Ephesians 2:11-16 Video Devotional

Posted on Apr 16, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , , , ,

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” (Ephesians 2:11-16)

Friends, as funny as some social media memes can be, plenty of others are made out of frustration and even anger. I have seen numerous posts and memes calling for the virus to be named after the Chinese or the Wuhan province; violence against Asians (New Yorker); and people blaming the Chinese for the virus. This is sad.

Whether or not any of it is correct is irrelevant. The problem is that the saving power of Christ brings people together under unity. With that as our banner, why on earth would we want to build up a dividing wall against other cultures or ethnicities? Jesus broke that down!

The point of what I am saying is this: because of who we are as the church and our calling to spread the gospel of PEACE, maybe we should live it out in our actions and not propagate, share or encourage behavior that puts a target on anyone’s back (literally or physically). They will know we are Christians by our love, dear friends.


Philippians 1:12-26 Video Devotional

Posted on Mar 31, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , ,

“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:19-20)

As a kid, I always wanted to be in Atlanta in the summer and be at every Braves’ baseball game. I loved it – had a passion for it (some might say I still do). Since I couldn’t be there is person, I figured I would participate with them as best as I could. To me, that meant grabbing my baseball bat, standing in the living room, and copying the batting stance and swing of whomever was up to bat. My personal favorite was copying Chipper Jones’ swing. That’s how I learned to be a switch hitter. I wasn’t there and I didn’t know anyone personally, but I felt that I was participating with them by standing there and swinging like they did.

That is just the fantasy of a baseball fan – a kid who loved the game. Paul, in the first chapter of his letter to the church in Philippi, showed them through his example what it meant to participate in the life of Christ. Living out the calling of Jesus on your life, despite the difficulties and suffering you will encounter is the best way to participate and connect with Christ. Some may do it for selfish ambition, but if you do it to participate with Christ, there will be a mighty reward waiting for you at your promotion.

The reward? Jesus Himself. We see only partially now, but one day it will be complete and clear, and incredible! Honor Christ with your life, which right now includes a self-quarantine lifestyle and social distancing. But Christ can still be preached, so make sure you are living His life out loud.

Please comment and let me know how you are living your faith out loud during this time of social distancing!


Matthew 6:25-34 Video Devotional

Posted on Mar 26, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , , ,

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25-34)
 
Bobby McFerrin sung the song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, but by now I am sure that most everyone sees that as a trite message. When you are not getting paid and aren’t able to pay bills, but are also worried about protecting yourself and your family from getting sick, the song probably doesn’t bring you much joy. It’s a good thing Jesus brings more than a song. Though we don’t know what it will look like, we do know that He promises to take care of us. And that is enough.
 
In all situations, He teaches us to seek God first above whatever we may be dealing with at the time, which also includes the coronavirus scare. His promises will survive all! He is faithful and just and we can trust Him. So, today, seek God. Cast your worries on Him and know that, in the end, it will all be ok. Blessings to you!

Exodus 12:40-42 Video Devotional

Posted on Mar 25, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , ,

“The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.” (Exodus 12:40-42)
 
Sitting here at my desk, it is difficult to put my mind around the next few months and how to make it through this time. It literally feels like forever. Yet it is only a couple of months. Imagine trying to picture the idea of waiting 430 years! That’s how long the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. Every moment of every day they were holding their breath, unsure of what would happen next and constantly waiting for their rescue. It must have been excruciating. Yet, through it all, God was right by their side, feeling their pain with them, but putting together the perfect solution that would ultimately help them understand the sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross. God passes over the Christians’ sin because we are hidden in Christ.
 
I am with you; this waiting is hard. But we can do it, because we know that God is working out something good for us, as well as showing the whole world His greatness and glory. People will come to faith in Jesus as a result of this difficult time. God is faithful and will work it all out for His purposes and glory – and one of His main purposes is to bring life and healing to people.
 
So, let’s be patient together, bearing one another in love, gentleness and humility (Ephesians 4:2).

24
Mar '20

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Video Devotional

Posted on Mar 24, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , , , ,

24
Mar '20

 

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

We can be calm in the midst of this viral storm because we know that our God is fully in charge. Through His Spirit, we can rise above the fears and anxiety of the world and not live in the craziness, and live out loud the gospel of Jesus. Whatever you are doing, make sure to do it for God’s glory – which is most clearly seen in our calling to be salt and light to all people in all situations, so that many can be saved. Though quarantined, we still interact with many people in many different ways. Let’s remember to be extra loving and gracious during times like this. Show people by your actions that the love is Christ is the calming security that people so desperately need right now. Even if it impedes you.

As always, “this is the day the Lord has made; so let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Live that out loud so others can see that our King really is in charge of this world.


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