#dailydevotionals

Start your day with morning coffee and a devotional.

The Eyes of the Heart

Posted on by Betsy

A contemporary praise song leads with the phrase “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see you.” This wording invites us to ponder what it means to have eyes in our hearts. Not to be taken literally by any means, it does seem to imply a way of perceiving and knowing God in a way that relies more on our emotional quotient, our “EQ'” than our intelligence quotient, than our “IQ.” It invites us to consider not what we know, but what we feel. Do you feel God moving in your soul? What emotions are experienced when you see God revealed in marvelous ways? What does your heart tell you?

John Wesley experienced a dramatic revelation of God when he was listening to someone teach one day. Take note of that: he was listening. He wasn’t preaching, attending to the sick, observing the wonderful works of God in nature, converting the prisoners: He was listening. He had grown quite discouraged in his ministry and was contemplating leaving. A friend advised him to “preach faith, and then when you find it, preach it some more.” He dragged his weary spirit to a meeting in Aldersgate and then it happened. The speaker read from Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to Romans when suddenly he felt his “heart strangely warmed.” Wesley wrote in his journal: “While he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me for the law of sin and death.”

God had opened the eyes of his heart, and a movement that would eventually become The United Methodist Church was born.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus employs this same beautiful language.

Ephesians 1 (Common English Bible)

17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, 19 and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers.

This church was struggling mightily with many corrosive issues that threatened to undo them. This group of former gentiles had little structure or understanding of God’s plan for salvation. The rulers of the present day were evil and not to be followed. Paul desired that they open the eyes of their heart to the power of God at work in Christ; a power far greater than any earthy ruler or authority. He wanted them to open the eyes of their hearts to the place that Christ’s body, the church, had in leading the world.

This power is conferred by the energy of God’s powerful strength. 20 God’s power was at work in Christ when God raised him from the dead and sat him at God’s right side in the heavens, 21 far above every ruler and authority and power and angelic power, any power that might be named not only now but in the future. 22 God put everything under Christ’s feet and made him head of everything in the church, 23 which is his body. His body, the church, is the fullness of Christ, who fills everything in every way.

Is God dealing with you today? What issues are you facing? Have you lost sight of God’s power to redeem and sustain you?

Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. We need to see you.

The Energy of God’s Strength by Kathy Schumacher

To Know You

Posted on by Betsy

Think about the most complex dish you have ever eaten in a restaurant that you absolutely loved. I recently visited a water-side restaurant called Narcoosee’s, located at the Grand Floridian Resort in Walt Disney World, where I ate a plate of food that I am still thinking about. It had so many layers of flavor! It featured plancha-seared scallops that were served over smooth and creamy Parisian gnocchi, surrounded by bright English peas that burst with flavor when you bit in to them. Scattered around this mound of heaven were bits of Tasso ham that provided salty goodness, and dots of truffled Meyer lemon cream sauce that made me want to lick the plate. I didn’t because that would be rude, but boy was I tempted!! Every bite was a new revelation.

I thought about that dish when I read today’s Scripture. Okay, stay with me for a minute! This Scripture to me reads like a wonderfully layered entree that just keeps getting better with every forkful.

Jesus offered this one last prayer just before he is taken away by the authorities to be arrested, tried, and hung on a cross. What was in his mind in those last hours?

Actually, it was us.

John 17 (Common English Bible)

When Jesus finished saying these things, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son can glorify you. 2 You gave him authority over everyone so that he could give eternal life to everyone you gave him. 

So the first layer of this offering is a bold statement about glory. Notice that Jesus looks “up to heaven,” assuring us that he was not downcast at the prospect of losing his life. He acknowledged several things in this first bite: He knew his time had come. He asked God to glorify him so that his sacrifice would bring glory to God. He reminded God that authority was given to him so that we, his followers, could have eternal life. That’s a mouthful right there.

3 This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent. 

But the meat of this dish is found in this startling layer: Eternal life is defined by knowing God. Savor that for a moment! Does that mean that eternal life begins now, on earth, as we study, pray, worship, and learn who God is? John would certainly say so:

1 John 5 (Common English Bible)

11 And this is the testimony: God gave eternal life to us, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have God’s Son does not have life.

