Help me to remember…. (devo reflection)

Luke 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

I recently saw a post on social media that said, “Christ invited everyone to the banquet. Get people to the table. God will do the rest.” That reminds me so much of the billboard I saw once that has stuck with me for years: “Just love everyone. I’ll sort them out later. ~God.” These two ideas are light years away from where the Pharisees and the teachers of the law are in today’s scripture.

Luke 6:10a He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”  

Here’s the truth. It’s easy to be offended. It’s easy to be angry. It’s easier to handle anger, bitterness, offense than it is to handle fear and uncertainty. I think that’s what the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were battling. They had a certain idea of who the Messiah would be, what He would do. Jesus didn’t fit that idea–and they were terrified, so they needed Him gone. Unfortunately, sometimes I’m not so different in my attitudes.

Luke 6:10b He did so, and his hand was completely restored.

Precious Savior, when I am afraid, when I am uncertain, it is so much easier for me to react with anger and bitterness. Forgive me. Help me to love as You love. Help me remember that the goal is to love You, first and foremost, and to love people, all people, to get them to the banquet so that You can show them Your eternal love. Help me, Jesus, not to get in Your way. Amen.

Luke 6:11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

Looking for blessings…. (devo reflection)

Luke 6:5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

I have lived long enough to know that I will find whatever I look for in each day. If I am looking for reasons to be angry, I’ll find them everywhere. If I am spoiling for a fight, opportunity for one will be around every corner. If I am looking for reasons to be grateful, reasons to praise my Savior, I’ll find them everywhere I look, too.

Luke 6:6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.

The Pharisees and the teachers didn’t like Jesus, didn’t trust Jesus, felt threatened by Jesus. They were looking for reasons to accuse Him. How many times have I been guilty of something similar? Feeling threatened in my comfort zone by someone and spoiling for a fight because of it? Looking for reasons to not like the person so that I can justify my feelings? Jesus, Help me.

Luke 6:7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.

Precious Savior, Thank You that we find what we look for in life. Help me to look for reasons to be grateful, for reasons to praise You. I know when that’s what I look for, I’ll find them everywhere I turn. Thank You for Your abundant blessings. Amen.

Luke 6:8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

Have a blessed day.

Getting past the *shoulds*…. (devo reflection)

Luke 6:1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 

As a rule follower, part of me really feels I understand the Pharisees. As someone who loves Jesus, part of me definitely does not understand them at all. But I am, essentially, an “armchair quarterback,” assessing the game from the replay videos after it’s over. I know how it ends. Jesus IS God. He IS sovereign. The Pharisees didn’t trust that, didn’t believe that.

Luke 6:2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Or maybe they were just so tied to their religious customs and rules and “the way things have always been,” that they can’t see clearly who Jesus is. Or maybe they got caught up in the notion that the Messiah would be a warrior, dominating battles, defeating the Roman rulers to win the ultimate battle *on earth.* That’s not who Jesus is. And the Pharisees missed knowing Him because they couldn’t let go of what they thought *should* be.

Luke 6:3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 

Precious Savior, You know that I am so bad for falling into what I think *should* be, what I think *should* happen, what I think I *should* do, You *should* do, others *should* do. The Pharisees missed You entirely because they could not get past the *shoulds*. I do not want that to be my fate. Help me lay aside all of my *shoulds* and focus solely on You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Luke 6:4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 

Have a blessed day.

Putting trust into practice…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Loving Father, Today’s weather still has me thinking about storms and boats and You, napping, because You *know* there is nothing to fear. Forgive me, when I am afraid, for being angry that You don’t treat a situation like it is the catastrophe that I feel it is.

Psalm 57:10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Dear Lord, You don’t treat it as a catastrophe because You are already on the other side. It’s not that You don’t care, it’s that You know it will all work out because You are eternally victorious. Help me, in the middle of the metaphorical storm, in the middle of the metaphorical ocean to remember *who* You are and who You are *to me.* You will never leave me nor forsake me. I can trust You, even when I am afraid.

Psalm 57:11a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Precious Savior, Help me to strengthen my toolbox with techniques that I can use when the panic sets in: breathing deeply, closing my eyes, repeating “Jesus is napping. He’s not concerned. He’s already won.” Whatever it takes, Lord, help me to employ it. I trust You. Help me to put that trust into practice, especially when I am afraid. Amen.

Psalm 57:11b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

Regaining my footing (devo reflection)

Sinking my roots in Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:6a They spread a net for my feet—

The first thought that comes to mind when I read verse 6 is Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” Although, when the quote is capped here, it almost seems to indicate that I am always right and possibly God’s favorite. But I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t play favorites, and I’m certain that I’m not always right. God also doesn’t have a magic wand that instantly makes everything go my way.

Psalm 57:6b …I was bowed down in distress.

However, God does care about me deeply and wants my faith to grow and mature, and He can use all situations to help me trust Him more deeply. In that way, He can use all things for good, He can use all things for my good and His glory by helping me dig my roots deeper into Him no matter the circumstances.

Psalm 57:6c …They dug a pit in my path—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You can and do use all things for my good and Your glory. Thank You that even when others intend harm, You can use situations for good by allowing me to sink my roots deeper into You in every storm. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 57:6d …but they have fallen into it themselves.

Have a blessed day.

Praising His holy name…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:4a I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

What strikes me in verse 4 today is the vivid imagery: “in the midst of lions,” “among ravenous beasts,” “teeth are spears and arrows,” “tongues are sharp swords.” There is a palpable sense of danger here. And yet….

Psalm 57:4b …men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

And yet… In verse 5, God is exalted. His glory is praised. That’s the default that I want to have: even with a palpable sense of danger, even in the valleys, even when life is going sideways, I want to praise His holy name. I’m better at it than I was, but I’m not as good at it as I hope to be. Jesus, Help me.

Psalm 57:5a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign; therefore, I can praise You even in the chaos because You are still with me, still in control, still ultimately victorious. Sometimes that’s hard to see and believe, but it’s always true. Help me to live that truth. Help me to praise Your name, always. Amen.

Psalm 57:5b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

Trusting Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

As I was pursuing Pinterest emails this morning, I came across this phrasing of Psalm 112:7, “She confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her.” The NIV version of that verse is, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Both versions speak to what David is saying in this morning’s verses.

Psalm 57:3a He sends from heaven and saves me,

Google defines trust as: (n) firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trusting humans can be difficult. Trusting God seems like it should be easier, but my fear, worry, anger, etc etc tells me that for me at least, it’s not as easy as it should be. Trusting Him–first, always, completely–is definitely something that God’s working with me on.

Psalm 57:3b …rebuking those who hotly pursue me—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know me completely, faults and all, and You love me fiercely anyway. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, exactly as I am. Thank You for working with me on the areas that I need to give over to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 57:3c …God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

Have a blessed day.

Conversation with God…. (devo reflection)

Progress…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:13a Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, 

Holy Father, Thank You for using this scripture to bring to the fore an issue that I know I still need to work on. Thank You that I am more generous now than I used to be. Thank You that there are times where I don’t weigh the cost before giving. That’s progress. Help me, always, to recognize and celebrate the progress, no matter how small.

2 Corinthians 9:13b …and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

Beloved Lord, Thank You for reminding me of the work that I still need to do in the area of generosity. I know you don’t want me to beat myself up, but You do want to remake me in Your image. I want that, too. Help me to live into Your grace and generosity while being gentle with myself and my slow progress.

2 Corinthians 9:14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the example of generous living, generous giving that You provide. Help me to breathe in Your grace, breathe in Your peace, keep moving closer to You, one step at a time. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Have a blessed day.