December 1
Scripture focus: Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. Psalm 51:16-17 The Message
2009 was a great year for my family in light of Psalm 51.
We have found it impossible to go through the motions of practicing the principles of recovery and digging our roots deep into the soil of faith when life throws several curve balls simultaneously. One suffering circumstance -- providing it's small and doesn't greatly affect me or mine -– and I suppose I could live off the fat of my God-experiences and storehouse of previously received and recognized blessings from above. But this year has reminded me that curve balls do not escape -– for one single moment -– God's attention.
Stress changes the way our brain works – chronic stress harms virtually every cell in our body. This isn't good news for those desiring to perform flawlessly.
The good news: God isn't interested in a flawless performance.
The better news: God is attentive to the broken-hearted.
The best news: When we suffer, not a moment passes that God is distracted and inattentive to our pain. If we can remain conscious of God's constancy, this awareness calms our brain. When our brains are calm, we can think clear thoughts, deal with raw emotions without freaking out and causing further harm to self or others, and best of all – see God at work in our lives.
In the midst of suffering, my family has found a united voice. Over and over, one of us has said, "Wow. That's a God thing." Or, "I can't believe how blessed we are." Our favorite, "My, what great friends we have -– we are lucky ducks."
I hope you've had an awesome year. But if my story rings your truth-o-meter because you've had some challenges like our family has –- I pray that this awesome news will encourage you in some way today. May you see God at work, even if your heart is breaking.
Recommended reading: Jonah 1 – 4; Nahum 1 - 3
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© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
November 30
Scripture focus:
Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.
Psalm 51:16-17 The Message
Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.
What a beautiful, inspiring image of God’s loving care!
May we embrace God and learn God-worship today!
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 48 - 52November 29
Scripture focus: Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:27, 28-30 The Message
Do you see it? Our way to freedom…as we trust God we re-order our lives – even when it makes us feel uncomfortable. We do not change our behavior because we fear God’s wrath. We change our behavior because we believe that God loves us, and we trust him when he tells us that the pathway to freedom is found as we travel the road of obedience. We will fall and falter, freak out and get frustrated – but who cares? Our goal is no longer to be good or get it right - it is simply to trust God. Trusting God means that we will ask him to help us – because we are able to be honest with the ones we love. We know we can’t make these changes without his divine intervention. We have labored in vain long enough. We are ready to let go and let God. Because we’re desperate? Maybe so. But God is far less concerned with our initial motivation than he is with getting us right where he wants us – believing in the one he has sent.
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 43 - 47November 28
Scripture focus: Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:27, 28-30 The Message
Do the words of Jesus in this passage cause your soul to cry out in thirsty declaration – “I need a God who can show me how to take a real rest!”
Walk with him.
Work with him.
Watch how he does it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace…sound heavenly?
So I ask you – why do we keep laboring under our own false impressions of a god who is not God?
November 27
Scripture focus: Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." John 8:32
I want freedom – doesn’t everyone?
How badly do I want it?
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 33 - 37Do I want it enough to stick with this work of God – believing in the one he has sent?
Am I willing to trust God enough to actually practice the principles he teaches, love who he says to love, and care about what he cares about?
It is only AFTER I stick with it, live it, do it, that THEN I experience for myself the truth, and the truth will free me.
We don’t get to the truth through experience. We get to the truth as we believe, trust and live it out in our everyday living. Afterwards, as God has his way with us, we begin to experience the truth and find our freedom.
Do I want this – or a quick fix?
November 26
Scripture focus: So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2 The MessageHere’s ANOTHER thing that distracts me in my quest for spiritual living.
I keep thinking that an abundant life lived within the prevailing purposes of God should be extra-ordinary.
My everyday, ordinary life – the sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – feels like living small.
In the world of God-economy, yet again, I find myself on the wrong side of truth. It is in the midst of the ordinary that God is so delighted with our offerings.
He is delighted when we embrace what he is doing for us, especially in the small things – the sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life.
Last Sunday my husband Pete, did what he always does – a small thing in his own mind. He got up and went to his men’s bible study. Pete has shown up at Sunday morning bible studies practically every single Sunday of his everyday, ordinary life.
But on this Sunday, there was such a God moment amongst the community gathered around bagels and coffee and the word of God, that even a distracted man with several woes that weighed down his heart in his ordinary life could not miss the Spirit of God.
It was a thing of grace, two men, both weary of a life lived with regrets, coming together in conversation in such a way that both recognized how God was using the moment to heal, transform and conform those willing to heed in the room on that day.
I’ve seen the numbers. I know that the fact that my husband willingly and gladly chooses to order his life around attending a Sunday morning bible study seems like a small thing. Certainly he sees it that way. He thinks it’s no big deal, doesn’t everyone do it?
I see it differently. I see his faithfulness and joy in the ordinary as a testament to Romans 12 – he’s doing the will of his Father, in the everyday ritual of showing up for spiritual community day in and day out.
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 27 - 32November 25
Scripture focus: Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29
This is another issue that I struggle with on the road to renewal.
My work is to believe.
But my heart cries out like that guy in scripture, “Lord, I believe! Help me in my unbelief!”
What cries does your heart desire to release to God today? Go ahead, try it. Tell God today what you delight, doubt, dread – whatever you want to tell him. He’s listening.
