God Gives Life 5

John 17:22-23

Many years ago in our previous church one of the members gave me a small cutting from one of her plants. It was a “Purple Passion,” a vining houseplant of reddish purple that I find quite nice to look at. It is an easy plant to share. If you clip a small bit of a stem and set it in a cup of water for two weeks it will start a new root system and begin a new plant.

I have given clippings from this plant to other people, sharing the beauty of this deep purple houseplant. I give it to those for whom I care so they can enjoy it too.

As Jesus prayed the night he was arrested he spoke of the love he was sharing. What did Jesus give to his disciples? Why did he do this?

In his time on earth Jesus gathered a group of followers. He selected twelve men to be his disciples, those people he would teach and train to be able to preach and minister as he did. He also had a larger following of faithful people that probably numbered over one-hundred (see Luke 10:1 and Acts 1:15).

He didn’t gather these followers just to occupy their time or to ensure that he had company in what he did. He gathered these people so that he might give to them the gift of life that comes from God. He shared the glory and love of God with them.

In sharing this gift he was working to make them all one, united in love and grace under God. He wanted them to experience the new life that comes from the love of God. And through these followers we are invited to be one with God and one with all believers.

The gift of everlasting life, the gift of a new and dynamic life filled with the mercy and love of God awaits any of us who will accept the love from Christ. We must prepare ourselves for this tremendous gift, anxiously readying ourselves to receive the Lord’s bounty.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to prepare for God’s gift of life?

God Gives Life 4

Psalm 139:23-24

We have several smoke detectors throughout our house. Every now and then the batteries will run low on one of them – usually in the middle of the night, for some reason – and when that happens the detector emits a high-pitched beep every minute or so. When that happens we must go throughout the house and listen for the beep, standing in the hall, standing in a bedroom, listening to determine where the problem is.

As Christians and children of God we have a hope for perfection and the promise of grace and love from God. However, in spite of our best efforts now and then we have faults. We fail to do what is right and holy and sometimes fall to temptation.

When that happens we must find the offense within ourselves. We must determine where our weakness lies and discover what part of us needs to be corrected. It sometimes requires time and effort. We must examine ourselves to find that place that is lacking.

Psalm 139 has acknowledged the greatness of God and His many expressions of love. The psalm begins with the comment that God knows us completely. Now, as the psalm draws to an end the psalmist makes a request of God. What are the many things asked of God?

If we are seeking a more perfect relationship with our Lord we must be pure of heart. If we want to have that deep connection with God we will want to have all of our imperfections forgiven and removed from us. Like the psalmist we may ask God to search us and test us. We may want the Lord to realize how sincere we are in our devotion to Him. Then we can ask the Lord to lead us in more holy ways.

Before we do that, however, we will need to search ourselves. We need to examine our own hearts and souls to determine if we are ready to receive God’s loving gift of eternal life. We need to be prepared for the salvation Jesus gives.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What part of your faith needs to be corrected and set on the right path?

Share the Cup 5

Psalm 40:3

On the cooking show “Top Chef” there was a contestant who liked to say that she always added love as one of her ingredients. What she meant was that her food was more than just cooked meats and vegetables. Her meals were more than just tasty edibles. What she made she created with the intention of pleasing the one who ate, of providing healthy and nutritious food for them.

The psalmist talks about what the Lord gives to us. What did God put in his mouth? How does this help others?

Taking part in Holy Communion involves more than simply eating bread and drinking wine or juice. Communion transforms these ordinary elements into something so much more.

In Communion we are celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus. We are celebrating love from God. We are being nourished not in body but in our souls. That which we are taking in is more than just bread and drink, but the love and grace of our God.

We receive more than simple foods in Communion. We receive a new spirit. We receive all over again the forgiveness and strengthening grace of God. And that should put a new song in our mouths as well.

Communion should be a time when we offer up a new hymn of praise and gratitude to the Lord. We should celebrate with Him all the love that is being shared. We should praise God for the new life, the new attitude we are given by sharing this meal with Jesus.