Not “will give.” Not “will have.” But eternal life is ours in the present if we believe in the Son. It is incumbent on us to spend these earthly days striving to know God better.

4 I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I shared with you before the world was created.

We finish this off with the delightful morsel in verse 5. Here, Jesus confirms his pre-existence with God at the beginning of the world. Here we see the declaration of the Father/Son relationship and confirm that the Word, Jesus, was with God and the Word indeed was God from the very beginning of time. There are so many beautiful layers of theology in this one brief passage!

Take a moment to read through this prayer again and try to digest it. Jesus is eternal life. Jesus is the glorification of the plan of salvation that he and his father had all along. Are you living out your present eternal life in a way that will prepare you for what is to come? Are you sharing this knowledge with others? Do you fully know God?

May we all relish the gift that Jesus gave, and invite others to the table to relish it, too.

Eternal Life by Mary Anne Mong

Safe Place

Posted on by Betsy

I had a conversation with a young friend recently about the Scripture that tells us to pray for our enemies. We have all struggled with that, I am sure. I once was challenged by this Scripture to pray for someone who had deeply hurt me. To be honest, praying for her was about the last thing I wanted to do. Vent, whine, complain, or stick a hot poker in my right eye, yes. But praying for her was an act of obedience that was very challenging for me. Boy, that was tough! At first my prayers sounded more like, “Lord, please don’t let me see her today. Amen.” But I knew more was expected of me than that anemic, pitiful, faith-deprived plea, so I began to pray that she would be blessed. Eventually I prayed in earnest for her well-being, her family, and her marriage. Before I knew it, I really meant it.

You see, prayer didn’t really change her. It changed me.

In our passage from Psalm 9 today, David praised God for his wonderful acts. I love how he thanked God “will all his heart.” I was reminded of my last trip to Israel where I watched Israeli Jews praying at the Wailing Wall. Jewish prayers are a whole-body experience! They bowed up and down from the waist, hands clasped around their phylacteries, heads bobbing, and saying their prayers out loud. You could see that they meant it with their whole heart.

David gave God all the glory for bringing justice to the world. God ruled from his throne and dealt with the nations who were tearing down Israels’s cities and bringing wickedness and evil to Zion.

Psalm 9:1-12
I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will talk about all your wonderful acts.
2 I will celebrate and rejoice in you;
    I will sing praises to your name, Most High.

3 When my enemies turn and retreat,
    they fall down and die right in front of you
4     because you have established justice
        for me and my claim,
    because you rule from the throne,
        establishing justice rightly.

5 You’ve denounced the nations,
    destroyed the wicked.
    You’ve erased their names for all time.
6 Every enemy is wiped out,
    like something ruined forever.
You’ve torn down their cities—
    even the memory of them is dead.

God’s rule is everlasting, and those who try to destroy God’s people will be dealt with in the end. Our God is a place of safety for us when we are oppressed by our enemies. When I was praying for my enemy, I was putting myself directly that place of safety at God’s feet. When times are difficult, we know that we are not abandoned by the one who will judge all people fairly. Having a “heart for the Lord” made David able to see God’s mighty acts even in the bloodshed around him. As you pray for your enemies, can you see what God is doing?

7 But the Lord rules forever!
    He assumes his throne
    for the sake of justice.
8 He will establish justice in the world rightly;
    he will judge all people fairly.
9 The Lord is a safe place for the oppressed—
    a safe place in difficult times.
10 Those who know your name trust you
    because you have not abandoned
    any who seek you, Lord.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who lives in Zion!
    Proclaim his mighty acts among all people!
12 Because the one who avenges bloodshed
    remembers those who suffer;
    the Lord hasn’t forgotten their cries for help.

Sometimes we are called to simply pray for our enemies and walk away. Sometimes were are called to stand aside and watch what God does. In both cases, we are assured that God never forgets our cries for help and will always be found by those who seek the Lord.

Are you dealing with an enemy right now? Is God waiting for you to step away so that you can kneel and spend your time in prayer? Do you trust God the way David did, knowing that God establishes justice rightly?

