Watermelon for Life

The following devotion was inspired by excerpts taken from a sermon preached by my husband entitled Released (7/2/17).

Reading for today: John 12:23-24

The Bible uses the image of a seed to describe a lot of things. For example, the seeds in the parable of the sower is the Word of God (Mt 13). In the parable of the weeds, the seeds are the followers of God (Mt 13). Jesus compares faith and the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed (Mt 17 and 13). And in the book of John, Jesus refers to himself as the wheat seed that must die in order to produce a great harvest.

When we talk about seeds sometimes we refer to them as being dead or alive, that is how we describe their potential for growth. When we use the terms dead or alive, we are actually talking about whether or not those seeds are viable.

Take for example the average American watermelon. One healthy watermelon can produce 200 to 800 new seeds. In other words, one viable watermelon seed has the potential to sprout and grow and bear fruit for 200 to 800 more watermelons!

The truth, though, is that in the process of sprouting, a watermelon seed (like any other seed) must “die” or sacrifice itself, in order to become a fruit-bearing plant.

During the last week of Jesus’s life, he explains to the disciples the importance of his upcoming death by comparing himself to a wheat seed. He says in John, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Jesus was the ultimate viable seed. He produced a harvest of many seeds. Through his death and resurrection, he forever shed the binding shell of sin and death, releasing us to also be viable seeds for the kingdom of God. We are not only the fresh produce of Christ’s bountiful harvest, but we are also the viable seeds, ready to bear fruit for God.

This week lets read through those references to seed and learn more about our spiritual growing process.

Dear God, Thank you for planting the seeds of faith and Your Word into me. Lord, make me viable for your kingdom. Show me who I can care for today. Amen.

Day 2 – Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 (Parable of the sower)

Day 3 – Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 (Parable of the weeds)

Day 4 – Matthew 13:31-32 (Parable of the mustard seed)

Day 5 – Matthew 17:14-21 (Faith like a mustard seed)

 

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I am salt.

Reading for today: Matthew 5:13-16

I love to be in the kitchen, cooking, baking, and eating. There are many ingredients in my kitchen that I consider staple, but the most useful is salt. Salt flavors and it preserves.

We have a phrase in our family. “Salt makes everything taste the way it’s supposed to.” Just a quarter teaspoon of salt completely enhances everything from scrambled eggs to chocolate chip cookies to roasted vegetables.

Not only is salt important for taste, but it also acts as a preservative. In our verses for today, Jesus tells his followers, “You are the salt of the earth.” Typically when we think of ourselves as salt, we either think in terms of seasoning or preserving.

However, there is another quality of salt to consider. Salt makes you thirsty. Movie theater popcorn, stadium brats, and pretzels – all are salty foods whose main purpose is to make the consumer thirsty.

Are we useful like salt? Do we season the earth? Do we preserve what’s right in a decaying world? And do we drive others to search for something to quench their thirst?

Dear God, Make me salt and light in this world. Help me to use my life to point others to You for Your glory. Amen.

Reading for this week

Day 2 – Colossians 4:5-6

Day 3 – 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Day 4 – John 4:13-15

Day 5 – Isaiah 55:1; Psalm 42:1-2

 

 

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Something for Nothing: Lent Series – Week 6

For the last 6 weeks, we have been studying how God works miracles out of nothing. This week is Passion Week. We will finish our study as we remember what it meant for Jesus to take on our nothingness.

Reading for today: Matthew 28:1-10

Jesus felt the effects of our nothingness when his disciples deserted him. He experienced our nothingness when he stood silent before his accusers. He suffered from our nothingness, as he was condemned to die.

The culminating result of our nothingness occurred when Jesus cried out to the Father from the cross and heard… nothing. In that horrible moment, Jesus gave up his Spirit and died. He became nothing.

Yet three days later, as the Sunday morning sun broke through the darkness, look inside the tomb and you will see nothing.

But this sort of nothing is the good kind. It’s an empty slate. It’s our records wiped clean. It’s us having nothing to fear, because Jesus has risen. He has conquered sin and death and hell. And in place of our nothingness, he has filled us with himself.

In him, we have everything. Jesus made himself nothing so that he could give us everything.

Dear Jesus, You took on my nothingness; you created in me something new. Thank you for your never-ending mercy and love for me. Amen.

Happy Easter! Praise God for his Son, Jesus, who became nothing so that we could have everything.