In this sacrament we are communing with the very spirit of Jesus. We are sharing a time together with the Holy Spirit of God. And this is a reminder that Jesus is entering into our lives and hearts to give us new hope in all that we do.

And with this new song and new spirit in us we can show God’s love to others so that they may also come to believe and accept.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you welcome the new song God will give you?

Share the Cup 4

Ephesians 3:16-18

My mother always encouraged me in life. She wanted me to do well in school. She wanted me to have good jobs and to excel at those positions. She wanted me to have a life of fulfillment and happiness.

I didn’t always get to hear about how proud she was of what I had done in my life, however. Instead it seemed that I heard about what successful people my brother and sister were. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I talked to my sister that I found out she was telling her the same things. Mom was proud of me, she just told everyone but me.

In Ephesians we find a prayer offered up for the believers. What should we receive through the glorious riches of Jesus? What should we grasp?

Our celebration of Communion is a celebration of the depth and power of Christ’s love. It is a reminder of how far Jesus was willing to go for us to receive the love of God. Jesus was willing to give himself completely for our salvation. He was willing to replace his holy innocence with the stain of all of our guilt and sin. He was willing to have his body broken on the cross and have his blood poured out so that we might achieve eternal life.

And more than eternal life, Jesus wanted us to know as we lived just how deeply God loves us and cares for us. The breaking of the bread is a reminder that Jesus has broken himself open so that we might have access to his grace and forgiveness.

We do not have to go through life wondering if God loves us. We know in our hearts that He treasures each one of us. The service of Holy Communion should be that constant reminder of how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Communion is that opportunity for us be strengthened by the presence of Jesus’ Spirit. It allows us to be rooted in the love of Jesus and to commune – connect – with all the believers who live now and those who have come before us.

Communion is the celebration of the glorious riches Jesus holds for us. Allow the experience to be a time when you welcome the love and presence of God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you allow Communion to remind you of God’s love?

Share the Cup 3

Mark 14:22-24

When our kids were younger we bought them geodes while on vacation. Geodes are round rocks that are rather plain on the outside. What you need to do is break the stone open, cracking it in half, so that you can see what is on the inside.

Inside the geode are sparkling crystals that form on the inner lining of these hollow, stone orbs. You can only see the wonderful beauty of the rock when you have cracked it open.

In his time with the disciples during the Last Supper Jesus initiated, or started, the sacrament of Communion. What did Jesus do with the bread? What did he say about it? What did he do with the cup of wine? What did he say about it?

Bread can be a wonderful, delicious and nourishing substance. Wine can be a delicious and delightful drink of celebration. But neither of them can be enjoyed until they have been consumed. To eat the bread you must break into the bread.

In his time with the disciples Jesus was comparing himself to the ordinary substances of bread and wine. As he broke the bread he told the disciples that it was his body. He made the same reference to the wine saying it was his blood.

What he meant was that like the bread his body would be broken at the crucifixion. Like the wine his blood would be poured out. But I believe he also meant that like the bread Jesus had to be broken, to become the human who would suffer, so that we might have access to him. Through the humble act of allowing himself to suffer and die we can become the companions of the Son of God. Through the shedding of his blood we have access to the forgiveness God offers.

As we celebrate Communion we must remember that Jesus has opened himself up to us. He has broken himself so that we might be able to be part of who he is and he might be part of who we are. In the sharing of the bread and wine we are made the friends of Jesus who will enjoy his companionship.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What will help you remember the deeper meaning of Communion?

Share the Cup 2

John 13:34

It takes a lot to keep our household going. With a family of five there is never a lack of things that need to be done. Often, when we leave the house for work or to go away for an evening, we will leave a list of things that need to be taken care of in our absence.

Our children might be instructed to empty the dishwasher, vacuum the carpet, sweep the floor or take out the trash. All of us have things that we need to do or that we should do in our lives.

Our faith in Jesus compels us to do the ministry of God’s kingdom. If we believe in who Jesus was and is then we are naturally going to do good deeds to share God’s love. According to John, in his last evening with his disciples Jesus gave his followers one command to be followed. What was it?

