My Grace Is Sufficient

Dear Readers, We want to let you know that we are moving to a new platform. Your morning reflections can now be found here. You can sign up to have them emailed to you each day, just like you do now on this site. Again, the new platform is located on the UALC website. (https://www.ualc.org/dailyworship) Contact Judy Webb if you have questions (judithannie.webb@gmail.com)

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

My Grace is Sufficient

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

This passage is a favorite of many. Perhaps that is because we can identify with people who are honest about their challenges in life. The Apostle Paul accomplished so many great and glorious things in his life, and yet he still had difficulties. Not every prayer uttered by Paul did the Lord answer the way Paul wanted. He prayed three times for the Lord to remove this thorn, but the Lord had answered with a different plan. 

 

The question comes to mind, “What was this thorn in the flesh that Paul had?” There is indeed no end to the speculations. Commentators have imagined all manner of diseases and infirmities. Here are the two which are the most commonly proposed.

 

• Weak speaking ability or a speech impediment -- It is hard to imagine the Apostle Paul not being able to communicate well or that he stuttered, but in 2 Corinthians 10:10, he echoes back to the Corinthians their critique of his speaking ability.  “His speech is of no account!”
  
  
• Poor eyesight – You recall, of course, that Paul was blinded by a great light during his conversion experience. That blindness lasted three days. And though Paul was healed of the blindness through the prayer of Ananias, some have theorized that there were linger effects. In Galatians 6:11, Paul comments on his handwriting style which was marked by large letters.

But these are just theories, nothing definitive. We will probably never know this side of heaven the specific identity of Paul’s thorn in the flesh. And I think it a good thing that we don’t know. As it is, each of us can imagine the Apostle being plagued by something similar to our own challenges. The Holy Spirit can create a bridge between Paul and us, and also the One who was sufficient for Paul can be sufficient for us as well. We can easily consider, “If Paul needed the grace of God, how much more do I need it? If Paul could be made strong in his weakness, then God can do a similar work in me.”

 

Here can be our motto:

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…For when I am weak then I am strong.

 

Before you pray, identify your thorn in the flesh.  Lord God, Healer, Sanctifier, do your work in me that I may behold your healing power when you so choose.  Let me also experience your sanctifying power as I discover that your grace is sufficient to sustain me during life’s difficulties.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Aaron and Moses Meet

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Exodus 4:27-31

 

REFLECTION

Aaron, Moses, and the People of God

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

Sometimes it is helpful to understand that in the biblical record, long stretches of time may have been shrunk. One paragraph can easily carry us over months and years. Understanding this point can help us develop patience as we struggle through our own problems with God’s help.  Such instances are represented in today’s passage.

 

The Lord directed Aaron to seek out Moses in the wilderness, and then Aaron eventually met up with Moses on “the mountain of God,” which is Mount Sinai (v. 27). Imagine Aaron’s journey from Egypt to somewhere in the Sinai Peninsula (or even in Arabia according to some biblical scholars) – all on foot!

 

Then, Aaron and Moses took time to get caught up on what had transpired over many years of separation, especially concerning the call God gave to Moses to lead the people out of Egypt (v. 28). Remember that Moses had complained to God that he was not very good at public speaking. God had replied that Moses’ brother Aaron would be part of the team (Exodus 4:10-17). Moses had to explain all of this to Aaron to get him in on the deal.

 

Then, in the very next verse (v. 29), Moses and Aaron are speaking with the gathered elders of Israel. That implies that the brothers made the journey together all the way back to Egypt. Then in verse 30, Aaron spoke to the people of God and did the signs for them that God had shown him through Moses. How long did all of this take? It was at least months, if not years, to get all of these events together. 

 

How long have you been praying and waiting for the Lord to act? God’s hand may take longer than we envision. But he will be faithful to his Word.

