“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.
What kind of sacrifice do you give? Micah, a prophet in Israel around the time of Isaiah, wrote that the animal sacrifices and other offerings of the people were not what God was looking for. God’s instructions were simple, yet profound: “To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” God, according to Micah, was looking for personal, human actions to be sacrificial and in service to others and to God. As Jesus said, we are to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor no matter who they might be. Paul stated that we are to present our bodies to God as “living sacrifices.” We are, in Micah’s words, to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”
These actions are intentional decisions that I make each day. I can choose to do things according to my own wants and desires – my own self interest – or I can choose to live life daily according to God’s desires. Simple things, such as being “interrupted” while I am working, can be irritations or opportunities, depending on the choice of the focus of my heart. Is it on serving me, or is it on serving God? Ordinary life decisions become basic, foundational choices that I make throughout each day. How will you choose? As for me, as Micah states, I choose to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God” as much as I can.
Questions to consider: What kind of sacrifice do you give? What does it mean for you to, “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?” How does this affect your decisions and your choices each day?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” before You. I know my natural inclination to go my own way. Please help me to intentionally choose to follow Your ways in all of my ordinary days. Amen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
August 20, 2009 - Acts 9:26-27a.
“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.” Acts 9:26-27a.
Not long after Saul became a follower of Jesus, after having escaped from those in Damascus who wanted to kill him, he arrived in Jerusalem. Saul was seeking to join with the leadership of the early followers to learn and to offer his service in the community. Because of Saul’s previous reputation, the leadership was skeptical and nervous about allowing into their circle. Barnabas, who was one of the early leaders, took the risk, reached out to Saul, and “brought him to the apostles.” Saul’s reputation of persecuting the followers of Jesus was not diminished by the rumors of his change of heart.
There is part of me that is like these early leaders, who were skeptical about someone with a questionable standing. It was always a challenge and a risk for me to come along side of someone who was trying to overcome their previous negative reputation. There have been times when I have been taken advantage of, yet there have also been times when I risked standing with someone who was going through very tough problems and needed someone to help them process their situations. My reputation was on the line, but great satisfaction came when they proved to be worthy of support. It is, also, important to remember who stood alongside of us, supporting us, when we were totally disreputable and worthy of rejection. As the Message translation puts it: “And the Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.”
Questions to consider: Have you ever been skeptical about someone’s reputation? Have you ever gone against your skepticism and supported someone when it was really risky to do so? Has anyone ever risked their reputation for you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting Your reputation on the line in coming into this world to support us when we did not deserve it. Help us to do the same within our spheres of influence. Amen.
Not long after Saul became a follower of Jesus, after having escaped from those in Damascus who wanted to kill him, he arrived in Jerusalem. Saul was seeking to join with the leadership of the early followers to learn and to offer his service in the community. Because of Saul’s previous reputation, the leadership was skeptical and nervous about allowing into their circle. Barnabas, who was one of the early leaders, took the risk, reached out to Saul, and “brought him to the apostles.” Saul’s reputation of persecuting the followers of Jesus was not diminished by the rumors of his change of heart.
There is part of me that is like these early leaders, who were skeptical about someone with a questionable standing. It was always a challenge and a risk for me to come along side of someone who was trying to overcome their previous negative reputation. There have been times when I have been taken advantage of, yet there have also been times when I risked standing with someone who was going through very tough problems and needed someone to help them process their situations. My reputation was on the line, but great satisfaction came when they proved to be worthy of support. It is, also, important to remember who stood alongside of us, supporting us, when we were totally disreputable and worthy of rejection. As the Message translation puts it: “And the Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.”
Questions to consider: Have you ever been skeptical about someone’s reputation? Have you ever gone against your skepticism and supported someone when it was really risky to do so? Has anyone ever risked their reputation for you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting Your reputation on the line in coming into this world to support us when we did not deserve it. Help us to do the same within our spheres of influence. Amen.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 13, 2009 - Acts 9:25
“But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.” Acts 9:25.
The Jews in Damascus were so angry and disturbed at Saul, and the power of his words concerning Jesus as the Messiah, that they determined to have Saul killed. So the followers of Jesus in that city hid Saul for a time, and then, planned his escape. The only way that he could get away was by being lowered in a basket “through an opening in the wall” and this was done in the dark of night. But Saul was not one to shrink away from a good fight, even if his life was on the line. He must have known that this was not his time to fight, and he made his escape.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, the writer talks of a time and a season for all things. This was not a season for Saul to stand and argue the cause of Jesus Christ. He needed to be about other business, even if he didn’t exactly know what that business was. The time for a change had come and he had to move on. Later, Saul was to write that God will provide a “way of escape” when we are tempted, and I am sure that Saul was tempted to stay and fight, even if death was a possibility. But, the change of scenery did save Saul’s life.