Jesus said that his was a new command. His words probably made reference to all the many religious laws and rules of the Jewish faith. He may also have been referring to the instructions he had been giving throughout his ministry – like those found in “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5 – 7.

Now he has some new instructions for those who believe. His words were said to the disciples present with him at the Last Supper, but we can believe that what he had to say is meant for each of us today.

His new command was that we love one another. Then he gives more details. We are to love one another in the same way that Jesus has loved us. That type of love is a love of acceptance and self-sacrifice.

Jesus was willing to humble himself for us. He was willing to lower himself from being the Son of God to being another human friend to all of us sinners.

Such is the love we should have for others. We should be willing to share the cup of Communion, the cup of redemption, the cup of salvation, the cup of compassion and love with all other people. That means we are willing to treat everyone else as an equal to us. We must be willing to share the intimacy of a meal with people we may otherwise find unpleasant or unworthy.

Such is the example of love Christ gave to us. Such is the love we are commanded to live out.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to love as Jesus loved?

Share the Cup 1

Revelation 3:20 (NLT)

When I first began dating Peggy her father had a little joke he liked to play on visitors. When a person would arrive at the house in the evening he would turn off all the lights quickly and pretend he wasn’t home. It was obvious he was at home, but there was a moment or two where a person was left out on the porch knocking on the door wondering if the door would be opened.

Fortunately, that is not the case in our relationship with Jesus. Not only does Jesus welcome everyone who comes to him, he is anxious to be in the company of us.

Our 10/2 Grow devotions usually link to the New International Version (NIV) of the bible, but today’s passage uses the New Living Translation (NLT) because of the specific wording used. What does Jesus say about himself? What will he do if we open the door?

This passage tells us so much about our Lord. He is the one seeking us at this time. He is the one who knocks, who is trying to establish that connection and relationship with us.

But we are the ones who are supposed to open the door. Jesus does not force himself on anyone, but makes himself eagerly available to be in companionship with anyone who will welcome him. We must open ourselves to the grace of Jesus.

And when we open ourselves to the grace of Christ, he will enter our hearts and make his home with us. We will not be left alone or left expecting an arrival that does not come.

The meal that Jesus will share with us is a meal of abundance. It is a blessing of incredible goodness that will fill us up spiritually. We will no longer feel an emptiness or a loneliness any more. And Jesus joins us not as Master and Lord, but as a friend. He is there to be that companion and helper in all things.

Our time of Holy Communion is an opportunity to open the door for Jesus. He has already given himself for our redemption. Now he desires to be in our company, to be welcomed into our hearts where he may live as a constant and eternal friend.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you open the door for Jesus?

Grace 5

Luke 1:49-50

Christmas is a time of tradition and specific activities. We have certain trees we put up in certain rooms of our house. We have certain decorations we put on the trees and around the house. We have special programs at church and at school that we attend.

And beneath our Christmas tree is the small figurine of Jesus lying in a manger. It is set out when we put up the tree and begin decorating, and it remains there until the tree comes down. There may be times when presents and packages obscure our ability to see it, but it is always there.

It is a constant reminder of the purpose for celebrating Christmas. Christmas is all about the celebration of the gift of Jesus, the gift of salvation and grace from God.

When Mary learned that she would be the one who would bear the child of God, the Savior of nations, she rejoiced and sang praises to God. What did Mary recognize? What gift has God given to the generations?

In her holy joy Mary saw the working of God in the Christmas story. She saw that what God had done was a great thing. He had provided a way of forgiveness for all mankind. He sent His only Son to be the reconciliation between sinful man and the holy God.

As we celebrate Christmas we can so easily be distracted from the holiness of the occasion. We can allow the giving of gifts, the parties, the shopping, and the spending of money to get in the way of what is truly important. But at the heart of the holiday is the birth of Jesus.

And that birth was an expression of God’s mercy and love, not just for Mary and Joseph, not just for the people of Israel at that time, but a gift of grace for all generations of those who will accept the gift of Christ.

Let us not allow the activities of Christmas or the traditions of the holiday to get in the way of our gratitude to God. Let us recognize the tremendous love God has shown us through the baby given to save the world.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you keep Jesus at the center of your Christmas?

