First Words

Read or Listen: Luke 2:41-52

Words are important. Married people know it. Teachers understand it. Authors grasp it. Pastors are always aware of it. And if words are important, then first words are of the utmost importance.  Parents get it… oh, they get it! Every goo-goo, gah-gah, da-da, and ma-ma. They cling to every noise as if there’s something meaningful in every syllable… as if their baby is actually communicating anything more than: “I’m hungry.  “Hold me. –or- “You probably should change me now!”

This week, we’re journeying into the Teachings of Jesus:  What did He say?  Why did He say it? Why did He say it that way?  But have you ever considered His first words?  No, not as a baby… but the first words that the Holy Spirit chose to record in the Gospels.  They are found in Luke 2.  If you haven’t taken time to read the story, please do so now.

When I read this, I can almost imagine the shock on all the faces of every bystander… ‘Can you believe he just said that to his Mama!?!’ But Jesus wasn’t being sassy—He was speaking with authority.  Even as a 12-year old, His words were authoritative—and they still are.  All of them.

Isn’t it interesting that His ‘first words’ were in the form of a question?  (See what I did there? – I did it again!) I find it interesting how many questions Christ asked.  As if He didn’t know the answer!  He never asked a question for His own benefit—only for the benefit of the recipient.  He still asks questions—but not because He’s unsure, but because we are!

The pre-teen Jesus was already confident of WHO His ‘real Father’ was—and what that meant. He knew WHY He was alive – and He was living out His purpose. IF we listen to Him, we will learn of our real Father & of our true purpose, too!  (Compare this w/ some of Jesus’ last words: Rev. 3:22)

Rise-Time Blessing:

I believe you are a blessing—and that you will bless many others today!

Prime-Time Discussion:

Parents, if you remember, share with your kids about their first words!

What is the most powerful thing that Jesus ever said?  Why does it stand out to you?

Night-Time Prayer:

Father, help my kids / grandkids to grow in every way, as Jesus did: mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially
(see Luke 2:52).

devotion by Patrick Nix

Which was Easier?

Read or Listen: Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:1-12, or  Luke 5:18-26

In Matthew 9 Jesus heals a man who was paralyzed.  But this was no ordinary healing. Jesus asked a question.  Which is easier, to say to the man “get up take up your mat and walk” or “your sins are forgiven”?  He directed this question to the teachers of the law because he knew their thoughts.  They thought to themselves “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  That’s true.  They knew the law, but they didn’t realize that Almighty God was sitting in the room.

Which do you think was easier for Jesus?  …to say “Healed” or “Forgiven”? Jesus always went straight for the heart.  He was deep and profound.  To heal the man was an easy task.  All power, authority and glory has been given to Him.  Is making a crippled man walk or causing the blind to see some big task for the one who spoke the cosmos into existence?  I don’t think so.

How about “Your sins are forgiven”?  Oh, that one is a little harder.  To forgive his sins Jesus had to look ahead.  He had see the victory over sin at Calvary.  He had to feel the separation of his Father for the first time… ever.  He had to accept the scorn and shame that was to come.  He had to see the cross before it happened.  Jesus, motivated by love, knowing what was ahead…looked at the man and said, “Your sins are forgiven!”

When Jesus was praying in Gethsemane, Luke tells us that Jesus was in anguish and his sweat was like drops of blood.  I can’t help but think that all of that emotion was inside of Him at the very moment he looked at the paralytic and said those words.  No, it was not easy.  Jesus made the man walk…easily.  Jesus forgave the man’s sins…by walking a hard road and carrying a cross.

Prime-Time Discussion:

Define forgiveness?  Is it easy to forgive someone who has wronged you?  What was Jesus most-concerned about in this story?
What is the REAL miracle in this event?
Why did Jesus heal people?

Night-Time Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for looking ahead and embracing a cruel death to save sinners.  Help us to be motivated by love, to take up our cross daily and follow you.

devotion by Eric Tyree

Worth the Wait

Read or Listen: John 11:1-44

I do not like to wait.  I face this fact almost daily in the drive-thru line at McDonalds. Maybe you’ve dealt with the same stressful situation.  There are two lines waiting to order and you have to decide quickly which line to commit to.  In my case, about half of the time, I make the wrong choice and I’m stuck behind the guy who can’t decide if he wants the Egg McMuffin or the Cinnamelt. And so I wait and wait and wait.

In John 11:1-44, we read about Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.  It is an amazing account of Christ’s power over death.  But, what did Jesus do when He first heard that Lazarus was sick?  He waited.  When Jesus heard the news, He waited two more days before going to Lazarus’ hometown of Bethany. Jesus knew that He would do a great miracle and, therefore, He was not in a hurry.

Jesus waited to travel to Bethany because He knew already that Lazarus would be dead and that He would perform an amazing miracle there, for the glory of God. Many times we wait for the Lord in the midst of a terrible situation and wonder why He doesn’t respond more quickly. Often God allows our situation to go from bad to worse because He’s planning to do something powerful and wonderful; He has a purpose that will bring even greater glory to God.

Do you trust God even in the delay? Remember the story of Lazarus. Your situation could not be any worse than his! Trust that God has a purpose for allowing your trial, and that He will bring glory to Himself through it. It might just be another miracle, so it’s worth the wait.

Prime-Time Discussion:

What kind of situations are most difficult for you to wait on God?

When you have to wait, what is your first response?  Is it a ‘right” response?

