Tag: Jesus

Trusting Prayers

Old Testament: 2 Kings 20

Poetry: Psalm 86

New Testament: Luke 22


Scripture:
“Return, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am about to heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the temple of Yahweh.”’” — 2 Kings 20:5 (LEB)
“Listen, Yahweh, to my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications.” — Psalm 86:6 (LEB)
“Father, if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” — Luke 22:42 (LEB)


In 2 Kings 20, King Hezekiah is faced with a life-threatening illness. His immediate reaction is to pray earnestly to God, and God responds with compassion, healing, and an extension of his life. This powerful story of prayer and divine intervention resonates deeply with themes found in Psalm 86 and Luke 22, reminding us of the importance of prayer, God’s compassion, and surrendering to His will.


When the prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah to prepare for his imminent death, Hezekiah turns to God in earnest prayer and weeping. God hears his prayer and responds with a message of healing and an additional fifteen years of life. This account underscores the power of heartfelt prayer and God’s readiness to respond to His people’s cries.


Psalm 86:6 echoes the sentiment of Hezekiah’s plea: “Listen, Yahweh, to my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications.” This verse highlights the assurance that God listens to our prayers and attends to our supplications. Hezekiah’s experience validates this promise, showing us that God is attentive to our deepest needs and concerns.


In Luke 22:42, Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing His desire to avoid suffering but ultimately surrendering to God’s will. This prayer, “Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done,” mirrors Hezekiah’s trust in God’s plan. Even in our most desperate moments, we are called to trust God’s sovereignty and submit to His will, just as Hezekiah and Jesus did.


Hezekiah’s sincere prayer, Psalm 86’s plea, and Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane all highlight the importance of coming to God with our deepest concerns. God listens and responds with compassion and grace. God’s response to Hezekiah’s prayer and Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will reveal His compassionate nature and sovereign authority. He understands our struggles and holds ultimate control over our lives. Hezekiah’s trust in God’s healing power and Jesus’ surrender to the Father’s will teach us to trust God fully and submit to His plans, even when we face difficult circumstances.

-Jeff Ransom


Reflection Questions:


How do you typically respond to difficult news or situations? How can you make prayer your first response?

In what areas of your life do you need to trust more fully in God’s sovereignty and compassion? How can Hezekiah’s and Jesus’ examples encourage you to pray more earnestly and surrender to God’s plan for your life?


This week, reflect on these questions and consider how you can deepen your prayer life and trust in God’s compassion and sovereignty. Turn to Him with your concerns, knowing that He hears and cares for you.

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Dependence which Brings Hope

Old Testament: 2 Kings 19

Poetry: Psalm 86

New Testament: Luke 21


Scripture:
“So now, Yahweh our God, save us, please, from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, you alone, are God.” — 2 Kings 19:19 (LEB)
“Teach me, O Yahweh, your way, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” — Psalm 86:11 (LEB)
“Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” — Luke 21:28 (LEB)


In 2 Kings 19, King Hezekiah faces a seemingly insurmountable threat from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. Instead of succumbing to fear or relying on his own strength, Hezekiah turns to God in prayer, seeking divine intervention and deliverance. This theme of seeking God in times of distress is echoed in Psalm 86 and Luke 21, offering us a comprehensive understanding of faith, humility, and hope.


When confronted with Sennacherib’s threats, Hezekiah’s first response is to seek God. He spreads the threatening letter before God in the temple and prays for deliverance, not only for the sake of Judah but also for God’s glory to be known among all nations. Hezekiah’s prayer exemplifies humble dependence on God and a desire for His name to be exalted.


Psalm 86 reflects a similar heart of dependence and trust in God. David’s prayer, asking God to teach him His way and unite his heart to fear God’s name, mirrors Hezekiah’s desire for God’s guidance and intervention. Both prayers highlight a deep reliance on God’s wisdom and sovereignty in navigating life’s challenges.