This concludes our 10-2 Grow daily devotions for the 2010 calendar year. We will resume the 10-2 Grow on January 3. From all of us, we wish each of you a happy and blessed Christmas.

Grace 4

Matthew 1:22-23

For me one of the best parts of Christmas is the celebrations that go on over the holidays. I love to get together with family and have those times of frivolity and games, of laughter, good food, and companionship. It is good to catch up with distant kin and old friends.

But in time the holiday must end and we must face the bleak cold of winter that still remains. We must return to our homes and say good-bye to friends and family until the holidays come around again.

We can often take the same approach to the meaning of Christmas. Once everything is put away, all the gifts have been opened and the wrapping paper and boxes cleaned up, we can forget about the holiday. But the gift of Jesus is an eternal gift. What was prophesied? What title was to be given to the child?

An angel informed Mary and Joseph that they would be parents. Mary would give birth to a child. And this alone would be reason enough to celebrate. They could look forward to the many years of watching the child grow to manhood, the many years of his struggles and success as a person.

But they also had more reason to celebrate. This was no ordinary child. He was God in human form. He was to be called “Immanuel.” He was God living among us. And that would never end.

As we say good-bye to the holidays this year let us remember that the love of God does not go away when the decorations come down. Jesus is God with us, not just then, but now and forever. The gift of God’s grace is an eternal and everlasting gift. God is with us always.

As we enjoy the Christmas season this year let us keep the memory of this gift alive in our hearts at all times. Let us forever remember that God is with us, not just in the laughter and happiness of the day, but in the love that surrounds us every day.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can remind you that God is with you always?

Grace 3

Luke 1:30-33

When our second child was born my wife looked at him and said that he would either grow up to be a musician or a preacher. I didn’t think much of what she said; at the time I hadn’t even entered into the ministry yet. But I always remembered what she had said.

Today our son is a talented musician playing in the school band and lately playing guitar with others in his own band. He has also begun playing at the opening of our church service and is very involved in worship.

When Mary was visited by an angel to announce that she would be the one who would bring forth the child of God the angel explained what would happen. Why was Mary chosen? What name was to be given the child? What will happen?

God had great plans for Mary and for His Son. God knew what the world needed. We needed a chance, an opportunity, to connect with God. We needed mercy and grace from God so that we might have salvation and everlasting life.

The only way to achieve that was for God to send a part of Himself to be among us. This child was given the very specific name of “Jesus,” which translates into “the Lord saves.” The very name told of what he would do.

All these things that were prophesied have come true. Jesus was great and called the Son of the Most High. And he reigns, not just over the house of Jacob, but over all the world.

And so we should see that the rest of the prophecy must be true as well. The kingdom of Jesus Christ will never end.

The celebration of Christmas can be a busy time, a time of excitement and joy, a time of fun and happiness. But it is fleeting. It may last a month or two, but in time the holiday seems to fade.

What we must remember is that the gift of God’s grace and love never ends. The gift of Christmas not only lasts throughout the year, but through all the years. The love of God, expressed in Jesus, is a love that never ends.

Let us celebrate the unending kingdom of Jesus this holiday. Let us recognize the eternal nature of God’s grace this year.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you remember the meaning of Christmas beyond the holiday season?

Grace 2

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Last year we gave our family the gift of a digital video camera. It was no surprise to anyone. We had planned to buy one.

To make it so we could get more of a gift for our money we even decided that the gift could wait until after Christmas. We took the money we had accumulated from gifts and the money set aside for the camera and went out a few days after Christmas. We bought a much better camera than we originally could afford because we got one that was on sale. The waiting paid off.

The prophet Jeremiah gives an indication of hope to the people of God. What does God hint at? From which important family will the promise emerge? What will this promise do?

The people of God, the Jewish people, were waiting for a salvation from the Lord for ages. They waited lifetime after lifetime for a Messiah to come. Their prophets foretold of this Savior’s arrival. He would be born in Israel, in the land of Judah. He would be a descendent of the House of David, a descendent of that great king.