I have had many different seasons in my life, when, as I look back, I began to see the tapestry that God has woven and the unique pattern that is my life. Looking back through the years, I have known several moments of God’s protection, even though I didn’t realize this at the time. It was only later that I began to see, even if it was dimly, God’s hand and care.
Questions to consider: As you look back on the seasons of your life, do you see God’s caring, protective hand? What season of life are you in now? Are you aware of His protection and care, even if it seems like you have to escape, like Saul?
Prayer: Father, thank You for protecting me, especially in those times when I am not aware that Your presence is with me. You are so vast and mysterious, yet You are caring and available. Thank You. Amen.
The Jews in Damascus were so angry and disturbed at Saul, and the power of his words concerning Jesus as the Messiah, that they determined to have Saul killed. So the followers of Jesus in that city hid Saul for a time, and then, planned his escape. The only way that he could get away was by being lowered in a basket “through an opening in the wall” and this was done in the dark of night. But Saul was not one to shrink away from a good fight, even if his life was on the line. He must have known that this was not his time to fight, and he made his escape.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, the writer talks of a time and a season for all things. This was not a season for Saul to stand and argue the cause of Jesus Christ. He needed to be about other business, even if he didn’t exactly know what that business was. The time for a change had come and he had to move on. Later, Saul was to write that God will provide a “way of escape” when we are tempted, and I am sure that Saul was tempted to stay and fight, even if death was a possibility. But, the change of scenery did save Saul’s life.
I have had many different seasons in my life, when, as I look back, I began to see the tapestry that God has woven and the unique pattern that is my life. Looking back through the years, I have known several moments of God’s protection, even though I didn’t realize this at the time. It was only later that I began to see, even if it was dimly, God’s hand and care.
Questions to consider: As you look back on the seasons of your life, do you see God’s caring, protective hand? What season of life are you in now? Are you aware of His protection and care, even if it seems like you have to escape, like Saul?
Prayer: Father, thank You for protecting me, especially in those times when I am not aware that Your presence is with me. You are so vast and mysterious, yet You are caring and available. Thank You. Amen.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
August 6, 2009 - Acts 9:24
“After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him.” Acts 9:24.
Saul was continually going up to the synagogue in Damascus, debating with Jewish leaders concerning Jesus as the Messiah. He was getting stronger and stronger in his arguments, which was causing the Jewish leadership to become more defensive. Finally, they had had enough. They started conspiring how they might kill Saul. It did not take Saul very long in his journey with Jesus to come to a place of being genuinely threatened for making his stand with Jesus.
In reflecting back on my first couple of years of following Jesus, I recall being uncomfortable talking openly with people about my faith. I didn’t know much and I didn’t really understand what I was supposed to do. Through the years I have grown more comfortable with telling my story of following Jesus to anyone, but still do not feel particularly comfortable about debating, like Saul. At first, I thought this was because I did not see that I was particularly gifted in this way, but as I reflected more, I saw that something else was at work. I did not know if I would be willing to stick my neck out enough to possibly be killed, because of standing up for Jesus. I wasn’t even sure how I would feel about being mocked for my belief in Jesus. I am still working on this, yet I have noticed lately that when I have had the opportunity to tell my story to someone, I have spoken with confidence and with His strength.
Questions to consider: How far will you go in making a stand for Jesus? Are you willing to be mocked, or possibly be threatened in some way? Have you ever experienced any of these in your walk with Jesus? What was that like?
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to stand up for You, no matter the consequences. Give me strength to speak boldly in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Saul was continually going up to the synagogue in Damascus, debating with Jewish leaders concerning Jesus as the Messiah. He was getting stronger and stronger in his arguments, which was causing the Jewish leadership to become more defensive. Finally, they had had enough. They started conspiring how they might kill Saul. It did not take Saul very long in his journey with Jesus to come to a place of being genuinely threatened for making his stand with Jesus.
In reflecting back on my first couple of years of following Jesus, I recall being uncomfortable talking openly with people about my faith. I didn’t know much and I didn’t really understand what I was supposed to do. Through the years I have grown more comfortable with telling my story of following Jesus to anyone, but still do not feel particularly comfortable about debating, like Saul. At first, I thought this was because I did not see that I was particularly gifted in this way, but as I reflected more, I saw that something else was at work. I did not know if I would be willing to stick my neck out enough to possibly be killed, because of standing up for Jesus. I wasn’t even sure how I would feel about being mocked for my belief in Jesus. I am still working on this, yet I have noticed lately that when I have had the opportunity to tell my story to someone, I have spoken with confidence and with His strength.
Questions to consider: How far will you go in making a stand for Jesus? Are you willing to be mocked, or possibly be threatened in some way? Have you ever experienced any of these in your walk with Jesus? What was that like?
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to stand up for You, no matter the consequences. Give me strength to speak boldly in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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