget?
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Will it Stand or Fall?

Old Testament: GENESIS 19 & 20

Poetry: Psalm 7

New Testament: Matthew 7:24-29

There has been a lot of talk and anticipation over widespread storms this week. Much of the United States has been impacted in one way or another and depending on where you live that could mean changing travel plans or school closings due to snow, ice, wind, limited visibility, heavy rains, and flooding or even tornadoes. And sometimes, like today in parts of lower Michigan, just the threat of poor conditions which could produce dangerous situations is enough to alter course for many. 

Jesus too, warns of storms with such driving rains and rising waters which have the power to totally destroy and wipe out homes if we don’t take the proper actions beforehand. Storms are coming – and in some cases they have already begun. Jesus tells us, some houses will stand, some will not. It depends on their foundation. Is the house built on rock - or on sand – which is determined by how wise – or how foolish – the builder is. Both builders listen to the words of Jesus – good first step. The wise builder proceeds to “put it into practice” – and his house endures the storm. The foolish builder with his house built on sand has heard the words of Jesus but does not put them into practice. And when the storm comes, his house is destroyed.

Hear the words of Jesus. And then, put it into practice. It is not enough to sit at his feet listening every week or even every morning – if you don’t then spend your days DOING what he says. We have just spent the last seven days reading and looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Now, what will we do with oit? What will it look like to put it into practice today and tomorrow and every day of 2024 and the rest of our lives – however long or short that may be?Both houses will experience the winds and the rain. Will your house stand?

-Marcia Railton

Reflection Questions

  1. What shape is the foundation of your life/house in right now? Have you built on rock or on sand? Are there some cracks to be filled in before the storms start or worsen or are you in need of a totally new foundation re-do?
  2. What are some reasons people who have heard what Jesus said then don’t put it into practice? Which of these have been the biggest issues in your own life? 
  3. Look back over the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). How can you put these words of Jesus into practice? What would he like to see you do today? What steps will you do to put it into action?
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Two Gates, Two Roads and One Big Surprise

Old Testament: Genesis 17 & 18

Poetry: Psalm 6

New Testament: Matthew 7: 13-23

Many surprises are really good surprises: birthday parties, just because flowers or gifts, snow days, finding bacon in the fridge (said my husband), a check in the mail, your daughter coming home from college 4 days early. But, the surprise in our short New Testament passage today would have to be one of, if not the total WORST surprise ever. But, that’s no place to start a good devotion – let’s save that surprise for the (fitting) end and start with the two gates. 

I am a visual learner (though not too artistic) so I made a simple little chart in my journal of the two gates in Matthew 7:13 & 14- two simple little verses with a very big lesson.

It brings to mind the repeated refrain of the desperate teenager arguing with his or her parents to be allowed to ___ (fill-in-the-blank with whatever popular but not always wise pursuit kids are into at the time), “But, everyone else is doing it!” Unfortunately, even as adults we too often strive to fit in with what everyone else is doing, saying, watching, thinking, and even being. When will we learn that “what everyone else is doing” is not a good argument for joining in but actually should raise giant red flags and make one consider reversing course immediately. MANY are on the road leading to destruction. It is popular, easy, fun, attractive, politically correct and what everyone else is doing. It is where your friends and neighbors and co-workers are and likely some family and church members, too. It is where the majority live and work and play, where entertainment and media, social and otherwise, hang out, and where influencers thrive. Why wouldn’t anyone want to join in? Just one reason. It. Leads. To.

Destruction.

Not just a bad day, not just a mistake, not just a lesson learned, but destruction, final and ultimate and forever destruction. Many are headed there now. Many are on that road. And you know them. You might be them. This popular road is also the road with the teenager (and now even younger) tragically contemplating and committing suicide. This is the road with the pregnant hopeless woman planning an abortion. This is the road that is raising way too many of our world’s children and youth. This is the road with ferocious wolves dressed up as harmless sheep. This is the road with hatred and despair and deception grotesquely mixed in amongst the glittery fun popularity. This is the overflowing road that leads to destruction.

Who will find the way out? Just. A. Few. Will I? Will you?

Remember that surprise we were saving for the end? The WORST surprise ever? Jesus said that MANY (where did we see that word recently?) who appear to know Jesus and speak in his name – who even drive out demons and perform miracles in his name – will be told by Jesus, “Away from me, you evildoers!” as he denies them entrance into the kingdom. And if you aren’t going into the kingdom the only other option is that wide slippery slope of a road that drops you straight into destruction. 

This is one of those many times in the Scriptures where I want more information to answer all my burning questions starting with, who are these (many) people? Yeah, I want names, Jesus, but if you can’t give me that, at least some more details… What denomination(s) are they? What hidden sins? Who do they believe Jesus is? Are they wrong? Is that why they are denied? What role does pride play? Are these different from the wolves in sheep clothing? They kind of seem to be “better” good and effective “Christians”- are they? Do they think they are? It seems they look really good on the outside, could something be wrong on the inside? Have they fooled even themselves? 

