Tag: faith

The Burdens We Carry

1 Chronicles 14-15

Psalm 72

Galatians 6

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women grow in grace, build with purpose, and live beautifully. Read the latest post in the Systematic Theology series here. 

I was recently tasked with an errand by my husband. I was to go to the store and return to silt screens (big tarps with pickets attached to help with run-off on construction sites). When I pulled up to the store, I noticed there were no carts nearby, so I tried – with my three-year-old daughter in tow – to somehow lift the two rolls while she hung onto my shirt. (Any moms reading this probably are nodding their heads. You’ve done something similar.) 

As we walked through the parking lot, I could feel the plastic start to slip down, and white-knuckling it, I tried to maneuver the tarps to the side to lift it back up without stopping in the middle of the road. About that time, a guy walked up with his wife and child, looked over, and immediately said, “Hey, do you need help with that?” Laughing, I responded that help would be great. 

No matter who you are, this truth applies to you: We are all limited by our bodies. As parents with more than two children like to say, you only have two hands. We can only lift so much, and even the strongest person in the world has a limit to their ability. (If you are wondering, that title goes to Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who deadlifted 1,124 lbs(!).) We can only carry so much. 

Today’s readings dealt with the idea of carrying burdens. In 1 Chronicles 14-15, we read the second part of the ark’s journey back to Jerusalem. After Uzzah died when the men tried to return the ark on a cart, David left the ark at a man’s house. In 1 Chronicles 15, David had done his research, and this time, he brought Levites who would carry the ark in the proper way back to Jerusalem. 

Exodus 25:10-22 describes the way that the ark was meant to be carried – the ark was to be lifted up on poles. According to BibleHub, “The method of carrying the Ark on poles symbolizes the separation between the divine and the human, emphasizing God’s holiness and the need for reverence in worship. It also signifies the role of the Levites as mediators between God and the people, entrusted with the sacred duty of handling holy objects.”

Carrying the ark was the burden of the Israelites – one they could not shirk without dire circumstances. 

In Galatians 6, we read more about burdens, but in this passage, we read about our own burdens as the new royal priesthood. After Paul lays out the freedom we find in Christ in the first half of Galatians, he then moves to encourage the people ‘to not bite and devour one another’ (Gal. 5:15) and instead produce fruit in keeping with the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). 

In Galatians 6, he turns his focus from our own individual spiritual growth to how we can support each other in overcoming sin. In Galatians 6:2, we read, “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” The Enduring Word Commentary explains it like this, “When Paul brought up the idea [in verse 1] of the one overtaken in any trespass, it painted the picture of a person sagging under a heavy load. Here he expanded the idea to encourage every Christian to bear one another’s burdens.”

We don’t bear the weight as the Levites did of the ark. We are not the mediator between God and the people. But, we can lift each other up – just as the Levites lifted up the ark – towards God. When we come alongside each other and support one another in our spiritual growth, we are doing the good work we are called to do (verse 9-10). 

Interestingly, right after this passage, we have a seeming contradiction in verse 5 when Paul seems to say that each person will have to carry their own load. 

Some commentators say that this is due to the differences in translation. Load, in verse 2, comes from a word that emphasizes the heaviness of the burden. It paints the burden as excessive, something you would stumble under. Whereas in verse 5, load or burden is a word that comes from the word for a backpack a soldier would have. Verse 5 is in reference to loads that other people cannot carry for us (think: calling, marriage, family, etc.). 

Other commentators say that this is actually a counter-example. Verse 2 is the optimal, Spirit-led response to burdens: We should bear each other’s burdens. However, if we want to respond ‘in the flesh’, we may try to think of ourselves as more highly than we ought. We take pride in ourselves alone and are responsible for our own work. Thus, we have to shoulder our own burdens. 

Verse 9-10 sum up our work and should be our motto as we do ministry: “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” Amen!

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you believe the ark had to be carried in this way? What does it symbolize?
  2. What do you think is the most likely interpretation of Galatians 6:2-5? 
  3. What is a burden you could share with others? And, what is a burden someone has that you can help bear?

Prayer

Lord, 

Please help us to be a people who support one another, not bite and devour one another. Help us to lift each other up to you. Let us not grow weary of doing good. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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The Shepherd King of Israel

1Chronicles 10-11 

Psalm 72

Galatians 5

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women grow in grace, build with purpose, and live beautifully. Read the latest post in the Systematic Theology series here. 

