Tag: devotion

Why NOT Me?

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 23 & 24

*Poetry Reading:  Job 39

New Testament Reading:  Romans 7

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If you’ve been reading along in Job you have watched terrible tragedy come upon Job time after time.  You have seen his friends come to be with him.   You have heard those same friends accuse Job of sinning; all of their advice coming from the perspective that he needs to repent in order for God to end his punishment.  You have also heard Job defend himself, holding fast to his innocence.  He boldly tells his friends what he would do if God would answer him. 

  • 23:4-7:  I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me.  Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?   No; he would pay attention to me. There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
  • 31:35-37:  Oh, that I had one to hear me!  (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
        Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!   Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;
        I would bind it on me as a crown; I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

Job 39 is part of a “rant” by God that puts Job in his place.  God first joins in the conversation between Job and his friends in Job 38:3, “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.”  God repeats this in Job 40:7, “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.” 

We will look at God’s reply and Job’s response in a couple of days.  Today, I want to focus on a few other thoughts. 

First, God is BIG and we are small. 

  • Omniscient – God is all-knowing – we are ignorant
  • Omnipotent – God is all-powerful – we are weak
  • Omnipresent – God is everywhere, all the time – we are limited

We need to keep these differences in mind at all times.  This is what allows us to fully trust in God and His plan for our lives. 

Second, we need to have a proper perspective of our lives on this earth. 

  •  2 Timothy 3:12a:  “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
  • John 16:33:  “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Both of these verses are directed to those who are in Christ.  The Bible’s perspective is that we will face trials and persecution.  It is much more difficult to face those trials when we have the perspective that it shouldn’t happen to us.  Sin, evil, suffering – these are normal for this life.  They should be expected.  If we are in Christ, our perspective and expectations should be that these things should happen to us.

Having the right perspective of who we are compared to God and what expectations we should have regarding life in this age will help us trust God as we face whatever circumstances come our way. 

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you accept that you are ignorant, weak, and limited….at least in comparison with God?  He wants us to depend on Him, to trust in Him, and to let His power be seen in us (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  To do this, we need to begin to see how great God is.
  2. I desire to live a godly life.  I am in Christ.  I still don’t want to be persecuted.  However, I am trying to accept that if I am living a godly life, I will face persecution.  Are you trusting God to bring you peace in your troubles? 
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What Faith Brings

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 17 & 18

Poetry: Job 36

New Testament: Romans 4

Today, in Romans 4, Paul takes us way back to a patriarch of our faith – Abraham.  Abraham was and continues to be a key figure in the grand scheme of the world.  Three of the main religions in the world can trace their lineage back to the man himself.  He was a special man whom God made special arrangements with a couple thousand years before Jesus was born.  Abraham is the central focus all throughout Romans chapter 4 – pretty impressive for a man who lived 2,000 years before Paul wrote this letter.  Abraham is the central focus, as Paul finds common ground in Abraham – for the Jews and Gentiles.

Specifically, Paul looks at how Abraham attained his status as righteous, as somehow, someway Abraham was justified (declared righteous) in the eyes of God.  Was it through his works?  Was it through some other means?  Paul reveals to us that Abraham was not justified by his works; rather, he was justified by his belief/faith.  Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 when he writes, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” (Romans 4:3 ESV).

Context is key.  What in the world was going on in Genesis 15?  I’m glad you asked!  To save you a bit of time, I’ll refresh your memory.  In Genesis 15, Abraham had already left his home to travel to the land that God would show him.  God then told Abraham, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them… so shall your offspring be,” (Genesis 15:5).  Unfortunately for myself and most of you reading this, surrounding lights mute the starry sky at night.  However, God told this to Abraham long before the fateful invention of the light bulb.  If not too cloudy or humid, Abraham would have viewed a starry sky like many of us never have.  I can only imagine the sight of a starry sky that is not infiltrated by the invention of the lightbulb. 

