by Bethany Lashbrook
This Week's Verse: John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (NIV)
Devotion:
What do you call your Lord? Is he your Rock, Redeemer, or Protector? Is he your Way, your Truth and your Life? Is he your Shepherd, your Prince, or your Father? He can be referred to as the Holy One, The Living One, and the Son of Man. He is Almighty, the Beginning and the End, and the Lord of Lords. Of course, he is our God, our Savior, and our Living Word.
And lately, He keeps telling me he is my Friend.
I have been going through a “dark” spiritual time lately. For no reason in particular I am struggling in my Christian walk. Maybe my mood is reflected upon days and days of no sun. Maybe I have cabin fever. Maybe I am just in a rut. Whatever the reason, I keep hearing my Lord say “talk to me, I am your Friend”.
I’ve never really thought of God as my friend, but rather as a Father. And, I don’t know about you, but there is a lot of “stuff” I don’t tell my earthly father, or my Heavenly Father. Yet just knowing that I have had a friend to talk to has made a world of difference these last several weeks.
Sure, I have plenty of Christian friends I could call. I have many who would love to talk with me to get me out of this funk. But for whatever reason, I have chosen to remain silent to them and be completely open with my Friend, God. He always listens. He always stays with me. He doesn’t ridicule my actions, yet He stands firm in the way of The Word, and reminds me of how I should be acting. He reminds me that my walk will not always be some glorious road; rather it has lots of twists and turns.
Thanks to my new friend, God, I have been able to release some stress through constant prayer to Him. I find myself whispering to Him at all times during the day. At night, when I can’t sleep, to prayer I go. I’m so thankful that I have felt His presence in my life and am rewarded from our friendship!
Lord, thank you for our friendship. Please continue to guide and direct me through this spiritual journey. Amen.
Application:
What do you call God? Is it time to see Him in a different light to further your relationship with Him? As I have heard it said: “go to the throne, not the phone”. The Lord is here to listen, at all times!
Power Verses:
James 2:23, "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend."(NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."(NIV)
Proverbs 17:17, "Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families’ stick together in all kinds of trouble."(MSG)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
People Like That
by Kathy Lay
This Week's Verse: Mark 2:16, "But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?'"(NLT, emphasis mine).
Devotion:
People like that. You know, those people.
Who exactly are we talking about? Well, any classification of people we've labeled in some way and rolled our eyes about when we refer to them as those people. Tax collectors back then and politicians today, sinners of all kinds--perverts, abusers, addicts, snobs, liars, you name it--we've got a label for just about everyone.
In the above passage, Jesus was being condemned by the Pharisees for hanging out with "such scum." Can't you just hear the haughtiness in their accusations and see them sneering down their noses?
Check out how the Message puts it: "Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: "What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riffraff?'"(Mark:15-16)
The riffraff? Um hmm. And this is when Jesus zings them with his awesome reply that the healthy don't need a doctor, but the sick do. In fact, he says, "I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." (v. 17, NLT).
See, that's the thing. You've heard the saying about three fingers pointing back at you when you point at someone else (you know, people like that) and you're familiar with the verse about calling attention to the speck in someone else's eye while ignoring the plank in your own (Matt. 7:3). Any time we imply our superiority because we're fixated on someone else's issues, we're judging.
Jesus makes it pretty clear that those who think they're already good enough will miss out on his fellowship. And I would MUCH rather be at the table with the Lord and the riffraff than with those finger-pointing Pharisees.
I'm not saying it's easy, by any means. I actually think the command to love one another is the primary commandment--along with loving God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength--BECAUSE it's the hardest thing to do. It goes against our flesh.
But when we go from snooty acknowledgement of "those people" to introducing them to Jesus, they cease to be "one of those" and become "one of us." And that's what Jesus was all about.
Lord, help us to see others with your eyes. Reshape our hearts so they don't condemn but accept. And love. Help us to see the people behind the sin and love them out of it.
Application: Identify folks you've referred to as "people like that" or "those people". Have you ever later gotten to know and even like someone you used to stereotype and judge? Resolve to get to know at least one "of those people" and try to see them with Jesus' eyes.
Power Verses:
Romans 2:1-2, "Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done."(MSG)
1 Corinthians 5:9-11, "When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people."(NLT)
This Week's Verse: Mark 2:16, "But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?'"(NLT, emphasis mine).
Devotion:
People like that. You know, those people.