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 22 - 26November 24
Scripture focus: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1I continue to struggle with the idea that if I want to be healed, transformed and conformed I have certain responsibilities, but the actual outcome does not rest solely in my own work-worn hands.
The Lord builds the house…
How about you? Is it hard for you to believe that it is God who makes us both willing and able?
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 17 - 21November 23
Scripture focus: Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures. Psalm 145:16
While we’re on the subject of God’s character, scripture also tells us that he is generous to a fault and loves to lavish favor on all creatures. When I was little, I had the mistaken impression that God was on the verge of bankruptcy – and my offering was essential to saving his kingdom.
Seriously, God encourages us to give and do so generously and cheerfully.
But it is not intended as a bribe to a mafia-esque god!
God enjoys our giving because he delights when we live out our true, God-created identity. In the area of all things generous, God goes first. He invites us to join him in the fun of living a life of lavish loving.
This aspect of God’s character will be a tough concept to accept if we believe that resources are scarce, and we better grab what we can get while we can.
Imagine with me for a moment, a world where people so trusted God with their every need that they never held back in their generosity toward others. What if we became so aware of God on the outside that we couldn’t wait to embrace the work he was doing?
Could we feed the hungry?
Could we house the homeless?
Could we provide healthcare for those who couldn't afford it themselves?
I don’t know – but we sure could try!
When our insides get put right – and we realize that God cares for us and meets our every need, we will find ways to serve God on the outside – not because we have to, or should, or ought, or fear his wrath if we don’t – but because we’ll see our true, God-created selves and want to express generosity and favor to all creatures, like our daddy does.
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 12 - 16November 22
Scripture focus: Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. Psalm 145:13
When my children were young, they loved Halloween. Their Nana made them cool costumes like Indiana Jones and Star Wars characters. We weren’t too keen on witches and such, we tried to enjoy the festivities without celebrating the macabre.
One of our church friends disagreed with our decision to celebrate Halloween with our children – which was of course her right. She was pretty vocal about how as good Christians we were sadly missing the mark by allowing our children to go and collect candy at our neighbors’ homes while dressed in costume. I appreciated her caring enough to try to set me straight on something she was convinced I was doing wrong. I’m still not sure that we made the right choice, but we made our decision prayerfully, thoughtfully and after seeking much counsel.
I don’t think this particular friend ever quite got over our making this decision. She seemed to think that we were pretty lousy lovers of God from that point forward.
Pete and I ultimately concluded that followers of God had a lot of different and sometimes conflicting views on how to raise children in this world while teaching them to love God with all their hearts in this world and the next. Rather than committing ourselves to the passionate pursuit of the “right” answer, we have chosen over the years to try to take the next right step, realizing that God is gracious and even our best intentions don’t always result in doing the “right” thing.
God is clear and does what he says – graciously.
As we seek healing, transforming and the ability to conform to the will of God – I pray that we’ll be as gentle with ourselves and others as God is with all of us. Only God knows it all – the rest of us are simply trusting him with ourselves.
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 7 - 11November 21
Scripture focus: God is…”compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” Psalm 103:8
God is….
How do you experience God in your daily life?
Assess the damage. Consciously observe how you live in your relationship with God.
May the God of all compassion, grace, and abounding love lead you today!
Recommended reading: Jeremiah 1 - 6
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© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
November 20
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The MessageImpossible expectations god – expects a lot out of us, more than we can bear (excerpted from Soul Repair)
Finding our way back to God doesn’t mean that the second we reach our destination all our old hurts and baggage get taken away by a celestial bellhop – at least that didn’t happen for me. So it should come as no surprise to us that those of us who struggle with codependency might find ourselves becoming spiritually codependent.
Soul Repair talks extensively and beautifully about spiritual codependency. I hope you read the book! My own struggles with codependent spirituality led me to spend years living in a faith community and working as if somehow God is under-functioning and can hardly get onto his throne of grace each morning without my help! Doesn’t that sound crazy? Well, that’s because it was crazy!
I suspect that many of us live as if God expects a lot out of us, more than we can bear. We call this thing commitment or calling. Many people applaud the herculean efforts of those who work hard within the faith community.
God’s word on the subject calls this kind of thinking into question – making me wonder if this workaholic approach to faith might be an indicator that our inside world is topsy turvy.
In the book of John, we are told that the work of God is to believe in the one he has sent – without a peep about working our fingers to the bone in order to please a god of impossible expectations.
Jesus is reported to have invited all those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to him to find rest. In the world of codependent spirituality – rest is a four letter word. But there it is in print – Jesus uses a four letter word – rest.
I pray that we all find a little rest in a world that encourages us to rush.
Recommended reading: 2 Peter 1 - 3November 19
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The Message
Recommended reading: 1 Peter 1 - 5Passive god – cannot help us in our time of need, uncaring, impotent, unreliable, of no practical help...(paraphrased from Soul Repair)
I am yet to discover the passage of scripture that reads, “God helps those who help themselves.” I have discovered these passages while I was searching God’s word:
- In Exodus 4, God offered help to Moses before Moses made his first attempt to set the captives free and while Moses was whining like a baby to God about his personal inadequacies. God didn’t say, “Hey, stop whining like a sissy and get out and give this setting the captives free assignment your best effort. I’m off to China to help in a much needed effort there – text me if you get into trouble.”