In Luke 21, Jesus speaks about the end times and encourages His followers to stand firm and look up, for their redemption is near. This message of hope and anticipation ties into Hezekiah’s situation, where trust in God’s deliverance leads to ultimate salvation. It reminds us that, no matter how dire our circumstances, God’s redemption and intervention are always near.


Hezekiah’s immediate response to crisis is to turn to God in prayer. This act of faith underscores the importance of seeking God first in our times of need, trusting in His power and sovereignty. By spreading out the letter before God, Hezekiah shows his complete dependence on God. Similarly, Psalm 86 calls us to seek God’s guidance and unite our hearts to fear His name. Jesus’ words in Luke 21 encourage us to stand firm and look up, for our redemption is near. Hezekiah’s trust in God’s deliverance and the anticipation of God’s intervention are powerful reminders of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty.

-Jeff Ransom


Reflection Questions:


When faced with a crisis, what is your first response? How can you make seeking God in prayer your immediate reaction?

In what areas of your life do you need to humble yourself and depend more fully on God’s strength rather than your own?

How can you live in a way that brings glory to God, showing others that He alone is sovereign and that His redemption is near?

This week, reflect on these questions and consider how you can seek God more earnestly in your times of need. Trust in His power and sovereignty, and live in a way that brings glory to His name.

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Hezekiah, David & Jesus

Old Testament: 2 Kings 18

Poetry: Psalm 86

New Testament: Luke 20

Scriptures:
“He trusted in Yahweh the God of Israel, so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him.” — 2 Kings 18:5 (LEB)
Psalm 86: “Teach me, O Yahweh, your way, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” — Psalm 86:11 (LEB)
Luke 20: “And Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.'” — Luke 20:25 (LEB)


In 2 Kings 18, Hezekiah’s trust in God stands as a powerful example of faith and commitment to God. By removing idols and leading Judah back to true worship, Hezekiah’s actions reflect a heart fully devoted to God. This theme of wholehearted devotion is echoed in Psalm 86 and Luke 20, tying together a comprehensive understanding of what it means to trust and honor God.
Hezekiah’s reforms in Judah were driven by his deep trust in God. He actively sought to purify his kingdom from idolatry, demonstrating his dedication to God’s ways. His trust was not merely a passive belief but a driving force that led to decisive action and comprehensive reform.


Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, asking God to teach him His way so that he might walk in truth. David’s plea to unite his heart to fear God’s name resonates with Hezekiah’s life. Both show a desire to align their hearts and actions with God’s will, seeking His guidance and truth in all things.


In Luke 20, Jesus teaches about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. This teaching emphasizes the importance of recognizing our ultimate allegiance to God. Just as Hezekiah dedicated his reign to purging Judah of idolatry and leading the people back to God, we are called to dedicate our lives to honoring God above all else.


Hezekiah, David, and Jesus all highlight the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. This involves seeking His ways, trusting Him fully, and ensuring that our lives reflect His truth. Hezekiah’s actions in Judah show that true faith leads to action. Similarly, Psalm 86 and Luke 20 call us to live out our faith in practical ways, aligning our lives with God’s will and giving Him our full allegiance. Seeking God’s guidance, as David does in Psalm 86, and understanding our duty to God, as taught by Jesus in Luke 20, are essential aspects of living a life that honors Him. We are to learn His ways, walk in His truth, and render our lives to Him.

– Jeff Ransom


Reflection Questions:


Are there any areas in your life where you need to seek God’s guidance to walk more fully in His truth? How can you actively demonstrate your trust in God through your actions, like Hezekiah did? What does it mean to you to render to God what is God’s, and how can you live this out in your daily life?
This week, reflect on these questions and take steps to deepen your devotion to God. Seek His guidance, trust in His ways, and ensure that your actions align with His truth.