I live on family land, and over the years, there have been several different kinds of livestock that we’ve had ‘out to pasture.’ Cows, goats, and chickens all have their challenges, but what they all will do, when given a chance, is escape. 

Several years ago, before we moved back to the Farm (as we call it), we got home after a long week at Southeast Camp only to find that the cows had escaped the fence and were busy eating up the vegetable garden and walking on the flowers in the yard. We had to shepherd them back into the fence. 

Israel often follows the same path. In the story of Israel, we see their propensity for ‘escape’ – or their ability to wander off the good path of God and pursue their own desires. They desperately needed a shepherd to care for them. God was their shepherd king, but in the time of Samuel, they rejected him. David stepped in to care for the people as the kingdom was handed to him. 

What did the shepherd king do for his people? 

The shepherd king guided them to green pastures. 

The shepherd king needed to bring the people to good pastures. That means he needed to guide the people to the place where they would get life – and that place is in God’s presence. David recognized the importance of bringing people to God. 1 Chronicles 13:3, “Then let’s bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of him in Saul’s days.” 

During the time of the judges and Saul, the Israelites did not have a close relationship with God. As king, he could bring the people to God and show them how good God was. This is why bringing the ark back was one of his first actions as king. 

The shepherd king protected them from harm. 

David was a man of war. This was one way that David used his unique abilities in obedience to God. The people had not fully conquered the land in the time of Joshua. David continued this work during his time as king. 

In 1 Samuel 17:34-36, he describes what a shepherd does: “David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

The shepherd had to protect his flock from dangerous animals. The shepherd king had to protect his people from the surrounding nations and influences that would harm the people and lead them away from God. 

The shepherd king watched out for the weakest in the flock. 

1 Chronicles 12 describes the people who came to support David when he was on the run from Saul. 1 Samuel 22:2 gives more insight into who they were when it says, “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.” 

David looked out for the outcast, the ‘weak links’, the poor. He took them in and led them in such a way that they turned into the mighty men we read about in 1 Chronicles 11-12. They were men of valor with such jaw-dropping military exploits that we can’t really comprehend them today. 

In Psalm 72, we read about a prayer for this shepherd king. Verses 12-14 say, “12 For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor. He will redeem them from oppression and violence,

for their lives are precious in his sight.”

The shepherd king sees with the people the eyes of God. Each one is precious in his sight. 

Every person who leads someone else has to step into the role of shepherd. That is why we call ‘pastors’ pastors – it is a word derived from the Latin pastor, which means shepherd. When we shepherd others, we don’t do it for our own glory, but to bring people to glorify God. The ultimate example of this type of shepherd is Jesus – the perfect fulfillment of the shepherd king. 

May we humbly follow his example! 

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think that the shepherd imagery is so strong throughout the scriptures? What can we learn from this today? 
  2. Who has been a ‘shepherd’ in your life, leading you to God? 
  3. How can you be a better shepherd to others? 

Prayer

Lord, 

Help me to guide other people to you through my words and deeds. Please bless the shepherds around me. Strengthen them for the task at hand. May we approach all things with humility and dependence on you. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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The Tragedy of Saul, the first King of Israel

1 Chronicles 10-11 

Psalm 71

Galatians 4

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women grow in grace, build with purpose, and live beautifully. Read the latest post in the Systematic Theology series here. 

Last week, as I was working on writing our summer camp journals, I turned on David for my kids to watch. It was the first time that I had seen the movie myself, but with The Prince of Egypt being one of my favorite movies as a kid, I had high expectations. 

Of course, there were things that I wish they had done differently, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised. I so appreciated how they didn’t just stop at the Sunday School version of David’s life (just covering the story of David and Goliath), but instead told his story up until he received the kingship after Saul’s death. 

Saul is such a tragic figure. He was so earnest in the beginning. If you remember in 1 Samuel 9, when Saul was first anointed, he responded to the kingship with humility. In verse 21, Saul responds to Samuel, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” 

As the years went on, this humility began to wane, and it was replaced by pride and self-focus. He is so scared to lose the kingdom, to do something wrong, that he ultimately loses it anyway. In Saul’s story, we see an example of someone who holds the ‘good’ so tightly that it becomes an enemy of the ‘great’ – a deep relationship with and dependence on God.