 

But then, look at what happens in verse 31. “The people believed!” They saw that the Lord had visited his people and that he had seen their affliction. Something happened in their hearts when they realized that the Lord understood their pain. And the response of the people of Israel? – “they bowed their heads and worshiped.”

 

Likewise with us, when we know that God weeps with those who weep, when we know that God understands, when we know that God is with us in our pain, there is a connection. In that moment, may we also bow our heads and worship.

 

Thank you, Lord, that you are not unaware of the difficulties in our lives.  Help us never to lose heart, but rather to stay constant in prayer, keenly cognizant that you are present and that you will be faithful to your promises.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Jacob Wrestles with God

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Genesis 32:22-32

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Jacob Wrestles with God

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

This story of Jacob wrestling with God is one that has perplexed me for some time. Is this a negative behavior of Jacob, which God allowed to happen but which we should not try to imitate? Or, is it a good thing, a commendable accomplishment, that Jacob wrestles with the angel (and therefore God)? Is this something that we should emulate? 

 

On the one hand, I can see that Jacob’s behavior is not something that we should aspire to.  We should rather calmly place our trust in God and believe that he is leading us to what is right and good. Consider these passages:

• 2 Chronicles 16:9 -- For the eyes of the Lord run to and and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 
• Isaiah 26:3 -- You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
• Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

On the other hand, God desires us to live out a real-life relationship. He does not want us to pretend that we believe when we still have genuine internal struggles. There are numerous passages that indicate we should live in this kind of intense struggle.

• Luke 18:1-8 – The widow in persistent prayer 
• Luke 11:5-10 – The persistent neighbor knocking on the door 
• Philippians 3:12-14 – Paul’s exhortation to “press on” for the upward calling of God

In the end, I believe both are true. There are times when we wrestle and struggle with God in prayer, seeking to know his will for our lives. At other times, we are called to rest in Him, to cease from our striving, knowing that his will is always for our good. From that time on, we may walk with a limp, with the marks of being in relationship with God.

 

The key in this passage is verse 28. “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Jacob’s identity is no longer “deceiver” or “trickster.” But now, his identity is in a relationship with God, “Israel,” a wrestler with the Lord of the universe. May we engage with God in all our struggles in life. As we wrestle in prayer with the Lord, he changes who we are and what we want, to match his will.

 

Lord of the universe, there are times when life is struggle.  Let my struggles be with you in prayer.  As I plead my case before you, shape me and mold me into the person you want me to be.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Death of Sarah

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Genesis 23:1-20

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Abraham and Sarah

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

One of the reasons that I love the Bible is because it is so realistic. If I were to invent my own religious writing that I wanted people to honor as sacred, I would compose a book where the main characters would be perfect, free of faults. But that is NOT what we have in the Bible. God chose to inspire the writing of the real sacred Scriptures with characters who are flawed, yet who grow in their trust in God. Sarah and Abraham were not the perfect matriarch and patriarch.

 

Sarai/Sarah at times showed great faith, and other times she was less than what we would want her to be.  If you have time, you can look up these references to get a broad view of the real Sarah, whom God loved, called, and used despite her failings.

• Sarai in faith goes with Abram into an unknown land – Gen 12:1-5.
• Sarai self-sacrificially agrees to Abraham’s faithless scheme to put her at risk in order to save his own neck – Gen 12:10-20.
• Sarai devises the plan for Abram’s son to come from Hagar and then despises her – Gen 16.
• Sarah laughs at God’s promise to give Abraham and her a son -- Gen 17:1-15.

Abram/Abraham, likewise at times, showed great faith and other times he was less than perfect. Here are some references which show the real Abraham – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

•      God calls Abram to leave his home and to travel to an unknown land. – Gen 12:1-5
•      Abram presents his wife as his sister in order to save his own neck -- Gen 12:10-20.
•      Abraham believes God’s promise – Gen 15:1-6.
•      Abraham’s faith is tested – Gen 22.
•      Abraham, in the midst of grieving the loss of his wife, has to use great tact in order to negotiate the purchase of a tract of land as a burial plot – Gen 23:1-20.