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Waiting & Acting

Old Testament: Micah 7

Poetry: Psalm 85 (day 2)

New Testament: Luke 19


“But as for me, I will look to Yahweh; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” — Micah 7:7 (LEB)


“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10 (LEB)


In a world often overwhelmed by corruption and despair, both Micah 7 and Luke 19 offer us powerful messages of hope and redemption. These passages remind us that no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, God’s love and salvation are always within reach.


Micah 7 depicts a society engulfed in sin and injustice. The prophet agonizes over the overwhelming corruption, yet he chooses to watch in hope for God. Micah’s confidence is not rooted in the present circumstances but in the unchanging nature of God. He waits patiently for the God of his salvation, assured that God will hear him.


In Luke 19, we see the fulfillment of the hope that Micah clung to. Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised for his dishonest, corrupt ways. Despite Zacchaeus’ reputation, Jesus seeks him out, calling him by name and choosing to stay at his house. This act of grace leads to Zacchaeus’ repentance and transformation. Zacchaeus’ story vividly illustrates Jesus’ mission: to seek and save the lost.


Both Micah and Zacchaeus found their hope in God. Micah trusted in God despite his society’s moral decline, while Zacchaeus found redemption through an encounter with Jesus. We, too, are called to place our hope in God, trusting in His promise of salvation. Zacchaeus’ transformation shows the power of God’s grace. No one is beyond redemption; Jesus seeks us out, offering a chance for a new beginning. Our lives can be profoundly changed when we come to God through Jesus. Micah’s patient waiting for God’s salvation and Zacchaeus’ immediate response to Jesus’ call both demonstrate the importance of faith in action. We must wait with hope, but also be ready to act in response to God’s call.

-Jeff Ransom


Reflection Questions:

  1. How can you place your hope in God amid the challenges and uncertainties in your life?
  2. In what areas of your life do you need to experience the transformative power of God’s grace?
  3. How can you be a faithful steward of the resources and opportunities God has entrusted to you, making Him known, while actively waiting for His guidance?


This week, consider these questions and take steps to deepen your relationship with God, embodying the hope and transformation He offers to all who seek Him through Jesus.

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Excited about Church

Old Testament: Micah 5

Poetry: Psalm 84 (day 2)

New Testament: Luke 18:9-14

How excited are you about going to church?  You might think church is boring, the singing doesn’t inspire you, the sermon puts you to sleep, the building is nothing to write home about, etc.  If you think like this, you are probably also thinking, “Why even bother going to church when there are so many more exciting things I could be doing?”

If you think church is bad now, just imagine how bad it was when they used a tent as a church (called the Tabernacle), and slaughtered animals to cover sins.  How well would you have liked going to church then?!  (Can you imagine the smell?)

Our reading today is from Psalm 84, which starts out, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!”  The writer wasn’t talking about the throne room of God in heaven, he was talking about the Tabernacle (tent) where he went to worship God.

Psalm 84 continues, “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

The writer wasn’t getting excited about visiting a tent, he was getting excited about being able to be in the presence of God.  He was yearning, fainting, crying out to be near God.

Verse 4 goes on to say, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.”

I’m guessing the writer is referring to the singers whose job was to stay at church and sing praises to God all day long. He was envious they didn’t even have to leave there to go to work (they were at work) – they were so lucky!  They got to be near God all the time.

Verse 10 says, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

You may dread going to church.  The writer of Psalm 84 dreaded having to leave church.  He’d rather spend one day at church than almost 3 years anywhere else.  He’d rather be a doorstop at church than party all the time with his wicked friends.

Why did the author crave going to church so much?  The answer is: because he loved God, and he associated being at church with being in God’s presence – so he couldn’t get enough of it.  

Today, as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we have far greater access to God than the people in the Old Testament (including the writer of Psalm 84) had.  We’re told in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

God didn’t just send Jesus to die for our sins, God also wants to adopt us as His children.  And there’s an inheritance involved – the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “… No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

I don’t know about you, but I have a pretty vivid imagination, and can imagine some amazing things.  But, according to this verse, I can’t imagine how great the Kingdom will be.  Start with no more death or mourning or crying or pain, add in a little euphoria in the presence of God forever, and you’re just scratching the surface for what God has prepared for those who love him.