The idea of Abraham’s descendants being as numerous as the stars of the sky is great and all except for the fact that Abraham is getting up there in age and has ZERO children!  How in the world is an old man with no children supposed to have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky?!  If you are anything like me, then you would appreciate logic, reason, and common sense.  This bold statement totally goes against sound logic, reason, and common sense.  I get a bit uncomfortable reflecting on how I would respond in those circumstances.  What would be your response if you were put in Abraham’s shoes?  Abraham’s response was simple: “And he believed the LORD,” (Genesis 15:6).  Boom!  End of story.  Abraham believed in God.  And Abraham believed God. If God told him his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, then somehow, someway God would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.  Because of Abraham’s belief, God “counted it to him as righteousness,” (Genesis 15:6).

That is the moral of the story here that Paul brings our attention to.  We are justified by what we put our faith/belief in.  We all put our belief in someone/something whether it be ourself, our spouse, our finances, our parents, our home, or God himself.  You are justified if you put your faith in God.  Abraham chose to put his faith in God, as he was “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised,” (Genesis 4:21).  Because of this, Abraham was counted as righteous.  You and I have that same offer today.  Let me ask you, are you putting your faith in God?

-Kyle McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you appreciate most about Abraham?
  2. What is the difference between believing in God and believing God? Where are you?
  3. Are you putting your faith in God?
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A Pretty Awesome Formula

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 15 & 16

Poetry: Job 35

New Testament: Romans 3

Remember that time that you held an imaginary debate or argument in your mind with either an imaginary figure or your spouse, coworker, boss, or friend?  We have all been there before.  Evidently, Paul has been there before as well.  Except this time, Paul records this imaginary debate in Romans 3.  How exciting! 

Romans 3:1-8 gives the impression that Paul is debating an imaginary figure on how the Jews fit into the bigger picture.  Paul’s conclusion to this mini debate is that the Jews are not better off, “For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,” (Romans 1:9 ESV).  There we have it.  All of mankind is under sin.  This conjoins the Jews and the Greeks together.  If you don’t believe Paul, no need to worry.  Paul has plenty of ammunition to help prove this point.  Paul quotes a number of scriptures from the Old Testament in the following verses to bring home this point.

After Paul’s introduction, his letter to the saints at Rome has been rather gloomy thus far.  However, verse 21 is where we start to see a shift.  Paul recognizes that we are all under sin… “BUT NOW…”.  This is where it gets fun!  This passage in Romans 3:21-31 can preach!  Essentially, this is a teaching on the doctrine of salvation, as the righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Christ Jesus for all who believe.

Many are able to quote Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Paul is only halfway through his sentence when we have a verse break.  Don’t forget about verse 24: “And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”    Paul compares God’s grace to a gift.  Whenever you are given a gift from someone, you have two choices: you can receive it and open it or you can deny the gift.  I have many memories as a child of receiving gifts from my parents for Christmas, my birthday, or other special occasions.  Not once did I ever reject a gift that my parents gave me; I openly received the gifts every single time.  Nearly every child receives the gifts they are given without a second thought.  We need to mimic the attitude of a child here and gladly receive God’s gift of grace with open arms.  How do we receive God’s grace?  Well, fortunately for us, Paul tells us exactly how to receive that grace in the following verse.  Paul tells us that it is “to be received by faith,” (Romans 3:25).

Paul crams a lot in this short passage to conclude chapter three, as he talks about our salvation.  You can sum up Paul’s discussion in the following formula: sin + grace + faith = justification.  Paul will later reveal to his audience that the justification leads to eternal salvation. For you math nerds out there, that’s a pretty awesome formula.  For those of you not interested in math, trust me, that’s still a pretty awesome formula.

As we go through our lives, let’s remember to keep our arms open wide ready to receive God’s free gift of salvation.