Aren’t you glad that God chose to include in the Bible multiple perspectives of important people whom God used? If the Biblical record had only showed the favorable sides of Abraham and Sarah (and the other greats), I know that I would feel like I could never measure up to such a standard. But as it is, the Bible is full of people who were “saints and sinners, wimps and winners” -- as the VBS song goes -- “all in the Bible, look in the book!”

 

As Pastor Buff likes to say, “There is only one hero in the Bible – God Himself!”

 

Thank you, Lord, for using real people in your work on this earth.  And thank you for showing us in the Bible that your people are plagued by warts and wrinkles as they learn to trust in you.  Help me, as well, to grow in faith, despite my failings.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

Noah Builds an Ark

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Genesis 6:11-22

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

The Power of God’s Word

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

This entire week we are looking at different passages where we see the power of God’s Word. From the creation, to the flood, to Babel, to Abram, and more, we see how God causes things to happen simply by the power of his Word. In today’s text, I want to focus on two simple words, “God said” (Genesis 6:13).

 

We are used to words not meaning much.  We say things like, “Talk is cheap.”  We listen to speeches by politicians with skepticism.  We look for actions to prove that the words actually have substance.  That is because humans have corrupted the value of words.  We have separated actions from spoken words.  Humans have followed the author of lies (Satan).  The very first temptation was a questioning of the character of God, “Has God said…?” as though God’s Word is not connected to reality.

 

This is not so with God. God’s Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8 & Matthew 24:35). God’s Word always accomplishes what it is sent to do (Isaiah 55:11). When God speaks, things happen! If God says it, you can count on it. Jesus not only came to urge humans to live in the truth, to connect their words with reality, but he was Truth incarnate (John 14:6). As we follow Jesus, as his Word takes root in our hearts, we live more and more in Truth.

 

One more thought about God’s Word. There are times when God, in his sovereign wisdom, causes there to be a famine of his Word, that is to say, that God is silent for a time, leaving the world to coast on its own chosen path without God’s intervention. (See Amos 8:11.)  Lord, have mercy! Save us from such a path of destruction. Noah was perhaps the sole person on earth in that era who received God’s Word. Amos, a prophet of God in the 8^th century B.C., was one of the very few who heard the Word of the Lord at that time.

 

The hope that we have to hear God’s Word is rooted in a fresh blowing of the Spirit of the Lord. God’s Word, originally spoken through Joel in the 6^th century B.C., was given new life in the 1^st century when Peter preached on Pentecost (Joel 2:28-29 & Acts 2:17-18).  May we in the 21^st century be blessed to read, hear, and live out the Word of God.

 

O Lord, we thirst for the Word of God.  As light came into being at the sound of your Word, as Noah built the ark of salvation because of your Word, let your Word cause your will to be constructed among us.  Without your Word, Lord, we are surely doomed.  And when you speak, grant that we obey, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Protection

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Ezra 9:8-9

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Protection Within and Without

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

When studying the Bible, sometimes we come upon difficult passages. Some people have the advantage of being able to read the Scriptures in the original languages. But the vast majority of us are not so gifted. The next best thing is to compare various versions. This will give us different perspectives of the challenging words. This is especially true when a study Bible gives some alternative translations for a word or phrase. Personally, I like to compare the ESV, the NASB, the NIV, and the NLT. There are two key words in today’s short passage that are worthy of a deeper dive by comparing different versions.

 

Ezra is praying for protection from the Lord for the people of God who have recently returned to Jerusalem from the land of Persia where they had been in exile. Rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and the region of Judea was quite difficult and dangerous. Ezra’s prayer reveals his repentant heart, admitting that the people do not deserve the Lord’s grace and favor. Nevertheless, he leans into God’s mercy, pleading for protection.  But what kind of protection? 