I want that!

God wants to adopt us as His children, but there’s a catch.  He will only adopt us if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savor, are baptized, and live our lives for Him.  Only then will we get to live with Him forever.

Maybe, our level of excitement in going to church is related to our level of excitement for God.  Once we recognize how much God has already done for us, and what He has planned for those who love him, we’ll get more excited about God.  And once we do, I suspect we’ll get more excited about going to church too. 

-Steve Mattison

Reflection Questions

  1. What are your thoughts and feelings right now about going to church? Where do you think they come from?
  2. How excited for God are you? What has He done for you already? What do you know about – and what can you imagine – about being in the Kingdom of God? Have you already been adopted into God’s family? Are there steps you need to do in this adoption process?
  3. Is there anything about your perception and understanding about going to church that you think God wants you to change?
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Your Longing

Old Testament: Malachi 4

Poetry: Psalm 84

New Testament: Luke 18:1-8

Close your eyes with me and replay in your mind the best day of your life so far. Try to recall all the vivid details – the sights, sounds, and smells, the intense feelings! (Then open your eyes so you can continue reading!)

Want to hear about one of the best days of my life? There are obvious ones not to be downplayed, such as my wedding day and holding each of my children outside the womb for the first time, but one of the most special days of my life was the day I swam with the manatees. 

Perhaps it sounds silly to you, but I adore manatees. I have spent copious amounts of time gazing at them through the massive glass aquariums at our two local zoos, both of which have manatee rehabilitation centers. So you can imagine my excitement a few years ago when my husband agreed that on our trip to Florida that year, we could splurge on an excursion to swim with the manatees in the Crystal River! I’ll never forget floating on the water while observing my beloved sea cows in a submerged, restful state ten feet away, surfacing every few minutes for air. It was an incredible experience to watch the momma manatee with her calf coasting through the shallow river beside us, the small herds interacting peacefully just under the surface, the chubby mermaids living their best (slow) life soaking in the warmth of the underwater spring. The tranquil experience was very healing for me, as one prone to anxiety who had to overcome many anxious thoughts to even pursue this swim-with-manatees dream. My mind still wanders in wishes… Why can’t life just be as peaceful for us as it is for our manatee friends? I’ve relived that day in my mind many times, and it always brings a smile to my face. 

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing, to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God… A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.” (Psalm 84:1-2,10, NLT). 

Psalm 84 is generally considered a song of pilgrimage, one that was recited or sung when God’s people would journey to the Temple to worship. The writer was longing to be in God’s presence again. Now that Jesus has made a way for us to connect to God again even without a temple, this song could apply to coming into His presence anytime, anywhere, describing our longing just to be near him. Though I am so grateful that we can come into His presence all the time now through prayer and worship, I have always thought of this Psalm as more of a hope of the coming Kingdom. Perhaps we take for granted that we can approach God at any time with our praise and concerns. (I know I do.) And perhaps we don’t really wholeheartedly perceive the amazing promise of the Kingdom. (I know I don’t.)  

This world claims to have it all: fame, fortune, fun. But it will never truly satisfy. C.S. Lewis once said, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with my never-ending to-do list and difficult, anxiety-provoking decisions that I lose focus of the eternal perspective. And other times, I think that everything is awesome and couldn’t possibly get better! For good or bad, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of each day, isn’t it? It is important to focus on our purpose as followers of Christ and on the amazing hope of the Kingdom, which will be better than anything we can imagine. Even your best day in this life is nothing compared to the Kingdom experience, in which we will live with God and Jesus forever and where there will be no more sickness or crying or pain (see Revelation 21:4). 

Even just one day in God’s Kingdom will be better than a thousand of your best days in this lifetime. What a fantastic hope we have! 