Remember to sing praises while you wait.

Mystic Morning by Michelle Robertson

Casting Crowns

Posted on by Betsy

One of my all-time favorite moments during a Children’s Sermon in worship came when I asked the children what they thought heaven was like. A little three-year-old boy sat thoughtfully by my side as the other children yelled out answers that included clouds, gold roads, blue skies, and the like. Finally he raised his chubby little hand and waited for me to call on him. “Well, Alex, what do you think heaven is like?” I asked. “Miss Betsy, I think heaven is a place where you don’t have to worry about going tee-tee in your pants.”

Oh, my goodness.

Yes, indeed, little person! Heaven is exactly like that. A place of no worries, no tears, no troubles … and certainly no potty-training.

Our Scripture today gives us a startling and heavy-laden vision of heaven from John, as he wrote from exile on the Island of Patmos. Like Jesus’ parables, John’s visions were highly symbolic, reminding us that we will never completely understand what heaven is like until we get there. But one thing is sure: The reality of heaven will far surpass everyone’s idea or vision of it. We can’t possibly imagine what that Glory will be like.

Revelation 4 (Common English Bible)

6 Something like a glass sea, like crystal, was in front of the throne.

In the center, by the throne, were four living creatures encircling the throne. These creatures were covered with eyes on the front and on the back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion. The second living creature was like an ox. The third living creature had a face like a human being. And the fourth living creature was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and each was covered all around and on the inside with eyes. They never rest day or night, but keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
    who was and is and is coming.”

John’s four creatures are reminiscent of Ezekiel’s visions of cherubim. (See Ezekiel 1:4-14.) They lived to worship a holy and mighty Lord, and their worship continued day and night. The symbols of lion, ox, human, and eagle might mean anything from representing an arrangement of four gathered tribes of Israel around the throne, to the four Gospels, to Jesus himself, but we should focus on the non-stop worship they offered. This is a reminder to us that worship should be practiced every day, not just on Sunday. What practice of worship do you incorporate into your daily routine?

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, who lives forever and always, 10 the twenty-four elders fall before the one seated on the throne. They worship the one who lives forever and always. They throw down their crowns before the throne and say,

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
        to receive glory and honor and power,
            because you created all things.
                It is by your will that they existed and were created.”

And just as we can’t fathom the meaning of the four creatures, we couldn’t possibly ascertain what these twenty-four elders are meant to represent. So, let’s focus on their casting their crowns before the throne. Surely this humble act of obeisance was their way of rendering honor to the true King on the throne, who was worthy to receive all honor, glory, and power as the One who created all things. This is a challenge to us to be sure we too are willing to cast our crowns before God, relying on him for everything and removing any obstacle that might prevent us from true worship.

Are there things that get in your way from honoring God night and day? Do you try to act out of your own power rather than defer to God’s will? Are you holding on to your crown too tightly?

May God give us a taste of heaven on earth and help us learn how to worship in ways that please him.

Glory by Michelle Robertson

God Laughs

Posted on by Betsy

Do you remember Diocletian?

Probably not. Diocletian was a Roman Emperor from 284-305 AD. He was born in humble circumstances and joined the Roman army, quickly rising through the ranks. He became an army commander in the northern Balkan province and was part of the imperial bodyguard for the Roman emperor Carus. Upon Carus’ death, the troops proclaimed Diocletian the new emperor.

Soon after his election, he began the Great Persecution of Christians, burning churches and sacred texts, stripping Christians of their rights, and enslaving and slaughtering hundreds of them. He fancied himself a god, and since the Christians and Jews of Rome refused to bow down to him, he systematically eliminated them. He celebrated his successful persecution with two monuments to himself which proclaimed that he had “everywhere abolished the superstition of Christ” and “extinguished the name of Christians who brought the republic to ruin.”

And yet, here we are. Unless you are a history scholar, you are much more likely to remember the name Christians and the name Christ over the name Diocletian. God laughs at such foolishness of the earth’s rulers, who think that by their schemes they can control the world.

