Community Devotions

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.

Unlikely Choices

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life,

1 Corinthians 1:18

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

OBSERVATION

We learned in biology that our DNA has been programmed over the millennia to preserve my own life.  We learned that when I perceive a threat, I can either stand and fight or take flight, putting some distance between me and the threat.  That makes perfect common sense. 

Many times, though, what God has me do is to do the opposite of what common sense drives me to do – trust in God, do not be afraid, Jesus has died on the cross but rose again.  So when a crisis stares me in the face, my type A programming says for me to roll up my sleeves and get to work, already!  But Jesus wants me to come to Him first, on my knees to pray, seeking God’s will and waiting for God to work all things out for the good of those who worship Him.  My inside is screaming, “No, I’d better pick up a phone and call somebody to get them moving, get myself moving” just to do something.

Rather I chose life, as God told Moses to do, when nothing makes sense or things are confusing or tempting like it was for the Israelites, as they are about to step in to the promised land.  Choose God whose ultimate goal is to see us succeed in Him, not outside of Him.

APPLICATION

When things get hectic and chaotic, stop and turn to God and worship Him and pray to Him.  He will deliver me.

PRAYER

 Father God, I choose you today, because you chose me first, to give life, salvation and blessings.  Thank you for everything you’re doing in Michael’s life and Joshua’s efforts.  Bless and protect them.  Lift up Daniel as he strives to finish his senior year and prepares for college.  Protect Chris as she spends her day with Mom to celebrate her birthday.  Sustain Grandpa.  Guide my decisions and enable my ears to heed your voice.  I love you Lord.  In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.