 

If you consult several versions, you see that Ezra asks the Lord to give  them “a secure hold,” “a peg,” “a firm place,” “security.”  One study Bible states that the word in Hebrew is actually “nail.”  All of these possible translations get at something that holds things together – in the interior.  It is as though Ezra is praying, “Nail us together, Lord!  We need your super-duper divine glue!”  The people of God had been in exile, under the authority and oppression of a foreign government.  Now, they are back in their original country, more or less on their own, and the internal cohesion of the unity of the people was at risk. Ezra prays, “Hold us firmly together, O Lord!”

 

But that is not all Ezra prays for. Toward the end of verse 9, Ezra prays that God would give them “protection,” “a wall,” “a wall of protection,” “a protective wall.” Whether Ezra was praying for a physical wall (to be provided in the next book of Nehemiah) or for a spiritual wall, that is not crystal clear. But what is clear is that there were threats from the outside. Other ideas and spiritual challenges wanted to penetrate into the hearts of God’s people and draw them away from following the Lord. Ezra prayed for protection from menacing threats from the outside.

 

Lord God, the need for protection has not disappeared over the years. We still need Ezra’s prayer for today. Protect us from threats from within and threats from without. We do not deserve it, but we trust in your mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen

The Shepherd and His Flock

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

John 10:7-18

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

The Shepherd and His Flock

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

This passage is full of images that convey warmth and affection for us from the Lord, especially in times of fear.

 

I am the door.

The shepherd in those days who was with his grazing sheep could build a circular rock wall within which he could protect his sheep during the night.  After the sheep would enter the enclosure through the open doorway, the shepherd would sit in the doorway, his own body function as the door.  Anyone or predator wishing to go in had to negotiate passage with the shepherd.  Aren’t you glad that Jesus is the one who guards your comings and goings?

 

I am the good shepherd.

If you were an owner of a flock, you knew that hiring others to tend your sheep was risky business.  Watching over a flock of sheep out in wilderness, one could encounter numerous dangers.  Too often the hired hands would flee at the first sight of potential harm.  The owner, on the other hand, would not flee.  He would risk his own life to preserve the flock.  Aren’t you glad that Jesus, our Owner, chose to risk danger to rescue and protect you?

 

I have other sheep.

It is all too easy for humans to create in-groups and out-groups.  This is true of all social situations – in school, in business, in neighborhoods, even in religions.  Jesus, on the other hand, often let his followers know that to be one of his followers meant that He was always looking for new people to include in His kingdom.  Aren’t you glad that He chose to include you and others?

 

I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

I wonder what the disciples were thinking when they heard Jesus make this statement.  There is a possible true figurative interpretation of this radical statement.  On a daily basis, Jesus was indeed laying aside his prerogatives as the Son of God so that he could live the life of a human being.  Jesus was unselfish in all that he did.  But in the end, he literally (not figuratively) gave up his life and rose again.  He did this for the eternal salvation of all who would believe in Him.  Aren’t you glad that Jesus is a literal Savior, both now and forever?

 

Especially in times of fear, Jesus is our door, and our good shepherd.  He trains us to look for other sheep with Him and He lays down His life in order to take it up again.

 

Lord Jesus, thank for your shepherd’s heart that comforts us and protects us.  I am eternally grateful for what you did and for what you continue to do for me.  Amen.

Warning against False Teachers

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

1 Timothy 1:3-11

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Good Doctrine and Firm Foundation

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

One of UALC’s early senior pastors liked to tell this story. When the foundation for the current Lytham Road sanctuary was being poured, the contractor encountered an unexpected weakness in the structure of the underground footing. His advice was to dig deeper and to pour in more concrete. “Yes, it will cost more,” he stated, “but you don’t scrimp on foundation work. Once the building is complete, you won’t see a firm foundation. But if you have a weak foundation, you definitely will see the result, and it won’t be pretty.” So, they dug deep and they poured concrete.