- Psalm 46:1 describes God as “an ever present help in trouble...” The scripture offers no caveats like, “but only if you really really need Him” or “but don’t try his patience – work really hard first to earn his attention.”
- The book of Romans teaches that neither trouble nor hardship nor persecution nor famine nor persecution nor nakedness nor danger nor sword can separate us from the love of God. It does not add, “Unless you’re particularly lazy or God gets too busy or distracted to pay attention.”
- John 14 encourages us to not be troubled and instructs us to trust in God. The author offers no exception clauses to the promise that God cares deeply for his children.
I could go on and on and on. But you might want to take a good concordance and reference words like “trouble” and “help” – discover for yourself all the ways God has demonstrated his active care and concern for his people since the dawn of time.
Spiritual renewal will require us to let go of some of these false gods that are not God.
November 18
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The MessageEmotionally distant god – does not care about our emotional needs, we make excuses for him and feel as if he is too busy for us, he is uncomfortable around emotional expression…(excerpted from Soul Repair)
I realized once God provided me this beautiful gift of an in-town daughter that it had never occurred to me to tell God how sad I was that she lived in a different state. I accepted her wandering ways as part of who she is – an adventuresome spirit destined for the big city lights.
As an adult child who has never had the privilege of living in town with my own mother, I accepted long distance loving as part of modern day living. I had never told God how sad I was that my mom wasn’t available for drop-in visits or afternoon tea.
When our kid came back home, I realized that part of me had falsely concluded that my own emotional longings for both my mom and my daughter were not valid longings. I didn’t believe that it was right for me to feel this way, much less burden God with the loneliness I felt when I thought of two such important women in my life both of whom lived out of easy reach.
My daughter’s homecoming re-ordered my inside world. I believe that God’s hand is all over this move. God is not an emotionally distant god, asking me to suck it up and keep my emotional needs to myself.
Have you ever experienced a reluctance to share your emotional needs with God?
If I, a mere mortal mother, am never too busy to listen to the heart cry of my own children, why would I think my heavenly Father would ever be too busy to listen to me?
May we pour our hearts out to God today.
Recommended reading: Malachi 1 - 4November 17
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The MessageAbandoning god – leaves at the slightest provocation, we feel alone with no love or grace in our lives, we feel anxious and try to perform well so he won’t leave us…(paraphrased from Soul Repair)
Do you ever fear that God is off somewhere tending to the needs of others, leaving you to fend for yourself?
At NSC we have an active prison ministry that provides us with many awesome opportunities to learn from our incarcerated friends. On a recent visit, one of the inmates expressed a deep and abiding fear that God had left him as a result of his misdeeds.
As a human, understanding as I do the nature of his offense, I understand his trepidation.
Scripture tells us that God never leaves us nor forsakes us. This man has that scripture and thousands of other words of comfort memories as well. He’s struggling to accept what he knows of God through his word with his every day experience of God.
He struggles because his inside world is not put right. His mind and heart cannot accept the exact nature of his wrong, believing that God can restore him to sanity.
May God make us both willing and able to go to any lengths to get our inside world put right – so that we can see and celebrate God in our outside world – a God who is unwilling to either abuse or abandon us.
Recommended reading: 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5; 2 Thessalonians 1 - 3November 16
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The Message
Abusive god –quick to anger, slow to forgive, unapproachable, violent, cruel, impulsive, he makes bad things happen to us, takes good things away, if we enjoy life that joy will be taken away… (paraphrased from Soul Repair)
Recently, a fellow in one of our NSC Celebration Services came up and lamented to me about God. He said, “With all I’ve been through lately, what has God got against me? My favorite team just got knocked out of the World Series race. God could have changed that outcome. He could have let my team win! Why is God so mean to me?”
I don’t know this gentleman very well, but I recognize his “god” from my favorite book Soul Repair. He’s describing God as an “abusive god” – a god who is quick to anger, slow to forgive, makes bad things happen to us, takes good things away, etc.
As long as the god of his understanding is abusive, it will be very hard for him to see God in the outside world. His mind and heart are not put right on this subject. He has some experiential beliefs about God that don’t jive with the character of God as taught us in scripture.
When something really great happens to a person who thinks God is determined to steal our joy, there’s no way a follower of “abusive god” can enjoy the blessings they receive – after all, they fully expect them to be snatched away at any moment.
Do you think that there might be some wounded places in your own heart that view God in this abusive manner?
November 15
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The MessageIn the book Soul Repair, the authors suggest that in order to repair our damaged souls, we must first assess the damage.
So here’s a question for you – how does your experience of God match with your theological understanding of God?
For example, if you tell me that God is love, do you trust God’s love in all your affairs – even your messy moments?
For the next few devotional days, we’re going to look at the various gods-who-are-not-God that the authors of Soul Repair describe, and along the way we will hopefully do a little damage assessment of our own!
Recommended reading: Psalm 116-119; Zechariah 1 - 7November 14
Scripture focus: You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. Matthew 5:8 The Message
I thought that the phone call was an invitation to offer a friend feedback – it turns out I was wrong! My friend told a very long, sometimes complex story and I listened with interest. It was a good story had it been fiction. In this case, because I knew all the players involved, it was a heartbreaking tale.
