Tag: Devotional

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Have you ever taken the opportunity to consider who may be sitting next to you in heaven? For many who have trusted in Christ, we assume we’ll be sitting next to a spouse, parent, child, friend, or another loved one. But the Scriptures provide very little insight as to exactly who we will be with in heaven.

In Brennan Manning’s book The Ragamuffin Gospel, he writes, “A friend of mine once told me years ago that the one thing that made her uneasy about heaven is that she won’t get to choose her table companions at the Messianic banquet.”

Manning’s friend makes an excellent point. We won’t get to choose who we’re sitting next to at the Messianic banquet (Revelation 19:9). You could be sitting next to somebody who voted very differently from you. Somebody from a different nation that was structured under communism, socialism, a kingdom, or some other form of government. Perhaps somebody who lived as a murderer but who later accepted the Gospel message. We just don’t know what it will be like.

In the end, all who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children (Ephesians 3:6).

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 3:1-13

What do you think it means that all who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children (Ephesians 3:6)?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I am grateful for the reminder that all who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. You see all of your children equally, and I am honored to be known as Your child and Your friend. May I continue to reflect Your love and grace in this broken world. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Take the opportunity to review the readings from this week.

What truths from Ephesians 2:19-22 impacted you most this week? 

Consider talking or meeting with somebody you trust to discuss what you’ve learned this week and how it’s helping you to grow emotionally and spiritually. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

The story of the Bible is without a doubt the greatest story ever told. Throughout it we see God doing what only He can do to bring His people back into right relationship with Him.

In the Old Testament, God invited Moses and the people of Israel to build a tabernacle. This tabernacle was a location in which God’s presence could be near and among His people.

Centuries later, Jesus came and made His home among us. John 1:14 literally reads that Jesus “tabernacled” among us. It was John’s way of communicating that Jesus was and is the very presence of God.

As the story moves forward, God continues to do what only He can do for His presence to be with and among His people. The Holy Spirit comes to live within the people of God. This shows that God isn’t just living near His people, but within His people. We are a temple (or tabernacle) made to house the very presence of God. 

The church isn’t simple building we go to, it is something we are. And the presence of God Himself is always with us. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 2:19-22, MATTHEW 18:20, MATTHEW 28:20,  1 PETER 2:4-5

How would your life be different if you took regular opportunities to reflect on the truth that God lives within you? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, the fact that You have chosen not only to live near me, but within me, is truly remarkable! May I continue to grow in recognizing Your presence within me, and may I grow in loving you and others with my whole heart, eyes, ears, hands, and feet. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Traveling internationally, even when there isn’t a worldwide pandemic, has a lot of rules and regulations. A passport is required for all travelers and the majority of countries around the world require an additional visa. This may be necessary even if you’re only planning to stay in that country for a few days. If anything goes wrong, there’s an Embassy with government officials that can help you get back to your home.

But one of the principles regularly communicated in the New Testament is that as followers of Christ, we are first and foremost citizens of heaven. No matter our nationality, race, or other aspects of our heritage, we are all in Christ and citizens of the Kingdom of God. As you can guess, the implications of this would’ve been profound to those reading it for the first time. Those who trusted in Christ were invited to set aside their cultural biases and instead see themselves as part of the one family of God.

As members of the one family of God (Ephesians 2:19) we are invited to do the same. To see ourselves and all followers of Christ as citizens of heaven.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 2:19-22, PHILIPPIANS 3:20, 1 PETER 1:4, HEBREWS 13:14, 1 CORINTHIANS 3:16

How would you explain to a friend what it means to be a citizen of heaven? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that just like everybody else, I can give in to the temptation to be part of my culture. Continue to help me live a life in which I am in this world even though I am not of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

If you study out the Scriptures in depth and discover that you’re not very challenged by it, you’re probably not digging deep enough into the text. Just as the process of removing impurities from precious metals has significant challenges, so ought God’s Word challenge us as we are transformed more and more into the image of Christ-likeness. 

Many of the principles in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians were, without a doubt, difficult for the people of Ephesus to read and apply. And right after declaring that Christ had broken down the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles (2:14), he continues by writing, So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family (2:19).

On the one hand, the people of Ephesus would have been thrilled to read that they are direct members of God’s family. Having full rights as God’s heirs would’ve been very welcome news! On the other hand, their nationality, status, power, and influence was no longer something that could define their lives. They had to give up how others in their culture identified them and rest in how God defined them. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 2:19-22, HEBREWS 13:14

What do you think it would’ve been like for the Christians in Ephesus to not focus on their nationality, status, power, and influence to be the defining factor in their lives? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, just like the people of Ephesus, my nationality, status, power, education, or influence cannot lead to a life of true belonging. Today I simply rejoice in the truth that I am part of Your family. With You and Your family, I belong. What a wonderful truth! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

To begin this week, take a few moments to reflect on the below statements. Which of these statements is most true of you. Which is least?

