Friday’s Devotion – Improving our Spiritual Eyesight

John 9:39 (NLT)  Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

Several friends recently have posted puzzles on Facebook based on optical illusions. For example in a square filled with rows of identical flowers, find the two stars. At first glance one sees neither of them.  But as you look carefully, row by row they become easy to spot. What we once couldn’t see becomes visible.

Here, Jesus is talking about spiritual blindness. In John 8:12 Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  In 1 John we learn that when we walk in this light we will fellowship with one another.  One of Jesus’ most notable characteristics was that he saw people differently.  He saw value in the very people whom others looked down on. Sometimes like with those puzzles, we have to work a little to see the value in people but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  I may not like the panhandler outside Walgreens or the aggressive driver who cuts me off in traffic but over the years through my own spiritual growth I have come to recognize that these people have stories of their own. Who is to say my story is any better than theirs in the sight of God?  Scripture gives us a prescription for improving our spiritual eyesight: James 2:8 “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
Has Jesus given you sight or is he showing you that you are blind? 

God of Grace, Help us to see others as you would see them and ourselves also. When we go to criticize another, remind us that he or she also woke up that day with cares and burdens.  Help us to see the newborn babe that they once were, innocent and hopeful yet vulnerable.  When we can’t praise others, help us to pray for them. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Make a new friend today!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Power In, Power Out

(Used again 9/4/18)

Matthew 4:25 “Great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan”

Many of us know the story of the woman with an issue of blood who touched the hem of Jesus’ robe as he passed by her.  In Luke 8:46 Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I know that power has gone out from me.”  A writer in the current Journal of Preaching pointed out that that although in this one case Jesus talked about losing power, usually he became energized by the crowds. They helped grow his ministry as they saw his miracles and spread the word to others.  I know that when there are more people in worship and they are engaged with the service, I am energized.  Some people give us energy and some take energy.  Some are switch hitters!   A pond with no outlet from which water can flow allowing room for fresh to enter will become stagnant.  The same can be for us.  If we hold everything to ourselves, we can become stagnant.  Only by us giving to others can God then replenish us. 

Heavenly God, we ask strength for this day. Surround us with people from whom we may draw energy and to whom we can reach out in ministry.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Crafting with God

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

There are three theological concepts about the way God created the world. 1. Ex nihilo is a Latin phrase meaning "out of nothing".  2.  Ex materia - creation out of some pre-existent, eternal matter and 3. Ex deo - creation out of the being of God.  Frankly what’s done is done in my book.  We’re here and we believe God is the creator whether from nothing, something or his own being. Speaking of creation, I watched a new show last night, “Craft Wars.”  Competitors were given a group of items from which to create a specified project – a duffle bag, a playhouse.  They could also use other materials and tools in the studio.  Crafting is about looking at materials in a new way.  Perhaps that’s a good way to craft life.  We’re presented with a set of elements – demands on our lives, relationships, goals, and resources. The more we can creatively combine those elements (with God’s help) the more options we have to make life great.

Creator God, we marvel at your creation and know that you continue to create and renew the earth. Help us to become co-creators with you, taking the life you have given us and creating something beautiful and pleasing to ourselves and to you.  Amen.

Have a creative day!
Paige  

Tuesday’s Devotion – Off the Beaten Path

Luke 9:2-4  He sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.  He told them, “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no money, not even an extra shirt.  Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place.

Jesus sent the disciples out on a journey.  It surely must have been a new experience for them.  In days when life was simple yet often dangerous anyone setting out on a long journey would certainly go prepared.  Jesus wasn’t deliberately sending them out to face harm; in those days hospitality was a way of life.  It was common to welcome strangers into ones home.  After all there wasn’t a Holiday Inn in every village.  Joe and I took a drive to the north GA mountains Saturday.  We had no set destination but Joe knows the roads that we usually travel to get up there and back.  However on the way home our route was determined by our hunger.  Not wanting fast food we went off the beaten path guided by Yelp for restaurant suggestions and our GPS to get us there.  We ended up in downtown Jasper where we not only found food at the Jasper Café we were able to see some really great old trucks and cars in a car show that lined the blocked off main street.  We never know what treats might be waiting for us when we are willing to leave the beaten path and do something or go somewhere different.  Sometime it is an answer to a calling by God or sometimes it might just be at our pleasure.  I hope like the disciples we can be bold and trust the Lord.

