Devotions For The Reconciled Life

"Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 The church

When I was a little girl, people used to tell me that I looked just like my Daddy. I would grin proudly because I considered it a great compliment to be like him in any way I could. My Dad was, and is, an admirable man to resemble. He is wise, loving, and godly. And in addition to his many other positive attributes, he is generous to a fault–a true giver of all that he has and all that he is. My dad’s generous spirit is a reflection of his own father, his Heavenly Father. Most of us have immense respect for our parents. We strive to be like those who have played such a meaningful role in our lives–those who loved us, took care of us, and taught us: our examples, our most beloved role-models in life. The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God, our spiritual Father. We are image-bearers of the God of the universe! That means if we are living our lives according to His will, we resemble Him. As generous as my earthly father is, how exponentially more generous is my He

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 "Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gift

"Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine." Proverbs 3:9-10 We give gifts all the time.  Birthday presents.  Christmas presents.  Baby shower presents.  Wedding presents.  The list goes on and on.  These are said to be gifts, but in society it is assumed that there will be reciprocity.  If I attend your baby shower and give a “gift” then it is expected that you attend mine and give a “gift”.  We have a rather skewed understanding of “gift” and take this concept into our understanding of giving to the Lord. With the Lord, there is no quid pro quo.  He needs nothing from us.  We should not give to the Lord expecting in return.  That is not a gift.  Doing that is an investment.  The Scriptures explain two types of giving to the Lord:  Lordship giving or tithes and offerings.  Tithes are our giving of our first fruit or first income.  These gifts r

2 Peter 1:3 "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence." The past few weeks have seen significant racial tensions.  Charlottesville, Boston, New Orleans, Memphis.  In recent years we have also seen racial tensions in Orlando, Ferguson. New York City.  The list of cities that have begun to experience rising racial tensions is growing ever longer.  Thankfully not violent, but Huntsville can be added to the list with the recent protest concerning a statue at the county courthouse.  The issues involved, the causes behind the protests are different, but the root has remained racial tensions.  What part in this tense environment is the Church to play? Paul outlines for us in his letter to the church in Galatia the evidence of grace in and through us in a real world way.   Galatians 5:22-26 "But the

Although Moses presented the law to the Israelites, according to Romans 8:3, the law was powerless because it was weakened by the flesh.  The law was great because it showed us right from wrong, but it had no power to transform the heart of man.   The law reveals without the power of transformation.   In comes the good news of the gospel in the second part of Romans 8:3:  God sent His Son who knew no sin to be sin for us in order to condemn sin in the flesh.  In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Michael said,  “grace and truth CAME through Christ.”  “Grace came to us and met us where we were.” The solution CAME. Then comes discipleship:  Grace grows in our lives as we become more acquainted with and immersed in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.   His power transforms us.   By the grace of God, we were saved and made right with God. Also, by grace we are transformed.  By that grace, we become full of grace.  By that grace, we display the glory of God.  We be

John 1:14-18 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him." Actual physical contact and proximity is connecting.  That seems a little redundant.  It is possible but difficult to be disconnect from those you are near or touching.  I have volunteered in youth ministry for 25 years now.  In that time I have seen numerous visitors to different meetings.  I have been know to say to visitors who already feel awkward to “get in up here amongst us”.  It actual makes an awkw

John 1:14-18 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness , for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him." The Latin expression felix culpa derives from the writings of St. Augustine regarding the Fall of Man , the source of original sin : “For God judged it better to bring good out of evil than not to permit any evil to exist.” If you are like I am, then you know the struggle very well to be the love our faith teaches us and not be the sin our flesh demands.  We all have those little (or big) things t

Galatians 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." John 13:34-35 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus gives his followers grace upon grace.  As his followers, we are filled with, permeated by his grace.  In Galatians, we are told the fruit of the Spirit.  The first aspect of this fruit is love.  I find this fitting given that the only command that I find that Jesus gives us is to love.  Not only to love, but to love the same way that Jesus has loved us. When

The Holy Spirit Breath of the Almighty Counselor Spirit of Christ Spirit of counsel and strength—Isa. 11:2 Spirit of faith—2 Cor. 4:13 Spirit of fire—Isa. 4:4 Spirit of glory—1 Pet. 4:14 Spirit of grace and supplication—Zech. 12:10 Spirit of holiness—Rom. 1:4 Spirit of judgment—Isa. 4:4 Spirit of justice—Isa. 28:6 Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord—Isa. 11:2 Spirit of life—Rom. 8:2 Spirit of sonship (adoption)—Rom. 8:15 Spirit of the living God—2 Cor. 3:3 Spirit of truth—John 14:17; 1 John 4:6 Spirit of wisdom and revelation—Eph. 1:17 Spirit of wisdom and understanding—Isa. 11:2 Voice of the Almighty—Ezek. 1:24 Voice of the Lord—Isa. 30:31; Hag. 1:12 Giver and director of Spiritual gifts Guide Convector of sin and righteousness How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life? How do you need to relate to the Spirit today?

Jesus God the Son Almighty Author and Finisher of our faith Beloved The Way The Truth The Life Bridegroom Christ Comforter Counselor Creator Deliverer God who is with us and walked among us and understands our human condition Faithful and True Friend of sinners God of hope Good Shepherd Head of the church Healer High Priest Hope Judge Advocate/mediator King of kings Lamb of God / Sanctifier Light and Light of the world Lord of the harvest Lord over all lords Lord of peace Master Mighty God Peace Prince of Peace “Propitiation” for our sins Resurrection and Life Righteousness Rock Physician Redeemer Salvation Sanctification Savior Savior of the whole world Shepherd Son of God Son of Man Teacher Truth Victor Wisdom of God Word of God Which of these names / descriptions of The Son is meaningful to you today? Which of these do you need to experience more in your life?

Jehovah (the relational God)—Gen. 2:4 Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide)—Gen. 22:8–14 We who are in Christ, are so blessed. We have been lavished with grace. There are times when this is so obvious in our lives. There are other times when we need to rehearse in our minds and hearts the attributes of God that remind us of this marvelous grace. Today, while I was gardening, I began to dialogue with God. Gardening has so many spiritual lessons. At first it was about the weeds that we allow to remain in our garden become increasingly difficult to remove. Best to keep those weeds managed!!! The main lesson today dealt with the mosquitoes. I began to ask for help with the mosquitoes. I had sprayed with powerful repellent but these mosquitoes would not be denied. I guess I was hoping for this miraculous disappearance of those pesky insects. But all of a sudden the rain began. I continued to pull weeds in my flower bed and noticed the mosquitoes were no longer