Community Devotions

Perception vs Reality

Judges 6:12; 14-15, "12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”…14 And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you? 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house."

Whose report do you believe? What happens when our perception contradicts the truth of God’s reality? Often times our  perception i.e. “our reality” is opposite and antithetical to God’s reality which is ultimate truth. Gideon’s perception is that he is from the weakest tribe in Manasseh and he is  the"runt of the litter" in his family (MSG). But God’s reality is much different! The truth is when God saw Gideon threshing wheat in hiding, God saw him and greeted him, “GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!” What is seen is that Gideon was in fact from the weakest tribe and was the least in his family but what is unseen is that He is a mighty warrior! God being atemporal (existing and functioning outside of time) sees Gideon for who he really is and the mighty man of valor that he is becoming.

I believe in the report of the Lord! I believe in his economy of choosing the weak and foolish things in this world to shame the wise. Just as he chose Israel because they were the least of all the nations and Gideon as the weakest in his family he chose me so that he might receive all the glory. Function in the multiplication by subtraction: God multiplied his glory & fame when he subtracted Gideon’s army from 22,000 soldiers to 300 men so that Gideon would know in their heart of hearts that it was all God! Points of application:

 - When I stumble in sin: believe the report that I am forgiven, perfect and flawless because of his grace and finished work on the cross.

 - When I miss the mark in my leadership and church performance, believe the report that it is God’s kingdom and He is advancing it for his glory!

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving me inspite of me! Thank you for grace that’s undeserved and love that is unconditional! Help me to “prepare my mind for action” (1 Peter 1:13) and stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me Holy Spirit to walk in and live out in the reality of your truth. When my heart begins to wander and stray in my perception or other’s expectations correct me Jesus! May I always believe in the report of the Lord. Help me to lead with myself, my marriage and family and your church with truth and grace.

Get Moving

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Joshua 18:3

3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you

Observation

The Newton’s first law of motion  applies to our faith.  My faith will remain in a stale state of rest when I do not fight to walk with Jesu by applying force to get it moving.  I, like everyone else, seek to be comfortable. It's human nature. Any force by definition will make me move and will cause me to be uncomfortable.  Hence, I don't like to waste my energy on something that has no purpose.  What makes it worthwhile is an expectation of reward. I have been sitting in the front of Wahiawa DMV to help Daniel get a slot to take a road test for his drivers license.  It's chilly and the line is long.  At the end of this effort, I am hoping for a license for Daniel.  Likewise, my walk with Jesus must be purposeful and intentional.  No faith is a bundle of joy that one simply stumbles upon on a random stroll.  As Joshua urged the Israelites to get s move on on their quest to occupy the promised land, we must get a move on.  God has already promised us his salvation and given it.  It is now our turn to work out that salvation each and every day.

Application

Get my faith moving through reading the God’s word, prayer and putting in to practice Jesus’s love  on those near me.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for your prompting for me to move my faith forward with purpose and intentionality.  I ask for your strength in my journey because I am fickle and impatient. Thank you for your reminders during this Passion week to keep fresh on my mind the task and purpose of Jesus’ suffering and His triumph for our benefit.  Bless and protect Michael, Joshua and Daniel.  Allow Daniel to obtain his driver’s license today.  Bless Christine as she goes about the day. Sustain Grandpa with health and peace. I love you LORD.  In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.