“Bring Your Boss to Work” – Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34

“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

I’m not usually one for reality shows, but one that has caught my attention is “Undercover Boss.” The premise of the show is that the owner of a large company goes to work incognito as a new employee in one of his or her locations. They get to see firsthand the conditions of their employees and the opinions they hold of the company and ownership. With their guard down, workers speak and act as they normally would – complaining or praising, working hard, or sloughing off. As flies on the wall, we’re in on the secret, and the touching or cringe-worthy moments we witness await the shocking reveal at the end – that their boss has been in their presence the whole time.  
As Jesus walked among us, He did so as a man, but also as God. He experienced the human condition and saw first-hand the unfiltered and unguarded actions and attitudes of His creation. But the shocking reveal at the end of His earthly ministry was that in all that He endured – opposition and scheming from religious leaders, crucifixion from the Romans, and even desertion and denial from his own followers, His response was love and forgiveness. This wasn’t the sentimental ruminations of a discorporate spirit looking back at his stent on earth as a meat puppet. These were the words of God in the flesh, going through the agony of the cross while the recipients of His gift cluelessly gambled at his feet for His clothes. 
The cross is crucial but we often go about our daily lives without giving it a second thought. Jesus not only walked among us 2000 years ago but His Spirit is still longing to walk and work with us today. Do we recognize and reflect God’s presence when we are at home or at work? Do we see ourselves handling our day with the Boss at our side? Or are we complaining, ignoring our mission, and squandering opportunities as though God were off somewhere else bothering with other things? When we manage our relationships, decisions, and resources without input or influence from a very present God we are denying what He did for us, ignoring His presence and gambling at His feet.    

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 

  • How does this verse relate to what we’ve been reading this week with the Old Testament story of Joseph? 
  • Am I living my life as though I am working alongside my boss? Do I reflect to others who I represent? 
  • What would it take to forgive those who have hurt you, in the middle of your pain? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price, Associate Pastor
Photo by Science in HD on Unsplash

“Bring Your Boss to Work” – Luke 23:34 Read More »

“The Ability to Suffer” – Genesis 50:19-20

Genesis 50:19-20

“But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Sometimes it’s hard to believe the Bible. Not because of God – we can understand Him acting perfectly. But when a person acts so differently than expected, we might pause and wonder. After reading these verses, one would think that Joseph was superhuman, able to allow such incredible betrayal to just roll off his back. But this wasn’t the case at all! Joseph named his kids in relation to his sorrow. This man suffered immense pain and felt every moment.

Joseph’s ability to suffer well was not because he was bullet-proof, but because he understood God in relation to his suffering. This isn’t a cliche or passing phrase. Know God and you will suffer better. You will see His movements better.

In the calm days, analyze God’s Word. Listen for His voice. Study His movements. Experience God like you experience tasting. He is part of every bite of your life. In this passage, Joseph knew two things:

  1. He knew God enough to know that he himself wasn’t. 
  2. Everything God does is good and right.

I don’t know what you need to get you through suffering, but God does. Continue to analyze, listen and experience God to know his movements better. That will help you know better what you need to do.

While using the HEAR method (see below) cross-reference the following verses with today’s verse: 
  • Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;”
  • Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 

Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Pastor Stephen Williams

“The Ability to Suffer” – Genesis 50:19-20 Read More »

Genesis 50:15-21

Genesis 50:15-21

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Use the HEAR method while spending time with today’s passage:

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Genesis 50:15-21 Read More »

“Blessings Through Wrestling”

This morning’s devotional is an excerpt from “Will You Wrestle with God?” by Jon Bloom, Staff writer, desiringGod.org – the title is linked to the full article if you would like to read further. 
 

Blessings Through Wrestling

Take note of what God did when he wrestled Jacob. Jacob began the night dreading Esau’s arrival. He was full of fear and desperation. But he ended the night of struggle with God’s blessing and a renewed faith. All of our struggling with God in faith leads to peace.
And isn’t it interesting that God did not simply speak to Jacob in a dream or vision as he had at other times (Genesis 31:13) and reiterate his promise and speak comforting words? This time God addressed Jacob’s fear by requiring him to wrestle all night. This probably felt to Jacob like a badly timed hassle when he just wanted comfort and assurance. But later he realized just how comforting it was. Sometimes when we want God’s comfort, he sends it in unexpected and even unwanted packages.

God even afflicted Jacob with a debilitating injury. This had the effect of making Jacob even more vulnerable to Esau, forcing Jacob’s faith to more fully rest on God and not himself. If necessary, God will cause us to limp to increase our faith.