-Kyle McClain

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you ever rejected a gift given to you? Have you rejected or gladly received God’s free gift of salvation? Who do you know who might need some more information or encouragement to receive this gift?
  2. How would you define and describe each of the words in the following formula: Sin + Grace + Faith = Justification. What is the importance of each one?
  3. In the gloomy moments of your life, how can Romans 3 lift your spirits and bring joy, hope and peace?
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A Beautiful Thing

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 5

Poetry: Job 29

New Testament: Mark 14

“Leave her alone, said Jesus. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” Mark 14:6

In Mark 14 we see the story of Jesus being anointed with  perfume. Jesus takes this beautiful moment and shows us just how great this event truly was. Mary’s actions may signal more than she knows. But, although she may not fully comprehend the messianic significance of her anointing, she appreciates Christ’s worth more than anyone else at the table. But Jesus receives the woman’s gift as a selfless act of love and devotion—an appropriate way to honor the Messiah. Jesus reveals that He will not be with them much longer, which references His soon death and burial.

Jesus says five things about it that mark it as an extremely beautiful act. First, he says, “she has done a beautiful thing to me”. The beauty of it lay in its extravagance. This woman did not spare any of the costly perfume but broke the flask and poured the whole quantity out on him. Judas, with his practical and corrupt mind, counted it up as worth three hundred denarii. A denarius was the day’s wage for a laborer. Three hundred days’ wages would be a tremendous sum. In the eyes of Judas, this woman wasted an enormous amount of money when she poured out the perfume on Jesus. It was such a lavish over the top act, and there lies the beauty of it. When have you done something extravagant and beautiful for Jesus?

Second, He said that it was a timely thing she had done. It was something that could only be done now. Any time you want to do good to the poor you can, because they are always around. And it is right to help the poor. But there are opportunities that come in our life that must be seized at that moment. Mary had sensed this and seized the moment to offer this gift, for such a time would never occur again. It was out of the sensitivity of her heart that she realized that the timing was right, and Jesus recognized this. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase timing is everything. Mary is preparing Jesus for his death. The timing was now.

Third, she did what she could. She could not fix Him a meal; there was no time for that. She could not make a garment for Him; there was no time for that. There was nothing else she could do to show her love but this. She did what she could. I am sure Jesus has called our attention to that because it is so practical for us. Someone said, “I can’t do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do I ought to do. And what I ought to do, I’m available to do”. Are you doing what you can? Or are you doing what’s easy? Are you doing at least what you are capable of for God and his son?

The fourth element of this act was that it was insightful. Jesus says she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. Many times, Jesus said to these disciples that He was going to die. Not one of them believed or understood him–except maybe Mary of Bethany. She could have understood that he was heading for burial. And since she could not be sure she would ever have the opportunity later to find his body and anoint it for burial, she did it now, as a loving act of service. Of all these friends who were around Him at this time, only this one had the sensitivity of heart to understand what was happening.

Finally, what she did was deserving of being remembered. It was memorable. Jesus said, the story of this beautiful act will be told in memory of her wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world. Here we are today, two thousand years later, fulfilling this very word, telling again of the act of Mary of Bethany when she anointed our Lord’s head and feet.

I hope we can be as understanding and extravagant as Mary was. What can you do today to show your love and appreciation of Jesus? Something extravagant. Something with meaning.

-Andy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. What is Jesus Christ’s worth to you? When have you done something extravagant and beautiful for Jesus? How can you – and will you – honor him?
  2. Are you doing what you can? Or are you doing what’s easy? Are you doing at least what you are capable of for God and his son?
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Are you ready for the day of Christ’s return?

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 4

Poetry: Job 28

New Testament: Mark 13

After Jesus’ death and resurrection Jesus ascends into heaven in Acts 1:11. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

In Mark 13:14–37, Jesus prepared his followers for intense persecution and tribulation in the days ahead and especially during the end times. He gives them hope to endure these trials by describing his glorious return as the conquering King of the universe (verses 24–27). To keep them from despairing in dark times, the Lord wants them to live in readiness for His second coming. “However,” Jesus states, “no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” (verses 32–33).

