1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Today's devotion idea came as I was preparing some delicious brownies and struggling to make some ingredient substitutions based on what I had on hand.
It takes all kinds of people to make up the body of Christ, just as it takes an interesting assortment of items to make baked goods. We may not agree or get along with all of them, but each person brings something to the mix. We can't pick and choose who should be in the body anymore than we can choose to eliminate something from the cake mix. Everything is needed to make the final masterpiece. As hard as it may be it is important that all who come through the church doors be made to feel welcome and accepted. The church should not be some exclusive club, like in childhood when you would hang the sign that said "No Girls Allowed" or "No Boys Allowed" on the door. In Christ's community all are invited. Jesus didn't tell his followers to make disciples of a select few, he said to make disciples of all nations. We must have our doors open wide and be prepared for whoever he Lord may send through them. He had a heart for everyone and died for the whole world. As we head for church let us be looking for the newcomers God sends our way and make sure they feel like the special child of God that they are. That kind of feeling will cause many people to flock to us, increasing the Kingdom and our witness to those around us.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (NIV)."
The Christian song to go with today's devotion is "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
An Ambulance - EMT
Galatians 1:4
As I was working today there were sirens outside the group home I work at. Being concerned about what was going on, we peered out to see paramedics assisting someone who must have had a medical emergency while driving somewhere. I know from experience how scary that can be, I hope it never happens again. I also pray that whoever it was will be fine.
There was a time when all of us needed to be rescued, far more than the best EMT's could handle; for all mankind were victims of the guilt of sin and we needed a remedy. We needed to be saved from the clutches of death. Fortunately, God had a plan prepared for saving us. Paul wrote, "Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God the Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live (Galatians 1:4 NLT)." Jesus became the one to deliver us from the end that we deserved. The Great Physician brought more than physical healing but went to the root of our pain, our fallen, sinful nature. Once he healed us, Christ passed on the torch so we would go out to offer healing and forgiveness to others as his representatives. So, consider your part of Christ's emergency team appointed to bring the breath of life to those that are perishing. Pray that God will give you what you need to persevere in your mission.
The Christian music video that goes with today's devotion is "Remedy" by David Crowder Band.
As I was working today there were sirens outside the group home I work at. Being concerned about what was going on, we peered out to see paramedics assisting someone who must have had a medical emergency while driving somewhere. I know from experience how scary that can be, I hope it never happens again. I also pray that whoever it was will be fine.
There was a time when all of us needed to be rescued, far more than the best EMT's could handle; for all mankind were victims of the guilt of sin and we needed a remedy. We needed to be saved from the clutches of death. Fortunately, God had a plan prepared for saving us. Paul wrote, "Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God the Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live (Galatians 1:4 NLT)." Jesus became the one to deliver us from the end that we deserved. The Great Physician brought more than physical healing but went to the root of our pain, our fallen, sinful nature. Once he healed us, Christ passed on the torch so we would go out to offer healing and forgiveness to others as his representatives. So, consider your part of Christ's emergency team appointed to bring the breath of life to those that are perishing. Pray that God will give you what you need to persevere in your mission.
The Christian music video that goes with today's devotion is "Remedy" by David Crowder Band.
Sun and Moon
Genesis 1:16-18
Today is the day I began my new blog of places I go to experience God's creation and escape from the concerns of everyday life. The first entry of that blog started with a wonderful evening I spent a couple days ago at Saguaro National Park when I got treated to a wonderful evening with the sunset and moonrise occurring in harmony. "God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:16-18 NIV)." It was definitely an amazing evening and as always I felt a great peace from God while alone in that quiet, magnificent place. Visit my new Sacred Spaces travel blog to read more about it and see the view from that night. It is truly amazing when you realize that we wouldn't be living on the earth without the sun and the moon. God placed them perfectly so the sun would provide heat and light and the moon would control our tides. If this delicate balance were disturbed it would be devastating. While we may be in awe of everything the Lord has created here and how well it all works together, it is pale in comparison to what he has in store for us in eternity. "What a wonderful maker, what a wonderful God!" Find a time to get away and seek God in his creation and listen for his voice and as you are touched by the beauty around you turn your gaze to heaven and thank the Lord for what he has given us now, and the best part - what is to come!
The Christian music video to go with today's devotional is "Wonderful Savior" by Jeremy Camp. Chris Tomlin also performs this song.