Day 2 – Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 8:9

Day 3 – Jeremiah 32:17, 27

Day 4 – Psalm 130

Day 5 – Romans 8:31-39

 

 

 

 

 

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Something for Nothing: Lent Series – Week 5

Reading for today: John 2:1-11

I used to teach adult ELL classes. One of my students (from India) told of a time his American professor had stopped by his home. My hospitable student offered his professor tea and coffee. His professor gladly accepted the offer, asking for coffee.

My student panicked because in his culture and in circumstances like this, people usually never accepted the offer for tea or coffee. Furthermore, he had no coffee!

As my student relayed the story to the rest of us, he laughed and said, “I had to send my wife out the back door to go buy some coffee.”

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus is at a wedding where the beverage of choice – wine – has run out halfway through the festivities. “They have no wine,” Jesus’ mother says.

In Old Testament culture, wine was a symbol of joy, hope, and abundance. And like our own culture, running out of wine at a social event would have been devastating and offensive to guests.

Jesus uses this moment not only to save the face of his hosts, but also to perform his first sign. From simple water, poured into large, empty, purifying jars, Jesus creates over 120 gallons of the best wine.

Later, Jesus will refer to wine as “my blood of the covenant, which that is poured out for many the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26: 28). Jesus’ blood, like wine, has become for us joy, hope, and abundance.

Dear God, You worked a miracle with water and wine. And you worked a miracle with your blood and your Spirit in our lives. Thank you for loving us so deeply. Amen.

Easter is coming! In these last two weeks, let’s read more stories of how God uses our nothing to work something big, specifically through Jesus.

Day 2 – Luke 7:1-10 – Healing of the centurion’s servant

Day 3 – Luke 7:11-17 – Raising of the widow’s son

Day 4 – Matthew 9:18-26 – Raising of Jairus’ daughter and healing of a woman

Day 5 – Matthew 17:24-27 – Provision of tax, and John 21:1-14 – Catch of fish

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Something for Nothing: Lent Series – Week 4

Reading for this week: Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus and his disciples had retreated quietly to a “desolate place.” A massive crowd of people (5,000 men plus women and children) followed them. Instead of finding another quiet place, Jesus had compassion on the people and spent the rest of the day healing them.

At the end of the day the disciples saw that the people were hungry. They said to Jesus, “This is a desolate place, and the day is over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves”  (Matthew 14:15). But Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat” (v. 16).

What? We have nothing. Only five loaves of bread and two fish.

But Jesus took the loaves and the fish and asked the disciples to have the people sit down. He lifted his eyes towards heaven, gave thanks, and distributed the food among the people. And distributed. And distributed. And distributed. Until everyone had eaten to their full. Then he had the disciples gather the leftovers, twelve extra basketfuls.

Jesus could have taken the disciples advice and sent the people away, exhausted and tired and hungry. Although it was late and they were away from any villages, they could have probably found something to eat, for themselves.

But Jesus had bigger plans. He wanted to show them how God can provide for his people out of nothing. He wanted them to see first hand what God can do when you obediently give him what you have.

 Dear God, You are the source of everything we need. Thank you. Give us your resources so that we may feed not only ourselves, but others as well. Amen.

The feeding of the 5,000 is one of my favorite Bible stories, because God takes our practically nothing and multiplies it into more than enough. This week, let’s spend time studying this story.

Day 2 – Mark 6:32-44

Day 3 – Luke 9:10-17

Day 4 – John 6:1-13

Day 5 – John 6:22-35

 

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a heart after You: week 5 (final week)

Reading for today: Psalm 139

David was a man after God’s own heart. For the last few weeks, we have been looking at the stories of David to figure out what it means to have a heart after God.

It doesn’t mean that we are better than the average guy. It doesn’t mean that we have it all figured out. It doesn’t mean that we’ll always do the right thing. And if we screw up, it definitely doesn’t mean that we’ve lost our chance.

You see, having a heart after God’s own heart is simply seeking Him above all else. And when you seek God, He will be found and He will change your heart.

So that when you are facing giants, you hold onto Him. When you are in the middle of an I-don’t-know-what-to-do situation, you beg Him for guidance. When you are in the wrong, you listen to Him and you adjust back to His will. When you recognize His blessings, you dance for joy.

And if you break His heart by turning completely away from His will, His Spirit will allow your heart to break as well. He will humble you, and you will ask for forgiveness, which He will graciously give. And then you will understand what is at the heart of God – His mercy, His forgiveness, and His unbelievable love.

Dear God, Please give me a heart like yours. Teach me Your mercy, Your forgiveness and Your amazing love. Amen.