Over and over, Saul chooses to do ‘little sins’ in order to bring honor and fame to himself. He tries to manipulate the outcomes of battles. He’s willing to kill Jonathan (multiple times). He tries to keep the spoils of war and hides them from Samuel. By the end, he even turns to witchcraft to get answers because he feels like God has left him. 

Like Macbeth and other power-hungry characters, Saul’s downfall was his lack of awareness that God can just as easily take away the responsibilities that he gave if the holder is found lacking. If Saul had depended on God completely, we would have read a different ending to his story than what we read today in 1 Chronicles 10. 

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 sums up Saul’s life: “Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord because he did not keep the Lord’s word. He even consulted a medium for guidance, but he did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, son of Jesse.”

The tragedy of Saul affected more than just him. All of his sons fell in the doomed battle against the Philistines – an entire house extinguished. 

Writing this just after Father’s Day, this makes me think about the responsibility we have as leaders. Saul was so concerned with his own pride and recognition that he ultimately sacrificed not only himself but also his family on that altar. As a leader of the people, we were supposed to steadfastly point them to God. Instead, he foolishly acted in ways that ‘seemed right in his own eyes’ but were contrary to God’s law. 

Wherever you are leading – whether in your own homes, your church, or your community – you have a great responsibility to be steadfast. You cannot fall prey to the temptation of allowing the lines between right and wrong to blur in the service of your own desires. You cannot hold the good you feel like you deserve too tightly, ultimately rejecting wholehearted obedience to God. 

Saul’s life is a reminder to look at our own lives and the gravity of our actions. How are they measuring up? May our lives always be characterized by faithfulness, not unfaithfulness like Saul. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Saul’s life is a tragedy, and tragedy is often characterized by a central character flaw that leads to their doom. What do you think is the core sin of Saul’s life? 
  2. As Saul began to grow in influence and power, that tainted his relationship with God. How do you handle influence rightly so that it brings glory to God – not yourself? 
  3. When we think of Saul, we often think of Saul the King, not Saul the Father. How did Saul’s actions affect his family? What lessons can we learn from this about parenting?

Prayer

Lord, 

Help me hold my responsibilities rightly so that they bring glory to you. May I not fall prey to the dangers of pride, but instead lead with humility. Help me to guide those who are following after me to a better relationship with you. 

In Jesus’ name,

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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Has Christ Been Divided?

2 Samuel 13-14

Psalm 55

*1 Corinthians 1

-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

            Today’s reading in 1 Corinthians 1 hits me a little close to home, in a lot of ways.  I “self-identify” with a number of labels; and it makes me feel better, as if I am part of a larger whole, a part of “my team”.  We all do it to a point, and to a certain degree it is helpful in identifying like-minded folks.  I self identify, because of my scriptural beliefs as: a Biblical Unitarian, a Dynamic Monarchian, a Restorationist, a Biblical Monotheist, and a Primitive Christian.  I’m proud of all of those things, and believe that I’ve come to those labels by studying scripture, finding the truth in God’s spirit, and my labels keep me warm when I wrap myself up in them.  Our reading today, however, chastens me and lets me know that I should be cautious when labelling myself, and humbly acknowledge that what we really are is just servants of the Christ, who is himself the servant of God.

            In my time at the Bible College all of my teachers were amazing, and there were two professors there that I’m going to quote today as examples; Joe Martin (my dad, who is awesome even above my own personal bias) and Kent Ross (who gave the sermon at camp that caused me to get baptized).  Both of them believed in both grace and truth as critical aspects of religion, but each held a different view on which was predominant.  “GRACE!” my father would say, “but truth is important.”.  “TRUTH!” Kent would say, “but grace is also important.”.  Brother Kent has fallen asleep now, and my father’s eyes have been darkened (but not his mind nor his spirit).  I find myself agreeing with both of them, and sometimes it is difficult to find the perfect balance between these 2 critical aspects of the same coin.

            Today in the Christian world, there are an estimated 45000 denominations.  This is just Christians alone, but worldwide.  There are 4 to 10 sects of Judaism, with other sub-groups that make it harder to put an exact number to (although there are 3 sects that are predominant).  The Muslim faith has 2 primary branches, and numerous “schools of thought”, and is predicted to have division of 73 different sects.  Why have we divided ourselves, so much?  Aren’t we all children of the same God?  Each of these groups, each individual sect or subsect, believes that they have a critical aspect of truth that makes them unique.  I will absolutely agree that with so many different and sometimes opposing beliefs, some of them will be incorrect, but the most critical thing that I take away from today’s reading is: that’s not for me to decide for anybody else, but with fear and trembling to work out my own salvation (Phil 2:12).

