November 4th, 2018
Devotional
“Marks of Methodism: Loving God and Rejoicing in God” -
Matt 22: 36-38, John 21: 15-19, Neh 8: 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: “Love” - Matthew 22: 36-38
Jesus was asked what the greatest commands was in the law of God - and Jesus gave two different ones that are related, love God with all you are and all you have and love your neighbor as yourself. This seems to be what Jesus is pointing his followers to, both those who walked this earth with him and us today, to love.
But love isn’t easy. Sometimes our love of God gets displaced by the love of other people and things. Sometimes we don’t quite now how to express or show our love to God. Sometimes it may be difficult to feel the love of God, yet that is what the Lord commanded. To keep pointing our lives back to God, to keep returning our hearts to God, even when we slip into sin. Let us intentionally do this in the days and weeks to come.
What is one way that you express your love to God?
What is one way that you show your love for your neighbors?
Prayer: Lord, you have invited us to love. To love you, O Lord. To love our neighbors. To love those we never thought we would associate with, let alone love. To love with all we are and all we have. To love even when it is hard. Thank you, O God, for inviting us into your realm of love and encouraging us to share this love with others. Amen.
Tuesday: “Rejoice” - Neh 8:10
Notice what was being read to the people. The law. The covenant that God made the chosen people. In fact, to this day the law is still read in the synagogues, and when they finish reading it once, they start the cycle over again. The reason that the law is read with such consistency, and the reason Nehemiah chose to read it here is because it is a joyful thing. As Christians we don’t celebrate the law, mostly because of statements the apostle Paul makes about the law in the book of Romans. However, what we miss is that Paul is not pushing aside the law. Rather he is saying is that the moral law needs to be rejected and replaced with Christ. The type of law that makes a person righteous simply by following rules, instead of relying on grace. What Paul is not saying is to to throw out the natural law, or those laws that make it so we can live together in authentic community and care for each other. But Nehemiah is neither focusing on the moral or natural law in and of itself, but on the God who made covenant with the people and gave the law. Notice what the people did when they heard the reading of the law. The wept and repented. And after they repented they rejoiced. Rejoiced in the grace that God is extending to them and the relationship they have with a God who loves them so deeply. Rejoiced in the blessings that had been showered upon them in community and food.
When is the last time you rejoiced in the law that God has given us and the covenantal relationship that upholds it?
Prayer: Lord, help us to be a people who rejoice. Rejoice in you. Rejoice in your word! Give us hearts of joy that spill over into the world, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday: “ They Knew” - John 21: 9-14
I love imagining this scene around the breakfast campfire that morning. The disciple, elated by their hull of fish and more importantly, being in the presence of their Lord and Savior. Can you imagine the stories they were sharing? The joy being expressed? The laughter rising around the fire ring?
The disciples in that moment, knew that they were in the presence of the Lord. Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Jesus in the blessing and breaking of the bread and Mary had her eyes opened at the empty tomb when Jesus spoke her name. They didn’t have to ask if it was Jesus or to see his nail pierced hands and side - they knew by the miracle of the fish, just like the miracles they had witnessed so long ago on the hill side of the two small fish and five loaves feeding thoughts.
When are those times in our life when we know without a shadow of a doubt that we are in the presence of our Savior? They will be different for each of us, because we are different people who have our hearts touched in a variety of ways. But we all have those moments, to cherish, with our Lord.
Why do you think the Gospel of John thought the number of fish caught was important?
What do you think the phrase “and no one dare ask him if he really was the Lord because they were sure of it” means?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for those precious moments when we know that we are in your presence. Those moments when we are so sure of your grace and love that we cannot help but worship you. Help us to treasure those moments in our hearts. Amen.
Thursday: “Feed My Lambs” - John 21: 15-19
Today’s piece of scripture is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful encounters between Jesus and his disciples. You can almost feel Peter’s anxiety and pain. Is Jesus calling him out about the three times he betrayed Jesus, just as was predicted during their final meal together before his death? Does Jesus really doubt the love that he has for him?
There are times when we all stray from the love of God. We even acknowledge this fact every time when we hear the communion liturgy, “when we turned away and our love failed, your love remained steadfast.” What Peter took to be as a moment of scolding was actually a moment of grace. It was a reminder to Peter that when his love failed, Jesus’s love for him remained steadfast.
Further, by telling Peter to feed his lambs and tend his sheep, Jesus was offering Peter a moment of redemption. We all need such moments. From time to time we may find ourselves thinking that Jesus could not use someone like us in ministry, but if he could use Peter, he can use us. It is not for us to judge the love Jesus has for us or the call he has upon our lives - we are simply offered the opportunity to start again.
Why is Jesus’s interaction with Peter important? Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
Tell of a time that you did not think that you were good enough. What message of love did Jesus speak into your life?
Prayer: Lord, we cannot thank you enough for your redeeming moments in our lives. We fail, and our love can lean towards unfaithfulness at times, but you, Precious Lord, remain faithful to us. Thank you, Lord, for calling each of us to follow you and giving us a ministry for the sake of your Kingdom. Amen.
Friday: “God so Loved” - John 3:16
Sometimes it is hard to grasp the love of God. Praise songs throughout the ages have tried to put it into words - its height, breadth, and depth. I don’t believe we talk about the love of God enough in our daily lives - the love that held Christ to the cross so we could be set free from the bondage of sin in our lives.
The gospel of John speaks this memorable birth about God’s love - that God loved the world so much that a way was made through Jesus Christ to life anew and life abundant. God made this way so that everyone who believes in God through Jesus Christ will not die but instead have eternal life.
It seems at times that we want to rush right past our life here and now in order to get to eternal life, but it is in this life that we can come to know of God’s deep love for us and share that love with others. Take each day you are given to share the love of God that is beyond our wildest imaginations.
What does the word love mean to you?
How does the love of God compare to the love of others in our daily life?
Prayer: Lord, help us to put to words the unfathomable love that you have for us. We confess that at times we let our earthly notions and misperceptions about love get in the way of embracing your love fully. Thank you, O Lord, for the gift of your love in Jesus Christ. Your love never ceases to amaze us. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Marks of Methodism: Prays Continually” - 1 Timothy 2:1
Family Activity: Think of ways that you love God. Make a list as a family. How does your love of God show in how you love your neighbors?
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