This week begins the season of Lent, what better way to learn of God’s heart than to study and meditate on the mercy, forgiveness, and love that God showed through His Son, Jesus.

This week, as we prepare, we will read through some of the Psalms of David.

Day 2 – Psalm 25:4-10

Day 3 – Psalm 37:3-6; 23-24

Day 4 – Psalm 86:1-12

Day 5 – Psalm 103:1-13

 

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“Hey! You Denied My Miracle”: 3 Studies on God’s Timing – Part 3

Reading for today: Luke 22:39-53

How many times have you asked God for a miracle? And how many times have you been denied? In our first two studies, Jairus and Lazarus’ sisters all asked for a miracle and got it. They struggled with God’s timing, but in the end, they all received a miracle, even better than they had expected.

What about when you, in faith, ask for a miracle but you don’t get it. What about when God chooses to deny your request? God answers your patient waiting, not with a “yes”, or a “maybe”, or a “later”, but with a cold, unexplainable “no”. When God says no and His timing seems to work against you, you have all the ingredients for despair.

So what better way to end a series on God’s timing, then with an example of Jesus’ own denied request. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus begged God to take away the coming cross and his death. And the answer he received was an unmistakable “no”.

Jesus denied? Up until this point, Jesus hadn’t been denied anything. He had asked for healing and got it. He had asked for understanding and received it. He had asked for miracles, and they came. He asked for the Spirit, and the Spirit was granted. But then one of his last requests was denied. Why? Because God’s timing for our salvation was right on track and Jesus’ request would have derailed God’s plan for us.

In his heart, Jesus knew this, so attached to his desperate prayer were 7 of the most important words ever uttered. “Not my will, but yours be done.” And thank God, that prayer was answered.

When you grapple with God’s timing in your life or in the lives of those around you, know that, like Jesus, you can ask God for wisdom, for clarity, for answers, and for a miracle. But also pray those 7 important words from Jesus, “Not my will, but yours be done.” It may not feel good, but God’s will being done is always best. Trust Him.

Dear God, Right now, I am asking for ___________________________. Not my will, but Yours be done. Amen.

Day 2 – Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4-7

Day 3 – 2 Peter 3:8-9; James 1:5

Day 4 – Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11-14

Day 5 – Matthew 6:9-13

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“Hey! You Withheld My Miracle”: 3 Studies on God’s Timing – Part 2

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:21, 32

God’s timing is always good. It is always perfect. But the circumstances we find ourselves in are not always good and are never perfect.

The Raising of Lazarus by John Reilly

Reading for today: John 11:1-46

It was completely within your power to save my brother and you let him die. I asked you for a miracle and you withheld it from me. Why? We have poured our lives into you and your ministry. I thought we were friends. I thought you loved us. You said, “Everyone who asks, receives” (Luke 11:10). We asked for you to come, we asked for a miracle, but you were purposefully late! And now my brother is dead. I am so hurt and confused. I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.

Faith in God is tricky. When we believe, it’s not a matter of whether or not He exists. It’s a matter of knowing He exists, knowing He loves us, but feeling confused and hurt when His timing seems off. In other words, if God is so good, if God promises to hear us, then why isn’t He being good to me right now? Why isn’t He responding?

But God is responding. In His goodness, God’s response to our confusion and hurt is the same as Jesus’s response to Mary and Martha and the mourners. First, He hears us and is moved to compassion toward us. Second, He feels our hurt. But third, He challenges us to trust His sovereignty. Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God? (John 11:40).

We believe God is able to work a miracle, but do we trust His timing? Do we trust His sovereignty? That is our lifetime challenge: To believe, even when we disagree. To trust, even when we are confused and hurt. And to know that He loves us and our answers are being worked out in His timing and for His glory.

Dear God, We believe! Help our unbelief. Grow our trust. But please, in your mercy, show us your perfect will. Show us your glory. Amen.

This week as you spend time in prayer asking God for clarity or for a miracle, also spend time thanking God for the answer that He is preparing for you in His perfect timing.

Day 2 – Luke 11:9-13

Day 3 – Psalm 40:1-3; Psalm 69:13-17

Day 4 – Psalm 103

Day 5 – Isaiah 40:27-31

 

 

 

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Hey! You Stole My Miracle: 3 Lessons on God’s Timing – Lesson 1

Read for today: Luke 8:40-56

“Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any more.” Luke 8:49

 

Lesson 1: God’s timing is never too late.

Jairus knew Jesus could heal his dying daughter. If he could find Jesus, then there might be a chance.