And when he came he would bring righteousness. He would bring salvation.

Now we might see this prophecy and this story as something old and tired. The prophecy has been fulfilled. Why do we need to worry about it now?

Yes, Jesus has been sent to the world and the event happened two-thousand years ago. Yes, Jesus has brought righteousness and salvation. But have we accepted the truth of all this? Is this story one that rings true in our hearts?

We can so often be distracted from the immensity of God’s love. We can allow the traditions of our holidays to take us away from how profound the gift of Jesus is.

To truly celebrate Christmas let us turn our hearts and minds to the praise and worship of him who was sent to bring salvation. We may not be waiting for the Messiah in the same way the ancient Hebrews did, but we may not have turned our hearts over to the Christ-child the way we should. Let your waiting end and turn to worship the Savior this Christmas. It is not too late to worship God at this holiday season.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can the gift of God gain new life in your heart this year?

Grace 1

John 1:14

Sometimes when we give gifts at Christmas they serve as hints or indications as to what else may be expected. If, for example, we plan to give an electronic device as an important present, we might first have our children open a pack of batteries. In that way they have an indication of what is coming. They can anticipate a greater gift.

The gift of the baby Jesus was not the only gift we have received from God. It was the beginning, or indication of all the good blessings God has in store for us.

In today’s passage John sums up the very essence of the Christmas celebration. Who is “the Word?” What did the presence of Jesus show us? What did Jesus bring?

Although Christmas has become a hectic time of shopping and spending, a time where we get caught up in the music and the stores and all the events that make up the holidays, at its heart it is the celebration of the gift of Jesus. Jesus was “the Word” of God, the expression of God’s love. God’s love became flesh. Jesus – God – became a human being so that we might see the indication of what was coming.

In the appearing of Jesus, God in flesh, we were able to see the grace and glory of our heavenly Father. Through Jesus we can see how much God loves us and how much God cares for us.

This is the celebration of Christmas. We not only honor the gift of the baby, we celebrate the love that God has for us and how God has shown us that love.

The gift of Jesus was a gift of grace from God. It was an undeserved expression of compassion and forgiveness, from God to us. Let us not allow the superficial celebrations of the holidays overshadow what is at the heart of the season.

As we go through the Christmas pageants, as we attend the Christmas parties, as we work through our gift-giving and our times together as friends and family, may we keep our hearts and souls focused on the most precious gift of all. May we clearly see that Christmas is a time when we join with the shepherds and the wise men and worship, truly worship, the Lord.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain to worship God this Christmas?

Forgive 2

Genesis 32:3-6

I think one of the worst feelings is the anticipation of punishment we know is coming – that sense of waiting for the axe to fall, for the other shoe to drop. When we know we have done wrong and know we should be punished the waiting can be agonizing.

This passage from Genesis is part of a lengthy story involving Jacob and Esau. Jacob struggled his entire life (since birth) against his brother Esau. As a young adult Jacob out-witted his father and brother and stole Esau’s birthright, being blessed by his father instead of the rightful heir – Esau.

Now, after years away, after years of success in another place, Jacob is returning home and will soon encounter the brother he has wronged. What precaution does Jacob take? What news should the messengers convey? What news do they bring back?

Jacob’s motivation is evident. He feels guilty for all that he has done. He has indeed done wrong. He was an enemy of his brother and he benefited from trickery played out against his brother and father. Now he is a successful and wealthy man, perhaps something that Esau should have ended up with.

As he readies to meet Esau, Jacob is trying to send some apologies ahead of him. Jacob wants Esau to know that he has the means to repay his brother in material goods. He can make things right through gifts.

But the messengers return with some frightening information. Esau is on his way to meet Jacob. And he is not alone. He has 400 men, and this sounds like a threat to Jacob.

How often do we approach God with an attitude that we will buy off his anger with good deeds or money? How often do we fear to approach God because we are concerned how He might respond?

Just as Esau is a man with some power, so God also has extreme power, and that knowledge may cause fear for many people. But we need to realize that God loves us and is ready to forgive us whenever we are ready to turn to him in repentance. Like Jacob, we need to be ready to seek that reconciliation with God and be just as forgiving ourselves.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can help you seek God’s forgiveness?

