Tuesday's Devotion: The Old Dog Learning Tricks on His Own

Proverbs 9:9  Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

I took all three dogs to the vet yesterday morning. The vet took them back one at a time for nail clipping and shots.  They were pretty good for the vet. But when she decided to take them back again for a heartworm test Dino rebelled.  My little loving dog tried to pull away from her and headed straight for the front door.  Once in the back, I heard him growling in protest.  He learned quickly that bad things happened in that back room.  He’s also the one who has learned to associate the ding of my laptop shutting down with the treat he gets before bedtime. He jumps up and starts barking.  These are things he’s learned on his own. I think he might learn even more if someone worked with him. Proverbs 9:9 extols the virtue of teaching the wise and righteous – in other words those who would probably be leaders so that they might become even better.  Every Sunday night a great group of leaders and potential leaders have been gathering at the parsonage to learn.  They ask questions and keep me on my toes.  There’s so much to learn about the bible, about God and I’m learning right along with the others.  I’m touched that some of our eldest members are still enthused and inquisitive after all these years. Perhaps that’s because they are so wise.

God in heaven, thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn and to share with others.  Open our eyes, ears and heart that we may better know you and your Son through the working of the Holy Spirit who enlivens your Word.  We ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.

Friday's Devotion: Stressing Less

Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)  But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

This is the first time I’ve read this scripture from the New Living Translation and I like the way this is put.  The story is about two sisters. Martha toils in the kitchen to feed Jesus and the disciples.  Mary sits with Jesus to learn.  Martha gets upset – she’s doing all the work. Other translations say that Martha is worried and upset about many things.  What has Mary discovered?  She has discovered the joy of learning from the Master; of growing spiritually.  Our relationship with God is the One Thing.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God – then all these other things will fall into place.  How many of us worry and fuss over so many things that are trivial?  This scripture tells us to seek Jesus.  A relationship with him is more important than all the little bits and pieces that we get stressed about.  To understand our worth in Jesus eyes helps us see what is unimportant and what we should be concerned with.  The next time you find yourself getting worked up over something, go sit at Jesus feet for awhile and see what happens.

We worry over so much God.  Help us to let go and trust that you take care of our days. Give us wisdom and guidance to handle the big things and to not fret over the rest.  We ask in the name of our Lord and master. Amen.