NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

December 8

Scripture focus: While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this." As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. He asked, "Do you have any food here?" They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes. Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high." Luke 24:36-49 The Message

In yesterday's devotional, I told of a random moment in time when some unconscious false believing rose to the surface of my awareness. The experience was startling but not life defining. It didn't cause me to doubt God or amazingly enough, myself!

After the dust settled and I found my way back to belief, I realized that one of the most helpful tools in my spiritual renewal tool belt was discussed in Luke 24. He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way.

I am so thankful for the word of God.

It's true, I am not always aware of my own unbelief. But it is also true that I am sometimes aware of how God is increasing my understanding and belief as I peer intently into his word -– day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. (Yikes! At my age I have to add decade after decade.)

Frankly, some days my scripture study feels dry as a bone. Spiritual renewal isn't always obvious. May we all continue to take the next right step, allowing our trust in God to inform our discipline of study – not our own self-assessment of how our program is working.


Recommended reading: 2 Timothy 1 - 4

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