Devotional Thoughts
A Prayer to Begin the Day Well
A prayer from Valley of Vision – a convicting and much-needed perspective to begin the day.
I’m a lot like Mephibosheth – and so are you!
There’s a biblical name that people don’t often give their children: Mephibosheth. He was King Saul’s grandson (Jonathan’s son) who had been crippled as an infant (II Sam. 4.4). In II Sam. 9, we read that King David showed amazing kindness to Mephibosheth.
Taking responsibility when it’s “their” fault
Paul told the Corinthians to treat Timothy (a young minister) kindly and respectfully: “When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers” (I Cor. 16.10-11). Apparently Paul was concerned that something besides kindness and respect might happen. Timothy could have looked at that and said, “Look at these people – they don’t respect me. Paul even commanded them too! This respect thing – it’s all their fault!”
Strengthened in the Lord
David’s circumstances are pretty bleak near the end of I Samuel. Yet in spite of the pressure, we see his example as a “man after God’s own heart” shining brightly. In chapter 19, King Saul’s hostility toward David took the form of actual attacks and death threats. David has been fleeing since then and, despite two merciful acts of sparing Saul’s life, David finds no respite. In fact, the pressure of Saul’s hunt causes David to flee to Philistia (Israel’s enemies) with his rag-tag band of soldiers. There David repeatedly proves his reliability and fighting ability by defending Philistia’s cities and defeating her enemies for almost a year and a half!
Sufficient grace – through all circumstances!
Really, the title says it all – God’s grace is sufficient through all circumstances! For instance, the pressure of a correspondence course that needs to be finished in 10 days. God’s grace is sufficient! Add to that an urgent situation at work that’s requiring extensive overtime hours. God’s grace is sufficient!
Understanding familiar Bible stories – there’s always room for improvement!
I just read the account of the parting of the waters for Israel to escape Pharoah’s army on dry ground (Ex. 14). I’ve heard this story repeatedly since I was five – but tonight, I noticed new things that filled in the details more clearly and pointed more noticeably toward God’s powerful intervention in this miracle!
Too much stuff…
A few weeks ago, I wrote about having way too much and the resulting struggle between distraction and trust. Today, I was encouraged and challenged as I read a very similar post on a friend’s blog. I recommend heading over to Mill Musings and reading “Warring Unentangled“!
Hospitality
There are a number of places where the Bible commends (even commands) hospitality:
Christian Liberty and Stumbling-blocks
Paul’s discussions on meat sacrificed to idols and observance of special days (Rom. 14; I Cor. 8-10) have been rolling around in my head for a while. There’s some good fodder for contemplation in those chapters: there will always be differences between the ways that godly believers apply Scriptures. Some people have “higher standards” – others have “more liberty.” This came to the forefront of my mind when a friend recently asked for my thoughts on those passages. I dug up an old email I had sent; here is that note (slightly updated).
Stay Right
One of my best friends is moving tomorrow. I’ve known Andy for 5 years and he has been a faithful friend during the hardest and happiest moments of that time. I’m not sad about his departure – he’ll be taking an assistant pastorate in a church and following the Lord’s leading into the vocation for which he’s prepared.