Category Archives: Devotions

Repentance and Humility go hand in hand by Pastor David

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Lion and the Lamb – Bethel Worship

 

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We should not too quickly look past this text of Scripture.  It’s a familiar story.  Even for our day and age. Two men go to church.  One enters and begins to justify himself.  He speaks to God boldly, “I’m glad I’m not like those losers- those men who fall so short of being good.  I’m a good guy.  I don’t steal, I’m fair and I don’t sleep around.

If that was not enough the man begins to boast about the things he has given up for the sake of God.  In fact he exclaims, “I’ve done my fair share — I fast, tithe”

If we are not careful we can have the same mindset.  Oh, we may not verbalize exactly like this man but our thoughts betray us,,,,I’m pretty good.  I’ve done good things. I give. I treat people fairly. I do all the things God expects of me. If we are not careful we can begin to think what we do somehow makes us good.  This could not be farther from the truth.

And herein lies the issue.  Nothing you do makes you good–and this is the point Jesus is making.  Your gifts to God, your sacrifices and your attitude will never allow you to be justified in God’s sight.

The other man, KNOWS he is a sinner.  He comes to God with a penitent attitude.  He doesn’t even look up to Heaven, he comes in humility and beats his breast.  He states and confesses, “I am a sinner.”  You can read it between the lines.  “God without you I’m lost. Without you I am doomed.  Have MERCY!

Jesus says this man goes home justified.

The problem is that most of us–if we admit it–all to often act like the first man and rarely act like the second.  We rarely recognize our continual need for God’s grace and forgiveness.  We seldom beat our breast and proclaim, “Be merciful to me God, I’m a sinner!”

This is what Jesus wants to remind us.  We are only good because of God’s mercy.  We are only justified because of His grace.  We experience peace only through His sacrifice.  Repentance is the doorway toward the glories of heaven. You can’t experience heaven touching earth without repentance.  You can’t experience true peace, joy, love, or forgiveness without first walking in repentance.  Repentance is the first word of the Gospel and as we walk in this truth, God will lift us up.

At the end of the day, we too must respond like the sinners we are.  Have mercy on us oh Lord.

Peter’s Other Confession by Pastor Matt

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Song: Brokenness Aside

Artist: All Sons & Daughters

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time,“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time,“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him,“Follow me.”

John 21:15-19

Peter’s Other Confession

“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

What did it mean for a grieved Peter to say to Jesus, “You know everything”?

We’ve come through trial, crucifixion and resurrection; and, for Peter, this means we’ve come through denial.

And here, on the other side of Peter’s lowest point, we find Jesus probing uncomfortably: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He asks again. And again.

It’s painful to watch. It must have been devastating to Peter.

Peter.

The name Jesus himself had given him. “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter)” (John 1:42). Peter. Jesus had rechristened him, made him something more. He’d called his God-given mission out of him. Peter – “rock.” Jesus had made him new.

But now? We’re back to ‘Simon, son of John.’

Peter had denied Jesus – and failed his new name. He’s back to his old self. Back to what he knows. Even back to fishing. What else is he supposed to do? He’s failed as a disciple. Jesus has risen – but Peter has fallen.

And so he says, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” It’s both a confession of Christ – and a confession of self. Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of God, who knows everything. And this means you know everything…about me. You know the best and worst in me. Jesus, you know that I love you. And you know that my love for you, though undeniably real, is also weak. Imperfect and frail. You are the Christ – I am a failure.

In response to this moment of painful honesty and vulnerability? Jesus says those grace-filled words that breathe new life into this failure: “Follow me.”

It’s as if Jesus says, “Your love for me is one thing – but My love for you…” My love for you makes you something more – even when you fail.

Perhaps, today, you need to follow Peter’s example. Maybe you need to make a confession of your own. What would it mean for you, today, to say, “Lord, you know everything”?

But, please, whatever you do, don’t stop there. Hear Jesus’ life-giving words (in response to your love…and your failures): Follow me.

 

Sharing Christ – Pastor Chris Horsley

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Matthew 28:16-20–

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Great Commission, the last statement Jesus made in the book of Matthew.  If you have been in church for any length of time at all you have heard these verses and know that as followers of Christ it is important for us to share the love of Christ with others.

This command seems to be one of the most difficult for us to “do”.