-Rachel Cain

Reflections:

Close your eyes and imagine what the Kingdom will be like. Now, multiply that by a bazillion and you still won’t even be close to envisioning the peace and beauty of the Kingdom! 

Approach God in prayer and worship this week with a similar longing as expressed in this Psalm. Thank Him for the ability to enter His presence. Pray for a deepening desire to experience His presence during this life, as we await the coming Kingdom.

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Socks and Shoes

Old Testament: Hosea 12-14

Poetry: Psalm 80

New Testament: Luke 16:1-15


If ever there was a dynasty in collegiate sports, it was the UCLA Bruins in the 1960s and 1970s. Over the course of a dozen years, they won 10 NCAA basketball championships.  At one point during this spell, they didn’t even lose a single game for three years.  There hasn’t been a run like it, or may never be again, and much credit goes to Coach John Wooden and his staff. Wooden didn’t seek out cutting edge strategies or even the most talented players. He cared about self-management and stewardship.  Before stepping on the court each player was taught how to put on their socks and tie their shoes. While this may seem demeaning or elementary, it had a dual purpose. The first, to minimize blisters and injury that could prevent a loss of practice time.  The second, to see if his players were faithful in the small things. If there was fidelity and discipline to this aspect, it is more likely this same commitment would be found to honing all the fundamentals of the game.

The connection of John Wooden doesn’t initially seem apparent when we examine the Parable of the Shrewd Manager. Initially it seems like a sneaky story about self-preservation instead of faithfulness.  An accusation from the owners comes against a middle level management, misusing company resources. When the news reaches the manager’s ear that he will be receiving a pink slip, he makes a game plan that will move him from one company ladder to another.  He quickly calls in those who have business dealings with the owner to settle their debts quickly and at a far lesser rate than what they owe in hopes of getting his back scratched in return upon his dismissal.  These executive decisions do not get ire, but instead the praise of his employer.  Our takeaway is likewise to be shrewd with our resources, taking responsibility for what is directly in front of us.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? – Luke 16:10-11

In every aspect of our dealings with others, whether with little or much, there is a responsibility to take disciplined, calculated action. Instead of acting in fear of losing our livelihood, we work on becoming the best version of ourselves because this shrewdness makes us trustworthy and impactful for the sake of the Gospel.  Jesus emphasizes that even the smallest actions are important, and really the basis for the amount of work that will be assigned to us. If we don’t take the time to tie our shoes right, and ultimately miss out on practice or games, we need to sit on a bench.  Furthermore, we cannot be expected to lead a revival, or even a Sunday School class, if we cannot be trusted with being disciplined enough to do our own Bible study.  We can’t be expected to receive God’s blessing on our business if we keep a tight grip on our purse when it is time to tithe.  Going back to the beginning of our week, staying true to a system or fundamentals, will not only develop a single resource, but ultimately encompasses every aspect of our lives, including our relationships, time, and talents.

Finally, one more theme to quickly revisit appears in today’s reading. Despite Israel’s mismanagement, let us again be reminded God’s desire is not to let them go, but to bring them back into the fold when he says: “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them” (Hosea 14:4, NIV). This restoration is contingent upon living a life of integrity and faithfulness to God.  If we’re going to set foot on the court, let’s not even think about winning first.  Let’s make sure first that our socks and shoes are put on properly, looking at our calendar, our bank accounts, and our relationship, and demonstrating to God that we will be faithful with those things that are already set before us, so we may be shrewd managers, benefitting the greatest dynasty yet to come, the Kingdom of God.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What small actions have you (now or in the past) tried to skip over? What is the importance of doing these small steps consistently and well before trying to jump ahead to bigger things?
  2. What resources has God currently put you in charge of? What can you do to care for these well?
  3. How do you think God would rate your faithfulness?
  4. What is the biggest take-away you learned from Hosea this week?
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Seeking Shepherd

Old Testament: Hosea 3-5

Poetry: Psalm 77

New Testament: Luke 15:1-7

I have a free pizza awaiting me today. I couldn’t be more excited. Every year around my birthday, as a reward for not dying, I redeem a voucher for an entire pie of my choosing at my favorite pizzeria. There is something more satisfying about good food when you haven’t paid for it, although I’m not advocating for dining and dashing, simply making friends with chefs, restaurant owners, or in this case, signing up for an email newsletter.  As I read for today, and I think about greasy-cupped pepperonis, I can’t help but think deeper about redemption. 