As if God had heard his desperate prayer, there was Jesus! Pushing through the crowd, Jairus threw himself at Jesus’s feet. Please come, heal my daughter. Desperation gave way to hope as Jairus led Jesus through the masses. Oh God, let us make it in time.

And then, out of nowhere, Jesus stopped. He began to search the crowd for something or someone else. Who touched me? Jesus asked. Nobody responded. Jesus continued to wait, looking around. Precious time ticked by.

There are hundreds of people all around, why are you stopping to ask “who touched me?” Then a woman stepped out of the crowd, revealing that she had touched Jesus and because of it, was healed from a twelve-year-old disease.

Twelve-year-old. The age of Jairus’s daughter. The daughter who also needed Jesus to touch her with his healing powers. But now it was too late. Men from Jairus’s house came and said, Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the teacher any more. It’s over. This hemorrhaging woman had stolen Jairus’s miracle! While Jesus had stood there commending her on her faith, Jairus’s daughter had died. Her life was over. They were too late.

But God’s timing is never too late. In fact, it is perfect every time. However, our response to His perfect timing is usually one of four reactions: fear (as in Jairus), annoyance (as in the disciples), cynicism (as in Jairus’s household), or faith (as in the hemorrhaging woman).

God’s timing is about getting us to that place of faith. His seeming delay afforded one woman another chance in life, healing her body and strengthening her faith. To a scared family, their cynical household, and a frustrated group of disciples who all wanted a healing, God’s timing allowed for a bigger miracle: a resurrection.

As you go through this week, what are you waiting on God for? Instead of responding with worry or fear or frustration, ask God to give you faith. Remember, God loves you and He has a plan for you. He will bless you abundantly and make you a blessing to others. Trust His way. Trust His timing.

Dear God, It is so hard to wait for you. Make me fearless and give me the strength to believe that you have everything perfectly timed. Amen.

This week read about the blessings of waiting on God’s timing.

Day 2 – Jeremiah 29:11-12; Psalm 27:14

Day 3 – Romans 8:28-32

Day 4 – Isaiah 30:18; Lamentations 3:22-26

Day 5 – Psalm 130

 

 

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Steps to contentment: Step 4 – Center

Welcome to week 4 in our study on contentment. Contentment in the biblical sense is peace with God and satisfaction in the circumstances where God has placed you.

Read Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17; 3:1-24 and Matthew 26:36-42

There were two gardens. In the first garden, everything was perfect. God had planted the garden. The plants were lush and filled with fruit. In the center of the garden grew the tree of life. A couple lived there. They trusted God and were content and satisfied, having everything they needed.

The second garden, on the other hand, was dark and dangerous. Although familiar, it was not a happy place that night. In the center of this garden a distressed man lay praying fervently for help to the God he, too, trusted. This isn’t what I want to do. This doesn’t feel good to me. I am not happy about this. Please, please take it away, Lord. He had found himself in that garden because he had come to restore the tree of life that had been lost to the couple in the first garden.

You see, they had stepped out of the master Gardner’s will. And as a horrible consequence, their rebellion brought sin, death, and sadness into a once perfect garden. Ever since that fateful day, we have been chasing down the peace and contentment that was lost.

But God did not abandon that first couple or us. He promised a Savior. One who would become for us the new tree of life.

In the midst of this unhappy, imperfect garden, a sorrowful Jesus taught us one of the most important steps in our path toward contentment. He finished his earnest prayer by saying, Not my will, but Yours be done. Jesus stood in that dark, scary garden and centered himself on God’s will. He completely trusted God. Even though it meant taking on all the sin, all the death, and all the sadness of this world.

Contentment has never really been about our happiness, our comfortableness, or our desires being fulfilled. Contentment is simply about being in the center of God’s will.

The only time we should feel discontent, is when we are in a situation that is pulling us away from God’s will. And in those dark moments, cry out to God, like Jesus did in the garden. And then remember that Jesus is for us the new tree of life at the very center of God’s garden. Center your garden on Him.

Step 4 in the pursuit of contentment: Center your garden on God’s will.

Dear Lord, Let Your will be done always and bring me into the center of Your will. Make me content. Amen.

This week, let’s read about what it looks like to center yourself on God’s will.

Day 2 – 1 John 2:16-17; Matthew 6:10

Day 3 – Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5

Day 4 – John 10:7-11; Hebrews 13:20-21

Day 5 –  1 Timothy 2:4-6; Proverbs 13:12; Revelation 22:14

Next week we will conclude our study on contentment by talking about the harvest!

 

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