            In our 1 Corinthians 1 reading today, Paul calls us all back to unity.  In 1 Cor 1:10, he urges us to “all agree (or, “say the same thing”) and that there be no divisions among you…“(LSB).  In 1 Cor 1:11-12 he continues on to say that he knows of quarrels and divisions among the church, with some of the brothers claiming Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas as their “self-identifying” position.  With so many differing opinions it’s going to be difficult to “all say the same thing”, so how should we proceed?  The key and critical verse here is in 1 Cor 1:13, where he asks bluntly: “Has Christ been divided?“.  The answer is, clearly, no.  It is men who have become divided, and I will even venture to say that it is mostly because of pride.  “I’m right, and you’re wrong, so I win!” is a mentality that we must avoid at all costs, because that is just straight up pride speaking, and God mocks the proud.

            “But truth!” you may exclaim, and you are right.  We should all agree, and what we should agree on is specifically God’s word as it has been given to us in scripture: where scripture speaks loudly we should also speak loudly, and where scripture is silent, we should be silent.  I am in no way saying we should not speak truth, the Bereans fiercely sought truth by checking everything in scripture and were commended for it.  What I am saying is that when we speak the truth, it should be in love, spoken with patience and longsuffering mercy, not as to a combatant who is speaking lies but as to a brother or sister who may be mistaken, just as we could be mistaken.

            “Grace!” I say, but also, the truth is important.  Not so important that I want to jeopardize my entry into the kingdom of heaven by not showing you the love that God showed me, but I will patiently and lovingly, with great concern for your feelings and person, with overwhelming forgiveness and mercy (just like God had for me) discuss with you my understanding of scripture if you like, and hope that you find a relationship with my King as I have.  The God who made us, the same God who patiently reached down and pulled me to Him, will do the same for any who seek after Him. 

            Since my King who was innocent humbly took the offenses given to him quietly and without raising his voice, should I do differently?  The Christ has not been divided, he has been nailed to a cross for my transgression, so that our God could “cut a covenant” with us anew.  That does not place me in a position of authority, but of humility.  I’m not even a Jew, but a dog of a Gentile! (Matt 15:27).  What right do I have to get puffed up with pride?  I am just a man, I could be mistaken, I have changed the way I believed about certain things based on scripture, and these things are important to me but that in no way changes the fact that I am the tail and not the head: God is the head of Christ, and the Christ is the head of me (1 Cor 11:3).

            But God, our Creator and our Sustainer, who thought so highly of us that he sent us our king Yeshua (Jesus) to redeem us offers us a way.  Considering others to be greater than ourselves, we should entreat them with love to examine the scripture, and examine it ourselves even more deeply.  Then, not just reading the word, we should do our very best to reflect the amazing love and character of our God to all of our fellow creation, living in obedience to the best of our ability to God’s word, and remaining humble. 

            Our King didn’t say we had to have a perfect understanding to enter into the Kingdom, our King said that “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven…” (Matt 5:19, LSB).  This is super important, because it seeems to indicate that you can have an incorrect doctrine and still enter in to the kingdom (but it may impact your status there).  Is the truth important? Yes, of course it is, especially to you, but obeying God and showing others the grace that God showed you is, I would argue,  even more important (but I am just a man and I could be wrong).  Grace to you, and truth, and may God lead us.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Have you ever changed the way you believed or thought about something based on scripture?
  2. When you discuss your faith with others who believe differently, do you always reflect God’s character?
  3. DO you ever discuss your faith with others who believe differently, and why or why not?
  4. Is there a perfect balance, a way to express truth while exhibiting God’s patient and compassionate grace?
  5. What are some ways we can reflect God’s love to our fellow creation?
  6. Are you able to, like Christ, take an offense given, both patiently and humbly?

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you for my life, and for the breath You have breathed into my lungs, for the fact that I woke up today.  Forgive me of my many iniquities and shortcomings, and instruct me in the way that I should go to be a servant who pleases You.  May the lips of all of Your creation offer you praise, and bow to the king that you have anointed, to Your glory.  Father, let me show Your love today.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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What are you trusting in?