Psalm 2 (Common English Bible)

2 Why do the nations rant?
    Why do the peoples rave uselessly?
2 The earth’s rulers take their stand;
    the leaders scheme together
    against the Lord and
    against his anointed one.
3         “Come!” they say.
        “We will tear off their ropes
        and throw off their chains!”
4 The one who rules in heaven laughs;
    my Lord makes fun of them.
5 But then God speaks to them angrily;
    then he terrifies them with his fury:
6         “I hereby appoint my king on Zion,
        my holy mountain!”

7 I will announce the Lord’s decision:
    He said to me, “You are my son,
        today I have become your father.
8 Just ask me,
    and I will make the nations your possession;
    the far corners of the earth will be your property.
9 You will smash them with an iron rod;
    you will shatter them like a pottery jar.”

David wrote this psalm with prophetic illusions to the coming anointed one, who God will claim as his son. Only this anointed One will possess the nations from the far corners of the earth. Psalm 2 is referenced in Hebrews as proof of Christ’s divinity:

Hebrews 1:5 (Common English Bible)

5 After all, when did God ever say to any of the angels: You are my Son.
        Today I have become your Father? Or, even, I will be his Father,
        and he will be my Son?

God laughs, but then acts with mercy, offering the kings of earth a warning. If they serve his son reverently and with trembling, they will be truly happy. God will not suffer the arrogance of rulers who try to put themselves on the throne in his place. Like Diocletian, they will all simply die and be forgotten.

10 So kings, wise up!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord reverently—
    trembling, 12 kiss his feet
        or else he will become angry,
        and your way will be destroyed
    because his anger ignites in an instant.

We may not be kings of the earth, but the same warning applies to us when subvert his authority in our lives and attempt to take matters into our own hands. God will not suffer us putting anything else on his throne, whether it be our distractions, our worship of secular things, our apostasy, or our neglect in worshipping him and him alone. And he certainly will not accept it if we worship the kings of earth. But take heart: if you make God your refuge, you will find happiness.

But all who take refuge in the Lord are truly happy!

God laughs, but God loves. God laughs, but God forgives. God laughs, but God protects those who love him and serve him. Thanks be to God.

Serve the Lord with Gladness by Kathy Schumacher

Dynasty

Posted on by Betsy

Do any of you remember the old television series Dynasty from the 1980’s? Like Dallas and Falcon Crest, it was one of the successful night-time soap operas of that era. It’s lavish sets, impeccable cast costuming (The power suits! The sparkly heels!) and classic story lines of greed, deception, intrigue, family feuds, corruption, and excessive wealth were fun and addictive to watch. Set in beautiful Denver, Colorado, we entered a world of the Carringtons verses Colbys, who fought for prominence in oil industry, on the social ladder, and in the amount of make-up and plastic surgery one could acquire. And that was just the men! It was campy and fun to watch the antics of the older family members in their struggles to maintain their elitism in an increasingly younger world. Does anyone remember the Alexis verses Krystal catfight in the koi pond? Even their enormous shoulder pads couldn’t save them from that one.

A dynasty is a system of passing down wealth and status from parent to child. In the Old Testament, this always meant father to son. It ensured that position and prestige will remain in the family for generations.

In our passage from 2 Samuel today, we see God establishing his dynasty in Israel. Nathan gave this amazing prophecy to David:

2 Samuel 7:11-16 (Common English Bible)

11 when I appointed leaders over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

And the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make a dynasty for you.12 When the time comes for you to die and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your descendant—one of your very own children—to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a temple for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me. Whenever he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod, with blows from human beings. 15 But I will never take my faithful love away from him like I took it away from Saul, whom I set aside in favor of you. 16 Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.

There is such good news for us in this passage. God indeed established David as king over Israel, and his son Solomon succeeded him and built the Temple. Jeremiah 33:17 tells us that God promised that “David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,” thus ensuring that this dynasty will reign forever. Even though David’s family only ruled Israel for four centuries before so much evil took over that God ended their reign, David’s line continued through Obed and Ruth of Boaz to Jesse, whom Isaiah prophesized would produce a “stump” that would grow a messiah:

Isaiah 11 (Common English Bible)
A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;
    a branch will sprout from his roots.
2 The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him,
    a spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    a spirit of planning and strength,
    a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.