 

There are some (perhaps even many) who consider Christian doctrine to be unnecessary, and perhaps even counterproductive. However, ideas have consequences. Ideas are the foundation on which a edifice of thought and action is built. If the foundation is weak or crooked, the building will be unsafe and it will not stand long.  

God’s work includes good doctrine. Good theology supports and encourages God’s people into godly actions. The Apostle Paul was very aware that good doctrine was the foundation for building of a vibrant and growing church. That is why he takes care to warn Timothy about flawed thinking (weak foundations) – myths, endless genealogies, speculations, vain discussions, etc. Mindless philosophizing about unimportant matters does not build the church in a god-pleasing way. Sometimes unhelpful teachings tend to build up the ego of the teacher rather than to train up the believers for sacrificial service and for the glory of God.

 

After that, in 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul exhorts Timothy to care about oikonomian theou. This is a Greek phrase which is rich in meaning. That is why it is translated in various ways by different translations – advancing God’s work, God’s redemptive plan, stewardship from God, the administration of God, godly edifying, divine training, and more. Which translation is best? All of them! Each and every one gets at an aspect of what the original term means. And none of the English phrases completely captures the totality. Good theology, good doctrine is essential because it brings to light and identifies the foundation of the teaching of the apostles and prophets as stated in Scripture.  (See Ephesians 2:20.)

 

What is the appropriate goal or endgame of good doctrine that serves as a firm foundation?  Verse 5 addresses that question: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” This is the part of the building that is visible.  Love, a good conscience, and sincere faith, are the beautiful aspects of a church that is growing and vibrant.

 

Do you want that kind of a church?  Make sure the foundation is firm.

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the firm foundation laid by the apostles and the prophets. Would you help us to value the true theology and doctrine that they laid for us, on which we can build safely and securely? We long to see the visible love and faith which are beautiful to your eyes.

God Is Not Unjust

 PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Hebrews 6:10-12

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Saved by Works or Grace?

by Pr. Dave Mann

I find it interesting that the Holy Spirit inspired passages in the Bible which sound as though He is promoting the idea that we are saved by our good works, only a few verses before or after to clarify matters by stating that we are saved by the sheer grace of God. Today’s passage is one of those readings. (Also, check out Philippians 2:12-13 and Ephesians 2:8-10.)

On the one hand, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that God is just and fair. In verse 10 we see that the Lord is fully aware of the good things that believers are doing – working hard to demonstrate love toward others, both in the past and continuing in the present. The believers to whom this letter was addressed were in the beginning stages of a time of persecution (Hebrews 12:3-4). So, the Holy Spirit was urging them to let faith lead them into action – actions which bear fruit of love and service. This is important. We are not coasting through life, but we are making decisions that make a world of difference.

However, are we to believe that God will notice our good deeds and therefore reward us with eternal life, as though we merit such a blessing? Not so fast! Though it is possible to come to that conclusion by taking a verse or two out of context, the message of the full counsel of God is that that we are saved by grace through faith. It is in God’s faithfulness that we place our trust, not in our own.

In verse 12, the writer clarifies that it is through patient faith that we inherit the promises.  Faith is the foundation of a life of service. Faith comes first. And the writer carefully chooses the verb “inherit” when he refers to the gift of eternal life. When we inherit something, it is through the good graces of the dearly departed. When the deceased was drafting the will, he/she had full control over who would receive the inheritance. So, it is with eternal life. It is the gracious favor of God that works to give us eternal life. 

So, yes, it makes a difference that we live lives of self-sacrificial service just as Jesus did.  But in the final analysis, it is our good God who grants forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your self-giving life.  Help us to model our lives after yours.  And never let us forget that it is because of your gracious death and resurrection that we have sure and certain hope of eternal life.  In Jesus’ name I pray and live.  Amen.

Rejoice Before the Lord

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Psalm 96

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Rejoice Before the Lord

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

Psalm 96 is an energetic psalm. The psalmists exhorts us to worship the Lord with our whole heart. I would like to draw your attention to five verbs of exhortation in Psalm 96.