Holy God, you have created many paths for us to explore. Give us the courage to try new things and to go new places. Be with us as we journey through life and give us opportunities to proclaim your love to others.  Amen.

Have an adventure today!
Paige

Monday’s Devotion: When Others Disappoint Us

2 Samuel 12:7-10 Nathan told David. “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and delivered you from Saul’s power.  I gave your master’s house to you, and gave his wives into your embrace. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. If that was too little, I would have given even more.  Why have you despised the Lord’s word by doing what is evil in his eyes? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and taken his wife as your own. You used the Ammonites to kill him.  Because of that, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own, the sword will never leave your own house.”

God loved David, the one God had chosen as his anointed leader and yet David disappointed God. And if we read the rest of the story we see that David had to face the consequences of his actions.  Yet David continued on as a leader and a person who was in God’s favor.  I’ve always found this story inspiring for those who have really messed up but turn their life around.  In our lives there will be people who disappoint us, too.  Maybe it’s infidelity, maybe they act out of the character that we expect them to have.  They don’t meet our expectations. They let us and others down.  What should we do?  I guess we should seek to find compassion for them, just as God found compassion for David.  Most people suffer consequences when they act out – with some exceptions, we don’t have to be the ones to impose those consequences.  We can just pray the best for them, even if at times the best might be having to learn some hard lessons.

Heavenly God, when others disappoint us help us to see the big picture, to look past the present circumstances towards long term results.  Help us to find forgiving, compassionate hearts and to hope for redemption and salvation for all sinners, not just for our own failings.  We ask in the name of the One who died to make that redemption possible. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: The Energizer Bunny Must be a Methodist

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” --Benjamin Franklin
Members of my congregation continue to amaze me.  They are like the Energizer Bunny.  I spoke with one yesterday who has not been able to be in worship for a while because of various health issues.  She said she had a lot of challenges but she was just getting over them one by one.  I had lunch with another who had a kitchen fire that resulted in a lot of smoke damage a couple of weeks ago. She’ll be out of her house for at least a month.  Yet she has remained upbeat and positive – taking the removal of all her possessions, carpet, and the kitchen demolition in stride saying it’s an interesting new experience. Many of them are really living Romans 12:12.  It’s a good way to get through each day.  Very few of us have perfect lives. We can only make the best of what we have by being the best that we can be.  Kevin Costner recently said something I made note of, “I haven’t had a perfect life, but I’ve had a perfectly good life.”  I hope at the end of the day we can all say that.

Holy God, we often become so consumed with our burdens that we lose sight of our blessings. Help us to have the blessed assurance of your presence and participation in our lives. Help us to live confidently according to your Word. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed day and weekend!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Age Has Its Advantages

1 Samuel 4:17-18  “Israel has been defeated by the Philistines,” the messenger replied. “The people have been slaughtered, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were also killed. And the Ark of God has been captured.”  When the messenger mentioned what had happened to the Ark of God, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and overweight. He had been Israel’s judge for forty years.

Eli was old and overweight.  I can relate!  I am working hard at both maintaining and increasing physical fitness. Yet I know that my body doesn’t work quite as well as it did when I was a young adult.  As we mature things seem to deteriorate.  Buildings are like that, too. The parsonage was built in the 1950’s and like an ageing lady had needed some work.  The parsonage committee has been great about doing that. Now two showers need the shower pans replaced. A contractor is coming next week to do that.  I thought that while age may cause deterioration and diminish some capabilities, with age also comes wisdom and the voice of experience.  As we age our relationship with God can actually improve.  That’s something to rejoice about. I’m so glad God doesn’t abandon us as we age but actually draws us nearer until one day we cross the river and end up in the arms of Jesus.  Glory hallelujah!

Loving God, thank you for giving us the opportunity to grow in wisdom and faith even as our body may age.  Be with us each day with your love and protection.  We need both so much.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Have a blessed day today!
Paige