Costly Grace 4

Romans 12:1

If you say the word “Lent” to just about anyone the first thought that usually comes to mind is that this is a time of sacrifice, a time to give up something for 40 days. But if we see Lent as only that then we are only seeing part of the picture.

The idea of giving something up is an exercise in self-denial, a process of learning to put your focus not on human, material and temporary things, but instead on heavenly, spiritual things. But most people miss that second part.

Jesus said in Mark 8:34 that we are to deny ourselves – give up human desires – but in their place pick up the cross. This is the second half of the Lenten experience.

Lent is more than a time of sacrifice and giving up. It is a time of also taking on challenges. Once we are able to deny the human desires that are so strong in us, we can fill that void with spiritual endeavors.

Our 40-day journey to Easter is a time where we are confronted with the need for each of us as Christians to take on an attitude of costly grace. Costly grace is more than sacrificing those bits and pieces of life that are unnecessary anyway. Costly grace is taking on an attitude of holy giving, of living the way Jesus lived by investing ourselves completely and whole-heartedly in the work of God.

Costly grace means doing the work of Jesus in our society today. It means standing up against injustice. It means offering your whole self to the benefit of the needy, and to those who are spiritually empty, who need that relationship with God.

Paul has something to say about sacrifice and costly grace in his letter to the church in Rome. What should be our sacrifice? If we give our bodies as sacrifices, what holy act are we doing?

Notice that Paul says that our bodies should be “living sacrifices.” We are not simply to die for a good cause, but we are to live for the service of God. We are to act and do and perform works of mercy and compassion. In so doing we are worshiping God in our behavior, worshiping God in our very being.

Lent is more than an exercise in giving up. It is a lesson in taking on the life of a Christian, living out the love of God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Where is your living sacrifice needed in the world around you?

Costly Grace 3

Matthew 6:1-4

It is common in Lent for people to give up something as a sign of their faith journey to holiness. Unfortunately it is also common for those who have given up something to make loud announcements and proclamations of what they have given up. They lament their decision to give up chocolate and commiserate with others on how much they miss it. Or they announce how much time they have devoted to Bible study and how hard it is for them to carry through on their plans.

While it is good and noble to be willing to enter into a time of self-denial, the attitude we take on can remove the goodness of those intentions. What comments does Jesus make about sacrifice? What have these people already received? What should our attitude be?

If we sacrifice anything just so that others can see how good we are, then we have already received our reward. We managed to impress others, but we have done nothing to enrich our connection to God.

In verse 3 Jesus makes the comment that we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. And that instruction seems like an impossible thing to do. How can one hand do something without our entire body knowing what is going on?

Well, in the physical world that is a complete impossibility. If any part of our body functions the entire body is aware of it.

But if we look at this from a spiritual point of view it may make more sense. If the left hand represents the human part of our thinking, and the right hand represents the spiritual side of who we are then it can be accomplished.

If we can give and sacrifice, if we can exhibit costly grace on a purely spiritual level – the right hand – and do that work for purely sacrificial reasons, then we are denying our human desire for popularity and praise. If our actions are done in honest love and genuine sacrifice, then our right hand – our spirit – has done something that does not benefit the left hand – our humanness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to keep your acts of grace centered on your right hand – your spiritual side – and not your left hand – your human, earthly side?

Costly Grace 2

Mark 8:34

When I entered into the ministry I first had to attend a week-long school with various classes on how to be a pastor. One of the concluding services to that program involved each of us candidates going forward and standing in front of the cross. At the cross we were each to confess to God what it was in our lives that we would give up for God.

In this season of Lent every one of us who call ourselves Christian must examine our faith and our relationship with Christ. Each of us must determine what it is that we can give up for God. We must decide what it is that we will sacrifice so that we might be closer to our Lord and Savior.

In this passage from Mark Jesus is traveling with his disciples in the villages near Caesarea Philippi when he calls his followers to his side. What does Jesus say we must give up? What must we take on?