“Day” and “hour” are often used in Scripture as references to time in general (see Matthew 7:22; 10:19; 24:42, 44, 50; 25:13; 26:45). But in Mark 13, Jesus focuses on a specific event in the future. Because no one knows the day or the hour of His return, Jesus stresses the need to pay attention, stay awake, and be ready at a moment’s notice. Multiple times in Mark 13, Jesus calls for people to be ready, to be watching: “Be on guard! Stay alert!” (verse 33), “Watch for his return” (verses 34), “You, too, must keep watch!” (verse 35), “Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning” (verse 36), and “Watch for him!” (verse 37).

The disciples wanted to know when the end would come (see Mark 13:3–4). But Jesus told them that even he did not know (verse 33). Jesus acknowledges God as omniscient alone. Since no other mortal knows the time of Jesus’ return, Jesus, as the perfect son of God didn’t know the day or hour of his return, nor did the angels in heaven, only God the Father. It is possible that Jesus, now in his glorified state, knows the day and hour of his return. But at that moment, speaking with his disciples, the information was not at Christ’s disposal. Later, just before His ascension, Jesus would remind them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). Jesus accepted his human limitations, and so must we. The thing that matters is being ready every day for his return. What is stopping you from being ready?

Believers of every age have experienced persecution, natural disasters, and earthly trials. We all have our cross to bear. We all have our issues to deal with. We know how difficult it can be to live in this world. Genuine disciples must understand that these challenges are a daily reality of life in a fallen world. Yet, believers are not without hope because, in the end, our victorious King will return for us. Romans 8:38-39“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 In the meantime, since no one knows the day or the hour, we are to watch and be ready for Him no matter what we must endure as we continue His mission of spreading the good news of God’s kingdom”. You don’t have to know the day or the hour. You just have to be ready. God has already supplied the victory through his son Jesus Christ

Many have tried to predict the day of Christ’s return, but Scripture is straightforward—no one knows the day or the hour. Jesus said to stay awake because his coming will be a surprise: “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed”. Now we might not know when Christ will return, but we should know when he has come to us and saved us. Do you remember that day? Do you remember that hour that your Lord and savior came to you? The day you accepted him? If not, I hope and pray that you search this day, this hour, to find Christ and know him completely. His day is coming soon. Are you ready?

-Andy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ?
  2. What can you do to make preparations?
  3. What should we be looking for? Why did Jesus give us these warnings?
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Purpose

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 1

Poetry: Job 25

New Testament: Mark 10

This morning I am sitting here preparing for a message at church on the Triumphal Entry. It worked out perfectly that the verses we are using for today’s devotion is from Mark chapter 10:32-34. This set of scriptures focus on Jesus telling his disciples a third time he will die and be resurrected. The disciples are becoming fearful. Because it’s clear that many in the crowd want him dead. And Jesus is moving closer and closer to more dangerous areas.

Based on information given in Matthew, Luke, and John, we know quite a bit happened between Mark chapters 9 and 10. Included in that time frame are an attempt by the Pharisees, chief priests, and temple guards to arrest Jesus (John 7:32–52), an attempt by the Jewish leadership to stone Him (John 8:58–59), yet another attempt to either stone or arrest Him (John 10:22–39), and the decision of the Sanhedrin to figure out a way to kill Him (John 11:45–54). Even Herod Antipas wants to kill Jesus, although vaguely and without much effort. (Luke 13:31). In addition, Jesus tells the Jewish leadership their father is Satan (John 8:44) and some of them counter by claiming Jesus is possessed (John 10:21).