Today is the day I began my new blog of places I go to experience God's creation and escape from the concerns of everyday life. The first entry of that blog started with a wonderful evening I spent a couple days ago at Saguaro National Park when I got treated to a wonderful evening with the sunset and moonrise occurring in harmony. "God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:16-18 NIV)." It was definitely an amazing evening and as always I felt a great peace from God while alone in that quiet, magnificent place. Visit my new Sacred Spaces travel blog to read more about it and see the view from that night. It is truly amazing when you realize that we wouldn't be living on the earth without the sun and the moon. God placed them perfectly so the sun would provide heat and light and the moon would control our tides. If this delicate balance were disturbed it would be devastating. While we may be in awe of everything the Lord has created here and how well it all works together, it is pale in comparison to what he has in store for us in eternity. "What a wonderful maker, what a wonderful God!" Find a time to get away and seek God in his creation and listen for his voice and as you are touched by the beauty around you turn your gaze to heaven and thank the Lord for what he has given us now, and the best part - what is to come!
The Christian music video to go with today's devotional is "Wonderful Savior" by Jeremy Camp. Chris Tomlin also performs this song.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Rice and Beans
James 2:14-18
Today (3/11/09) is Compassion International's Global Food Crisis Day and so my devotion will be based around that. There are a number of places in the Bible where we are told to back up our faith by action and that faith without deeds is dead faith. One place is in James, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do (NIV)." All over the world the effects of the current economic downturn have been devastating. With things being tough here, the effects become worse in developing nations. Even basic things like rice and beans have become unaffordable to many. Now, I don't know about you, but even as hard as this crisis has been on me, I'm still doing better than that for dinner. So, as tough as things may be for us, as Christians we need to find ways to help others in this time of suffering. In particular, folks still doing well in our economy need now, more than ever, to reach out to brothers and sisters in trouble. For me, it means taking to heart what Jesus said about selling possessions and giving the money to the poor, so I'm looking around the house for items that I could live without to sell. This is the only way for me since I'm having a hard time myself. It is important for each of us to pray about what part we can play in aiding the relief efforts. For those reading this that really can't afford anything because you're out of work, loosing a home etc... know you are being prayed for and I hope there are people reaching out to you in your time of need. Your way of helping and showing your faith in this effort may be spreading the word or putting a widget on your website or blog like I have. If each of us does the part God calls us to we can make a difference and save lives both physically and spiritually. God bless you.
Besides Compassion International, a group of Christian musicians are also making a difference and formed an organization called CompassionArt and have released a book and an album with all the proceeds to help those in need. The song to go with today's devotion is "Friend of the Poor" which is on that album.
Today (3/11/09) is Compassion International's Global Food Crisis Day and so my devotion will be based around that. There are a number of places in the Bible where we are told to back up our faith by action and that faith without deeds is dead faith. One place is in James, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do (NIV)." All over the world the effects of the current economic downturn have been devastating. With things being tough here, the effects become worse in developing nations. Even basic things like rice and beans have become unaffordable to many. Now, I don't know about you, but even as hard as this crisis has been on me, I'm still doing better than that for dinner. So, as tough as things may be for us, as Christians we need to find ways to help others in this time of suffering. In particular, folks still doing well in our economy need now, more than ever, to reach out to brothers and sisters in trouble. For me, it means taking to heart what Jesus said about selling possessions and giving the money to the poor, so I'm looking around the house for items that I could live without to sell. This is the only way for me since I'm having a hard time myself. It is important for each of us to pray about what part we can play in aiding the relief efforts. For those reading this that really can't afford anything because you're out of work, loosing a home etc... know you are being prayed for and I hope there are people reaching out to you in your time of need. Your way of helping and showing your faith in this effort may be spreading the word or putting a widget on your website or blog like I have. If each of us does the part God calls us to we can make a difference and save lives both physically and spiritually. God bless you.
Besides Compassion International, a group of Christian musicians are also making a difference and formed an organization called CompassionArt and have released a book and an album with all the proceeds to help those in need. The song to go with today's devotion is "Friend of the Poor" which is on that album.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Gun
John 10:10
It seems to be too regular an occurrence these days to hear of some mass shooting, suicide, or a combination of the two. Alabama was the location this time, as a man went on a shooting spree gunning down his family as well as random others he came across before ending his own life. Yet another example of the fact that the world we live in is filled with tragedy. The only thing more tragic is those who die and haven't secured their eternal destiny. Many just aren't prepared yet to stand before God and haven't lived a life of purpose and meaning. Things left unsaid, things left undone, a soul unprepared for the end. Life is short, each moment is a precious gift from God meant to be maximized. The best advice comes from Superchick's song, "We Live," which speaks of four important things: living, loving, forgiving, and never giving up. We should be living each day for God's glory, loving everyone around us, forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, and asking God to forgive us, and finally never give up by keeping our eyes on the goal set for us by Christ. Each day we should think about whether we are doing those things. Consistently doing these things will help us be prepared whenever our brief days on this earth are finished. Also, if everyone were doing those things it would likely end senseless tragedies. In light of this it should be our mission each day to live life to its fullest as Christ intends for us, since only God knows how much time we have left. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (Amplified Bible)."