Jesus gives fairly simple instructions, but presents a challenge that is hard to live out. If any person will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, if any person will try to live a life of holy action and holy thinking, then that person must learn to deny themselves. Such denial goes beyond giving up a particular piece of our lives – refraining from eating certain foods or doing certain actions.

To deny oneself means to put our human desires aside, putting our own wants and wishes in a lower position. This clears the way for the cross we must take up. And the cross is the symbol of sacrifice, the representation of giving and loving completely.

We are to put away the wants of the world – our desires for wealth and power and personal comfort – and replace them with an attitude of service to God. We need to go beyond simply letting go of certain things that may control what we do. Once these are removed they must be replaced with an attitude and desire to be more Christ-like in our thinking, speaking and acting.

The cross we should pick up is the cross of loving others, of desiring what is best for others, and what is best for the Kingdom of God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What cross of costly grace do you need to pick up?

Costly Grace 1

As we enter into our season of Lent, that 40-day period where we prepare ourselves for the gift of the resurrection, we are reminded that we are to take a journey of faith. In these weeks before Easter we need to examine ourselves, examine our spiritual state, to see if we are ready to accept the salvation Jesus gives.
We are to take this time to build our faith. And this year we will follow the events of Holy Week, using Jesus as our guide. But first we must know what grace and Lent are all about.

Numbers 13:30-31

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran pastor and theologian who died for opposing Adolf Hitler, talked about “costly grace.” The idea is that grace, which is free to us, cost God His Son. In response we should be willing to give of ourselves, risking and committing all to serve the Lord.

In Numbers we have the story of Moses leading the Israelites to the very border of the Promised Land, that wonderful place God had pledged to them. Before they enter, however, spies are sent in to see what the land is like. When they return they tell of the incredible bounty that awaits them, but they also warn of the people living there. They are very powerful.

What does Caleb want to do? What confidence does he have? What do the other men say?

God had promised the Israelites a home filled with abundance, a land flowing with milk and honey. And the spies who entered Canaan found incredible abundance waiting for them. But they were frightened and did not trust in God.

Caleb had confidence in God. He knew that if God had made the promise that Canaan was to belong to the Israelites then indeed it would. They simply needed to move ahead with God’s plans and receive what He had promised.

But others did not have that strength in their faith. They doubted. In fact they were so afraid they threatened to stone Moses if he led them into the Promised Land. The result was that God cursed them, His anger burning against them. All of the Israelites at that time were cursed to wander the wilderness until they had all died.

The days of Lent are often compared to the wilderness of wandering. As we enter into this season we must remember the incredible bounty that awaits us on Easter Sunday. It is a gift from God for each of us as sinners. But we must prepare ourselves to receive this wonderful gift.

To prepare ourselves we must move forward in our faith, pushing ahead with the confidence of Caleb, and not the self-doubting weakness seen in the other spies. In the coming weeks you should examine your faith and how it compares to the perfect example of holiness found in Jesus.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Honestly evaluate your faith. Does it have the confidence seen in Caleb, or are you often timid like the other spies?

Mediator 5

Isaiah 25:6-8

When I worked for an IT consultant several years ago, the company was very good at keeping its employees happy. When we had semi-annual corporate meetings everything was done up to the nines. The meetings were held in some of the fanciest reception halls and hotels in the city. The dinnerware (plates and utensils) were some of the best. And, of course, the food was terrific – drinks, appetizers, main courses and desserts – from some of the best caterers around.

As intended, the fancy meals and abundant food made me look forward to those tedious meetings.

In Isaiah we have an image of the goodness that comes from God. What will God do? How might people who struggle to have daily food feel about such an image as the one presented in verse 6? What is the “shroud that enfolds all peoples”? What comfort is offered?

The message of today’s passage is a message of hope from the sovereign Lord. It creates a feeling of comfort and joy in knowing that God will give His people abundance. But that abundance is more than just good food and drink. The abundance God gives us is an abundance of grace and mercy. It is an abundance of His love.