My friend did indeed want feedback, so I had not misread her intentions. But it would have been wrong of me to provide it. Why? Because her questions were best answered by a lawyer, not a pastor. It would have been wrong for me to offer feedback without legal training.
Frustrated, my friend explained to me in no uncertain terms how utterly useless I was to her in a desperate time of need. I agree with her assessment. And I learned something along the way.
Sometimes, in order to see God in the outside world, there are some hoops we need to jump through that we might actually mis-identify as unspiritual. My friend thinks it is unchristian to go to a lawyer. I think she’s wrong. Trusting God may require her to trust God and his love for her enough to believe that God is willing to stand beside her as she makes that legal appointment.
Getting our inside world put right is necessary in order for us to see God in the outside world. This “inside” work might require us to expand our definition of spiritual problem solving. We might have a chemical imbalance in our mind that requires medical intervention. We may need to avail ourselves of the counsel of an excellent therapist, or a skilled nutritionist or even an awesome personal trainer.
Spiritual renewal may require us to expand our notions about how God can refresh us.
If God can use a donkey to talk to Balaam, who knows what means he might use to talk with us?
Recommended reading: Zephaniah 1 – 3; Haggai 1 - 2November 13
Scripture focus: The young woman who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “No, I’m not.” John 18:17, The Message [Peter proceeds to do this two more times!]
After Jesus is taken prisoner and prior to his trial, God’s word gives us another glimpse into the life and times of the disciple Peter. As predicted earlier by Jesus himself, Peter loses his courage (in spite of swearing that he never would forsake Jesus) and denies that he knows Jesus – not once, but three times.
The guy was in many ways a mess. But here’s the thing – Jesus restored him. He didn’t ignore Peter’s betrayal but neither did he deny Peter an opportunity to join him in God’s prevailing purposes once an honest conversation and correction were delivered.
So, what’s our excuse? What’s holding us back from living the abundant life? Our messiness doesn’t disqualify us – so we can’t use that as some lame excuse to give up the good life. Is there something you need to have a meeting with Jesus about so that you too can get back into the game?
Recommended reading: Colossians 1 – 4; Habakkuk 1 - 3November 12
Scripture focus: Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come ahead." Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!" Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?" Matthew 14:24-21, The Message
Yesterday’s devotional suggested that positioning ourselves in such a way as to live as a perpetual student is a good thing. We can even do that as we study the lives of God’s people throughout history. Here are some things I notice about Peter:
- Peter was the only guy willing to get out of the boat.
- Peter was bold.
- Peter was willing to act on his belief.
- Peter had a moment of clarity and confidence – he trusted Jesus.
- Peter trusted and stepped out on nothing.
- Peter quickly grew forgetful of what he knew about Jesus, and lost his nerve.
- Peter’s circumstances were challenging, who’s to say how any of us would respond to a walk on churning waves?
- Peter sunk.
- Peter had the humility to cry out to Jesus for salvation.
- Peter didn’t hesitate the offer of help – he grabbed for the aid.
- Because Peter was willing and able but then fearful and failing – he had the privilege of a personal encounter with Jesus – a word of encouragement and gentle rebuke.
Peter was a complicated guy – one moment bold, the next fearful. But in all of Peter’s moods, Jesus was an advocate for Peter. Jesus loved Peter when he boldly stepped out on the water, and he saved him when his trust faltered.
Spiritually abused people often believe that God will abandon, punish, detach emotionally, fail to support, and demand perfection of them. This is not the God of scripture. Jesus imitates his Father. Jesus shows us in Matthew 14 how to love one another.
In faith or fear, courage or cowardice – Jesus stands beside us, eager to hold onto us and aid us in our time of need. May our understanding of God grow as a result of learning from Peter.
Recommended reading: Isaiah 63-66November 11
Scripture focus: Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come ahead." Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!" Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?" Matthew 14:24-21, The Message
My husband and I were called into a difficult meeting where two people at odds with each other asked for (and seriously needed) mediation. It didn’t go well. These are both mighty fine people – with two very stubborn hearts. Neither was open during that meeting to considering anything other than their own perceived sense of rightness. The mediation, in the moment, appears to have failed.
Over the years, one of the ways I’ve learned to reduce my frustration with others who appear to be stubbornly resistant to renewal is to keep an sharp eye on my own recovery program. Early on in my life, it would freak me out if I tried to help someone unravel a tangled mess of their life only for them to repeat their past naughty behaviors – further sullying the process of renewal.
Today, I no longer consider any attempt to aid a brother or sister in need as a frustrating experience, even if it appears to fail. Even if I’m asked to help and nothing good seems to come from the experience, I realize that perception isn’t always reality. I, myself, can learn from each encounter, even if no one else wants to! So it is now completely impossible to have a wasted meeting – because I can always be a teachable student.
So it is with great attentiveness that I study the life of Peter. I can learn from him without judging his own state of willingness to learn.
May we each become perpetual students, so that we won’t turn into critical and annoying teachers, somehow thinking we know more than we do and judging others as a result of our own unclear self-evaluation.
Recommended reading: Isaiah 59-62
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November 10
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
If God let Simon Peter in on a secret, do you think he would do the same for you?