Who exactly are we talking about? Well, any classification of people we've labeled in some way and rolled our eyes about when we refer to them as those people. Tax collectors back then and politicians today, sinners of all kinds--perverts, abusers, addicts, snobs, liars, you name it--we've got a label for just about everyone.
In the above passage, Jesus was being condemned by the Pharisees for hanging out with "such scum." Can't you just hear the haughtiness in their accusations and see them sneering down their noses?
Check out how the Message puts it: "Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: "What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riffraff?'"(Mark:15-16)
The riffraff? Um hmm. And this is when Jesus zings them with his awesome reply that the healthy don't need a doctor, but the sick do. In fact, he says, "I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." (v. 17, NLT).
See, that's the thing. You've heard the saying about three fingers pointing back at you when you point at someone else (you know, people like that) and you're familiar with the verse about calling attention to the speck in someone else's eye while ignoring the plank in your own (Matt. 7:3). Any time we imply our superiority because we're fixated on someone else's issues, we're judging.
Jesus makes it pretty clear that those who think they're already good enough will miss out on his fellowship. And I would MUCH rather be at the table with the Lord and the riffraff than with those finger-pointing Pharisees.
I'm not saying it's easy, by any means. I actually think the command to love one another is the primary commandment--along with loving God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength--BECAUSE it's the hardest thing to do. It goes against our flesh.
But when we go from snooty acknowledgement of "those people" to introducing them to Jesus, they cease to be "one of those" and become "one of us." And that's what Jesus was all about.
Lord, help us to see others with your eyes. Reshape our hearts so they don't condemn but accept. And love. Help us to see the people behind the sin and love them out of it.
Application: Identify folks you've referred to as "people like that" or "those people". Have you ever later gotten to know and even like someone you used to stereotype and judge? Resolve to get to know at least one "of those people" and try to see them with Jesus' eyes.
Power Verses:
Romans 2:1-2, "Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done."(MSG)
1 Corinthians 5:9-11, "When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people."(NLT)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Like the Snow and Rain
by Kathy Lay
This Week's Verse: Isaiah 55:11, "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (NLT)
Devotion:
In the past week alone we've experienced some pretty varied weather. From below freezing temperatures and wind-blown snow to a balmy 50 degrees and thunderstorms strong enough to knock out power for hours, we've seen the gamut.
In Isaiah 55:10, the verse immediately preceding this week's verse, the Lord says, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry." He then goes on to explain that His Word works the same way.
But sometimes the snow can throw up a caution flag and cause us to seek a different route. Or maybe give up and stay out of the rat-race altogether. Does the Word ever do that to you?
Sometimes the rain is so fierce and unrelenting that it breaks weak objects and seeps through the tiniest of holes and crevices. Does the Word ever do that to you?
Yes? But then sometimes--those blessed other times--the snow, so pure and white, falls gently and peacefully, insulating the earth and quieting the noise in a peaceful, cottony silence. Does the Word ever do that to you?
And sometimes the rain is steady and soft, offering blessed refreshment and cleansing to a parched and dusty land. Does the Word ever do that to you?
The Word IS like the snow and rain. And no matter what the conditions are when it comes, we can always rest assured that God promises it will accomplish all He wants it to each and every time He sends it out.
Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."(NKJV)
James 1:18, "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."(NASB)
This Week's Verse: Isaiah 55:11, "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (NLT)
Devotion:
In the past week alone we've experienced some pretty varied weather. From below freezing temperatures and wind-blown snow to a balmy 50 degrees and thunderstorms strong enough to knock out power for hours, we've seen the gamut.
In Isaiah 55:10, the verse immediately preceding this week's verse, the Lord says, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry." He then goes on to explain that His Word works the same way.
But sometimes the snow can throw up a caution flag and cause us to seek a different route. Or maybe give up and stay out of the rat-race altogether. Does the Word ever do that to you?
Sometimes the rain is so fierce and unrelenting that it breaks weak objects and seeps through the tiniest of holes and crevices. Does the Word ever do that to you?
Yes? But then sometimes--those blessed other times--the snow, so pure and white, falls gently and peacefully, insulating the earth and quieting the noise in a peaceful, cottony silence. Does the Word ever do that to you?
And sometimes the rain is steady and soft, offering blessed refreshment and cleansing to a parched and dusty land. Does the Word ever do that to you?
The Word IS like the snow and rain. And no matter what the conditions are when it comes, we can always rest assured that God promises it will accomplish all He wants it to each and every time He sends it out.
