New Beginning Columbus

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012: MATTHEW 6:1-6 THREE PRACTICES

newbeginningcolumbus — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:28:13 +0000

This text is located in the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus lays out the constitution of the new Kingdom. Here Jesus addresses three important religious practices of his day: giving alms, prayer and fasting. Like Isaiah, Jesus puts the harsh light of judgment on empty piety. It is not the act of giving alms, praying and fasting that Jesus indicts, but the motivation behind them. When we do these things to be seen by others, then the fickle attention and affirmation of others is all we’ll achieve. These things are of no real spiritual value, and Jesus says that people who do this are like hypocrites. The word hypocrite comes from ancient Greek theater describing someone who wears a mask to play a role. While not a negative word in its original context, Jesus implies that doing pious acts for show is just a show. Instead, Jesus calls disciples to do these acts secretly, seen only by God. If we believe that we have God’s love and affirmation, we’re set free to exercise our piety in secret. Do you believe these practices could be helpful for you? Ask God to help you step into these disciplines today.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, Matthew Tagged: ancient greek theater, jesus sermon on the mount, negative word, prayer and fasting, sermon on the mount, spiritual value

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012: ISAIAH 58:1-12 ASH WEDNESDAY

newbeginningcolumbus — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:44:59 +0000

Lent begins with a call to fasting, prayer and repentance. Today, Christians all over the world are marked with ashes in the sign of the cross and reminded that we’re all “dust, and to dust we will return.” Many scholars believe this text was written to the Israelites during and after their return to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. Although joyful for freedom, they discover that reestablishing life in Jerusalem is not easy. They believe that they’re doing all the right things – fasting and humbling themselves – but can’t understand why God seems to ignore them. Isaiah says that outward acts of piety not connected to a life of social justice do not please the Lord. There is an implied link between relationship with neighbor and relationship with God. God desires to partner with his restored people in order to restore others. How can you work with God, restoring life to others? Ask God to help you see yourself as a vital partner in this work.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, Isaiah Tagged: babylonian captivity, god desires, god god, relationship with god, sign of the cross, vital partner

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012: JOHN 5:4-11 REMAIN

newbeginningcolumbus — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:41:59 +0000

Jesus is not giving comforting advice; he’s illustrating the difficult path of faithful service. God is the Vine Grower, Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. Jesus is the life source for the branches. God tends to the branches and will “remove every branch” that gives no yield. The word “remain” (it could be abide in your translation), in this text, means to stay with, to stay connected. Jesus, in today’s text, encourages us over and over again to stay connected to him. What does he mean? What does this look like in your life? How can you remain (abide) in Jesus? Ask God to help you live as a branch of the vine.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, John Tagged: faithful service, god, jesus, life source, translation, vine grower

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012: JOHN 15:1-3 VINES AND BRANCHES

newbeginningcolumbus — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:51:07 +0000

This text focuses on images of vines and the vine grower. In the Old Testament, this imagery represents the covenant people of God, planted and tended by God to produce fruit. When Israel is depicted as a vine or vineyard, it’s generally being chastised for not bearing fruit as God expects. Jesus’ description of himself as the “true Vine” is seen against this backdrop, yet differs significantly. It represents new imagery, original with Jesus. This vine underscores the importance of fruitfulness in Christian life, resulting not from our achievement, but from our position in Christ. Can you see how you are a branch, connected to Jesus, the Vine? How are you being sustained by the true Vine? Ask God to help you see the source of life.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, John Tagged: bearing fruit, fruitfulness, jesus the vine, source of life, true vine, vine grower

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012: MARK 4:13-20 GROWTH

newbeginningcolumbus — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:54:41 +0000

Jesus doesn’t call us to make believers. He calls us to make disciples, followers, people who live daily in the way of Jesus, people whose lives bear fruit. When, by God’s grace, the seeds we plant into people’s lives germinate and grow, that’s just the beginning. Together, as the body of Christ, we nurture that person to grow up strong in faith, to learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus in daily life. We welcome them into Christian community; teach them how to engage with Scripture and how to pray. We help them to discern their gifts and put those gifts to use in the world. We teach them how to be generous with their time, heart and financial resources. And we learn and grow alongside them. We can’t give others what we don’t have. Have you been on this journey with someone else? Are you intentional about these things in your own life? How can you grow today? Ask God to help you grow in your life of faith.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, Mark Tagged: body of christ, disciples, financial resources, follower of jesus, life of faith, time heart

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-15 FOUNDATIONS

newbeginningcolumbus — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:06:05 +0000

This is one of the great foundations of faith: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith …” (I received my theological training in a Lutheran seminary and this is from Luther’s explanation to the third article of the Apostles’ Creed). Not only does this belief alleviate a responsibility that isn’t ours to carry, it also adds urgency to the call to pray throughout the process. We leave it all in God’s hands, trusting that God will accomplish what God wants to accomplish, in God’s way and in God’s time. This abiding trust in God’s power and purpose provides the hope that gives birth to patience. We don’t “give up” on people who continue to reject the good news. We continue to pray and love those whom God is calling us to reach. Who is God calling you to reach? Ask God to help you identify this person today, and reach out.

