Transformation: Obedience

    Discipleship and obedience to God are inextricably linked together. You cannot be a disciple if you are not willing to follow. You cannot be a disciple if you want to go against God. Yet, in our world we want to act as if believing in Jesus is enough and discipleship isn't really our thing. We would like to believe in God for insurance, but would like to continue to go about our own way, living in sin. Do you see the disparity? Do you see why God doesn't just want our belief but our action as well?
    When do you find it hard to be obedient to God? When obedience requires you to set aside your desires? Or change the path you had intended and go another way? When it means listening to God's yearning for you? We all have times in our lives when it is hard to be obedient, yet we are to choose to be obedient anyway.
    Who encourages you to be obedient to God at all times?

Lent 4 Devo

“Transformation: Obedience”

John 15:10

Hebrews 5: 8-10

Devotional

A Brief Introduction:

During the season of Lent our weekly parish devotional is going to be a bit different. Instead of a daily scripture passage with reflection and questions, there will be one devotional with a spiritual practice you to engage for the entire week. Perhaps one day during the week you would like to invite others to your home for a lite meal to reflect on the scripture together. Perhaps you would like to read it every day on your own and see what new ways God speaks to your heart. Let us seek transformation anew this Lenten season. 

Scripture: John 15:10, Hebrews 5: 8-10. Lev. 18:4, and Psalm 119:167

Read the scripture daily. Read it slowly. What is God bringing to your attention through this passage? 

Questions to consider:

• Do you find it easy or difficult to obey God? Why?
• In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to obey God? 
• How are trust of God and obedience linked in your life?
• What does surrendering to God mean to you?

Spiritual Discipline. Examen

Examen – to notice both God and God given desires throughout the day as a way of discerning God’s presence and voice.

Scripture: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ . (Philippians 1:9-10)

Spiritual Practices:

• Take time each day to ask “Where did I give and receive the most love today? Where did I give and receive the least love today?”; “Where am I aware of the fruits of the Spirit in my life? Where am I aware of their absence?”; and “When did I feel the closest to God today?”

Transformation: Trusting When Times are Tough

   We live in a world that has become so hurt that we don't trust. We don't trust leadership. We don't trust each other - including friends and family at times. And sometimes, even faithful folks don't trust God, at least not in times of trial.
    We may say that we trust God, but our lives don't reflect that, especially when we are going through the storm parts of life. We may sing verses like "when the storms of life are raging stand by me." and "I'll praise you in this storm" but they aren't always evidenced when the diagnosis comes. Or the doctor says there are no more options. Or our spouse says that they are leaving.
    Yet, trust is foundational to love. If we love God, we trust God.  How would you rate your trust in God today? Where do you find it easy to trust God, and where do you struggle? And how can you grow in the trust of the God of our Salvation more?

Lent 3 Devo

“Transformation: Trusting When Times are Tough”

Psalm 25: 1-2

Psalm 40:4

John 14:1

Devotional

A Brief Introduction:

During the season of Lent our weekly parish devotional is going to be a bit different. Instead of a daily scripture passage with reflection and questions, there will be one devotional with a spiritual practice you to engage for the entire week. Perhaps one day during the week you would like to invite others to your home for a lite meal to reflect on the scripture together. Perhaps you would like to read it every day on your own and see what new ways God speaks to your heart. Let us seek transformation anew this Lenten season. 

Scripture: Psalm 25: 1-2, Psalm 40:4, John 14:1

Read the scripture daily. Read it slowly. What is God bringing to your attention through this passage? 

Questions to consider:

• Take a moment to think about your life. What in your life reflects that you trust God? In what areas are you still growing in your trust of God?
• In what things or people do you place your trust in? How do these things sometimes replace our trust in God?
• What do you have to thank God for?
• What can you do to tell you trust God more? In other words, what would help you trust God more?

Spiritual Discipline. Journaling

Journaling – to be attentive in writing of God’s presence in the little things in life.

Scripture: I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (Psalm 16:7)

Spiritual Practices:

• Keep a written record for how God is moving in your life. This can include pictures, clippings, poems, quotes, etc.
• Tell of your own Exodus story in a journal
• Record Prayers and Prayer requests. Return to these requests in later months to see how God has answered them. Was it how you expected?