Num 23-24

Ps 20

Mark 5

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

The streets were hot and crowded as the people jostled for space. In the midst of the dust and sweat, a woman with a trembling hand reached out and touched the rough-hewn cloak of the man walking and talking in front of her. 

She knew that this was a life-or-death situation. She knew she just had to reach him. If she could only touch him, the horror of the last decade would at last be finished. She shuddered. Years of being alone. Years of throwing her money at doctors for a cure. Years of being barred from the temple. 

With a look to the side and the left, she leaped at her chance and grabbed the hem of his cloak. Just then, the man turned and said, “Who touched me?” 

Fear settled in the pit of her stomach. Everyone looked around with a questioning glance. What was he talking about? But the woman knew – it was her. She spoke up, stammering, expecting a rebuke, “It was I, my Lord.” 

Instead of speaking harshly to her, he gently turned to her and said, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” 

Today, we read of this woman’s story and her miraculous faith in Jesus. We also read about Balaam’s curses (or lack thereof). Each of these stories shows the truth of Psalm 21:6-8: 

“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;

    he will answer him from his holy heaven

    with the saving might of his right hand.

  Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

  They collapse and fall,

    but we rise and stand upright.”

Balak had chosen to trust in the curses of Balaam. He wanted Balaam to bring about the destruction of the Israelites, but he was thwarted because the people who trust in the name of God will rise and stand upright. Balaam was not even able to curse the Israelites because God as with them. The curses instead fell on Balak. 

The woman chose to trust in God through Jesus, and she was able to rise and stand upright, healed and made clean through Christ. Doctors, money, and status could not save her, but God did. 

We are constantly blown and tossed by the storms of life. When we go through suffering, when we go through pain, we have to turn and fix our eyes on the Lord. Others may collapse and fall, but if we trust in him, we will rise and stand upright. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What have you found yourself trusting in lately? 
  2. What are the chariots and horses of today? Why is it so much easier to trust in ‘chariots and horses’? 
  3. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God more? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the care that you give each one of your servants. Thank you for not neglecting us in our sorrow and need, but instead, providing for us in every way. Help us to trust in you more. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Where are you looking?

Num 21-22

Ps 20

Mark 4

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

The Israelites are approaching the end of their 40th year wandering in the desert. The older generation had passed away, and the new generation was rising up and being prepared to enter the Promised Land. 

At the end of Numbers 21, Edom had refused passage to the Israelites, so the people were forced to take the longer way back around the Red Sea. In the quintessential Israelite fashion, they began to complain about Moses’s leadership and the ‘worthless food’ they were eating. So, God sent ‘fiery serpents’ to attack the people. 

Why fiery serpents? The word ‘fiery’ here is seraph. This could mean a venomous snake – whose bite would sting. But the word seraph is interesting. Fire throughout the Old Testament is often used to describe God’s judgment and holiness. By sending a fiery snake, God was inciting judgment on the Israelites for their complaints. 

Why fiery serpents? Ever since the Garden of Eden, serpents are synonymous with evil. Why would God send those to the people? David Christensen writes, “The serpents point to “Egyptian symbolism.”” The people had desired Egypt and its God, so God effectively sent them these things. But, of course, the effect of this is the opposite of what the people wanted. When the people get what they desire, it results in death. 

This is true for us as well. Sometimes, we desire what we should not. We complain. We get bitter. We think, if only I could have that instead of the worthless things around me. But when we get that desire, it results in death. James 1:14-15 describes it like this: “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Thankfully, our salvation mirrors the salvation found in this passage. Moses was told to put a bronze serpent on a stick, to lift it up, and anyone who looked at it would be healed. John 3:14-15 says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 

Left to our own desires and devices, we will follow a path that ends in death, but when we look to Christ as our sacrifice, savior, and King, we will find the path to eternal life. Where are you looking today?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt despite all they had seen? 
  2. Why do you think God sent the fiery serpents as a punishment? 
  3. How do you see yourself in the story of the Israelites? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, whom we can look to for eternal life. Help us to follow after you in obedience and reverence. Let us not turn away to our own desires. Help us to flee from them and run towards you. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Think Again

Genesis 20-22, Proverbs 11, Matthew 5

Devotion by Marcia Railton (IN)

