Tag: Devotional

Weird: Religion – Day 3 of 5

Nobody knows for certain why Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians. However, one thing seems very clear: the people there were not following God in the ways they should. Earlier in the letter, Paul writes about who Jesus is (see Colossians 1:15-20). And in Chapter 3 he writes about the new life we have in Christ. All who have a relationship with Him have died to our old life, and now we must live the life God has called us to live.

To the Colossians, he writes about all the things they used to do, and how they must set those things aside to be the people God has called them to be.

Read: Colossians 3:1-17

Question to consider: Colossians 3 provides a challenging list of things Paul says we should have nothing to do with. These include, sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, dirty language, and lying. Which of these do you find most prevalent in our culture today? Which of these do you personally struggle with the most? What is God inviting you to do to rid yourself of this struggle?

Prayer:

God, I confess that the one thing I struggle with the most is ______________. As I go through this day, this week, and even this month, I pray that you would continue to reveal to me the life You have called me to live.

Mid-Week Challenge: Memorize Colossians 3:14 – Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Weird: Religion – Day 2 of 5

In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul writes about not living as Gentiles do. A ‘Gentile’ in the Bible is somebody who was not of Jewish background. In Ephesians 4, Paul is saying that we are not to live in the same way as those who are not following God.

The Gentiles way of living would have been considered the ‘normal’ way of living. But Paul essentially says to not live in that way, which leads to confusion, but to live in a ‘Weird’ way instead.

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32

Question to Consider: Compare Ephesians 4:17-32 with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7. What similarities do you see? What are some things mentioned in Ephesians that are not specifically mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 7?

Prayer: Father, it doesn’t take long for me to look around and see how it is that Gentiles live. As I go about my day today, give me the strength and the courage to continue living differently. My desire is not to live a life of confusion, but to instead live a life of clarity. And I ask that You give me clarity to live in the ways You desire. Amen.

Austin: “Hey, what’s that you’re listening to?”

Michael: “Oh, it’s nothing really.”

Austin: “C’mon, what is it?”

Michael: “My family and I were out of town over the weekend, so I’m just listening to the weekend message from our church. It’s quite fascinating really, it’s about…”

Austin: “I don’t know why you bother with that stuff. I mean, all that stuff about God, and Jesus and…. I mean C’mon, you really believe there’s some magic man in the sky that watches over us?”

Michael: “Well, I don’t believe he’s magic. But yes, I do believe in God.”

Austin: “And what was the message about this weekend?”

Michael: “I’m only a little ways into it. But it’s about being weird.”

Austin: “Well going to church is weird.”

Michael: “Some may think so. But the pastor defined weird as being different, but different in a good way. It’s living life in a way that other people respect, and admire, and appreciate, and …”

Austin: “Well, we obviously have disagreements about some things. But I can say that I generally do respect and appreciate you as a person. But ‘Christians’ in general, they leave a pretty sour taste in my mouth. They never get along – just look at how many different denominations there are. And they bicker about things politically more than anybody else I know. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Michael: “Oh?”

Austin: “Well yeah. They’re just as judgmental as others. They’re just as temperamental as others. The divorce rate among Christians is about the same as the rest of culture. There’s not much that’s different-in-a-good-way about Christians from what I can see.”

Michael: “Fair enough. But of all the Christians you DO know, do you see much that is different about them – different in a good way?”

Austin: “Like I said, I really appreciate and respect you. How you conduct yourself here in the office is quite admirable. But when I think about most other Christians I know, I would have to say, no.”

*********************************************************************

In Matthew 7, Jesus invites us to live in a way that would be considered ‘Weird’ by many. He says things such as, “Don’t judge others. Don’t view yourself and your actions as better than others. Always want the best for others. Do for others what you would want them to do for you. And those who follow these words are wise.”

But there’s more to it than that. Much more.

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) says, ¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴ For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Questions to consider:

Do you have any friends or family who have similar thoughts as Austin?

Is there anything else about God and/or Christianity they dislike that Austin didn’t mention?

Where do you think Christianity is failing the most? In other words, why do you think Christ-followers are not seen as being different in a good way?

Read Matthew 7. Are you currently experiencing a life challenge that makes it difficult for you to live differently, in a good way?

Does Jesus teach anything in Matthew 7 that describes how you can respond to this challenge in a way that leads to life, and not destruction?

Prayer:

God, as we begin this new series, I pray that You will clearly show me how I can better stand out among those I know. Provide me wisdom to stand out to my family. My friends. And all of my co-workers, classmates, or teachers. Lead and guide me to live out the principles Jesus teaches in Matthew 7. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.