Lastly, wrestling with God changed Jacob’s identity. He was no longer to be known as one who received his blessing by deception. This time he received God’s blessing by prevailing with God by faith. This struggle turned out to be a profoundly gracious gift of restoration that God gave Jacob, not unlike the gift Jesus gave Peter by letting Peter affirm his love for Jesus as many times as he had denied it (John 21:15–17). Jacob’s tenacious faith pleased God and he rewarded Jacob’s request (Hebrews 11:6). When God calls us to wrestle with him, there’s always more going on than we first understand and God always uses it to transform us for good.

God Wants to Bless You

When God makes us wrestle him for some blessing(s), it is not because God is reluctant to bless us, even if that’s how it first feels. It is because he has more blessings for us in the wrestling than without it.

Remember, God pursued Jacob for this match. God was the initiator. Jacob was stewing in his own anxiety over Esau and his approaching slaughter squad when God showed up. And the wrestling drew Jacob out of his fearful preoccupation and forced him to focus on God.

I doubt that Jacob wanted this forced focus or even believed he needed it at first. It wouldn’t surprise me if at the beginning Jacob had prayed, “God would you get rid of this guy? This is the last thing I need right now.” But what he discovered was that the wrestling was a means of God’s grace, a channel for God’s blessing on him.

The same is true for us.

Envato Elements

“Blessings Through Wrestling” Read More »

“Avoiding Opposition with God” – James 4:6

James 4:6

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The latter part of this verse is more than a catchy slogan for a bumper sticker, coffee mug, or t-shirt. James is quoting Proverbs 3:34, “He mocks proud mockers. He shows favor to the humble.” However, I want to focus on God’s generous grace in James 4:6a. This often-overlooked part is what we should champion and sloganize.

James is speaking to believers here and warning that worldliness makes us enemies with God. When we think of worldliness in our context, it’s not just the biggies like abortion, racial injustice, murder, rape, and everything else that is morally and ethically wrong. Worldliness is complaining. Worldliness is having a critical nature. Worldliness is gossip and slander. Worldliness is idolatry. Worldliness is apathy toward God. Worldliness is not giving God everything He deserves. Worldliness is putting ourselves and our desires at the center of our attention instead of God. That’s worldliness. That’s pride. And that puts us at enmity with God. We’re all guilty. We all have fallen into the sin of pride…BUT (the greatest 3-letter word in the English Bible)…BUT, 

GOD GENEROUSLY GIVES GREAT GRACE. There’s a powerful 5-G network for ya.

If we don’t want to be in opposition with God (I strongly recommend and encourage you not to be), then we have to humble ourselves. James gives us in the following verses (7-10), five commands for living humbly for God.

  1. Submit to God.
  2. Resist the Devil (Resist the sin of Pride).
  3. Draw near to God.
  4. Repent with mourning over our sins.
  5. Let our joy be in the Lord. Celebrate Jesus!
James brings us back full circle. He starts by telling us to humble ourselves in verse 6 and book-ends here in verse 10 by telling us again to humble ourselves. And what is our reward? God will exalt us. When we put our effort into these 5 commands, with the understanding that it’s all through God’s generous and great grace, He promises to exalt us! What a promise! Amen!

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 

  • In what ways do you need to humble yourself and repent from pridefulness?
  • How can I help you draw near to God?
    I would love to pray with you, encourage you, and help you find joy in Christ!

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 

Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Zach Gallman

“Avoiding Opposition with God” – James 4:6 Read More »

“How will it end?” – Hebrews 11:21

Hebrews 11:21

“By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.”

Ever thought about how you will die? It’s more important to focus on how you will end, instead of how you will die. I have stood over many a bed and watched individuals take their last breath. Some were glorious and filled with the presence of God; some were horrendous confrontations spewing vitriol.

Jacob was a changed man! He started as a deceiver when he stole the birthright of Esau. His experience of wrestling with an angel transformed him into a man of God. He had a new promise and purpose for living. In this verse, he is blessing his grandchildren as he draws his last breath in worship.
One of the best things you can legacy to your family is an assurance they see within you a relationship with Christ – leaving no question mark over your eternal destination.
I wrote a song to my children in 2010 – here is the chorus…

“I wish to leave you Jesus, His grace for you to claim;
to trust Him with your whole life, and give your family His name.
Of all the things I leave you, one gift will remain;
a life filled with Jesus, His legacy proclaimed.”

I have no control over when or how I will die…
but as for me, I pray to “End Well!”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • Have you ever considered your legacy as a form of worship? What are ways that you are setting up your legacy today? 
  • Imagine your death bed, what are the words that you would speak to those around you as a form of blessing? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jim Sellers, Minister of Music and YAH Director
Photo by Crawford Jolly on Unsplash

“How will it end?” – Hebrews 11:21 Read More »