Filed under: Corinthians, Daily Devotional Tagged: apostles creed, foundations of faith, jesus christ, lutheran seminary, true faith, trust in god

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012: ISAIAH 55:10-11 PLANTING

newbeginningcolumbus — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:27:35 +0000

In Monday and Tuesday’s readings, Paul couldn’t be any more clear; we plant and water, but only God makes the seeds we plant into people’s lives grow. This is even true agriculturally. We can work the process, but ultimately we can’t make seeds grow. The power is inherent in the seed itself, where God placed it. The same is true of the proclamation of the gospel. The Word that is planted will not return to God without accomplishing that for which was sent; Isaiah speaks of this in today’s reading. We aren’t called to prove anything. We’re not called to talk anyone into anything. We’re not called to provide all sorts of evidence so that people can make the right decision. We’re not called to have all the answers to all the questions. We’re called to love people well in Jesus’ name and be prepared to give an answer for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). How might you be about the work of planting seeds of faith today? How do you begin? What is your role in this process? Ask God to help lead you to love someone well and be prepared to proclaim the faith that is within you.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, Isaiah Tagged: 1 peter, all sorts, isaiah, jesus name, planting seeds, right decision

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012: MARK 4:1-9 SEEDS

newbeginningcolumbus — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:19:57 +0000

This is often called the parable of the sower, but it’s more accurate to call it the parable of the seed. There are some things about seeds that inform how we think about our faith life. Seeds grow in their own time. They don’t germinate and sprout according to our timing. Farming requires patience. Not all seeds germinate and grow. Jesus said as much in Matthew 13. Seeds require tending – watering, weeding, sunlight, fertilizer – and we all have a part to play. Ultimately only God makes the seed grow. We are responsible for playing the part we’re given, but not for the growth itself. Is it good news that God is the only one who can make the seed of faith grow in the heart of another? Does this take some pressure off and make it easier to reach over the fence? Ask God to help you understand this more deeply.

Filed under: Daily Devotional, Mark Tagged: faith life, fertilizer, life seeds, own time, parable of the seed, parable of the sower

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-11 ALIGNMENT

newbeginningcolumbus — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:53:13 +0000

This is part of Paul’s response to the factions that have sprung up like weeds in the church. The Corinthian Christians are aligning themselves with various leaders such as Paul and Apollos, claiming that their “team” is better than the others. Paul’s response is to remind the Corinthians that all human leaders are merely servants on a single team – Team Jesus. Each has a role to play, but all have a single objective: to grow the body of Christ. Like Jesus (see Mark 4:1ff ), Paul uses the analogy of planting to describe what we would call evangelism. The core question here is this: “To whom are you aligned?” How quickly we align ourselves with those we see as brilliant, powerful, connected, or helpful to us and our cause! Paul tells them – and us – that we are all servants on the same team. When have you been divisive, rather than a team player? Does this get in the way? Ask God to realign your heart and life to the work of the Kingdom of God.

Filed under: Corinthians, Daily Devotional Tagged: apollos, body of christ, corinthian christians, factions, kingdom of god, team jesus

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9 DYSFUNCTION

newbeginningcolumbus — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:10:01 +0000

The church in Corinth is a “wonderful” example of ancient dysfunction that can make our congregations seem downright tame and sane. In Paul’s day, the city of Corinth is one of the major cities of the Roman Empire. Its prominence and wealth are derived from a thriving business climate fueled through its harbors. Corinth is also widely known for its moral decadence. All of these characteristics are reflected in the church. Even a cursory reading of Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth reveals the dysfunction within: disunity, arguments, sexual immorality, pride, spiritual immaturity and misunderstandings about worship, spiritual gifts, the resurrection, and much more. Does this challenge your thoughts about the ancient church? Does it make you think twice about participating in conflicts in your own church? Does this letter help you put your focus back on Jesus? Ask God to help you recognize dysfunction when you see it and seek to be the kind of person who works to change it.

Filed under: Corinthians, Daily Devotional Tagged: business climate, city of corinth, moral decadence, roman empire, sexual immorality, spiritual immaturity