This stump appeared in the flesh and his name was Jesus:

Luke 1: 31-33

31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”

Do you know that you belong to a dynasty? You are an inheritor of the Kingdom. What has been passed down to you is a legacy of peace, hope, the assurance of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the guarantee of eternal life. Your adoption into the family of God has made you royalty. How does that feel? What will you do today to ensure that those around you are part of God’s dynasty, too?

Revelation 22:16 (Common English Bible)

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to bear witness to all of you about these things for the churches. I’m the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.

When Jesus returns, every knee will bow, and every heart will confess. How can you be his bright morning star today?

Bright Morning Star by Michelle Robertson



Stand and Be Still

Posted on by Betsy

A recent sermon led me to the wonderfully epic story of the Israelite’s escape from slavery in Egypt. You remember that story: Moses was empowered by God to lead his children to the Promised Land, which meant a long and dangerous journey out of Egypt into the unknown wilderness. Things seemed to be going all right until suddenly, they realized they were being pursued.

Chapter 14 of Exodus describes the Egyptian army and chariots charging after the Jews. Pharoah had changed his mind and wanted them back. He missed all that free labor, you know. The struggling, straggling, fugitive Hebrews were on the move. They were bounded by the desert, the sea, and the enemy. In effect, they were “sitting ducks” and the enemy was bearing down upon them at full speed. They were breathing down their necks, so close that the rumble of chariots and the shouts of the soldiers could be heard. Most of them must have already lost heart. But not Moses.

Listen to how he responds to them: 

Exodus 14 (New Revised Standard Version)

13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”

Who needed to hear that word today? Do not be afraid. Stand firm. Keep still. Oh, how we try to take matters into our own hands, doing so at our peril, when God is telling us to be still and let him fight for us.

Psalm 46 reminds us:

10 “Be still and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

“Be still. Be still and know that I am God.” When the enemy is closing in, be still. When the manna is running low, be still. When the cancer diagnosis comes, when your spouse leaves, when your rebellious child suddenly moves away, when you lose your job, when addiction rears its ugly head, BE STILL. Stand firm, and do not be afraid. 

Moses was about the only one who didn’t lose his head or his faith. As God directed, Moses held his rod out, and God sent a strong east wind. The waters parted, and the nation of the Jews crossed over on dry ground. When that was accomplished, Moses raised his rod again and the waters rushed back, trapping Pharaoh’s army in muck and mire.

Is God telling you to stand down today? Is he telling you to stand still and watch him fight for you? Sometimes it is better to take a step back and wait. As hard as that is, remember that God will always go before you … and always has your back.

Just be still.

Stillness by Michelle Robertson

What Does This Mean?

Posted on by Betsy

Ages ago, I was a volunteer children’s choir director in my church. My youngest daughter helped me lead music for the 3rd-5th graders. We loved it. That age group is so open and honest … even brutally so, which made me make sure I had combed my hair and considered my clothing at every practice. They will tell you exactly what they think!

One year the music director gave us a score for a song that spelled out P E N T E C O S T. The verses explained what happened at Pentecost and the kids thought that celebrating the birthday of the church meant cupcakes and ice cream. Which we did provide, by the way. For me, I have always been grateful for that song, because I remember how to spell Pentecost simply by hearing the music in my head.

This Sunday is Pentecost. It might be celebrated in your churches with lots of red (to symbolize the flames), the Scripture read in different languages (ASL is my favorite), fans and balloons (to remind us of the mighty wind that took over Jerusalem), and fiery preaching (if you have a fiery preacher). It should also include cupcakes and ice cream, as Pentecost marks the official birth of the modern church.

If you don’t get cupcakes and ice cream this Sunday, file a complaint against the management.

Acts 2 (Common English Bible)

2 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

5 There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. 7 They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? 8 How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” 12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?”

What, indeed, does it mean?

First, the confusion of language at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 was reversed, and everyone could speak and hear in each other’s tongues. The picture of diversity in the Body of Christ cannot be overlooked here. God’s spirit was poured out on everyone … even the Cretans and Arabs.

