A Bug's Life Devo

   August 7th, 2016  

Devotional

“The Gospel in Pixar: A Bug’s Life - Justice” -Micah 6: 1-8, Proverbs 28:5

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Seek Justice” - Isaiah 1: 16-17

Justice is defined as a way that fairness is administered. But the funny thing about fairness is that we seem to care a lot more about it when it relates to us and don’t think about it as much when it relates to other people. Yet, God’s sense of justice, that the prophets speak about, demands that we think about others - in the case of the prophet Isaiah, “to defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.”

In order to seek justice on behalf of others two things are required: first, we need to be in relationship with those in need in some way. We need to sit down with them and hear their stories so that we don’t further harm them by seeking justice in inappropriate ways that diminish their humanity. Two, it requires us having a vision of what justice could and should look like in this case, which comes from God. 

What does the word justice mean to you? What images or scriptures come to mind?

Where do you see justice and injustice taking place in your everyday life and community? What is God calling you to do about it. 

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we forget that the scriptures are not just meant to instruct us but are also meant to prick our hearts and lead us to pray. So today, O Lord, we pray for justice. Not our human sense of justice, but your sense of justice that leads us to deeply care about other people. Let us stand with those in need in our community as we seek your vision of doing things differently together. Amen. 

Tuesday: “What Matters Most” - Matthew 23:23

The scripture has a lot of commands - things to do or not do. While all are important, it can be hard at times to know exactly where to start. In today’s scripture, Jesus accuses the religious leaders of not putting the most important teachings and laws first. They are tithing everything they have, down to their spices, but they aren’t seeking justice, and mercy, and faith. 

We spoke yesterday about justice. Mercy is a bit different, though in the character of God justice and mercy and tightly woven together. Mercy is compassion, pardon, and kindness. Mercy is not giving people the punishment they are due for the sins they have committed against God. Mercy is also connected to God’s loving-kindness. Because mercy and justice are central to the character of God, they should be vital markers of us as the children of God as well. 

What does mercy look like in your life?

How can you embody God’s sense of justice and mercy as a child of God?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we are quick to accuse and slow to forgive. We do not treat people with the same loving-kindness that you treat us with. We do not seek justice or act with mercy towards others. Forgive us, O Lord. Mold us each day to be more of the people you desire us to be as your children. Help us put first things first. Amen.

Wednesday: “ Do Unto Others” - Matthew 7:12

We teach our children the golden rule - “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” - but we forget its biblical. And when we forget the Biblical roots of this rule, we come up with all sorts of exceptions as to why we don’t need to follow it as an adult. We make excuses - “that person doesn’t deserve it” or “they should treat me better first” - instead of honoring Jesus’s teaching and command. 

We especially seem to forget the golden rule when it comes to justice and mercy. We want things to be fair for us and we want to be shown mercy by others, but we are slow to extend these gifts to others. What would need to change in our lives to more fully embrace the golden rule?

What are some present example you can think of where people are being bullied or are not being treated as God would want them treated? What can you do?

Prayer: Lord, you want so much more for this world and for humanity then we are often willing to give. You command us to treat others as we would want to be treated, and then we do not follow through. Leads us, O God, on the path that leads to life, even when we drag our feet. Lead us to treat others as your beloved children. 

Thursday: “To Understand Completely” - Proverbs 28:5

The book of Proverbs is filled with time-less wisdom. Today the author writes that the evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. Its the word completely that gets me at times. I think as we dig into scripture and get to know on a deeper level we begin to get a sense that our human sense of justice is flawed and is worlds apart from God’s sense of justice. However, do we understand it completely? Do we understand it at all?

We may recognize some of the differences between human and divine justice, but I’m not sure we understand it. I’m not sure we accept it. But perhaps that is where faith comes in - when we step forward and are willing to seek God’s sense of justice in a situation and not our own. Perhaps the more times we risk seeking God’s justice, the more we do come to understand it - completely.

Why are justice and mercy virtues? Why is injustice wrong?

Prayer: Lord, help us to move towards seeking your justice, not our own. Move us, O Lord, beyond our understanding to your complete understanding and wisdom. Stir our hearts and move us to action. Amen. 

Friday: “What Does the Lord Require?” - Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 is a verse with deep meaning in my life because it was the theme verse of the seminary I attended. One of the reasons I chose to attend the seminary that I did was because of their strong sense that Christians could and should transform the world, as we seek to live into the Kingdom of God.

As Christians our ethics, or moral guiding principles, should be noticeably different from the world. Here, the prophet instructs the people they are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God. Do we do these things in our daily lives? Do we do justice? Do we live into it? Do we love kindness? Especially when it means being kind to those who have mistreated us? And do we seek to grow in our relationship with God so that we too are changed?

What are some things you can do in your daily life to do justice? Love mercy? Walk humbly with God?

Prayer: Lord, free us to live as you would have us live. We know at times it is difficult in this world, Lord, but guide our hands and feet. Change our hearts and minds. And always and forever, let us grow more deeply in love with you. Amen.

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Gospel in Pixar: Finding Nemo” - Mark 3: 23-25, Romans 9:4 

Family Activity: Talk about the golden rule. What is the golden rule? When is it easy to follow? When is it hard? What is one situation or one person this week you can live into the golden rule with?