So, it’s no surprise that Jesus’ followers would be afraid as they walk toward Jerusalem. The wording, however, leaves us confused as to who “they”—the fearful followers—are. They may be the Twelve, trailing behind Jesus as is appropriate for disciples. But they may be other disciples following the Twelve. While Jesus had warned the disciples before that He would be killed (Mark 8:31–33; 9:30–32), this is the first time he gives the location. Combining this with the threats that have been building against Jesus, all of Jesus’ followers have reason to be afraid. Jesus, however, continues his movement toward his purpose.

Jesus shows determination, not fear. The night before the crucifixion, resolve will combine with anguish (Mark 14:34–38). Many people wonder why Jesus agonizes over the crucifixion if he knows He will come through it alive and glorified. Certainly, with the knowledge that his sacrifice will be accepted by God and cover the sins of millions – that should give him the courage to walk to Jerusalem. But he knows what is coming (Mark 10:33–34). No sane person would face mocking, spitting, flogging, and death by crucifixion without dread. Even worse than the physical pain, the betrayal by his friend Judas, his friends leaving him. Jesus must watch His Father turn away, abandoning him to the sins of the world (Mark 15:33–39). Jesus knew and understood his purpose. He knew what the father needed from him. And he did not waver from that point.

Do you know your purpose? Do you know the things that God has called you to do? Has God-given you a significant calling? I’m certain he has. Does that make you scared? Are you taking the steps that God has measured out for you? Knowing that it’ll be hard. Knowing people might not understand. But being faithful to a God who loves you and wants to use you for his good purposes. Yes it’s scary but God has called you. God has given you a purpose. You can answer it one of two ways. You can be like the disciples who tried to avoid it, ignore it. Or you can be like Jesus and be obedient, even to death. God is giving you a great purpose, a great meaning and he loves you. You can be sure the God “who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it”. Whatever your purpose is, whatever your job, whatever goal you might have. May you move towards it with the renewed sense of dedication to your heavenly father. I know it’s hard sometimes, but the reward of accomplishing God’s purpose in you is greater than anything you can imagine. “Well done good and faithful servant” are the words we want to hear on that day of Christ’s return. Jesus returns victorious because he was faithful when it was hard. May we be faithful as well.

-Andy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. What was Jesus’ purpose?
  2. Do you know your purpose? Do you know the things that God has called you to do?
  3. Does that make you scared? What can relieve your fear? How can you replace fear with determination?
  4. Are you taking the steps that God has measured out for you?
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What is It Really Worth?

Old Testament: Numbers 33 & 34

Poetry: Job 23

New Testament: Mark 8

What is the most you have ever paid for something? What is the most you have ever gotten from selling something? We value our things and we value our money. It seems that prices keep going up and up on everything that we need. Yet when we sell something it seems the price is never quite as high as we would like it to be. When we buy or sell we must ask ourselves, “What is this really worth to me?” That question will help us decide if we want to buy or sell at the price offered.

Jesus asks His followers to place value on what may be the single most valuable thing we have, our life and the choices we make in it. In Mark 8:31 Jesus teaches that He, “must suffer many things and be rejected … and be killed, and after three days rise again.” In the verses that follow He tells Peter that Peter had not set his mind on God’s interests, but his own. Then Jesus tells us, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34) Jesus is saying that we must place a value on being His follower. We must also place a value on following our own desires. We must decide which is of greater value to us. If our desires win and we choose to seek the things of this life and avoid the suffering of following Jesus it is a steep price to pay. Jesus says, “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35) Proverbs puts it this way, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25)

I leave you with the 2 questions that Jesus asked His disciples in verses 36 and 37, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

-Bill Dunn

(originally posted May 10, 2017 for SGL)

Reflection Questions

  1. What did Jesus call Peter when he called him out for having in mind the things of men instead of the things of God? How often do you find yourself in the same mindset? How can we work at being more intentionally focused on the things/interests of God?
  2. Who have you seen deny themself, take up their cross and follow Jesus? What did it look like? What does it look like when you deny yourself and take up your cross to follow Jesus?
  3. What might it look like for you to “lose your life” for Jesus and the gospel?
  4. Is there anything more valuable to you than your soul? Are your life choices and daily decisions aligning with what you say you value most?
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Watch Out for Those Thorns!