Night-Time Prayer:

Lord, I want my life to bring glory to You.  Help me to trust You and wait
on You with calm confidence and a peaceful spirit.

devotion by Steve Gillespie

“Gone Fishin'” with Jesus

Read or Listen: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus has a plan for each of our lives. When we say ‘Yes’ to His plan and make ourselves and all we have available to Him, great things can happen.

The people came from all over and were eager to hear the Word of God.
Jesus was meeting that need but He also knew that Simon needed some fish.  Jesus gave Simon some simple instructions.  He was willing to go and do what Jesus said even when he could not see the benefits. The results were fantastic!  A catch so big the nets were breaking and the boats were sinking!  Right in the middle of the blessing was this big problem. This did not bother Simon, he just called some friends to help.

Simon saw the awesome power of God in his life and it brought him to kneel at the feet of Jesus.  What a wonderful response to the blessings of God.  Jesus tells us what to do, helps us do it, and then blesses us for our obedience through his power.

Points to Ponder

1. Obey Jesus
2. It’s great to get your friends in on the plans and blessings of God
3. It’s ok to go fishing after the preaching
4. Make yourself and your boat available to Jesus
5. When Jesus calls, leave the net and boat… even if they are full of fish

Rise-Time Blessing:

You are a gift from God.  Be ready because God will be calling on you today… to do something great, something miraculous… something you can only do by faith!

Prime-Time Discussion:

Why do you think Jesus chose Simon?
Was it a trouble-free fishing trip?  What good came out of the trouble?
Remember a time when you said ‘Yes’ to His plan… When you obeyed, did you leave anything behind?  What did you gain?

devotion by Bruce DeVries

 

I Once Was Blind, but Now I See!

Read or Listen: Mark 8:22-25

According to Luke 4:18, Jesus came to give sight to the blind.  The gospels record that He healed at least five men of their blindness, and—what’s a little odd—is that He never repeated the same method twice.  Healing came through His words, His touch, His spit, and even ‘holy mud’ (made from His spit and some dirt)! On one occasion, His touch only partially healed a man, so Jesus touched his eyes again and completely removed his blindness.

But we both know that’s not what Luke 4:18 was talking about.  Jesus came to heal the spiritual blindness., to clear the clouded mind, to dispel the mist in our hearts, to make us see life (and eternity) clearly.

Throughout the Scriptures, blindness is almost always connected with pride. Blindness is literally: being rendered foolish by selfishness. Wow! And I can identify. How often has the darkness of self-deception clouded my judgment and led me into deeper blindness of heart?

We have been blessed, haven’t we?! But there’s a tremendous danger in such blessing. In Jesus’ last message to His church (Rev. 3:14-22), Christ condemns the church for their lukewarm indifference. Jesus calls them out—but they are slow to respond because  they are so blind to their condition. We have been so blessed, we are in danger of taking our eyes of faith off the Blesser and placing them on the blessings. When that happens, we start down the blind path. We don’t even know what we need, we don’t even feel what we should, so we won’t even seek help when we ought.

This miracle speaks to me… I don’t want to be partially healed or to see the world 1/2 right. I need Christ to touch me again—to finish what He started. I’m not too proud to let Him rub spit or mud on my eyes…are you?

Prime-Time Discussion:

Wouldn’t it be crazy if a religion started selling ‘holy spit’ or ‘holy mud’? Do you think Jesus still works miracles today?

Why didn’t Jesus heal him all the way the first time? Was it to teach the man something? …or is there a hidden, deeper lesson?

How do you feel about pride? Are proud people fun to be around? Do they know how they are?  Would you want to know if you were that way?

Night-Time Prayer:

Holy Spirit, please convict us of our self-deceptions; please shine Your light on/in us so that we can clearly see!

devotion by Patrick Nix

Feeding the 5,000

Read or Listen: Matthew 14:13-21

Have you ever sat down at Cracker Barrel  with a large appetite…and the host gave you both breakfast and lunch/dinner menus? WOW…too many selections! That’s how I feel when I look at the only miracle of Jesus that is mentioned in all four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John! The lessons are multiple; here are three:

Matthew tells us that Jesus departed to be by Himself (v13), but the period of quietness which Christ sought was short-lived. As the Good Shepherd, the need of sheep without a shepherd was His first concern. He was moved with compassion for their needs (v14). Few of us ever learn the art of adjusting to what breaks our plans and turning that disappointment into a positive situation. “Jesus, help us to be less selfish and more like You.”

The disciples were ready to drive the multitudes away hungry. Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples, forgetting they were speaking to the Creator God, said, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” I love this…Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.” We often forget that ‘little is much when God is in it!’ Whether it is witnessing to a person without Christ…inviting a friend to Easter…or presenting a gift for SAM…give it all to Jesus, He will multiply it…and use you to be a part of a great miracle.

Then Jesus commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass—in groups of 50’s & 100’s. This shows us that Jesus cares about order…whether in your home, our church, your garage, my study, or our human lives—Jesus wants things done decently and in order. Such order is stamped upon all His ways whether in creation or grace. Let’s ask God to help us with our housekeeping…our finances…our priorities in life & everyday activities…our thought life…our ministry efforts. Remember…order is godly!

Prime-Time Discussion:

Can you remember a time when you were planning on doing something for yourself and got interrupted by someone? How did you respond? Do we ever communicate honestly about prior plans we may have?

When are some times that we might feel like that our little will make no big difference?  Remember, ‘little things done with great love’ make a big difference.

Have you ever thought that room chores aren’t important (the way you keep your closet, garage, car)? Let’s name some practical places where we need to set some things in order. Set one or two goals for order.

devotion by Bob Cook