Scripture teaches us that God is eager to be found by those who seek him.
He doesn’t hide from us.
He doesn’t withhold information from us.
How does knowing this inform our daily living? Do you wake up each morning, expecting to hear from God?
I’m not talking kooky religion, where we get so super spiritual that God is more magical than majestic.
I am wondering if part of our spiritual renewal journey will reveal a need for a certain alertness to the presence of God that is currently under-developed.
Recommended reading: Isaiah 56 - 58
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
If God let Simon Peter in on a secret, do you think he would do the same for you?
Scripture teaches us that God is eager to be found by those who seek him.
He doesn’t hide from us.
He doesn’t withhold information from us.
How does knowing this inform our daily living? Do you wake up each morning, expecting to hear from God?
I’m not talking kooky religion, where we get so super spiritual that God is more magical than majestic.
I am wondering if part of our spiritual renewal journey will reveal a need for a certain alertness to the presence of God that is currently under-developed.
Recommended reading: Isaiah 56 - 58
November 9
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Take some time this week and write down all the things that you know about God and his character.
Keep the list before you and pay attention to how you experience God daily.
Do you believe that God will never leave you nor forsake you? If so, do you experience an awareness of his loving presence throughout your day? Or are you walking around as if you’ve got the whole world on your shoulders with no one to help you carry out your faith responsibilities?
Do you believe that God loves you? How do you respond when you make a mistake – are you afraid of God’s response or eager to show God your boo-boo and ask him to help you take the next right step?
We have been promised complete and free access to God’s kingdom.
Lord, teach us how to experience your presence and the truth of all that we believe!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 53 - 55
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Take some time this week and write down all the things that you know about God and his character.
Keep the list before you and pay attention to how you experience God daily.
Do you believe that God will never leave you nor forsake you? If so, do you experience an awareness of his loving presence throughout your day? Or are you walking around as if you’ve got the whole world on your shoulders with no one to help you carry out your faith responsibilities?
Do you believe that God loves you? How do you respond when you make a mistake – are you afraid of God’s response or eager to show God your boo-boo and ask him to help you take the next right step?
We have been promised complete and free access to God’s kingdom.
Lord, teach us how to experience your presence and the truth of all that we believe!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 53 - 55
November 8
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
I’ve made some lousy assumptions about the work of God. As a new believer, I jumped into my faith journey with 110% commitment to God following. I figured if I made the decision to turn my life over to God’s care and control, I was either going to go full throttle or not go at all.
Passion is a beautiful thing, but without proper preparation I can honestly say that all my enthusiasm was as messy and sloppy as the boundless love our grand-puppy bestows on us each morning when we release her from her kennel.
It was in this stage of puppy love in my faith that I first read, “He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.” Boy was this confusing! My teachers were telling me about the Great Commission and my responsibility to share the good news of Jesus with everyone I came in contact with. I honestly believed that God needed me to be his representative on earth – a one woman marketing team and a perfect, flawless example of God in human form. Anything short of perfection on my part would sully God’s reputation. Clearly, I had some confusing theology that needed clarification.
I don’t know where you are on your own road to finding your way back to God, but I want to encourage you along the way. Living a spiritually renewed life is confusing at times. Sometimes our enthusiasm will provide more energy than expertise. Please don’t let this discourage you. Your biggest blunders may one day provide you with the experience, strength and hope you need to achieve God’s prevailing purposes within the framework of the life he has dreamed for you. I guarantee you that your failures will be more instructional to you in the spiritual renewal process than any of your perceived successes.
Don’t fear your questions, doubts, or inner gut feeling that perhaps, just maybe, you might be missing something in the translation of God’s word into your life experience. Keep plugging. You can do this, with God helping you every step of the way!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 50-52
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
I’ve made some lousy assumptions about the work of God. As a new believer, I jumped into my faith journey with 110% commitment to God following. I figured if I made the decision to turn my life over to God’s care and control, I was either going to go full throttle or not go at all.
Passion is a beautiful thing, but without proper preparation I can honestly say that all my enthusiasm was as messy and sloppy as the boundless love our grand-puppy bestows on us each morning when we release her from her kennel.
It was in this stage of puppy love in my faith that I first read, “He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.” Boy was this confusing! My teachers were telling me about the Great Commission and my responsibility to share the good news of Jesus with everyone I came in contact with. I honestly believed that God needed me to be his representative on earth – a one woman marketing team and a perfect, flawless example of God in human form. Anything short of perfection on my part would sully God’s reputation. Clearly, I had some confusing theology that needed clarification.
I don’t know where you are on your own road to finding your way back to God, but I want to encourage you along the way. Living a spiritually renewed life is confusing at times. Sometimes our enthusiasm will provide more energy than expertise. Please don’t let this discourage you. Your biggest blunders may one day provide you with the experience, strength and hope you need to achieve God’s prevailing purposes within the framework of the life he has dreamed for you. I guarantee you that your failures will be more instructional to you in the spiritual renewal process than any of your perceived successes.
Don’t fear your questions, doubts, or inner gut feeling that perhaps, just maybe, you might be missing something in the translation of God’s word into your life experience. Keep plugging. You can do this, with God helping you every step of the way!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 50-52
November 7
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Simon Peter was a leader, blessed by God, let in on a secret, created as a rock upon which the church would be put together.
