July 3rd, 2016
Devotional
“The Wild Goose Chase: Goose Bumps” - Luke 9: 59-60, Nehemiah 2: 1-10
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: “But First” - Luke 9: 59-60
Jesus called a man to come and follow him, to come and be his disciple, but the man replied, but let me first go and bury my father. At first, it seems like a reasonable request, doesn’t it. Why wouldn’t Jesus want to let the man bury his father and finish any business he may have before coming to follow him? Perhaps because there will always be a “but first” that will come next preventing the man from following him.
If given time, probably all of us can come up with a list of reasons that would prevent us from fully following the unpredictable movement of the Wild Goose, or Holy Spirit, in our lives. Debt and bills. A house to take care of, kids to feed, a pension to build up. We are too old or too you. Our job wouldn’t allow us to do that. The list goes on and on. We can use the people and things around us as excuses to not fully follow God, which is not what God intends for us to do with the good gifts we have been given.
What are some of the “but firsts” in your life that could prevent you from following the movement of the Holy Spirit?
What do you think about the ancient celtic description of the Holy Spirit as a Wild Goose? What images and words does this bring to mind?
Prayer: Loving God, we thank you this day for the gift of the Holy Spirit - wild and free, unpredictable and untamable. We confess at times, O God, we have tried to block the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives with a list of excuses, sometimes even using the good gifts you have given us as reasons not to follow you. Forgive us, O Lord, and ignite in us a passion to follow you no matter what the cost. Amen.
Tuesday: “Where it Chooses” - John 3:8
Over the years there have been many different images used to represent the Holy Spirit and his movement. The tongues of fire of Pentecost. A dove. The wild goose. On the stole I received for my ordination, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a person freely dancing, arms outstretched. In the gospel of John, the Spirit is described as the wind that blows where it chooses.
The Holy Spirit is free and can lead us to places well beyond our comfort zone - but it requires us to respond “yes” to the Spirit’s promptings. That can be hard for those of us who like to plan - myself included - because the Holy Spirit doesn’t need to adapt to our wishes or plans for the future. In fact the gospel of John says that we do not know where the wind comes from or goes - so it is with the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we cannot predict the plans the Holy Spirit has for us, thus they can catch us by surprise. How will you respond when the Spirit moves in your life? With a “yes” or a “not right now”?
What surprises you about the movement of the Spirit?
Are you living a life where you try to get God to serve your purposes or one where you follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to serve God’s purposes? Why?
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for the times when we have forgotten that we serve you, and that you do not serve our every want, need, and desire. We confess that sometimes we have let our desire for comfort and having our wants come first get in the way of working for your Kingdom. Use us, again, O Lord, to make your name known. Amen.
Wednesday: “Turning the World Upside Down” - Acts 17:6
While the movement of the Holy Spirit is unpredictable, there is one very predictable aspect to the results of the Holy Spirit’s presence - it turns the world upside down. The apostle Paul and some of his followers had been staying with Jason, preaching the good news and performing miracles. Unfortunately, not everyone, including the religious leaders of the time, could sense the power and presence of the Spirit amongst them. As a result they drug Jason to the city authorities, accusing him of causing disorder among them.
Friends, what if the church once again became known as the body of believers that turned the world upside down because we followed the Holy Spirit. Sometimes chaos is beautiful. Think back to the creation story and how God created out of the chaos the whole world. Our God is in the business of recreating out of the chaos and turing the world upside down for the sake of the Kingdom. Is that something you want to be a part of?
Would you describe your faith as safe or one that turns the world upside down? Why?
What life changing adventures has the Holy Spirit lead you on?
Prayer: Lord, shake us from our apathy. Use us to turn the world upside down as we catch the breath and depth of your vision. Make us people who are accused, like Jason, of following you in such a way that people cannot help but notice! Amen.
Thursday: “What Do You Request?” - Nehemiah 2: 1-4
Nehemiah is known as being the one who lead the people of Israel back to Jerusalem, which had been destroyed when they had been taken captive by the Babylonians. Nehemiah is known as the one who helped rebuild the walls around the Holy City of Jerusalem and the temple. But before Nehemiah did any of that, he had a choice to make.
Nehemiah was given a vision by God to go and rebuild, but he received this vision while he was still in captivity, serving as a cupbearer to the king of Babylon. Nehemiah was confronted one day by the king, who could tell that he was perplexed and he had a choice to make - to tell the king about his vision from God or not. To make the request or not.
How often do we simply choose to shove aside the visions and calls from God on our lives because we aren’t sure its our place to ask - to ask to be able to go on the mission trip. Or to ask the city if we can perform a certain type of community outreach. Or to ask our families if they are willing to relocate for the sake of the gospel. What would it take for us to stand up, like Nehemiah, and take the first step of asking if we can fulfill the call God has placed on our lives?
What passion has God given you? How have you responded?
What is God leading you to do for the sake of the Kingdom?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for placing a call upon each of us - a call to serve you in specific ways. We know that you have given each of us unique gifts and callings, and we know that you have a specific vision for our church. Make us bold enough, O God, to take the first step in following you. Clear a path, O God, so your name may be made known in this place and beyond. Amen.
Friday: “Seek the Welfare of the People” - Nehemiah 2: 6-10
How many times when we pray are we seeking the welfare of the people? In other words how many times when we pray are we lifting up ourselves and our own concerns and how many times are we crying out to God for the brokenhearted people?
Mark Batterson in his book Wild Goose Chase said that prayer is vital to our relationship with God, but sometimes we keep praying about things after God has given us clear instructions to act because we hope that God will pass the instructions on to someone else. Sometimes God calls us to action, especially on the behalf o the people. What is God calling you to act upon?
What are the things God is calling you to do now that are preparing you for what God will call you to do later?
Prayer: God, help us to be faithful in the small things so that we are prepared when you call us to do big things on behalf of your people later Make us your faithful servants here and now. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Wild Goose Chase: Ceilings” - Hebrews 11: 9 and Romans 4: 18-21
Pick something as a family that you can do together on to serve God. How did this activity help you grow closer as a family? What did it teach you about listening to God?
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