Author Topic: Devotions  (Read 39328 times)

Pip

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Re: Devotions
« Reply #90 on: April 22, 2024, 05:12:43 PM »
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Lord, What Should I Be Doing Today?
June 21, 2023
by Binu Samuel

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army … But David remained in Jerusalem.” 2 Samuel 11:1 (NIV)

He initiated the conversation, and he was beyond transparent. Without my husband or me even asking, our young friend told us everything and it wasn’t pretty.  My stomach was in knots. As he went through the details, all I could think was, How does someone get themselves into this kind of situation?

In 2 Samuel 11, we read about another young man who found himself in a place of regret.  “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army … But David remained in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1).

King David, who should have been at war, decided to take it easy in his palace. He ended up on his rooftop. From there, he spotted a beautiful woman bathing. Fully knowing that she was married and that her husband, Uriah, was off to war (where David himself should have been), David summoned her to his home.  Long story short, sin got a hold of David, and because of his terrible decisions, King David made a huge mess for himself and others. Not only did he sin against Bathsheba, but he committed murder, too, as he arranged for Uriah to be killed at war (2 Samuel 11:15).  Now that escalated quickly. Sin left unconfessed usually does.  Every time I read this story, so many questions go through my mind. How did King David even get himself into that situation?

He was a king. Kings go to war. Why wasn’t he at war? Did he forget who he was?

The more I study this chapter, it becomes clearer that 2 Samuel 11 isn’t simply a lesson about moral failure; it’s a lesson about daily failure (and success) as well.  What if David had started off his day asking the Lord one simple question: Lord, as Your appointed king, what should I be doing today?

I am certain the sinful events of 2 Samuel 11 would not have been on God’s to-do list for David that day … but joining his troops in battle might have been.  The truth is, David wasn’t the first king to have forgotten his God-appointed assignment, nor was he the last. Before I can get too judgmental, the Holy Spirit begins to ask me a few questions: As a daughter of the King, are you always doing what you should be doing?

Do you always remember who you are and the purpose I have for you?

According to 1 Peter 2:9, if we have accepted Christ into our hearts, we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (NIV, emphasis added).

You and I are royalty! The choices we make and what we do throughout our days matter to God just as much as King David’s choices mattered to God.  What if we started our days by asking God this same question: Lord, what should I be doing today? Do You have any special assignments for me?

Then as things come to mind, we can jot them down and add those things to our to-do lists.  It might be something as simple as calling or texting someone whom God wants to connect us with. Or perhaps the Lord will show us someone to pray for … and unlike King David in this story, we can go to war for them and cry out to God on their behalf.  As the conversation with my young friend came to a close, I was inspired not by his mistakes but by his quick confession and humility.  The Holy Spirit was clearly at work in my friend’s life. His willingness to repent and receive advice, correction and rebuke assured me that despite his slip-up, he was going to be OK. God’s plans for him still included a great hope and a victorious future.  Friends, it’s summertime. Do we know what God wants us to be doing in this season?

If not, let’s take a few minutes to ask Him. Then let’s take a few more minutes to listen, giving Him time to answer.

Pip

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Re: Devotions
« Reply #91 on: April 26, 2024, 07:17:42 PM »
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You Are the Bride of Christ
June 26, 2023
by Sarah Geringer

"For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth." Isaiah 54:5 (NIV)

I put on a new white garment and pulled my hair up into a chignon, just like I did when I was a young bride. But this time, I was headed to the attorney’s office.  After many years of effort, my marriage of 21 years was ending against my will.  I dreaded the first attorney meeting. Not because I expected it to be contentious we had agreed on an uncontested split. My dread stemmed from the knowledge that this would be the first official step toward the end I had resisted with all my might.  The meeting started fine. I answered the attorney’s requests for names, dates and addresses. Then he asked where we were married.  “Gatlinburg, Tennessee,” I said.

A city that only held good memories for me of our trip to plan for our happy day, then our wedding a few months later, and a return trip for our 10th anniversary. The memory threads pulled at my heart, and an unexpected gush of grief spilled out.  In my many moments of sorrow during our difficult marriage, I had turned to Isaiah 54:4-8 for comfort. I clung to the hope that when I felt unloved, God’s promises were always true:  “For your Maker is your husband the LORD Almighty is his name the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5).

The God of the whole earth, the Lord of hosts and the holy One of Israel, says He is my Husband. He calls me back to Him when I feel deserted and distressed in spirit (Isaiah 54:6). When I feel afraid, disgraced, ashamed and rejected, He shows me deep compassion (Isaiah 54:4; Isaiah 54:7). When I feel abandoned, He draws me near with everlasting kindness (Isaiah 54:8).  As followers of Jesus, we can be comforted by these intimate promises. People in our lives may break vows, abandon us, and let their love for us run cold but our Lord never treats us this way. Instead, He promises that our weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5). He gives us “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3a, NIV).

One day, the Church will be presented to Jesus as His bride, and everyone who believes in Him will feast together at the supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:7-9). We will be wearing white, dressed beautifully for our Husband (Revelation 21:2).  For now, I take great comfort in knowing Jesus is right beside me every day, protecting me and loving me as my Redeemer and my heavenly Husband.  If you have placed your faith in Jesus, you are His bride, too, my friend. Whatever hurts you’ve experienced, He can handle. Whatever betrayal you’ve endured, He understands. His loving presence has been a constant balm to me in this difficult season. I pray that you will adorn yourself daily as His bride, enjoying spiritual intimacy with Him now as you wait expectantly for His return.