You’d expect a guy that had this much going for him to be a peak performer.
You’d expect that God would pick a man he could trust implicitly for a big mission like church building.
Spiritually renewed people must look past their assumptions and expectations if they are going to grow up in their salvation.
The promise of Peter’s potential and his actual performance are more complicated stories than we might expect to find in a man respectfully described as “the rock” by the son of God.
If you get a chance, find a decent concordance, look up all the scripture references to Peter and study his life. Then ask yourself questions like: what do I find that is surprising, intriguing, assumption-busting and encouraging in the life of Peter? How might knowing this inform my own spiritual pilgrimage?
Recommended reading: Isaiah 47- 49
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Simon Peter was a leader, blessed by God, let in on a secret, created as a rock upon which the church would be put together.
You’d expect a guy that had this much going for him to be a peak performer.
You’d expect that God would pick a man he could trust implicitly for a big mission like church building.
Spiritually renewed people must look past their assumptions and expectations if they are going to grow up in their salvation.
The promise of Peter’s potential and his actual performance are more complicated stories than we might expect to find in a man respectfully described as “the rock” by the son of God.
If you get a chance, find a decent concordance, look up all the scripture references to Peter and study his life. Then ask yourself questions like: what do I find that is surprising, intriguing, assumption-busting and encouraging in the life of Peter? How might knowing this inform my own spiritual pilgrimage?
Recommended reading: Isaiah 47- 49
November 6
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Have you ever noticed that some people who know a lot about God’s word still struggle with getting along with God’s people? In my neck of the woods, I’ve heard folks like this referred to as “bible thumpers.” I’m not a big fan of name calling, but I do think embedded in this particular story is a clue as to how we could all improve our love intelligence.
Jesus praises Peter for recognizing him as the Christ, the Messiah, the son of the living God. So knowing God is a key element in the spiritual renewal process.
And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock…
Peter’s life post-resurrection proves that Jesus spoke truthfully when He described for Simon Peter his own true, God-created identity. The spiritual renewal journey isn’t just about learning bible verses. It’s also about discovering our true, God-created self – and trusting God knows best.
I would love to be an awesome singer but I can’t sing a note.
I long for the gift of hospitality but clearly, if I can’t buy, rent or borrow the accoutrements of hospitality, my guests are in big trouble.
I’ve often thought that if I could be a bit more introverted, less opinionated, more sweet than spicy the world would be a better place. Alas, none of these areas of my being have seen an ounce of transformation.
There are things about myself that I believe God has revealed to me much like Jesus did for Peter. I am learning how to trust that God knew what he was doing when he knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Spiritual renewal – knowing and loving God, knowing and trusting God with self, learning to love others within the limitations of our creatureliness, trusting God to supply what we lack…
Recommended reading: Isaiah 44 - 46
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Have you ever noticed that some people who know a lot about God’s word still struggle with getting along with God’s people? In my neck of the woods, I’ve heard folks like this referred to as “bible thumpers.” I’m not a big fan of name calling, but I do think embedded in this particular story is a clue as to how we could all improve our love intelligence.
Jesus praises Peter for recognizing him as the Christ, the Messiah, the son of the living God. So knowing God is a key element in the spiritual renewal process.
And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock…
Peter’s life post-resurrection proves that Jesus spoke truthfully when He described for Simon Peter his own true, God-created identity. The spiritual renewal journey isn’t just about learning bible verses. It’s also about discovering our true, God-created self – and trusting God knows best.
I would love to be an awesome singer but I can’t sing a note.
I long for the gift of hospitality but clearly, if I can’t buy, rent or borrow the accoutrements of hospitality, my guests are in big trouble.
I’ve often thought that if I could be a bit more introverted, less opinionated, more sweet than spicy the world would be a better place. Alas, none of these areas of my being have seen an ounce of transformation.
There are things about myself that I believe God has revealed to me much like Jesus did for Peter. I am learning how to trust that God knew what he was doing when he knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Spiritual renewal – knowing and loving God, knowing and trusting God with self, learning to love others within the limitations of our creatureliness, trusting God to supply what we lack…
Recommended reading: Isaiah 44 - 46
© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
November 5
Scripture focus: When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven." He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:12-20 The Message
Our real idea of God may lie buried under the rubbish of conventional religious notions and may require an intelligent and vigorous search before it is finally unearthed and exposed for what it is. Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God. --A. W. Tozer
Who do you think Jesus is?
In yesterday’s devotional, my interpretation of the story of Martha and Mary was influenced by my experiential and theological understandings of Jesus. It made no sense to me that Jesus would play one sister against the other. I don’t believe that Jesus shames anyone in an attempt to get them to behave.
All of us have some theological understandings of who Jesus is, but according to Tozer, what we think we believe and what we experientially accept as true may be two different things. If so, to the extent that our experiences don’t match up with our theology, we are going to live out of our experience.
Children are taught, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the bible tells me so…”
But if a child has been traumatized by abuse or neglect, it’s possible that they will say that Jesus loves them, but experience Jesus as distant, inattentive, disinterested, or even harsh.
It’s my prayer that each of us will live more consciously aware of not only what we say about God, but what we are actually experiencing in our spiritual journey.
