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l: I remember learning to ride my first bike, but my favorite bike memories are when I taught my kids. Without fail, in the beginning, the front tire wobble back and forth more and more wildly just before one of them bit the dust. Sometimes they would try again; sometimes they would call it quits. Learning to ride a bike at first is completely unnatural. Once it clicks-the balances, pedaling, steering-it's hard to imagine not knowing how to do it. With enough practice, you don't even think about riding a bike anymore. You just do it. Jesus talks about taking up a challenge to live differently. It's sort of like riding a bike. He wants us to live in grace and walk in love, but at first, it is a gangly, wobbly wreck. We might even get banged up a little. Then, after a while, you just know how to do it. The Bible describes it as a rhythm, like breathing itself, where we are taking in grace for ourselves and holding out love for others. It is not natural, and it takes some practice. But Jesus showed us the way. Maybe one day we'll look a little more graceful and pull off some cool tricks-hop a couple of curbs, do a wheelie or a bunny hop. Not unlike Peter and John, who healed a man in Acts 3, Jesus wants us to stick with Him through the awkward learning parts so we can learn to ride like He does. He wants to take our mind off of falling so we can pedal more fearlessly. Sure, there will be some scratches and scrapes. But we can pick each other up and help each other get back on another go.
Devotional from Live in Grace, Walk in Love by Bob Goff
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Devotional: Tests come in various shapes and sizes. Abraham and Sarah had been on a pilgrimage for many years. Along the way there had been many tests, resulting in successes and failures.In our reading for today, God calls Abraham to take another journey--to sacrifice his son Isaac! Can you imagine the pounding of Abraham's heart with each step he takes toward Moriah? God has called him to sacrifice his one and only, long-awaited son.Along the way, Isaac notices that this sacrifice is different from others. "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Isaac's question surely cuts to the core of Abraham's being. But somehow he manages to prophesy that God will provide. He has journeyed with God a long time.Abraham builds an altar, binds Isaac, and lays him on the altar. He's about to kill his own child when God breaks in and says, in effect, "Not your son!" Abraham has passed the test of trust. Abraham and Isaac witness the truth of the prophecy that God will provide. Abraham holds nothing back from God and, as a result, God provides for Abraham.
Discussion: What is your need? Where are you called to trust? Activity: Dear God, thank you for all your provisions. Help us to give to you from our time, talents, and treasures. May we entrust our whole lives to you. In Jesus, Amen. Devotion, Discussion & Activity from Reframe Media Daily Devotions, August 2006 Three travelers approach Abraham’s tent. Abraham runs to greet them and bows low before them.
“Stay with me,” he implores them. “I’ll bring water for your feet and a morsel of bread and comfort for your hearts.” Rather ungraciously, the travelers agree. “All right – but you do as you have offered.” Abraham does more than he has offered. He commands Sarah to make fine cakes. He orders a servant to kill a calf and prepare the meat. He himself brings butter and milk along with the beef and the cakes and serves this repast to his three guests. Who are these three men? Was Abraham starved for company? Would he have been as hospitable to anyone who happened by? For years, Abraham had longed for a son; he had prayed for a son. Now these three strangers promise Abraham that he will have a son by this time next year. Discussion: How do we greet unexpected guests? Activity:Try being especially welcoming to your next unexpected visitor. Some have entertained angels unawares. Devotion from The Word at Home, June 2017 Devotion: Unlike other leaders in India in the 1940's, V.P. Menon didn't have a fancy degree from a fancy university. He wasn't from a well-to-do or respected family. the oldest of thirteen children, he had to quit school at age thirteen to work in coal mines and factories. As a young man, he went to Delhi to get a government job. On the way, everything he had-including his money and identification-was stolen at the railway station. In desperation, he went to an elderly man standing nearby, explained the situation, and asked for a loan of fifteen rupees to buy food until he could get a job. The man gave him the money. Menon asked for his address os he could repay the loan, but the main said Menon didn't owe the debt to him but owed any stranger in need. The help came from a stranger and should be repaid to a stranger. Menon never forgot his debt, and his life was marked by constant generosity to those in need. The day before he died, a beggar came to the family home asking for money to buy new sandals, Memon asked his daughter to take fifteen rupees out of his wallet to give to the man. It was his last conscious act. Memon served strangers selflessly, just as Abraham provided food for strangers.
Discussion: How did Abraham's incident affect him? What attitudes cause people to share as Menon, Abraham, and Sarah did? How do you need to become more like Abraham and Sarah? When have you served God by serving people you didn't know? Activity: Do something for a stranger. Buy their fast food, coffee, or just give to someone in need. Ask that he or she repay it to another stranger in need. Devotion from The Youth Bible, Genesis 18 Notes: Would we have recognized the Messiah if we had been there with him? Would we have recognized John as the "new" Elijah? All the signs point to who they were. Prophecy is being fulfilled. But the people of that generation did not recognize them. Even though their ministries were at opposite extremes, neither was accepted as genuine by the religious leaders. Truth in all its forms is often less regarded than the lie told to meet the wishes of those who hear. We often prefer to be deceived rather than to face a difficult reality that requires us to change. So, what must we do to recognize Jesus? Follow him, live our lives for him, change our lives to obey his commandments, share his grace to all, and give him glory—not a bad start but a very challenging message. No wonder so many didn't (and still don't) really want to know the will of the Messiah!
Discussion: As it says in the discussion: Do you think you would have recognized Jesus as the Messiah? What must we do to recognize Jesus Activity: Lord God Almighty, give me eyes to see your work in my world today. Use me to advance your work and defeat me when I go astray. Please remove deception from my heart and help me change to be more like your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Devotion from Heartlight.org, What Jesus Did devotional May 2017 |
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