Befriend a realist, and it won’t be long before you hear the wisdom, “nothing is free.” Redemption rings true to this adage because by definition it means that the price or obligation has already been fulfilled. Therefore, you receive the reward without the typical settling of debt.  The dough, the cheese, the sauce, and the toppings have already been purchased, but I wasn’t the buyer. In a more significant example, enslaved men and women could be released of bondage, receive paperwork, and be transported to the North due to the fundraising efforts of American abolitionists.  In the Old Testament, God’s laws command redemption of property, or giving back land, houses, animals, and freedom, to the impoverished when they sell as a last resort to make ends meet, with the buyer gaining nothing in their return (Lev. 25:25-55). But in a much greater way than any of these examples, we have redemption through Christ.

There is absolutely nothing we can do to deserve the Love of God, yet it is poured out upon us as an abundant gift. God demonstrates His love and redemption in Hosea’s actions in redeeming Gomer in the midst of adultery, “The LORD said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods’” These words tell us that God does not simply pine for relationship with us while we are in sin, but that He actively pursues in the midst of our fall. God hates sin, but He is unrelenting.  His grace goes farther than the guilt, and hopefully, guides us back to Him.


In the same manner, Jesus demonstrates this as the Good Shepherd watching over His flock. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.” Again, Jesus illustrates the commitment of the Father and His love for all within the body. It says heaven rejoices, but aren’t we too supposed to rejoice in the redemption?  As those who already know Christ, we should not be lining up for apologies, but instead extending the hands of grace.  If we were robbed by the redeemed of our possessions, our time, or our emotions, they have all become forfeit for the sake of redemption.

Despite our own unfaithfulness and wandering, God’s love has found us and refuses to let go.  He has already executed the campaign to offer you an eternal reward far greater than we could ever imagine (and I can imagine quite a bit of pizza).  Therefore it is our job to continue the work of Jesus, tending to His sheep.  We search the fields for the lost one, giving constant and enduring love to those failing to be victorious over temptation. It is simply put, but the practice is daunting. It is having an awkward conversation at the gas station with someone who hasn’t been to church in a few years.  It is  offering a listening ear to someone in distress, possibly never knowing if you have heard the truth.  It is showing kindness and compassion at business close when all you wanted was to get home to relax. Every act of love is a step toward spiritual restoration, not only for others, but ourselves, because we too have hope in life eternal at the expense of the Creator through His Seeking Shepherd.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What similarities do you find between the lives of Hosea and Gomer and the parable of the lost sheep?
  2. What lost sheep have you seen restored?
  3. What sheep do you know who are still lost? What acts of love can you be a part of to demonstrate the Father’s love to them?
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A Radical Relationship

Old Testament: Hosea 1-2

Poetry: Psalm 76

New Testament: Luke 14:25-35

Since the pandemic, mental health has become an important topic that has not only been destigmatized, but has rapidly appeared in popular culture.  Looking at the vocabulary passed along in social media, I’m sure you’ve seen a quote or two referencing toxic behaviors, triggers, gaslighting, or keeping some type of balance.  The vast majority of those offering this advice are not certified to give it, but many have the ability to identify, and for the most part avoid, unhealthy relationships and behaviors that would emotionally exhaust us. So I, as one not certified to give advice, offer some advice, albeit unpopular and radical wisdom for the day and age we live in: God asks us to form addictive, dependent relationships in abandonment of self.