I always ask my family for gift list ideas because I have learned I don’t always do a very good job of reading their minds and choosing that gift that is indeed just what they wanted. Our son came up with a nice gift list this year, including several books he was interested in reading. One particular title really caught my attention: Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant. I have not read the book so I am not recommending it as much as the idea that there is value in “learning to question your opinions”. Sometimes our ideas, thoughts, opinions, and I would add feelings are indeed not based on God’s full truth (which is not mentioned in the book synopsis). We would be wise to be willing to do the hard work of relearning (which in my opinion, not necessarily Mr Grant’s) involves bringing our every opinion, thought, conviction, and feeling more and more into alignment with God’s. This can certainly be a difficult thing to do! I know I often fail at reading the minds of my own human offspring, how much more will I miss the mark in trying to know and imitate the perfect mind and heart of the Almighty Creator and Sustainer?

Knowing that I do miss the mark is perhaps half of the battle. Then I am more willing to humbly accept that I can benefit from looking at it again to see what I missed, what I can learn, what opinion needs to be changed, what feeling softened, what feeling strengthened, what thoughts, opinions and feelings completely thrown out. As it says in our Proverb of the day: “When pride comes, then comes dishonor; But with the humble there is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2 NASB)

Last year about this time I wrote a devotion titled Family Isn’t Everything on the testing of Abraham from Genesis 22. If I were rewriting it today it would be a little different. I think I did not stress enough the trust that Abraham had in God that made all the difference in his willingness to do the unthinkable that God told him to do. I think Abraham was learning and demonstrating that what he personally thought wasn’t always right but he humbly acted on his trust in God and his belief that he was listening to and obeying the All-knowing, completely wise and loving God of miracles who could show His power and plan in any way He desired. And that, along with his wise desire to put God first, even before his precious, long awaited and much loved son, gave him the ability to rise early in the morning and take the three day journey and travel up the mountain for a sacrifice to God with fire, a knife, wood and no animal, only his son. Don’t you love how re-reading God’s Word leads to seeing new layers and thinking again to grow in our knowledge and understanding of our Great Big God and what pleases Him.

This time around in reading Genesis 20-22 I was also struck by the interchange between God and Abraham when Sarah wants to send away Hagar and Ishmael after Isaac is weaned (one chapter before the almost sacrifice of Isaac). Depending on the version, Abraham is distressed, displeased, upset, worried, troubled, full of sorrow, or grieved at the thought of sending his first son Ishmael away. And most of us would probably say, that makes sense, I would be distressed, too. But I love the part that comes next. God says, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight…” (Genesis 21:12 NKJV). It is almost like God is telling Abraham – Think Again – I have got this. Don’t worry. Don’t be troubled. You concentrate on what I want you to concentrate on (following Me). You do the most important thing and I will take care of the rest. “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight.” Isn’t that freeing that we get to decide – with God’s wisdom and guidance – what is or isn’t going to be displeasing in our sight. It does indeed take a lot of Thinking Again to adjust not only our opinions but also our attitudes and feelings. When we find ourselves distressed, displeased, upset, worried, troubled, full of sorrow, or grieved perhaps it would be wise of us to ask God if this is a feeling we should hang on to, or if it is best to let go of it.

Speaking of Think Again, I think that is what Jesus was saying over and over again in Matthew 5 in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, “You have heard it said…but I tell you” (5:21, 27, 30, 33, 38, 43). Think Again. You might not know quite as much as you thought you did. Think Again. You do not yet see the whole picture, the full truth, God’s entire plan. Think Again. Your opinion, thoughts and feelings can line up more closely with God’s. Think Again. There is a better way of thinking and doing and feeling than you have done before. Think Again. With humility not pride. Think Again.

Reflection Questions

  1. What percentage of the time do you think you are right? What percentage of the time do you think you are actually right? 🙂 Can you think of a time you “thought again” and became wiser for it?
  2. When do you need to most remember that you do not have the mind of God? How can you remember to be humble?
  3. Why was Jesus saying to not continue doing life/righteousness the old way? Why was it time to think again?
  4. What might God want you to unlearn and relearn? What old thoughts, opinions and even feelings are you holding onto that are not currently helpful and leading you closer and closer to God’s wisdom and heart?