Father, reading Your Word, speaking Your Word, hiding Your Word in our hearts--all of these are ways Your seed is planted. In us, through us, may Your will be done through the beautiful mystery and power of Your Word as You send it out.
Application: To fully rejoice in the power of God's Word, continue reading in Isaiah 55. Read verses 12 and 13 to see the awesome promises resulting from the sending forth of the Word. Claim them in Jesus' Name.Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."(NKJV)
James 1:18, "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."(NASB)
Friday, January 22, 2010
No More Bickering
by Kathy Lay
This Week's Verse: 1 Peter 4:8,"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." (NLT)
Devotion:
Bickering. And more bickering. Most of the time my three kiddos get along pretty well. They invent games together, ask for permission before entering each others’ bedrooms, and share their things. But lately—I don’t know if it’s winter and cabin fever, or what—the bickering has escalated.
And consequently, so has my temper a few times.
It drives me absolutely nuts to hear the smart-aleck jabs, one-upmanship comparisons, and outright put-downs. My children are supposed to love one another and live in harmony. Right?
Maybe I need to lay down some new rules.
During the latest bickering session when I was just about ready to start pulling out hair (I won't say whether it was mine or theirs!) I was made vividly aware of the fact that my Heavenly Father knew exactly how I felt!
It struck me that in the Old Testament--under the law--God's anger burned against Israel when they were unfaithful to Him. Consequently, under the new covenant, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Also under the law, God was appalled at how his children were treating each other. But now, under grace, the second greatest commandment is to love others as ourselves.
Not necessarily "new" rules, as the original ten commandments still apply, but more of a shift in perspective. Instead of volumes of "do this; don't do that" we are now told to love above all else. Why?
Because love covers a multitude of sins.
I know my kids love each other deep down, but showing it at all times is a constant battle of the flesh. It is for most of us. But every little victorious showing of love covers a sin we might otherwise have committed.
That's why oftentimes when the kids have been ugly to each other, Shane and I will have them lock eyes, apologize, and hug. The actions of love--even if they don't feel it right away--will usually result in the feeling later. And oh yeah, lots of giggles.
As God's children, we have to stop the bickering, the one-upmanship comparisons, and the put-downs. By loving instead, we're covering a multitude of sins. Thank you, Jesus, for doing it first.
Lord, when we feel like complaining and arguing, when we want to take sides and tear others down, fill us with your love instead. Help us to show it and eventually feel it. Use it to cover sins, Jesus, in Your Name.
Application:
Develop a plan for the next time (and you know it's coming!) you're around or being pulled into an argument. How can you show love to diffuse sin?
Power Verses:
Phillipians 3:15-16, "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained."(NIV)
Phillipians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."(NIV)
This Week's Verse: 1 Peter 4:8,"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." (NLT)
Devotion:
Bickering. And more bickering. Most of the time my three kiddos get along pretty well. They invent games together, ask for permission before entering each others’ bedrooms, and share their things. But lately—I don’t know if it’s winter and cabin fever, or what—the bickering has escalated.
And consequently, so has my temper a few times.
It drives me absolutely nuts to hear the smart-aleck jabs, one-upmanship comparisons, and outright put-downs. My children are supposed to love one another and live in harmony. Right?
Maybe I need to lay down some new rules.
During the latest bickering session when I was just about ready to start pulling out hair (I won't say whether it was mine or theirs!) I was made vividly aware of the fact that my Heavenly Father knew exactly how I felt!
It struck me that in the Old Testament--under the law--God's anger burned against Israel when they were unfaithful to Him. Consequently, under the new covenant, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Also under the law, God was appalled at how his children were treating each other. But now, under grace, the second greatest commandment is to love others as ourselves.
Not necessarily "new" rules, as the original ten commandments still apply, but more of a shift in perspective. Instead of volumes of "do this; don't do that" we are now told to love above all else. Why?
Because love covers a multitude of sins.
I know my kids love each other deep down, but showing it at all times is a constant battle of the flesh. It is for most of us. But every little victorious showing of love covers a sin we might otherwise have committed.
That's why oftentimes when the kids have been ugly to each other, Shane and I will have them lock eyes, apologize, and hug. The actions of love--even if they don't feel it right away--will usually result in the feeling later. And oh yeah, lots of giggles.
As God's children, we have to stop the bickering, the one-upmanship comparisons, and the put-downs. By loving instead, we're covering a multitude of sins. Thank you, Jesus, for doing it first.