When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, ‘Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD’” (Hosea 1:2, NIV)

In a very specific instance, God instructs Hosea to marry Gomer, taking on an unhealthy relationship, knowingly to a woman who would be unfaithful to him. Not only a symbolic representation, but a real life metaphor, Hosea’s heart mimicked that of the Most High who was heartbroken by Israel’s infidelity. Yet in the same way, Hosea’s persistent love and commitment would mirror God’s unwavering love for His people. In spite of our own betrayal, God beckons us to return to Him and be restored.  This is a promise for Israel but truly, for each one of us.

Jesus also speaks directly to the demands of this type of abandonment in relationships.  Conversely, His focus is the reciprocation of God’s reckless love to us.  In the same manner, we prioritize Him above all else, even above family and possessions. In maybe the toughest pill to swallow in the ministry of Jesus, he states in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”  Jesus double-downs on this statement, saying that we each must carry our own cross to follow Him. The demands of following Christ are toxic to self and most indeed will destroy us.

But this is the very cost of knowing Christ. If we were not aware of it before, be reminded of it as you read and re-read these words today. There must be a willingness to give up everything that hinders our relationship with God, and not only accept this, but embrace the sacrifices of discipleship.  No doubt there could be a growing dissonance in our minds. If this is the case, it could be that we are trying to preserve the self that remains instead of running to our relationship with the abandonment of Hosea, and ultimately, our Heavenly Father.  True discipleship demands more than superficial commitment. It requires a deep and wide devotion to Jesus, the same dedication He showed to His Father and to us.

Although we have lived in a manner that made us unworthy, God’s love for us is restorative and sufficient for any loss. The Church of God is His bride in the coming kingdom, and it matters not our history before coming to Him. We must no longer accept Jesus, for this implies He is tolerated. We must make a covenant with Him, becoming one. He has fully demonstrated His love for us, so we must embrace the cost of this radical relationship that continues to transform every aspect of our life.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. “True discipleship demands more than superficial commitment.” Where else can you see this principle taught and illustrated in the Bible?
  2. How deep does your commitment to God go? What do you find gets in the way of diving deeper into commitment?
  3. How would you describe God’s love? What is your response to His love for you? OR – asked another way – What is God asking of you in your relationship to Him and to His Son? And what does He offer in return?
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Your Purpose

Old Testament: Amos 1 & 2

Poetry: Psalm 73

New Testament: Luke 12:22-59

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is? Why are you here? What am I suppose to accomplish in this lifetime? 

I think it’s pretty simple yet we make it so complicated sometimes, or at least I do. 

Luke 12:22-23

Do Not Be Anxious

[22] And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. [23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

I am blessed because I rarely worry about what I am going to eat or what I am going to wear. If Jesus is telling his disciples not to worry about their essential needs, I highly doubt I should be worried about what others may think concerning the kind of car I drive, the shoes I wear, the house I live in, or even if I’m going to have enough money saved so I retire in 30 years, etc.  Don’t get me wrong, I believe there is value in planning ahead and being wise with your money, but if you do it at the expense of being less generous, spending less time with family and friends, and most importantly getting so consumed that you forget about your relationship with God. It’s all in vain and meaningless. 

Luke 12:31

[31] Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

This sums up how we ought to live and where our priorities should lie. Seeking the Kingdom isn’t always the easiest decision in the moment, but it is always the best decision. Seeking the kingdom isn’t always the best financial decision in the moment, but it’s always the best financial choice in the end. Seeking the kingdom won’t always give you everything you think you need and want now, but it will give you everything you thought you wanted and needed and so much more when the Kingdom is revealed. 

I challenge you and myself to see how we can make a real difference for the coming kingdom now, and how we can store up treasure in heaven where no thief can steal and no moth can destroy! 

Luke 12:33-34

[33] Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

-Luke Elwell

(originally posted for SeekGrowLove December 19, 2022)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Is there a time when you where anxious about something? How else could you have reacted?
  2. What are some ways to seek the Kingdom? How will you personally seek the Kingdom today?
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