 

Sing to the Lord!

In your morning time with the Lord, you might want to consider singing – out loud – in full voice. Whether or not you have the voice of a soloist, do it! If you live with others in you house, you might want to sing outside when you are walking. Sing your favorite worship song, or even make up a song to the Lord.  😊

 

Bless his name!

This exhortation might seem a bit odd. How can I bless the Lord? Normally we think of the one with greater capacity blessing the one with lesser capacity.  Isn’t this exhortation backwards? Not at all. Parents will tell you that when their children express love for their parents or when they act in an honorable way, the parents feel blessed. When we express sincere love for God, when we live in an honorable way in accord with his Word, we will bring joy to his heart! We can indeed bless the Lord.

 

Declare his glory among the nations!

On three occasions in this psalm, we are exhorted to state to the nations the glory of God, using different synonyms – declare, tell, say.  The word “nations” in the Old Testament refers to all those who are outside of the covenant community of God’s people.  Part of our worship is sharing the gospel among the people who do not yet know the love of Christ.  Our personal application of “the nations” could be another ethnic group in a different part of the world, or it could be those from our own ethnic group who live nearby but who do not yet know God’s grace.

 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name!

We are to credit, to attribute, to acknowledge that God is worthy of the glory that is rightfully his.  We do not add to God’s glory, as though we could increase who God is.  But we can increase our own awareness of his rightful glory.  In this exhortation, we preach something of a sermon to ourselves.

 

Worship the Lord!

When we worship, we acknowledge God’s worth.  He is worthy of my time.  He is worthy of my energy.  He is worth my life.  He is worth all that I am, and so much more!

 

O Lord, full of splendor and might, you are worthy of all glory and honor.  May my life bring you glory this day, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Love with Action and Truth

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

1 John 3:16-20

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Love with Action and Truth

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

What is love?  That is not just a philosophical or theoretical question.  It is a valid question.  In life people use the word “love” a lot, but there are many different definitions and understandings of this word.

 

It is generally accepted that the Apostle John was the author of the fourth gospel.  And in that gospel, the author refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”  So, when he writes this letter and addresses the topic of love, we would do well to pay close attention.  John uses the word “love” 39 times in his gospel, 27 times in his first letter, four times in his second letter, three times in his third letter, and eight times in Revelation.  Do you think that the reality of Jesus’ love made an impact on John?  Of course, it did!  Yes, “love” is a noun which has an effect on our sentiments, feelings, and emotions.  But more importantly, “love” is verb which compels us into action.  (2 Corinthians 5:14)

 

Legend has it that when this apostle was in his elder years, he could barely speak.  But the church would regularly ask him to address the gathering of believers.  When it was time for the message, John would simply state, “Little children, love one another.”

 

What did John mean by that simple exhortation?  John’s understanding of love leaned heavily on demonstration through action.  Every verse in today’s passage points to actions as the proof of love.  Words and speech are not enough; there must be visible evidence of professed love.  Jesus not only spoke words of love, but he also put that love into action.  In the same way, when the love of Jesus takes root in our hearts, it will inevitably produce not only words, not only a speech, not only a sentiment, but also actions – often self-sacrificial actions – which leave no doubt that Jesus’ Spirit lives in us.

 

O Spirit of Jesus, I thank you for your true and verifiable love for me.  Thank you that you not only spoke words of love, but you also acted in love.  The cross is the proof.  Holy Spirit of Jesus, take deep root in my heart so that the experience of your love leads me into actions that demonstrate your love for others.  In Jesus’ name I pray and live.  Amen.

The Lord Delivers Us from Trouble

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

 

DAILY READING

Psalm 34:18-22

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

God Keeps HIS Promises

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

Is the world a safe place?  Actually no!  None of us will get out of here alive! (That is, unless the Lord returns quickly.)