Transformation: What Blocks Up from Maturing in Christ?

  In Genesis 4:7 we find the words that "sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it." All too often Christians talk as if sin is just a normal part of life - so normal in fact that we can't deal with it. Yet, when we do so we diminish the sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ, who made a way for us to to have victory over sin and death by the grace and mercy lavished upon us through the cross. Just because Christ loved us does not mean that we can or should continue to sin! The opposite in fact. We are to respect the gift Christ has given us, by repenting of the sin we have in our lives, and then turning the other direction! We need to pray to be set free from the power that sin holds over us and pray that God keeps us from sinning.

What sin are you struggling with and have you prayed to God to release you from it? For it is hard to be transformed if we continue to insist in living lives that are contrary to the way of Christ.

Lent 2 Devo

“Transformation: What Blocks Us from Maturing in Christ”

Romans 6: 1-2, 23

Devotional

A Brief Introduction:

During the season of Lent our weekly parish devotional is going to be a bit different. Instead of a daily scripture passage with reflection and questions, there will be one devotional with a spiritual practice you to engage for the entire week. Perhaps one day during the week you would like to invite others to your home for a lite meal to reflect on the scripture together. Perhaps you would like to read it every day on your own and see what new ways God speaks to your heart. Let us seek transformation anew this Lenten season. 

Scripture: Romans 6: 1-2, 23

Read the scripture daily. Read it slowly. What is God bringing to your attention through this passage? 

Questions to consider: 

• What unconfessed sin would you like to bring before God? Is it a thought? An action? An inaction? An attitude? Bring it before God assured that you will be forgiven?
• Have you ever prayed for God to show you any unconfessed areas of sin in your life before? Why or why not?
• What sins do you struggle with the most? How can you protect against them
• Who helps to pray that you will be freed from the chains of sin that may entangle you
• Do you find it easier to identify the sin in your life or the lives of others? Why?

Spiritual Discipline. Prayer Partners

Prayer Partners – sharing prayer requests with some who supports you in a covenant relationship where you pray for one another on a consistent basis.

Scripture: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. And the prayer offered in faith will make them well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (John 5:13, 15-16)

Spiritual Practices: 

• Share concerns regularly with someone you trust. Pray with and for that individual’s requests at least once a week. 
• Prayer requests can be shared via email and weekly prayers can happen over the phone if you are separated by distance. 

“Transformation: The Radical Love of Christ”

   Do you want to be made well? is a question Jesus asked from time to time in scripture. Today I think an equivalent question would be, do you want to be transformed? Transformation isn't safe. It requires us to change - and not simply change once, but in the continual process of change. Continually process of setting aside what we have clung to and value and picking up the radical love Christ that asks us to step outside of our comfort zone for the sake of the Kingdom.

  Do you want to be transformed this Lenten season?

Lent 1 Devo

“Transformation: The Radical Love of Christ”

Luke 18: 18-29

Devotional

A Brief Introduction:

During the season of Lent our weekly parish devotional is going to be a bit different. Instead of a daily scripture passage with reflection and questions, there will be one devotional with a spiritual practice you to engage for the entire week. Perhaps one day during the week you would like to invite others to your home for a lite meal to reflect on the scripture together. Perhaps you would like to read it every day on your own and see what new ways God speaks to your heart. Let us seek transformation anew this Lenten season. 

Scripture: Luke 18: 18-29

Read the scripture daily. Read it slowly. What is God bringing to your attention through this passage? 

Questions to consider: 

• How would you introduce yourself to a group of people you were meeting? Probably name, occupation, a bit bout our families. How would you introduce yourself to others as a follower of Christ? 
• What holds you back from following Jesus with all you have and all you are?
• How is your faith noticeable in your life?
• How has Jesus transformed you? How is Jesus continuing to transform you?

Spiritual Discipline. Fasting

Fasting – to give up something for a set period of time in order to concentrate more fully on God. This can be food (for a set period of time such as a meal or a day), TV, reading, etc. 

Scripture: "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

Spiritual Practice: 

• Abstain from food, drink, shopping, desserts, media, etc for a set period of time one day a week. During this period of time focus on God.