But the most important question is: How can I make sure I, and the ones I love and care for, are not in this group? And Jesus does give us that answer. Do the will of His Father in heaven. ONLY the people who DO the WILL of GOD will be allowed into eternal life anew in the Kingdom of God. Just wearing the Christian name is not the ticket. Merely calling Jesus Lord is not enough. Even driving out demons and performing miracles – which do appear to be convincing signs of doing the will of God – is not enough to prove one is actually doing God’s will. GOD always knows who is and who isn’t doing His Will. And Jesus isn’t fooled either. It is indeed much harder for us to see and always know who Is and who Isn’t doing the will and work of God. We are told that false Christs and false prophets and even a powerful beast of the earth will come with great signs and wonders in order to deceive. (Matthew 24 and Revelation 14).

Don’t be deceived. Don’t deceive yourself. Don’t set yourself up to receive the worst surprise in the world. Don’t join them on that wide road. Don’t let your last words be, “But everyone else was doing it.” Don’t be tricked into believing you have to stay on that wide road if that is where you are now. Get off. Change your course. Change your destiny. Fight against that loud crowd and find your way to the unpopular narrow road.  Do His Will. And in order to DO that – you need to study to know Who God is and what His Will actually is so you won’t be tricked into thinking you are good and safe and got your ticket in. Be one of the few heading toward the narrow gate doing God’s will. It is the only way to life. 

-Marcia Railton

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you think makes the wide road so popular? 
  2. Do you find the narrow road appealing? Why or why not? 
  3. Which road do you think you are on now? What evidence do you have? Is this where you want to stay? Why or why not?
  4. With the information you have right now, what do you think doing God’s will would look like for you today? Are you doing it? How can you learn more about what God’s will is for you? What’s the danger in not learning more about God’s will?
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Would you Rather?

Old Testament: Genesis 9 & 10

Poetry: Psalm 2

New Testament: Matthew 5:17-48

Would you rather have been born in the Old Testament era when following the law was the measure of one’s righteousness, or born after Jesus came and shook things up a bit? Keep in mind that the Old Testament law as delivered through Moses was not just the good old Ten Commandments (which we sometimes have a hard time remembering and living by) – but roughly 603 additional laws throughout the first 5 books of the Bible. God’s people were expected to know them and live by them, a long list of what to do and what not to do. And there was punishment and judgment when the people didn’t do what they were supposed to do and did what they weren’t supposed to do. 

Then comes Jesus. He is probably best known for his love. We love to remember how he answered the burning question: What is the greatest commandment? The Jews had tried for over 1,000 years to keep all these commandments. Some of the religious leaders (the Pharisees) prided themselves on how well they did it. And they had even added to the number to create more laws to try to keep the people further from breaking one of God’s important laws. And Jesus took all those 613 plus laws and said the most important was “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40). Well, that simplifies matters. Love God. Love people. Sounds simpler. Sounds almost easy. 

But, wait there is more. 

Back in Matthew 5 Jesus introduces this new “law”, this new way of life and new way of measuring righteousness. He started his Sermon on the Mount not with a list of laws to keep with punishments if you don’t – but with a beautiful list of attitudes to keep and the rewards for those who do. Next he gives us jobs to do – be salt and light – all the time – shine – be different – do good – not to look good yourself, but to bring glory to your Father in heaven.

Jesus realizes this is different. This doesn’t sound like Leviticus any more. He knew people would accuse him of completely overturning and throwing out the Old Testament law. He clarifies, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt 5:17). Something is up but we aren’t exactly sure what yet. But, it’s not throwing out the Old. It’s like there is a new measuring stick in town. He even goes so far as to say that NOW we need to be MORE righteous than the Pharisees and teachers of the law if we want to enter the Kingdom. (I am sure they loved hearing that.) And then he proceeds to give several examples of Old Testament law, with his new Jesus spin added. 

The next six sections in Matthew 5 all begin with some variations of, “You have heard that it was said long ago…but I tell you…”. And Jesus takes the Old Testament laws regarding murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, eye for an eye and loving your neighbor and ramps them up. No longer are you called good if you can merely check the box for not murdering or committing adultery. Now, you have the larger job of also controlling your anger and your lust – the heart issues that originally led to the breaking of the Old Testament law. 

God gave the law and it is good. But, His desire was never to create legalistic robots without a heart. His desire was not to create a people that praises themselves for keeping a long checklist of do’s and don’ts, but misses seeing the needs of their neighbor. His desire was not to create a people that only loved those who love them. 

So, it was time to add more. Time to add His Son who would teach us and show us how to love.

God gave us His Son and he is very good (though the Son would tell us that only His Father is good because he was always drawing distinctions between himself and His Father and giving praise to his God and his Father not himself). We have so much to still learn from Jesus about this new, life-giving, from the heart way of life. Jesus wants to teach us what God is looking for. And in Matthew 5 we see God is looking for heart, love, devotion, reconciliation, self-control, commitment, purity, truth, generosity, prayer, compassion, gentleness. And perfection. That’s all. 

The new is better. But not because it is easier. Where would you rather be? 

-Marcia Railton

Questions for Reflection

  1. It is time for a heart check. Are you more righteous than those who worked so hard to keep the Old Testament? Do you pride yourself on being better than others? What heart issues have led you to breaking the law in the past? 
  2. How can you work towards godly perfection today? Maybe try re-reading Matthew 5 looking for what heart changes God would like to see in you. 
  3. What do you learn about Jesus from Matthew 5? How does he fulfill the law and not abolish it? 
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