November 4
Scripture focus: As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42 The Message
I once heard a radio preacher teach that the point of this story is Mary’s devotion to Jesus and his word. He used this story to inspire his listening audience to make a greater commitment to scripture study and prayer – both really great spiritual disciplines worthy of our attention. This same message suggested that Martha’s problem was that she cared too much about material things and socializing. In essence, the two girls were compared and one was deemed “less than.”
I am always amazed how each of us can read the same scripture passage and receive a different message. When I study this passage, it doesn’t ring my truth-o-meter to think that Jesus would compare one sister to another for the purpose of shaming. I read the story of the two sisters and hear Jesus as a gentle teacher. I don’t believe Jesus was creating a compare-and-compete sibling holy war. I wonder if Jesus was taking more exception to Martha’s fussing than her commitment to making the perfect fritter (instead of sitting at his feet like Mary).
Getting ourselves all worked up and frustrated is what happens when we lose our focus on essential things – especially if the fretting results in us pointing fingers at others. Could it be that Jesus wasn’t evaluating different expressions of spirituality and finding the gift of hospitality lacking? Maybe he was trying to teach Martha to work her own program, and not concern herself with her sister’s. Jesus may have been gently guiding Martha to see that Mary was living congruently – her insides matched her outsides. Her heart said sit and listen; her body followed her spirit’s call for refreshment.
Martha started out her own race well, with a welcoming spirit. As her frustration mounted, she looked outside herself (“Don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me…”) for the source of her discomfort. Following healthy boundary principles and with a commitment to non-codependent living – Martha would have been better served by consciously taking a good hard look inside herself. This would have freed her to take responsibility for her own emotions instead of asking someone else (both Jesus and Mary) to make her feel better.
That’s one of the insights that came to me as I read this passage. Spiritual renewal is going to require us to take responsibility for our feelings, our choices and even our own spiritual educational process. At some point we may need to consider acquiring a commitment to spiritual disciplines like scripture study and prayer. (I agree with the aforementioned preacher dude.) It will help us grow if we can respect the teachings of others while also taking responsibility for studying on our own. Along the way, we may gain new or different insights into God’s word. Isn’t that cool?
Recommended reading: Isaiah 38 - 40
Scripture focus: As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42 The Message
I once heard a radio preacher teach that the point of this story is Mary’s devotion to Jesus and his word. He used this story to inspire his listening audience to make a greater commitment to scripture study and prayer – both really great spiritual disciplines worthy of our attention. This same message suggested that Martha’s problem was that she cared too much about material things and socializing. In essence, the two girls were compared and one was deemed “less than.”
I am always amazed how each of us can read the same scripture passage and receive a different message. When I study this passage, it doesn’t ring my truth-o-meter to think that Jesus would compare one sister to another for the purpose of shaming. I read the story of the two sisters and hear Jesus as a gentle teacher. I don’t believe Jesus was creating a compare-and-compete sibling holy war. I wonder if Jesus was taking more exception to Martha’s fussing than her commitment to making the perfect fritter (instead of sitting at his feet like Mary).
Getting ourselves all worked up and frustrated is what happens when we lose our focus on essential things – especially if the fretting results in us pointing fingers at others. Could it be that Jesus wasn’t evaluating different expressions of spirituality and finding the gift of hospitality lacking? Maybe he was trying to teach Martha to work her own program, and not concern herself with her sister’s. Jesus may have been gently guiding Martha to see that Mary was living congruently – her insides matched her outsides. Her heart said sit and listen; her body followed her spirit’s call for refreshment.
Martha started out her own race well, with a welcoming spirit. As her frustration mounted, she looked outside herself (“Don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me…”) for the source of her discomfort. Following healthy boundary principles and with a commitment to non-codependent living – Martha would have been better served by consciously taking a good hard look inside herself. This would have freed her to take responsibility for her own emotions instead of asking someone else (both Jesus and Mary) to make her feel better.
That’s one of the insights that came to me as I read this passage. Spiritual renewal is going to require us to take responsibility for our feelings, our choices and even our own spiritual educational process. At some point we may need to consider acquiring a commitment to spiritual disciplines like scripture study and prayer. (I agree with the aforementioned preacher dude.) It will help us grow if we can respect the teachings of others while also taking responsibility for studying on our own. Along the way, we may gain new or different insights into God’s word. Isn’t that cool?
Recommended reading: Isaiah 38 - 40
November 3
Scripture focus: As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42 The Message
In yesterday’s devotional, I wrote of my decision to hold onto the one essential thing and let the rest of the day unfold as it saw fit. I want to report back.
I managed to get all my work done even with dirty coffee mugs staring at me in an accusing way. My grandpuppy was appropriately tended to: she had an accident free day, two walks, meals on time and a lovely uninterrupted morning nap in my lap as I worked away on my computer.
I was able to clean the kitchen while I prepared the evening meal. (Only you know my kitchen was dirty until early afternoon!) My guests seemed to enjoy the evening, even the food. Part of it I prepared myself; some was brought to me by a dear friend; the rest was purchased in a yummy local bakery. They didn’t seem to notice or care that not everything they ate was homemade.
Yesterday, nothing of any value was taken from me.
It could have gone differently.
