Weekly Devotional - Steve Grigg
VERSE:
“Teach me your ways oh Lord, that I may walk according to your truth. Grant me purity of heart so that I may honor you.” (Psalm 86:11)
COMMENTS:
Teach me your ways. Not my way, but God’s ways. This is a surrendering of one’s self to what God wants to impart upon us. Jesus was called a prophet, and rabbi (teacher). He taught God’s word, and how to walk according to that word. I know God’s word, and have also learned a greater understanding by experiencing God’s word. During Sunday’s message we heard a prayer, “My desire is to know your name and be at peace with your ways.” Pastor Pete explained that to know God’s name, means to have an experiential intimacy of the very nature or character of God. My readings of the Bible, tied in with my meandering life’s walk, have led me to a deeper understanding of God and his essence. I have experienced his love, grace, healing, blessing, forgiveness and so much more.
In Matt. 21:11 “and the crowd replied, it is Jesus the prophet…” As Pastor Pete stated, here was “the prophet” the nation of Israel was waiting for. I am saddened (my words) that the nation of Israel is still waiting for the Messiah to appear, to set them free from their enemies, and to bring peace. I wonder how many followers of Christ are waiting for Jesus to set them free, to solve all of their problems. Christ setting them free not just from illness, troubled lives and more, but even just “Lord, tell me what you want me to do” issues.
Like many, I have my times of struggling while waiting for an answer from God. Lord, please show me what you want me to do. When will this personal crisis be over? Why is this happening? A few years ago, I lost a younger brother during a surgical procedure. I had driven him to the hospital. I waited with my Mom through the procedure, and was there when the life support was turned off. He had been living with my parents, so they were extremely devastated. I had to wait until I returned home before I could grieve. I needed to wrestle with God and my feelings. I went to my private place to cry, shout, question, and pray. God met me there and wrapped me in his love. I still do not fully understand why my brother died. I have my thoughts, but through faith I trust God’s process.
During holy week, Jesus knew what was going to happen. He warned his disciples, who did not truly understand his words. After the crucifixion, I imagine some of them cried, shouted, and questioned just like I did about my brother. After his resurrection, Christ met them and wrapped his love around them. Remember how Jesus restored Peter in the book of John. Earlier Peter had denied knowing Christ three times. In John 21:15-17 Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter replied yes three times. Each time Jesus told him to “feed or care for my sheep.”
Eventually the disciples received the command, “Go and share the good news of the gospel to all parts of the world.” Like the disciples we may not understand God’s process. What it requires of us is to know the name of God. It calls upon us to recognize that at his core God loves us more than we can imagine. Whether it is life in general or wrestling with understanding Holy Week, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, trust God’s ways.
CHALLENGE:
Praise God when things are going smoothly and praise him when they are not.
Christ was lifted up for the whole world to see, to understand that he loved us so much he died for us. He did it with his arms wide open, like a mother hen waiting to take her chicks under her loving, protective wings. Like that mother hen, he takes us where he goes. One day, that will be his eternal kingdom.
Share God’s word!
“I remain confident of this. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14)
He is Risen!
Steve G.
“Teach me your ways oh Lord, that I may walk according to your truth. Grant me purity of heart so that I may honor you.” (Psalm 86:11)
COMMENTS:
Teach me your ways. Not my way, but God’s ways. This is a surrendering of one’s self to what God wants to impart upon us. Jesus was called a prophet, and rabbi (teacher). He taught God’s word, and how to walk according to that word. I know God’s word, and have also learned a greater understanding by experiencing God’s word. During Sunday’s message we heard a prayer, “My desire is to know your name and be at peace with your ways.” Pastor Pete explained that to know God’s name, means to have an experiential intimacy of the very nature or character of God. My readings of the Bible, tied in with my meandering life’s walk, have led me to a deeper understanding of God and his essence. I have experienced his love, grace, healing, blessing, forgiveness and so much more.
In Matt. 21:11 “and the crowd replied, it is Jesus the prophet…” As Pastor Pete stated, here was “the prophet” the nation of Israel was waiting for. I am saddened (my words) that the nation of Israel is still waiting for the Messiah to appear, to set them free from their enemies, and to bring peace. I wonder how many followers of Christ are waiting for Jesus to set them free, to solve all of their problems. Christ setting them free not just from illness, troubled lives and more, but even just “Lord, tell me what you want me to do” issues.
Like many, I have my times of struggling while waiting for an answer from God. Lord, please show me what you want me to do. When will this personal crisis be over? Why is this happening? A few years ago, I lost a younger brother during a surgical procedure. I had driven him to the hospital. I waited with my Mom through the procedure, and was there when the life support was turned off. He had been living with my parents, so they were extremely devastated. I had to wait until I returned home before I could grieve. I needed to wrestle with God and my feelings. I went to my private place to cry, shout, question, and pray. God met me there and wrapped me in his love. I still do not fully understand why my brother died. I have my thoughts, but through faith I trust God’s process.
During holy week, Jesus knew what was going to happen. He warned his disciples, who did not truly understand his words. After the crucifixion, I imagine some of them cried, shouted, and questioned just like I did about my brother. After his resurrection, Christ met them and wrapped his love around them. Remember how Jesus restored Peter in the book of John. Earlier Peter had denied knowing Christ three times. In John 21:15-17 Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter replied yes three times. Each time Jesus told him to “feed or care for my sheep.”
Eventually the disciples received the command, “Go and share the good news of the gospel to all parts of the world.” Like the disciples we may not understand God’s process. What it requires of us is to know the name of God. It calls upon us to recognize that at his core God loves us more than we can imagine. Whether it is life in general or wrestling with understanding Holy Week, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, trust God’s ways.
CHALLENGE:
Praise God when things are going smoothly and praise him when they are not.
Christ was lifted up for the whole world to see, to understand that he loved us so much he died for us. He did it with his arms wide open, like a mother hen waiting to take her chicks under her loving, protective wings. Like that mother hen, he takes us where he goes. One day, that will be his eternal kingdom.
Share God’s word!
“I remain confident of this. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14)
He is Risen!
Steve G.
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