The Lord’s Table is an opportunity to enter into the abundant love of God. The table may be set with plain bread and a cup of juice from the store, yet it is symbolic of the grace we find in Jesus Christ. We are promised the removal of that shroud of sin, that shroud of hopelessness that we all may be feeling.

When we come to the Communion table we receive more than just a small bit of bread and a drink of juice. We are accepting the abundance of God’s mercy. We are accepting the mediation of Jesus Christ, welcoming us to the table of forgiveness and salvation.

The banquet God has for us is more than a banquet of food. It is a feast of forgiveness and salvation. While the table may appear sparse the gift from God which awaits all of us who earnestly seek forgiveness with a contrite heart is a profound offering. Through Jesus Christ, the one who mediates this reception of grace, we are invited in to a feast of eternal life in God, the Father.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you approach the feast God has set before you?

By Faith 5

Psalm 119:9-12

Whenever I am supposed to travel someplace that I am not familiar with I turn to the Internet and look up directions on how to get there. Many times, as I read through the directions, I doubt them. I question their accuracy.

Yet time after time I have found that if I simply follow these instructions, even if they don’t seem right, I get where I am going. Amazing!

In Psalm 119 we have directions on how to get where we are going. How does a young man (or anyone) keep his ways pure? What does the psalmist desire? What does the psalmist do with God’s instructions? What is the final comment and request?

The question which guides me, the question almost always on my lips, is “Why?” Why am I in ministry? Why do we attend church? Why do we do what we do?

Why?

The answer, I believe, should be that we do all that we do to glorify God. We do all that we do to serve God. We do what we do to grow toward perfection.

John Wesley believed in three graces. The first is all about the love God has waiting for us. The second is God’s forgiveness. The third is God’s guidance for us, a perfecting grace, grace that helps us move from who we are to who we should be.

How do we get from here to there? How do we grow in perfection?

By living according to God’s word. We grow in perfection by hearing the teachings of God from the Bible. We grow in perfection by taking these lessons and making them who we are – what we do, how we act, how we feel. We hide God’s words in our hearts.

When we can learn the lessons of God, the lessons of Jesus Christ, and use them to guide our every thought and action, then we move toward perfection. We begin living out holy lives, sharing God’s love with a hurting world. We change ourselves and we change the world by bringing love and peace, comfort and hope.

This seems to be the perfect summation of faith. We should earnestly seek God’s decrees, His instructions. We should internalize them, hide them in our hearts. And when we do this, we live a life of holiness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you hide God’s decrees in your heart?

NOTE: This is the final 10/2 Grow devotion this spring. We will resume on August 25. We truly pray that these devotions have been a blessing and benefit to each of you, and we pray that God will be with you to guide and protect you now and always. May He be praised. – Roger and Peggy

Rejected 2

Matthew 22:8-10

At our previous church we held a catered dinner at Christmas for the congregation. The meal was delicious and a bit fancy. When it was over we had sufficient food left over that we were able to take several complete meals to a nearby shelter, feeding all the residents.

What a delight it was to me to be able to provide direct and tangible help to people in need, and what a wonderful treat that must have been to those people – a lovely, catered meal.

Continuing with the parable of the wedding banquet, there is a great abundance of food that has been prepared, but the invited guests have rejected it. What does the king command? What is the result?

Specifically, this parable addresses the fact that Jesus was sent by God to offer salvation to the Jews, God’s chosen people. But most of the Jews rejected Christ, choosing not to accept him as the Messiah. Now, the message and offer of salvation – the banquet of God’s abundance – is being given to anyone, Jew or Gentile, who will believe.

But this parable can apply to any of us today. The blessings of God, if rejected, are not wasted. If any person chooses not to accept the blessings of God, not to accept God’s mercy and love, these gifts do not wither or diminish.

Instead these blessings pass on to those who will indeed believe and receive. If you will not come to the table of God and take part in His abundant mercy and goodness, there are others who will come.

And that is part of our work as believers. We are to be like the servants, going out in the world and finding all those who are willing to receive from God. Just as in the parable of the wedding banquet, God desires that His hall be filled with guests.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you help to fill God’s hall with guests?