September 25th, 2016
Devotional
“Wild Goose Chase: Old Fashioned Guts” -Rev 3:7-8 and 1 Sam 14:1-10
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: “Open Doors” - Rev. 3: 7-8
While the book of Revelation is most often known for its writings concerning end times, tucked in its chapters and verses are also beautiful words of encouragement for local churches in the area. John is specifically in this passage uplifting the church in Philadelphia, which has been so faithful in the past.
This church is encouraged to remember that Christ has open doors for them that no one can shut. Even when they feel defeated and as if they lack power to face what confronts them, they can be assured that Christ is presenting them with opportunities to minister to those around them.
We are given “open door” opportunities in our lives every day as well - the question is simply if we choose to walk through those open doors or ignore them. Sometimes we are so afraid of making a mistake that we walk right past the door that Christ is holding open. Other times we are so afraid of missing the opportunity that Christ is giving us, that we can not help but seize them.
When it comes to doing the will of God, are you more afraid of missing an opportunity or making a mistake? How does this impact your life?
What open doors are in your life currently that Christ is asking you to walk through?
Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we forget that you have the power to open doors no one can shut and shut doors no one will open. Help us to follow your will and leading to go through the open doors, all for the sake of expanding your Kingdom and glory! Amen.
Tuesday: “Come Let Us Go” - 1 Samuel 14:1
When picking words to describe Jonathan, son of Saul, some that most readily come to my mind revolve around friendship. He was a true and loyal friend to David, even in defiance of his father and King. But today’s scripture verse focuses on a different side of Jonathan, one that we often do not pick up on. Jonathan is brave and daring.
For an unknown reason Jonathan is left behind when Saul takes the troops into battle against the Philistines. Perhaps his father wanted to make sure he was safe. Perhaps he was simply overlooked. But whatever the reason, Jonathan felt that he was being called by the Spirit to enter into battle, so he left, without telling his father.
If someone had to describe you, what words would they use? Would they say you are brave and daring? Would they say that you are someone who goes on behalf of the Lord? Let us strive this week to follow the Spirit’s promoting in a bold way in our lives.
Tell of a time that you did something daring for God. How do you feel about this experience as you look back?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that at times we would rather shrink into the background of life than do something bold and daring for you. We fear how other people we react. We fear that we did not hear you correctly and that we will be wrong or fail. Give us the strength and discernment of Jonathan, dear Lord, so we can follow wherever you may lead. Amen.
Wednesday: “ Sitting Around” - 1 Samuel 14: 2-3
In contrast to Jonathan who was willing to go where God lead, we find his father, King Saul, who was sitting. Saul was supposed to be with his troops on the battle field, leading them to victory, but instead he was in the wrong place, sitting around.
Later on in the story of David, when David is King and should be leading his troops into battle, we find him in the wrong place as well - watching a woman bath on a roof when he should have been out on the battle field.
Sometimes it may seem easier to sit around, twiddling our thumbs, but we must ask a vital question - is this where God is calling me to be at this moment and is this what God is calling me to be doing? There is nothing wrong with taking a moment of rest or discernment, if that is what God is calling you to do, but just like we must be sure that God is calling us to act, we too must be sure when God is calling us to sit.
Have you ever used your inaction as an excuse not to follow the prompting of the Spirit in your life? What was the result?
Prayer: Lord, help us not to be idle when you call us to act, and help us not to act when you are calling us to wait. Help us discern your voice and follow your leading. Amen.
Thursday: “The Rocky Crag” - 1 Samuel 14: 4-6
While Jonathan was sure that God was calling him into battle, he almost immediately faced a problem about how to get there. He was surrounded by rocky crags, or steep mountains, on all sides.
Many people start out zealous and full of passion when God is calling them to something big for the Lord. But then the steep mountains comes. The details. The finances. The nay-sayers. And far too many people back away from the Spirit’s leading and call because the mountains seem overwhelming.
In moments of trial, let us have faith like Jonathan. Faith to scale the mountains for the sake of God.
What is something daring you feel called to do for God? What fears stand in the way of you doing this?
Prayer: Lord, help move the mountains before us that block us from following your leading and call. And, O Lord, if it is not your will to move the mountains, but rather to test our faith, give us the strength and courage to climb the mountains, like Jonathan. Amen.
Friday: “I Am with You” - 1 Samuel 14: 7-10
When facing the mountains between us and following God, we all need people who will remind us to champion the call on our lives. People who don’t try to talk us out of following God, but instead encourage us to run hard after what God has for us, and who will even climb the mountains with us.
Jonathan’s armor bearer didn’t look at the mountains and tell Jonathan that he was foolish or that they should turn around. Instead he said that wherever Jonathan went he was going with him. We all need people like that in our lives as we pursue the will of God and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Who are the people in your life who encourage you to pursue a God-sized vision?
Prayer: Lord, send people into our lives who will not distract us from you, but instead continually point us to the Wild Goose and tell us to follow. Let us be the type of person for others who does not talk someone out of following you, but instead encourages them to run after your heart alone. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Shiny Gods: Naming our Idols” - Exodus 32: 2-4, Psalm 135: 15-18 and Luke 10:27
Family Activity: Talk about friends. What makes someone a good friend? How do good friends remind us that God loves us and to trust God?
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