What stops us?  It seems like it’s one major obstacle:

Fear?  We are afraid of what others will think of us?  We are afraid of rejection? We are afraid of awkward situations? These fears choke out our desire to share Christ with others?   We allow fear to rule the day, even though we know that we know that people NEED Jesus.

Really, it’s not fear, but pride.  We are worried more about us than them.  We are worried more about our self preservation than where this person will spend eternity.

Proverbs tells us that fear of man proves to be snare, and fearing what others think keeps us from obeying a command from God. This “snare” doesn’t just affect you but the person you could be sharing Christ with.

We know that Jesus commanded us to do this, but we often forget that He also empowered us to do it!

Acts 1:8; Hebrews 13:20-21

Remember, He is always with us!

The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become. — Henry Martyn

Maybe our relationship with God isn’t where it should be. Are we allowing pride to stifle our obedience to this command?  We know that His heart is for people to be in relationship with Him.  What are we doing to “make it happen”?

Let’s not over think evangelism. We get this notion it can only be done on a street corner, or in another country.

The missionary Jim Elliot says it this way:

“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.”  

Be aware of where you are.  We get so busy with our own lives not even thinking about those around us that we miss opportunities to share the love of Christ in word or deed with others when we live “with our head down.”

It can be as simple as inviting someone to church; helping a harried mom at the grocery store; a conversation at a coffee shop.  Let’s allow others to see Christ in us, and be forced to make a decision.

As you go today, look for opportunities to share the love of Christ and affect the life of someone else.

Let’s be the ministers of the Gospel that God wants us to be!!!

Celebration!

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For those who were in our first service for Easter and were unable to see the special video, this devotional is especially for you!

John 20:1-4 NLT
 
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
 
The stone wasn’t rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let the disciples in.  The stone was rolled away so they could see the empty tomb.  So the world could understand the great power of Jesus!
 


Oh no…FOMO! by Pastor Andy

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FOMO

Maybe you’ve heard of the acronym – FOMO? It stands for the phrase “Fear of Missing Out.” It speaks to the experiential nature of our culture. It’s the idea that something hasn’t truly happened unless it’s posted on Instagram\Facebook\Twitter.

Funny enough, research shows all the digital memory taking we do (photos, video, etc) actually leads to less memories. In our rush to FOMO and experience via social media we remember less.

“Did it really happen?”

This week, we are exploring four Gospel passages after the resurrection of Jesus. Today, we look at one where the question is asked, “Did it really happen?”

Doubting Thomas

John 20:24-29

24One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
28“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

No FOMO, Thomas literally missed out. He missed seeing Jesus, so he expressed doubt. Why? He wants an experience. Because of this, history labeled him as Doubting Thomas.

In his grace, Jesus doesn’t rebuke Thomas for his doubt, disappointment, questions. He merely addressed them. Better yet, he gives Thomas an experience. Take a look…what do you see? Now believe.

Experience Faith

There is a bit of a debate between Protestant and Catholic theologians. Did Thomas actually touch Jesus? Protestants believe no, it’s a “faith alone” issue (think Martin Luther’s reformations). Catholics argue yes, physical experience is crucial to connecting with Jesus.

No matter, this experience radically impacts Thomas in three ways.

1. Message

Thomas makes a deep, theological statement of faith. Jesus is more than Messiah, Savior, King. He is God. Without doubt, there can’t be equally strong faith. Thomas’ doubt led him to make this powerful statement of faith.

Doubt is a gateway to faith.

2. Missionary

Thomas took his faith and obeyed Jesus’ command to go. He went, shared the gospel, and made disciples. According to history, Thomas was the first missionary to India, establishing the church there. When Portugal discovered India in the 16th century, they found the church alive and well.

Resolved doubt transforms faith into action.

3. Martyr

Tradition tells us Thomas was thrown into a pit and stabbed with spears by the people he was evangelizing. His faith took him to a place of ultimate surrender.

Actions of faith develop legacy.

Doubt to Faith

We all deal with doubts.

  • Was it real?
  • Why did that happen?
  • Where was God when…?

Our fate lies in what we do with these doubts. Jesus asks us to take our doubts to him. He wants us to wait on him, so we can experience Jesus. It isn’t always quick. Thomas waited a week, which must have felt like an eternity.

If and when you doubt, take it to Jesus and wait. Don’t miss out on what God has for you – faith, action & legacy!