The Incredibles Devo

August 21st, 2016

Devotional

“The Gospel in Pixar: The Incredibles”  - Deut 31: 6-7, Psalm 31:24

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: “Be Strong and Courageous” - Deut 31: 6

Some versions of the bible translate the opening words from today’s scripture passage as “be strong and bold”. Courage and boldness go hand in hand. We are in need of more courage as the church today. Just as the ancient Israelites founds themselves in a situation that scared them, so do many churches find themselves in frightening times today, with missing generations, dwindling finances, and a lack of vision.

Yet, it is into moments like these, that God calls for us to be strong and courageous. God told the Israelites that they had nothing to fear for God would not fail or forsake them. As long as we are focusing on expanding the Kingdom of God and being faithful with what has been entrusted to us, God will not fail or forsake us. 

What does courage and boldness mean to you? 

How is God calling our church to be bold today?

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is easier to not be bold in our daily lives. It is easier to pretend that we do not hear your voice prompting us then to do the hard work of making disciples for your Kingdom. Empower us, O Lord, to be bold. To be courageous. And empower us above all to glorify your name. Amen. 

Tuesday: “You are the One” - Deut 31:7

Sometimes being a leader is hard. Joshua is being called to lead the children of Israel on the final part of their journey into the promise land. They have been wondering in the desert for nearly 40 years. Joshua has seen how the people have treated Moses - sometimes going as far as to rebel against his leading. He has heard them complain to God. He has even had them reject his report of the promise land. Yet, he is called to lead.

Moses spoke this concentration of Joshua from God in the presence of the people so that they would trust his leadership. We need to have more leaders that we trust today. Sometimes what God is calling us to do as the body of Christ, in such a time as this, is difficult. May we trust the Spirit’s leading, through faithful leaders, to take us to the promise land. 

What is the foundation of our courage?

What makes it easy or difficult to follow spiritual leaders? 

Prayer: Lord, today we pray for those who lead us. May we trust them, O God, as long as they are faithful to you. May we recognize your Spirit’s anointing in their lives so that your Kingdom may be blessed. Use us, and them, to make disciples in your name. Amen.

Wednesday: “Wait for the Lord” - Psalm 31:24

Often when we hear the command to be strong and courageous we think of action. Of doing something. But the Psalmist today instructs us to be strong and take courage as we wait upon the Lord.

I have met very few people in my life who enjoy waiting. In fact the world that we live in rebels against waiting. People become impatient when they have to wait in a line one or two people deep at the grocery store. Yet, we are called to be a people who wait.

We are actively waiting, however. While we are waiting we are praying. We are asking God to make us aware when it is time to move. We cannot use waiting as an excuse to never act, because there will be a day and time when God propels us forward. 

Do you find waiting easy or difficult? Why?

What does being courageous while waiting look like in your life?

Prayer: Lord, we are in need of your forgiveness this day. Forgive us, O Lord, for the times we were impatient and acted too quickly, running ahead of your leading. Forgive us, O Lord, for the times we used waiting as an excuse to not act for your Kingdom. Help us to find what it truly means to wait in strength and courage upon you, Gracious God. Amen. 

Thursday: “Do Not Turn” - Joshua 1: 6-7

The words found in today’s scripture lesson are very similar to those found earlier this week in the book of Deuteronomy, but with some marked differences. In this passage, God is instructing Joshua to not only be strong and courageous, but also to act in accordance with the law and commands of God. To not turn from it wherever he may go.

Part of waiting while we are strong and courageous (see yesterday’s devotional) is to be in the word of God. I have found many people who think they know what the word of God says, only to find out that the scriptures doesn’t say that at all. We need to be people of the word by being people who are in the word, so we can obey God’s commands for us found in it. This means studying pieces of scripture and learning its context, as well as finding verses that speak to us at particular times. 

Think of a godly person you admire. Are they a person of the Word? How can you tell? What about this person do you seek to emulate? 

Prayer: O God, keep us true to your word. Strengthen us O God, as we wrestle with what you have for us in your Holy Scriptures and may it light our path both as we wait on you and as we follow your leading. Amen. 

Friday: “I Command You” - Joshua 1: 9

Time and time again in the book of the law of Deuteronomy and in the narrative of Joshua do we find God repeating the words to be strong and courageous. In today’s verse God commands Joshua and the people to be strong and courageous.

There are times in each of our lives when God commands us to do something and we have a choice to make - will we be faithful or not. Will we obey or not. God is asking the people, through the wording of this scripture, to choose to not fear, to choose to trust God wherever God may lead.

Trusting God is not any easier today, for some, then it was so long ago for the Israelites. Yet, as we trust God, our strength and courage, rooted in Christ grow. 

How can we grow in trust and strength in Christ? What one practice can you incorporate into your life in the coming days and weeks to trust Christ’s leading in your life more?

Prayer: God, you sent Jesus Christ to us to save us. Through the gift of salvation you offer us strength and courage. Yet, we confess, O God, that at times, we are weak in our faith and are lacking courage. Help us renew our trust in you, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

Pray over next week’s text and sermon: “The Gospel in Pixar: Up” - John 3:16 and Romans 8: 37-29

Family Activity: Talk about superheroes (maybe even dress up as your favorite superhero). Who is your favorite superhero and why? How do they bring good into the world? How does this superhero compare to Jesus Christ? What does Jesus Christ bring into the world? How can work together with Jesus to love God and love people?