I could have chosen to be a grumpy girl, make my husband miserable, try to be perfect (rather than myself), put on some show of hospitality rather than simply choose to be hospitable, and decrease my productivity due to a flagging spirit. If I had chosen the distracted route and lost my place in my own story, I could find myself filled with regret today. I might need to make a list of all the people I offended along the road to perfection. I bet my guests would have sensed the tension in my home – carried there by yours truly. I imagine the evening would have been awkward at best.
I’m thankful for Martha’s story – it reminds me of what’s truly important before I mess up and lose my way. I suppose that’s why I love God’s word and his people – both serve as metaphorical love notes from God guiding my path. May you discover some wonderful lights along your own journey today!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 35 - 37
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© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42 The Message
In yesterday’s devotional, I wrote of my decision to hold onto the one essential thing and let the rest of the day unfold as it saw fit. I want to report back.
I managed to get all my work done even with dirty coffee mugs staring at me in an accusing way. My grandpuppy was appropriately tended to: she had an accident free day, two walks, meals on time and a lovely uninterrupted morning nap in my lap as I worked away on my computer.
I was able to clean the kitchen while I prepared the evening meal. (Only you know my kitchen was dirty until early afternoon!) My guests seemed to enjoy the evening, even the food. Part of it I prepared myself; some was brought to me by a dear friend; the rest was purchased in a yummy local bakery. They didn’t seem to notice or care that not everything they ate was homemade.
Yesterday, nothing of any value was taken from me.
It could have gone differently.
I could have chosen to be a grumpy girl, make my husband miserable, try to be perfect (rather than myself), put on some show of hospitality rather than simply choose to be hospitable, and decrease my productivity due to a flagging spirit. If I had chosen the distracted route and lost my place in my own story, I could find myself filled with regret today. I might need to make a list of all the people I offended along the road to perfection. I bet my guests would have sensed the tension in my home – carried there by yours truly. I imagine the evening would have been awkward at best.
I’m thankful for Martha’s story – it reminds me of what’s truly important before I mess up and lose my way. I suppose that’s why I love God’s word and his people – both serve as metaphorical love notes from God guiding my path. May you discover some wonderful lights along your own journey today!
Recommended reading: Isaiah 35 - 37
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© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
November 2
Scripture focus: As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42 The Message
I think that both Martha and Mary started out the evening choosing “the main course.” Martha, the hostess with the most-est, did her thing and threw a party. Mary, the introvert, followed her heart and soaked up the teaching of the Master.
Luke may not have even heard this story, much less needed to write about it, if Martha had been in touch and at peace with her true, hospitable, God-created identity. Consider how the story might have turned out differently. Fearless, fretless Martha could have rustled up dinner and then settled in for a sociable evening with her guests. She might have chosen to think – “I can do all this clean up tomorrow! For tonight, I want to bask in the glory of a successful party and enjoy my guests.” Instead, Martha allowed herself to get freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional. She forgot that the work in the kitchen was a staging ground for the mission of the day – serving her guests.
I can’t count the number of times I miss the big picture because my view gets cluttered by the messiness of life. Even in this moment, I could go to my own pity place. I have three dirty mugs on my desk and breakfast dishes on my kitchen counter. I have guests coming for dinner and no idea what I’m going to serve. But that’s just the small stuff.
The really important truth of my day is that I feel drawn near to my God, I’m enjoying my scripture study, and on my lap sits a very precious, almost-potty-trained grandpuppy. She thinks I’m special.
I could choose to allow myself to rush into hyper-drive performance mode but I’m going to resist the urge. The essentials of life will not be taken from those who seek after the Father. May we continue to encourage each other in our seeking, so that we may discover the peace that comes with finding our way back to God.
Recommended reading: Isaiah 32 - 34
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© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." Luke 10:38-42 The Message
I think that both Martha and Mary started out the evening choosing “the main course.” Martha, the hostess with the most-est, did her thing and threw a party. Mary, the introvert, followed her heart and soaked up the teaching of the Master.
Luke may not have even heard this story, much less needed to write about it, if Martha had been in touch and at peace with her true, hospitable, God-created identity. Consider how the story might have turned out differently. Fearless, fretless Martha could have rustled up dinner and then settled in for a sociable evening with her guests. She might have chosen to think – “I can do all this clean up tomorrow! For tonight, I want to bask in the glory of a successful party and enjoy my guests.” Instead, Martha allowed herself to get freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional. She forgot that the work in the kitchen was a staging ground for the mission of the day – serving her guests.
I can’t count the number of times I miss the big picture because my view gets cluttered by the messiness of life. Even in this moment, I could go to my own pity place. I have three dirty mugs on my desk and breakfast dishes on my kitchen counter. I have guests coming for dinner and no idea what I’m going to serve. But that’s just the small stuff.
The really important truth of my day is that I feel drawn near to my God, I’m enjoying my scripture study, and on my lap sits a very precious, almost-potty-trained grandpuppy. She thinks I’m special.
I could choose to allow myself to rush into hyper-drive performance mode but I’m going to resist the urge. The essentials of life will not be taken from those who seek after the Father. May we continue to encourage each other in our seeking, so that we may discover the peace that comes with finding our way back to God.
Recommended reading: Isaiah 32 - 34
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
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