It seems to be too regular an occurrence these days to hear of some mass shooting, suicide, or a combination of the two. Alabama was the location this time, as a man went on a shooting spree gunning down his family as well as random others he came across before ending his own life. Yet another example of the fact that the world we live in is filled with tragedy. The only thing more tragic is those who die and haven't secured their eternal destiny. Many just aren't prepared yet to stand before God and haven't lived a life of purpose and meaning. Things left unsaid, things left undone, a soul unprepared for the end. Life is short, each moment is a precious gift from God meant to be maximized. The best advice comes from Superchick's song, "We Live," which speaks of four important things: living, loving, forgiving, and never giving up. We should be living each day for God's glory, loving everyone around us, forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, and asking God to forgive us, and finally never give up by keeping our eyes on the goal set for us by Christ. Each day we should think about whether we are doing those things. Consistently doing these things will help us be prepared whenever our brief days on this earth are finished. Also, if everyone were doing those things it would likely end senseless tragedies. In light of this it should be our mission each day to live life to its fullest as Christ intends for us, since only God knows how much time we have left. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (Amplified Bible)."
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Grain of Sand
Psalm 144:3-4
I was out wandering through the desert again today enjoying God's creation and was thinking about how small I am, especially when standing next to a saguaro. It just so happened as I was driving around Saguaro NP the song "More," by Matthew West, came on KLOVE which was just perfect timing since it speaks about how God loves each of us despite our size in his creation. This park has so many rocks, so many grains of sand, and even millions of saguaro cactus and there in the midst of this wilderness is little ol' me. God's love for us is amazing, he gives us special attention even though we are so small and he is eternal. In fact, our years are even small compared to a saguaro which lives about 200 years and rocks and sand are always there! Praise God that he wanted to maintain a relationship with us badly enough to send his own Son to die just so we could keep that relationship.
O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow (NLT).
No matter how insignificant you think you are, even if you feel that no one could possibly care for you, know that you are loved "more than you can imagine, more than you can fathom." You are noticed and loved by God, there's no escaping him. Your place in this world and in God's story is important. There is no one like you!
I was out wandering through the desert again today enjoying God's creation and was thinking about how small I am, especially when standing next to a saguaro. It just so happened as I was driving around Saguaro NP the song "More," by Matthew West, came on KLOVE which was just perfect timing since it speaks about how God loves each of us despite our size in his creation. This park has so many rocks, so many grains of sand, and even millions of saguaro cactus and there in the midst of this wilderness is little ol' me. God's love for us is amazing, he gives us special attention even though we are so small and he is eternal. In fact, our years are even small compared to a saguaro which lives about 200 years and rocks and sand are always there! Praise God that he wanted to maintain a relationship with us badly enough to send his own Son to die just so we could keep that relationship.
O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow (NLT).
No matter how insignificant you think you are, even if you feel that no one could possibly care for you, know that you are loved "more than you can imagine, more than you can fathom." You are noticed and loved by God, there's no escaping him. Your place in this world and in God's story is important. There is no one like you!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Luke 6:12-49
Today's message at church led by Pastor Rob was about "Living Wisely in an Unwise World." It is part of his continuing sermon series on the book of Luke. The following are highlights and thoughts based on his message. The scripture for today came from a time when Jesus was picking his disciples and beginning his ministry. He wanted to help his new followers and the crowd around him to have some understanding of how God operates. The first is that God blesses people in unexpected ways. He explains how God is looking for the poor, that is those that are lowly and humble in spirit. He blesses those that are hungry, who are not looking after their own interests or worldly pleasures. Those that are sad or persecuted will see a brighter tomorrow. Next, Jesus also made clear that God judges those who depend on the things of this world for their happiness. For those that are wealth centered, living high off the hog, basing their happiness on the temporal things of this world, or who are depraved or have bad motives, their time will come when they won't be so happy anymore. There won't be anything in store for them because they've already had their share. The third point is that God blesses us for ministry. Jesus sets the example here of what our ministries main focus should be about. Preaching, that is sharing the Good News is the most important thing. In order for people to be transformed and born again they must hear the message and be convicted to change their ways. Jesus also was healing people and power was going out to them. Sometimes healing is physical but it always is spiritual. Having ones sins forgiven and being put in a right relationship with God is the most important healing a person can receive. The final piece is that our ministry is always to be about leading others to Christ, otherwise we labor in vain. It is always all about Jesus, never about us. All our works are to cause others to see Jesus and give their lives to him, receiving the gift of salvation. Let us pray that God will help us to be more like him and use the authority that he has given us as disciples to reach a dying world with his hope.
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