Old Testament: Numbers 23 & 24

Poetry: Job 18

New Testament: Mark 4:1-25

It’s getting close to planting time in northern Indiana, so it seems a great time to look again at the Parable of the Sower – one of my favorite parables. And I love how I still find new thoughts and ideas in this teaching from Jesus. I remember how this parable ministered to me when I was a young youth worker experiencing heartache over a youth who had received the word but was going in a different direction. This parable encouraged me. Jesus didn’t expect that every seed we helped to sow would grow into a healthy, whole, fruit-bearing plant. But, he did, and does, expect us to keep sowing the seed. And, we never know which of the seeds we sow will indeed grow, bloom, and produce beautiful, life-giving fruit.

Today I want to zero in on the seed among the thorns, but first a quick review of the other three types of soil and Jesus’ explanation of each to provide contrast.

Seed 1 – fell along the path – birds came and ate it – as soon as they heard the word Satan (the birds) came and ate it

Seed 2 – fell on rocky places – not much soil – not much root – sprang up quickly – when sun comes up plant is scorched and withers – receive the word with joy – but lasts only a short time – trouble and persecution comes and the plant falls away

Seed 3 – fell among thorns – thorns grew up and choked the plant – plants did not bear grain – hear the word – but worries of this life, deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things comes in – the plant is choked out, making it unfruitful

Seed 4 – fell on good soil – came up and grew and produced a crop, multiplying 30, 60, or even 100 times – hear the word, accept it and produce a crop

It is important to remember that in each of these scenarios the seed is all the same. There is nothing inferior to seed 1, 2 or 3. It is the same as seed 4. It is the perfect word of God being sown into the world. What creates the difference is where in the world it lands. Some people will accept it and do all that is necessary to make it grow in their lives and even produce fruit to give life to others. Some people will not. But, either way, the seed is still good and perfect.

The new thing I saw when I read the parable this time is that the plant from seed 3 that fell among the thorns did not necessarily die. Seed 1 never had a chance at life. Seed 2 enjoyed life for a short time but withered/fell away. I think in my mind I was giving a death sentence to seed 3 already as well. But, that’s not exactly what the Scriptures actually say. Both in the original parable and Jesus’ explanation it says the plant was choked by the thorns – it does not say killed by the thorns – at least not yet.

It is not down and out, yet. It is still alive – it might be sitting in your pew with you at church or it might be your neighbor across the street. It has a pulse. It might be a family member – it might be you. It is not dead, yet. It is alive – but it is not healthy. A healthy plant doesn’t have thorns wrapped around its neck. Jesus tells us the result of being choked by the thorns was that it did not bear grain – it was unfruitful. It is alive – but it is not experiencing the abundant life that Jesus spoke of. It is not producing and displaying the life-giving fruit of the Spirit. It is not reproducing and giving new life to others. It is alive but it isn’t passing along life. It is a sad place to be – whether you are a plant or a Christian.

Who needs a vegetable garden with no vegetables? Or an orchard with no apples? Or a wheat field with no wheat? Or a Christian with no fruit?

What can be done for such a plant? Is there any hope for the plant choked by thorns? I say yes! Cut off the thorns! Sometimes when I am gardening I am not sure what needs to be pruned and what needs to stay. What would kill the plant and what would help it grow healthy? I love that Jesus tells us exactly what the thorns are so we know what to cut out. He tells us the thorns are “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things” (vs. 19). And if you aren’t cutting them out, be sure that they are choking new life out of you. A worried Christian. A greedy Christian, or a Christian relying on his own bank account. A Christian with other priorities. It is not a healthy place to be. And it certainly doesn’t promote new life.