 

We believe that the Lord keeps his promises, but we need to remember to place the emphasis on the little word “his.”  God keeps the promises that he makes – not the promises that we wish he would make.  Nowhere in Scripture does the Almighty promise that his children will never have a problem in life – that he will spare us from anything and everything that we consider inconvenient.  In fact, Psalm 34 virtually guarantees that we will have difficulties.  These verses are addressed to the brokenhearted, those crushed in spirit.  The psalmist even states, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.”  (See also John 15:20; John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12.)

 

The Lord does not promise us a comfortable life.  What does he promise?  Deliverance.  Redemption.  Salvation.  His presence. 

 

If we are  honest, all of us know that we are going to have problems in life.  So, why are we surprised when we encounter difficulties?  To be honest, perhaps our surprise should be on the other side of life’s events.  We ought to be surprised when we have a day free from turmoil!  Our prayer of gratitude at the end of such a day should be, “Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful day, whose blessings I do not deserve.” 

 

And when we have deep challenges which threaten to crush our spirits, we can pray Psalm 34, knowing that Jesus, our elder brother, has already trodden this path of affliction.  He knows full well what suffering is -- first-hand.  In our tribulations, we can be confident that God is near us, and though our afflictions be many, we are assured of eventual deliverance and redemption. If we are misunderstood and misrepresented, we know that in the end the truth will win out.  The beauty of being a Christian is not that we will be proven right after all is said and done, but that Christ will be proven right.  After all, he is the only one who is truly innocent and righteous.  As we abide in Christ, we will share in his triumph.

 

O Jesus, you who walked the path of suffering and the cross, you know what it is to be mistreated unfairly.  Forgive me for believing that I somehow deserve to have a life free from problems.  I desire to be with you.  So, when I am brokenhearted and crushed in spirit, I pray for the joy of knowing that you are near me and that I can count on your deliverance and redemption.  In Jesus’ name I pray and live, Amen.

 

Wives and Husbands

DAILY READING

Ephesians 5:21-33

 

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Wives and Husbands

by Pr. Dave Mann

 

This passage is one which tends to be controversial because some believe that it subjugates women below men.  Before I share a positive message from these verses, allow me to make two qualifying points.

1. Note that verse 22 addresses the relationship between a wife and her own husband.  These verses do not address the relationship between all women and all men.
2. It is important to note that the position of women in society in the 1st century was generally quite servile. The very fact that the Apostle Paul addresses women at all and challenges husbands to love their wives is already extraordinary.

Having made those two points, note that verse 21 sets a framework of mutual honor and care between husband and wife – “Submit to one another.” The foundation for this reciprocal care for each other is not based on the inherent worth or superiority of one over another, but rather “out of reverence for Christ” -- to live in a way that brings honor to Christ.

 

Both the wife and husband are then given serious exhortations to serve the needs of their spouse. In verses 22-24, the wife is called on to submit to her own husband. Then in the summary (verse 33), the wife is encouraged to respect her husband.

 

The majority of this passage is addressed to husbands. Though the call to husbands never employs the word “submit,” the challenge nonetheless is quite rigorous. 

• Love your wife as Christ loved the church.
• Give yourself up for her.
• Love your wife as you love your own body.
• In the same way as you feed and care for your own body, take care of the needs of your wife.
• You are members of the body of Christ and therefore you will behave self-sacrificially as Christ did.

If a husband loves, cares for, and cherishes his wife in this manner, there is no way that she will feel oppressed or subjugated.

 

When the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to pen this passage, He was establishing a wholly new way for 1^st century believers (and for 21^st century believers) to relate to each other in marriage.  There is no place for a power struggle, no place for thoughts of superiority or inferiority in Christian marriage.  We are called to serve each other, to place each other as more important than ourselves.

 

Holy Spirit, would you guard Christian marriages from the spirit of the age that plants the seed of seeking power and superiority. I pray that you would lead us all into mutual service, yielding a harvest of joy and contentment.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.