Pip

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Re: Devotions
« Reply #92 on: April 28, 2024, 04:04:07 PM »
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While You Wait
June 30, 2023
by Tracie Braylock

“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130‬:5‬ (NIV)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The phone hanging on the waiting-room wall is used by families to call into the operating room, acting as a lifeline for those wanting to know what’s taking place.  As the operating-room nurse, I’d often answer the phone and hear a concerned voice on the other end requesting information about their loved one’s condition.  “Excuse me, doctor, the family would like an update,” I’d say.

Often, the response would be something like, “Everything is proceeding as expected.”

Because of these experiences, I’ve developed a great deal of empathy for those waiting for answers, for those who simply want to know their loved ones are safe and still in good hands.  I’m also keenly aware of the work taking place in the operating room that very few get to witness. The spaces being surgically opened, cleaned out, newly constructed and masterfully stitched back together. The work that relieves pain, mends wounds, makes way for healing, and ensures living this life remains possible.  You see, sometimes, for those on the other end of the phone, the information that everything is proceeding as expected is enough to calm their obvious concern and curiosity. Other times, this answer isn’t enough. The person standing in the waiting room wants more detail, certainty or even a definitive timeline.  Maybe these people have been in the waiting room so long that they've noticed others, who had previously been waiting with them, have left. Others’ prayers seem to have been answered. Others’ operations have already been completed. Others have gotten to move on while they are still waiting and pacing the floor.  My friend, if you find yourself in one of life’s waiting rooms watching and wondering when you’ll get to move on I encourage you to focus your attention on this passage of Scripture: “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).

You don’t have to spend another moment doubting, worrying or pacing the floor. You and your whole being can wait for the Lord as you redirect your attention and put your hope in His Word.  Even though it seems like you’ve been waiting for so long and there’s no end in sight, know that everything is proceeding as He expected. You don’t need the details or a definitive timeline to know that God will keep every promise He has made concerning you and your future. He is opening doors, cleaning out debris, constructing new paths and masterfully stitching together more than you could imagine.  You may not be standing in the operating room of your situation, able to see what’s happening or witness the process firsthand, but you can trust that God is moving on your behalf, and the work is indeed taking place.

Pip

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Re: Devotions
« Reply #93 on: Today at 04:58:52 PM »
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You Are Chosen
July 5, 2023
by Meghan Mellinger

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” John 15:16a-b (NLT)

Thirteen-year-old me wasn’t a fan of gym class for a few reasons: I was an artist, not an athlete, and I was always picked last for any team sport.  Fast-forward a few years, and I’d still rather draw a ball than kick one. But rejection and I have become close friends, and my disappointment résumé is full of line items:

    My crush asking another girl out on a date instead of me.
    Seeing my friends post on social media about an event I didn’t get invited to.
    Not winning sweepstakes for my own private island in the Caribbean.

It’s a lot easier to think of the times I haven’t been chosen than the times I have been.  We all desperately desire to be chosen because it means someone truly and fully sees us. The real, unfiltered versions of ourselves. On the good days when we’re well fed, rested and have adequate sunlight and on the not-so-good days during rush-hour traffic when we use words and hand gestures our grandmas wouldn’t approve of.  No matter how old we are, sometimes we’re still that awkward kid with braces who shouldn’t have cut her own bangs, waiting and wishing in that gymnasium for those magical words: “I choose you.”

We want to be the one selected, preferred and hand-picked for a reason.  I wonder how Jesus’ disciples felt when He said these powerful words to them in John 15:16a-b: “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.”

Our perfect Savior picked some of the most imperfect people to be a part of His team: a doubter (Thomas), a hothead (Peter), and a guy who had a full-time job profiting off of his own people (Matthew). Most came from lowly, insignificant lives. They weren’t the richest or most important. They were often overlooked. They were flawed, unrefined and unqualified.  I’m sure they didn’t feel like the best or most appropriate choice. Yet Jesus saw them fully and chose them anyway.  And together, with Him, they changed the world.mmAs a perfectionist, I feel like this seems too good to be true. But as a human being, I know it’s a sigh of relief.  God doesn't choose perfect people: He just wants us to come as we are.  Every imperfect inch and pound of us, every thought and action.  The real challenge is quieting the doubts and lies in our minds long enough to hear and receive those three affirming words: “I chose you” (John 15:16b).

Jesus is calling you to be a part of a greater team than the eighth-grade elite dodgeball squad.  You have not been overlooked; you are fully seen by our all-knowing God. Your brokenness, imperfections and failures have not disqualified you from His purpose for you.  Disappointments and rejection will be a part of earthly life, but your unconditional worth in Jesus will never change.  Today, you may feel undeserving and inadequate. You may feel you’re trying too hard or not trying hard enough. But today, you are fully seen and known. And today, just like yesterday, our God is in the habit of using imperfect people for His perfect plan. So come close and listen to His words:  “I choose you.”