• I have rejected the world’s definition of success (e.g., bigger is better, be popular, attain earthly security) to become the person God has called me to become and to do what God has called me to do (John 4:34; Mark 14:35-39).
• I rarely change the way I act so others will think highly of me or to assure a particular outcome (Matthew 6:1-2; Galatians 1:10).
• I take a lot of time to carefully discern when my plans and ambitions are legitimately for the glory of God and when they cross the line into my own desire for greatness (Jeremiah 45:5; Mark 10:42-45).
• Listening to Jesus and surrendering my will to his will is more important than any other project, program, or cause (Matthew 17:5; John 16:13). 
• People close to me would describe me as patient and calm during failures, disappointments, and setbacks (Isaiah 30:15; John 18:10-11).

Statements provided from the EHD Assessment. Check out a PDF of the entire assessment here — Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Assessment, or to 15 minutes to complete the entire assessment online.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 2:19-22, JOHN 13:35, COLOSSIANS 4:5-6

In what ways may God be inviting you to be transformed into His image this week? 

What steps will you take this week to slow down and more intentionally discern His will in your life?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that today’s reading isn’t about shame or criticism, but is simply an indication that too often I try to forge my own path instead of discerning Your will in my life. This week, help me to slow down, embrace silence, and more prayerfully discern how to respond to the day-to-day challenges that come my way. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

What truths from Ephesians 2:11-18 impacted you most this week? 

Consider talking or meeting with somebody you trust to discuss what you’ve learned this week and how it’s helping you to grow emotionally and spiritually. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

The Scriptures regularly tell us that the Gospel message is Good News. What’s interesting is that Paul uses this same language after highlighting that Jesus broke down the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. 

Ephesians 2:17-18 reads, He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

The understanding of what this looks like in our lives cannot be overstated. This shows that Christians with different political perspectives all come to the Father as one. Christians with different perspectives on race and racial reconciliation all come to the Father as one. Christians with different backgrounds in education and socio-economic status all come to the Father as one. 

Jesus broke down the walls of hostility and brought peace between Jews and Gentiles. How can we continue to bring peace and live in unity today? 

READING & PRAYERS:

     ROMANS 12:18, EPHESIANS 2:11-18

What are some practical ways you can make sure you are living in peace with those who may look, live, think, and/or behave differently than you do? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I pray that You will help me to recognize that the Good News is Good News for me and Good News for the whole world. Help me to share Your mercy and grace with others in such a way that they recognize the gospel not as a message of judgment, but as Good News. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

In his book Everybody Always, author Bob Goff shares an illustration from a children’s book about a bucket. The premise of the book is that we will become whatever it is we put in our bucket. If somebody fills their bucket with business deals, they reveal to others that they’re a businessman. If somebody fills their bucket with a critical spirit, they pour out cynicism into the lives of others. But if somebody fills their bucket with joy, they will bring much more joy and happiness into the lives of others. 

Today, if you were to fill in the following sentence, you would likely discover the types of things Jesus poured into His bucket. Jesus came to ____________. 

What word did you use to fill in the blank? What did Jesus pour into His bucket? Some possible answers include: 

• Serve – He came to offer His life and to serve others who were very different from Him. 
• Bring peace. He brought peace to the diseased and outcast.
• Show mercy and grace. He offered mercy and grace to those who may have believed they didn’t deserve it. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     LUKE 18:9-14, MARK 2:13-17

If you had to narrow it down to one thing, what would you say Jesus filled His bucket with? Explain your answer. 

What would you say you most regularly pour into your bucket? What kind of an impact is this having on those around you? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that there are times when I build up walls of hostility instead of recognizing that You have torn them down. Times when I create tension instead of being a peacemaker. Times when I want to be right instead of wanting to get it right. Help me to live today and every day as one who fulfills Your will and not my own. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

As the story of God plays out in the Old Testament, one discovers that there wasn’t anything special about Abraham, his children, or the people of Israel that God would choose them to fulfill His ultimate purpose. Yes, God did choose to work through them. Not because they did anything specific to deserve God’s grace and mercy, but because of His grace.

Yet as time went on the people of Israel began to elevate themselves above others. One could even argue that they lived with an “Us vs. Them” mindset. They may have thought things like, “We, the people of God are good – but those people are not good. We, the people of God are insiders – but those people are outsiders.” 

But Jesus did not live and minister with an “Us vs. Them” mentality. In fact, Jesus came to destroy the power of sin, the power of death, and also the barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles. 

Ephesians 2:14 reads, For Christ …has united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 2:11-18, GALATIANS 3:28 (also read the commentary notes in your study bible of choice)

When Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in the city of Ephesus there were two groups of people. Those who were Jewish thought they were more righteous because of their heritage. Those who were Greek thought they were more righteous because of their wealth, power, and influence in the world. 

What are some ways today in which people in our culture build up walls of hostility between groups of people instead of tearing them down? 

Would others see you as somebody who builds up walls of hostility between two or more groups of people, or one who tears them down? 

PRAYER: Today, write out your own prayer to God.

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)