Second, Jesus fulfilled his promise in this event to empower his followers to take the Gospel to the four corners of the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit came in a remarkable way, and it comes to us today with the same strength … if we will receive it.

Third, nobody was left out. This is a great reminder for us as we celebrate the church’s birthday. Who are we leaving out? Who needs an invitation to the party? After all, everyone likes cupcakes and ice cream.

May we celebrate a holy Pentecost! And may we arise as Pentecost people, ready to do God’s work in the world.

Pentecost Bloom by Michelle Robertson

Sowing and Reaping

Posted on by Betsy

From the mouths of babes, Chapter 1.

I gave my four-year-old grandson a bath last week and watched as he happily played with his Little People bath toys. I noticed that he was stuffing them all in the rinsing cup until it was full. “Why are all the Little People in the cup?” I asked. “Oh,” he replied. “They’re in cup jail.” “Good heavens!” I said. “What did they do to be put in cup jail?” I asked. He looked me straight in the eye. “They made baaaad choices,” he responded solemnly.

Well, you just can’t argue with that.

My daughters are constantly advising their children to make good choices. When a bad choice seems to be asserting itself, they caution them to “make a better choice.” Even the four-year-old understands the consequences of bad choices.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he gave the same parenting advice. Remember how much Paul loved his churches, and truly felt a parental responsibility for each one of them. Listen to what he says in this well-known warning about reaping and sowing.

Galatians 6:7-8 (Common English Bible)

7 Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. 8 Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit.

God pays attention to everything we say and do, and when those choices don’t fall in line with his word and his will for our lives, you can be sure there will be ramifications. I have a friend who spent a year denouncing an organization that she belonged to and basically burned every bridge on her way out. She returned to that organization recently and was hurt when someone asked her in surprise why she had come to the meeting. Reaping and sowing are basic to life. When you sow discord and rejection, you risk reaping discord and rejection.

Think for a moment about how you treat others. When you sow anger, discrimination, harsh words, and carelessness, these things will come back to you tenfold. Overindulgence in consuming things that are ultimately harmful to your body will result in actual harm to your body. Lying, cheating, and gossip often backfire and expose you to ridicule and alienation. Are these things worth the temporary pleasure?

A better choice is to sow the seeds of love and acceptance. A better choice is to choose healthy things for your body ,mind, and soul. A better choice is to plant seeds for the benefit of God’s kingdom. That will result in a harvest of eternal life and help you to avoid cup jail.

And trust me, you don’t want to end up in cup jail.

Harvesting Eternal Life by Michelle Robertson

What God Will Do

Posted on by Betsy

We had a death in our extended family that caught us completely off guard. The last ten days have been a topsy-turvy whirlwind of grief, memories, a celebration of life, plans made, changed, re-made … death left a small tsunami in its wake, but we will be okay.

I was drawn to these words from Isaiah in the lectionary this week. They were spoken in a time of great trial for Israel, yet they lead the hearer to look forward and not dwell in the immediate or the past. As you know, the best way to drive a car is to focus looking out the windshield, not the rear view mirror.

Isaiah 25 (New International Version)
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
    a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
    the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
    the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8     he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
    from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
    from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

Something called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb occurs a few times in the Bible (see Revelation 19:9) which is a great feast that takes place at the end of days. This passage suggests that it will take place on earth, not in heaven. It will be resplendent with fine wines and fat meats, but the best part is that it will be a feast for all peoples.

Just last week we studied the Last Supper in Matthew 26. If you attended a Maundy Thursday service, you probably heard this Scripture read aloud. Do you remember when Jesus said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom”? I wonder if it is this Marriage Supper of the Lamb, held on a beautiful high mountain with all people, where we will take our first communion with the Risen Lord when he returns to redeem his people. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to that.

9 In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;
    we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

I don’t know what you’re going through right now but take heart. There will come a day when every tear is dried, every groan is silenced, every bad thing gone from your life, and we will sup and commune with our Sacrificial Lamb, who indeed came to save us. You can trust this, because God is trustworthy.

Beautiful Mountain by Hannah Cornish