Lord, when we feel like complaining and arguing, when we want to take sides and tear others down, fill us with your love instead. Help us to show it and eventually feel it. Use it to cover sins, Jesus, in Your Name.
Application:
Develop a plan for the next time (and you know it's coming!) you're around or being pulled into an argument. How can you show love to diffuse sin?
Power Verses:
Phillipians 3:15-16, "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained."(NIV)
Phillipians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."(NIV)
Friday, January 15, 2010
New Year's Improvements
by Bethany Lashbrook
This Week’s Verse: Proverbs 3:11-12, “But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.” (MSG)
Devotion:
On New Year’s Day, I was at my parents' house eating our January 1st meal of ham and beans. While we ate, we had the usual discussion of our New Year’s resolutions. I started to think about all the things in the past I had once wished for. You know, the resolutions that at one point in time most of us women have made:
I pledge to lose 10 pounds this year… I would like to work out more… I am going to spend more time with my children on a daily basis… I am going to do less rushing, and more chilling… I am going to help the environment and recycle more… I am going to stop spending money on credit cards… I am going to make new friends, and be nicer to the IGA employee checking me out when I am in a hurry.
Any of these sounds familiar? Well, as we were all jokingly telling of our New Year’s resolutions, my dad mentioned that he no longer was calling them resolutions. Rather, he was going to refer to his as “New Year’s improvements.”
What an idea!
I sat on that for a couple of days and have agreed to make some improvements of my own. See, all of my other New Year’s resolutions started with “I,” so I want to first off, give up the “I” and see what God has in store for me. The second improvement is to stop thinking in such a worldly way when it comes to making these improvements.
I would like to trust Him more, love Him more, seek Him more, adore Him more, and show Him to others more often. I could always read more about Him, tell others about Him, help others through Him and live more like Him. I can always forgive more, love my neighbors more, care more, and show more fruits of the Spirit. These are all huge improvements that I would love to make in my life this year.
Even though I will keep fresh in my head those ten pounds that I have pledged to lose again this year, I will remind myself of the real improvements needed in my life!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for so clearly opening my eyes to the real improvements needed in my life. There is nothing more in this life that we should want than to please you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Application: Have you made any New Year’s improvements this year? Would you like to ask God to show you areas of improvement in your life? Prayerfully consider asking God for the complete truth of how He would like you to be in 2010.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:23-24, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (NLT)
Colossians 1:10, “… that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (NKJV)
Matthew 6:25 & 27, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” (NIV)
This Week’s Verse: Proverbs 3:11-12, “But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.” (MSG)
Devotion:
On New Year’s Day, I was at my parents' house eating our January 1st meal of ham and beans. While we ate, we had the usual discussion of our New Year’s resolutions. I started to think about all the things in the past I had once wished for. You know, the resolutions that at one point in time most of us women have made:
I pledge to lose 10 pounds this year… I would like to work out more… I am going to spend more time with my children on a daily basis… I am going to do less rushing, and more chilling… I am going to help the environment and recycle more… I am going to stop spending money on credit cards… I am going to make new friends, and be nicer to the IGA employee checking me out when I am in a hurry.
Any of these sounds familiar? Well, as we were all jokingly telling of our New Year’s resolutions, my dad mentioned that he no longer was calling them resolutions. Rather, he was going to refer to his as “New Year’s improvements.”
What an idea!
I sat on that for a couple of days and have agreed to make some improvements of my own. See, all of my other New Year’s resolutions started with “I,” so I want to first off, give up the “I” and see what God has in store for me. The second improvement is to stop thinking in such a worldly way when it comes to making these improvements.
I would like to trust Him more, love Him more, seek Him more, adore Him more, and show Him to others more often. I could always read more about Him, tell others about Him, help others through Him and live more like Him. I can always forgive more, love my neighbors more, care more, and show more fruits of the Spirit. These are all huge improvements that I would love to make in my life this year.
Even though I will keep fresh in my head those ten pounds that I have pledged to lose again this year, I will remind myself of the real improvements needed in my life!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for so clearly opening my eyes to the real improvements needed in my life. There is nothing more in this life that we should want than to please you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Application: Have you made any New Year’s improvements this year? Would you like to ask God to show you areas of improvement in your life? Prayerfully consider asking God for the complete truth of how He would like you to be in 2010.
Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:23-24, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (NLT)
Colossians 1:10, “… that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (NKJV)
Matthew 6:25 & 27, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” (NIV)
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