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Just love everybody…. (devo reflection)

Hebrews 1:3a The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word….

Reading today’s scripture brought to mind Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus doesn’t change. His love doesn’t change. Neither does His mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness. We can count on Him. Always.

Hebrews 1:3b …After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Something else that came to mind while reading this scripture is an old billboard that I used to see along the interstates: “Just love everybody. I’ll sort them out later. ~God” Jesus is God in human form. God is love. He calls us to love. When I don’t know what to do, He tells me to love—love Him, love others, love myself.

Hebrews 1:4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Lord, Thank You that You are dependable and sure, unchanging in all the best ways. Thank You that You call us to love You and love others, especially when we don’t know what else to do. Help us, Lord. Amen.

Hebrews 1:12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Have a blessed day.

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Charge it to me…. (devo reflection)

Philemon 1:8-9 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love….

Commentary credits this book with the abolition of the institution of slavery, and while I disagree with that idea based on history, I fully concur that Paul, in this short letter, is giving us an excellent example of how to love others as Jesus loves.

Philemon 1:12-13 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.

Loving like Jesus involves humility. It takes humility to put pride aside if you have been wronged. Loving like Jesus involves sacrifice—forgoing the satisfaction of “getting even,” “settling the score” for whatever has been taken, broken, damaged.

Philemon 1:17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Lord, Thank You for this example of Your love in action. Loving like You is not easy. It’s not without sacrifice, but it is beautiful and restorative and edifying. Help us to put aside our prideful tendencies and love like You. Always. Amen.

Philemon 1:18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Have a blessed day.

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Be gentle toward everyone…. (devo reflection)

Titus 3:2 …to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Commentary says of verse 2: “This is a distinctively Christian kindness, coming not from simple good manners but from knowing who we are and who others are in the heart of Jesus.”

Titus 3:3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

And while I agree with the idea, I don’t think Christians live up to it most of the time. “Be gentle toward everyone”? Think of what could happen in this world if we embraced this way of interacting.

Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared….

Lord, I’m a bit jaded. You call us to love You and love others. Paul reminds us to be gentle toward everyone, peaceable and considerate, but so often I see the polar opposite in the way humans relate to each other. Help me commit to being peaceable, considerate, and gentle toward everyone I encounter. Give me strength. Amen.

Titus 3:5 …he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit….

Have a blessed day.

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Only and always…. (devo reflection)

Titus 2:7a In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

Verse 11 really strikes me in this chapter: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” We have talked about the fact that God’s grace is a gift, unearnable, yet lavished upon us. All we have to do is receive it—something that can be ridiculously difficult at times…receiving what we feel unworthy of.

Titus 2:7b-8a …In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned….

Verse 11 reminds us of *why* it is crucial that we learn to receive, willingly, the lavish gift of grace—it is this gift of God’s grace that offers salvation to all people. Grace is lavished upon all. All we have to do is receive it. And through that grace, salvation.

Titus 2:8b …so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Lord, You know I struggle at times to receive the grace You offer so abundantly. I know I’m not worthy, which I feel rules me out. Yet You see me—only and always—as Your deeply loved child. Help me to see myself through Your eyes. Help me to accept the grace You so mercifully offer. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Have a blessed day.

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Grace and peace…. (devo reflection)

Titus 1:4b …Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

This was a pretty traditional greeting from the apostles of the time from what I’ve read, but I find it quite lovely. What if every communication began: “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior”?

Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished….

First, it focuses on the gifts of grace and peace freely and lavishly bestowed on us, which reminds us to be open and receptive. Second, it reminds us who we are and whose we are: we are God the Father’s and Christ Jesus our Savior’s.

Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Lord, Thank You for the abundant grace and peace which You freely and mercifully lavish on us. Help me to be ever mindful of who I am and whose I am as I go throughout each day. I am Yours, Lord. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.

Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure….

Have a blessed day.

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His grace isn’t about my worthiness…. (devo reflection)

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Commentary says of verse 22, “The last words of Paul reflect a man who simply loved Jesus and had received His grace.” These words resonate deeply with me. I love Jesus, but I still struggle with receiving His grace.

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

Receiving should be simple, right? It seems pretty passive. But I have all kinds of rationales about why I’m not worthy of receiving His grace. And the truth is, I’m not worthy, but His grace isn’t about my worthiness, it’s about His deep, abiding love for His creation.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Lord, I love You. I am not worthy to receive Your grace. But You don’t ask me to be worthy, You ask me to simply receive what You freely give. Help me, Lord. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

Have a blessed day.

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A Last Lecture of sorts…. (devo reflection)

2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

What we have in this chapter is an apostle, a man of God, who doesn’t know how much time he has on earth. He knows that God has saved him before. He knows God can save him again. He also knows that might not be God’s plan in this situation.

2 Timothy 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

What he is doing in this chapter is his own last lecture of sorts. He knows Timothy is young, but he sees so much promise there. He is trying to encourage Timothy, shore him up, reinforce for Timothy the teachings he has lived and taught, in case he is no longer around to do it in person.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Lord, Thank You for the ability to invest time and effort into others, loving them, instructing them, guiding them. Help us always strive to shine Your light and glorify You. Help us to love and encourage each other. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Have a blessed day.

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Pretty good life advice…. (devo reflection)

2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul is giving Timothy, a young preacher, advice, but what’s here is pretty good life advice: Be strong in God’s grace (not your own). Don’t quarrel about words. It’s pointless. Don’t gossip or run your mouth for the sake of something to say. Don’t get into stupid, pointless arguments.

2 Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

The advice is simple, but not always easy. However, if we employ it, I think we’d see the benefits, too.

2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Precious Savior, Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Thank You that Your word is active and alive. Thank You for Your love and grace. Amen.

2 Timothy 2:23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Have a blessed day.

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My defaults…. (devo reflection)

2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

I am a deeply, fiercely, completely loved child of God. He created me for a purpose. He can use all my quirks if I allow. He has a purpose for me, something I was uniquely created to do. It can be accomplished by others, but I’m uniquely suited for the task.

2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

So often I allow myself to be sad, angry, bitter, disenfranchised, but the Spirit God gave me gives me power, love, and self-discipline. However, it’s up to me to tap into those gifts, to access and use them.

2 Timothy 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Lord, Forgive me when I default to anger and bitterness. Help me, instead, to make Your power, love, and self-discipline my defaults. Help me to help others, especially those whose struggles are similar to mine. I know what that defeatist attitude feels like, and it’s terrible. Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time….

Have a blessed day.

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An unpleasant place…. (devo reflection)

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Right now, I’m incredibly short on contentment. Anger seems to be the prevailing emotion, and anger and godliness aren’t very compatible, as you might imagine. I feel stuck in a simmering rage most days.

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

These emotions are—this space is—not pleasant. And I’m struggling with the right steps to fix the issue—therapy, certainly; an attitude adjustment in the way I view myself, my situation, the world. More Jesus. I cannot serve Him effectively in this space.

1 Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Lord, I love You. I want to shine Your light and comfort Your people. I want to be content, to live in Your peace. Help me to understand the root of my discontent and to address those issues so that I can shine brightly for You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Have a blessed day.