1 Cor 10:30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life. They love and encourage me in more ways than they understand. Their thoughts and questions help me dig deeper into God’s word. This morning, on the subject of being vs doing, which I’ve been wrestling with of late, a dear friend shared this gem: “Maybe living wisely is in the how and not the what.”
1 Cor 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
She referenced dear Martha and Mary to illustrate this idea. The WHAT of both women was the same. They were both preparing to spend time with Jesus. The HOW was incredibly different. Martha, so much like me in so many ways, was caught up in physical preparation—preparing the house, preparing the food. She was frustrated that help was available, Mary, but not forthcoming. This scene describes nearly every gathering I’ve ever hosted. I get so caught up in the physical preparation that I lose sight of the point—to spend time with those I love and care about. Help me, Jesus.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for beautiful friendships that draw me closer to You. Thank You for the idea that “Maybe living wisely is in the how and not the what.” I think You can teach me much about the life You wish for me by pondering that idea. Help me, in all that I do, to focus on loving You, praising You, drawing closer to You. Amen.
Eph 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed day.
Because of His mercy…. (devo reflection)
Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and thus is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so no one can boast.
I have a hard time relaxing. For me, it feels selfish, unproductive, wasteful. The irony is that I would tell everyone else about the importance of relaxing and nourishing your soul, but somehow that advice doesn’t apply to me. I truly don’t think it has always been that way.
Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy….
It occurred to me yesterday that perhaps I have tied my own worth to my productivity. Therefore, if I am not being productive, I have no value, no worth. The controller in me can totally see that scenario as it is one more way for me to take control. If I am working, producing, doing, then I have value. Help me, Jesus.
1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for opening my eyes to yet one more stronghold of control I have built. Thank You that my value, my worth comes from You and not from anything I could ever do. Help me to take an honest look at my inability to relax. Help me to see my worth, always, lies in the fact that I am Your deeply loved child and not in anything that I could ever do or produce. Draw me closer. Amen.
Romans 9:16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Have a blessed day.
The state of my heart…. (devo reflection)
Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
This scripture put me in mind of a poem entitled “The Man in the Glass,” which basically says that you can fool everybody but yourself when it comes to who you are and how you got where you are in life. To me, Acts 24:16 speaks to being able to look at yourself and know that who you are, who the world thinks you are, and who God knows you to be match.
Acts 23:1 … “I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
I know my caustic inner critic often makes a squeaky clean conscience difficult, but sometimes a stinky attitude can be just as bad as motives that are less than honorable. One devotional I read today did not equate blamelessness with perfection but rather with doing the correct thing in all situations. If you mess up, apologize. If your attitude is stinky, change it (and apologize if you offended while you were in that mindset).
1 Cor 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that my attitude is important and that You and I both know what my heart looks like, even if I can fool the world. Help me always to be honest with myself and with You about the state of my heart. If my attitude is stinky, help me to be aware and to actively seek to change it. Help me not to be a stumbling block to others but instead to point them to You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Have a blessed day.
Valuing people over possessions…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Our culture values stuff. The premise of almost any commercial is “If you buy this product, your life will be enriched.” Therefore, it is not surprising to me that every semester when I talk to students about future careers, there is always at least one who doesn’t care what he does as long as he “makes bank.” Most everything in our culture indicates that money means happiness, or at the very least, having money means you can buy happiness.
1 Cor 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
I wonder what would happen if, as a culture, we shifted our focus away from making money and acquiring things and toward loving others? What if, instead of chasing after the almighty dollar, we chased after others, showering them with love and compassion? I almost can’t imagine such a world, but wouldn’t it be astounding to witness?
Psalm 22:19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for these thoughts that I will continue to ponder in my heart. Help me as an individual and help our culture to value people over possessions, to value helping others over “making bank.” Draw us closer to You. Remake us in Your imagine. Amen.
Luke 1:46-47 … “My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….”
Have a blessed day.