Prayer

Dear God Almighty, We praise you for knowing all things. Help me remember there is so much I do not know, sometimes including what is pleasing to You. May I humble myself, continually seek You and Your way and be willing to do the work of Thinking Again so I come closer and closer to what You want me to be. Direct me in what feelings, what worries, what opinions are good for me to let go of, knowing that You can take care of what I can not, so that I may be focused on doing Your will. Thank you for working with me, one step at a time, and helping me grow.

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To Pursue Holiness

2 Corinthians 5-9

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (NKJV)

Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)

Do you remember the Sunday school chorus you may have learned when you were young that went something like this: ‘O be careful little eyes what you see, O be careful little eyes what you see.  There’s a father up above who is looking down in love. O be careful little eyes what you see.’ This simple song with several more verses served as a reminder to us that what we take into our minds and what we allow our bodies to do can either lead us in good directions or bad directions and that God was looking down on us lovingly wanting us to make the best choices for ourselves. 

There are bad directions we can go in that cause us to become filthy before God both in our inner spiritual life and how we outwardly conduct ourselves.   In this verse we, like those first Christian believers, are being encouraged to pursue holiness in a world that is full of temptations that bring filthiness before God.  In Corinth idol worship, temple prostitution and general perversion was normal in that day – all things that would be part of everyday life and could be a temptation to take part in unless you were of the new Christian faith. 

Unfortunately, we live in a similar kind of culture today but the temptations are different.  Today virtual reality, artificial intelligence interactions, violent gaming, tik-tok influences the whole pandora’s box on the internet present the most daily temptations to succumb to filthiness instead of pursuing holiness.  Don’t get me wrong – you are reading this on the internet so not everything is an invitation to filthiness – congratulations on choosing to view something that will encourage you to pursue holiness!  The Corinthians, and we, are faced with the same challenge.  To pursue holiness.  What does holiness look like in body and spirit anyway?  Glad you asked.  

Holiness means to be set apart – to choose differently.  Part of holiness is choosing to fill our hearts and minds with the things that will draw us closer to the Lord and to use our bodies in ways that would be pleasing and honoring to him.  A good way to keep your mind focused to pursue holiness is to follow Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.”  If we follow this advice we are less likely to fall into the trap of allowing ourselves to become filthy before God in our thoughts and consequently our actions. 

For Reflection:

Are there ways that I am allowing myself to be influenced towards pursuing filthiness before God instead of holiness?  Are there habits that I should give up?

What plan can I put in place to help myself pursue choices that will help me to live a life that points towards holiness in choosing God’s best in my life?

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In the Same Shoes

2 Corinthians 1-4

Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (NKJV)

Been there, done that.  Experience is a wise teacher.  We wish we didn’t have to go through trials because let’s face it – they are trying times!  But what if your experience through trials was meant to help someone else when they are going through a similar trying time?  The Apostle Paul in this verse is bringing to light the fact that we go through trials and afflictions with God’s help and comfort so that we – in turn can be of help and comfort to others who are going through something similar.

Think about all the afflictions the Apostle Paul had gone through when he was writing to the believers at Corinth.  He had been blinded and received back his sight, he had been rejected by fellow believers, he had been through scary situations with mobs, and had misfortune while out at sea.  He had even been stoned, and left for dead!  God brought him through all these trials and strengthened him by each one.  Paul is writing these words to encourage the Corinthians because he knew they would face trials as well.

 People love to give advice – whether you asked for it or not!  When you are going through a trial it’s most comforting to receive counsel from someone who has gone through the same situation as you.  They’ve been there, they know the perils of the situation, the inward turmoil that happens and how God was there helping them through. I found comfort in talking with other people who have been in the same shoes.  They blessed me with insight from their past experience, and their unwavering faith during the situation. I was comforted as I talked with those who like myself had been caregivers for their parents as they fought cancer.  Little did I know that just a year later I would be the one giving counsel to a dear friend whose parent was fighting cancer.     

When we go through trials it develops empathy within us to be able to understand what others are going through when they face similar trials.  Our trials are not in vain – they are meant to be growing experiences so that we can help others through their trials.  They find encouragement by our ability to endure, and, with God’s help, they too feel like they will make it through.  It is a beautiful picture of building one another up in the Lord and encouraging one another.  One might say that going through a trial can become a blessing in disguise.

For Reflection:

Have you been able to encourage someone who is facing a challenge that you had to face?                    

How did God help you and how might you seek to help others in the same situation?

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