Examine your plant carefully. Being alive is good. But are you bearing fruit? What does your fruit look like? What does it smell and taste like? Where are you giving new life to others? If you aren’t sure if you are bearing fruit now – what do you want your fruit to look like? What do you need to get rid of first?

What thorns might be creeping up toward your neck? What are you worried about? Do you think your problems are too big for your God? What are you putting your trust in? God or yourself or your job or your paycheck? Do you hoard, are you always striving for the next big toy, is it hard to be generous? Have you bought any of the ‘deceitfulness of wealth’? Is pleasing God the most important thing in your life? Or are there other things you desire more? What have you made the number one priority in your life?

Cut out the thorns so you can have life – and bear fruit – which will in turn give life.

-Marcia Railton

Questions above – and what other questions would you add?

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Victory!

Luke 4

Sunday, December 11, 2022


Temptation is a struggle that humanity has been at war with since the beginning of time. Temptation changed our world from a perfect paradise with no sin and no pain to a broken world full of flawed people. It was a result of the first human succumbing to the pressure of temptation that there hasn’t since been a single human capable of fully breaking free from the grasp of sin – constantly giving in to temptation, and consistently turning away from God and rejecting His love.


Until Jesus.


When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Genesis 3, they failed massively, and their failure brought misery upon the entire earth (not to say that anyone else, if put in the same situation, wouldn’t have eventually made the same choice and given in to temptation). When Christ was tempted, on the other hand, he triumphed. His victory over temptation was a victory over Satan, bringing hope to all humanity for a day when we can be free from the bondage of sin. For a day when the world is not only set back to the state it was in at the beginning of time, but a state unfathomably better. Under Adam we were slaves to sin, but through Christ we have been set free.


As broken humans living in a broken world, we are just as susceptible as Adam to the call of evil, and temptation lurks all around us. But just as we have the failure and weakness of Man within us, we also have the hope and grace of God through Christ who sets us free. We have the power to overcome, and to stand firm in our identity as a child of God as Jesus did in the wilderness.

-Isabella Osborn

Reflection Questions

  1. What 3 things did the devil use to tempt Jesus in Luke 4? How did Jesus respond to each temptation?
  2. What are your 3 biggest temptations? How can you use the same power Jesus used to overcome these temptations? Think specifically.
  3. Do you more often see yourself as a child of Adam (and all humanity), or a child of God?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

The Eternal Good News

Revelation 14

Tuesday, November 29, 2022


There is a lot happening in Chapter 14 – including the introduction to the 144,000 – the 3 angels and their messages – and the harvest. 

The 144,000 with God’s and Christ’s names on their forehead – coming after the beast’s mark in the last chapter – we see a group of the faithful that have remained pure to God and taken His mark. 

Before we get to the messages of the angels, this stuck out to me:

6 And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

We see the eternal gospel (good news) – the message of love, hope and salvation all found in the promise of God’s kingdom. This angel has the responsibility to make sure that everyone hears this truth. No one is forced to accept this gospel but everyone gets the opportunity to hear it and make a choice. 

It sounds like the commission that Christ left his disciples and then they have passed this responsibility down through the church and us. It will ultimately be fulfilled through our preaching and teaching and in entirety by one of God’s messengers. 

We have a role in this. Those that have received this truth are charged to proclaim it. Through what we say and do, our life is a proclamation to those who may not know the truth that Christ taught, lived and promised. 

The message of the angels was really for those that have not accepted this truth – fear God, evil has lost and those of you that joined the beast have picked the wrong team. Times up!

After these messages we see another small note added by John for the faithful before God’s wrath:

12 This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

The chapter ends with a gruesome depiction of God’s wrath through a harvest.

Further motivation to choose the right team. If you have been following these devotions, you have heard the eternal Gospel – have you accepted and further began proclaiming it?

-John Wincapaw

Reflection Questions

  1. What evidence do you have of what team is the right team?
  2. What motivates you most to be actively choosing the right team?
  3. How can you share the eternal good news this week?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload