Time Alone With God daily devotionals, Section D

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: Genesis 1:26-27

Message by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Genesis 1:26-27

Genesis 1:26-27

New International Version (NIV)

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

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Consider: As we read and consider the simple statement of our creation, there is what seems like a strange little quirk in it.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’” (1:26)

God is presented as plural rather than singular in the very first chapter of the Bible. And how that plays out throughout our scriptures has intrigued us for centuries.

The Old Testament specifically and repeatedly says…

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

This was an important statement to the Hebrews because they lived among nations that served many “gods.” The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob declared, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). And yet, in the New Testament we hear this “one” God described as three—Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19 and elsewhere).

Probably all of us have wrestled with this. We’ve tried to grasp this one God who is three. And we’ve come to the conclusion that, on a logical level, it will never make perfect sense to us. That is because God can be known by us, but is beyond our comprehension.

What we take hold of from the New Testament teaching of the Trinity is the dynamic of God. These are not three static “offices” that the Almighty inhabits. These are not three “roles” he assumes. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit teach us that God is relationship. God is fellowship. God is unity. God is three. God is one.

If we, then, are made in the image of the Trinity, we have to ask ourselves what that means in our everyday existence. If God is relationship, fellowship and unity, how do I let this amazing God live in me and through me? How do I fulfill the image in which I am created?

Of course, that is a question that will challenge us for the rest of our lives. But we begin with the simple task of seeing the image of God in one another. We begin by seeing every human being as an image-bearer of God.

Pray: “Lord, I want to live by the design you had for me when you created me. I want to live in the image of my Creator. I want to increasingly comprehend and live the truth that ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8).

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: Genesis 1:26-27

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Genesis 1:26-27

New International Version (NIV)

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

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Consider: This week it would be good to read the entire opening chapter of the Bible. But if you do, read it as it was intended to be read. Don’t read it for facts and timetables. Don’t read it for data. Read it for celebration.

The first chapter of Genesis is not a text book. It is a poem. I like to call it the “Song of Creation.” In its original language, it bears the marks of Hebrew poetry. This is a poem, a song, a story that God’s people shared and passed down from generation to generation. It reveals the heart of God and the priorities of God. If we look for the wrong things, if we try to use it to argue about the age of the earth or the chronology of creation, we miss the whole point. We miss the beauty and wonder of God’s creativity.

We typically look at the pinnacle of creation as the formation of man and woman. There is a reason for that. It is not because we are superior physically. We are created from the same “dust” (elements) as the rest of creation (2:7). We are different because the Imago Dei—“the image of God”—defines who we are (1:27).

The writer returns to this truth in the following chapter, telling us that God breathed into us “the breath of life” (2:7). He’s not describing oxygen, for the animals partake in that. In the original languages of our scriptures, the word for “breath” and the word for “spirit” are the same. The “breath of life” is the Spirit of God which uniquely resides in that portion of creation that is made in the image of its Creator. We were made for fellowship, intimacy and unity with our Creator.

Pray: Take some time to step back today and consider your place in creation. Take some deep breaths to remind yourself of the “breath of life”—the “image of God”—that formed you and continues to form you. Thank God that he has created you with the capacity to know him, interact with him and love him.

Time Alone With God daily devotional: James 1:27

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: James 1:27

James 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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Consider: In the Old Testament there were three groups of people who were singled out by God to be cared for and protected—the widows, the orphans and the immigrants. God commanded his people to serve them. Of course, we know that care for the vulnerable didn’t only apply to these three groups. The command was to care for all of those who are without resources. And God wasn’t kidding. If Israel neglected the widows, orphan and immigrants, they were not considered to be fit to be called the people of God.

While many things have changed, some things remain the same. Many women around the world are abused and suffer for lack of resources and lack of freedom. They find themselves in hellish conditions with no options. Immigrants and refugees are still despised by many. Nations keep closing their borders to men, women and children who have no safety and no home. And, of course, we know that no matter what the social sickness is—war, poverty, displacement, human trafficking, pornography, domestic abuse—those who suffer the most are the children.

As we’ve seen this week, we cannot limit our vision to those who are near to us. We have to look beyond our doors, our borders and our shores. The church of Jesus Christ must live out the call to be the people of God by following God’s heart for the most vulnerable of the world.

Tomorrow is World Orphan Sunday. Churches around the world will weep for the children, pray for the children, and ask God what we must do for the children. Please pray for the Church of Jesus Christ to follow God’s command.

Pray: “Lord, there are no easy answers. Most of the time we feel helpless. Our hearts break for those who suffer, but we don’t know what to do. Please guide us. We can’t do it alone, so we ask you to guide your church. Please use our hands, our feet, our prayers, our money—our hearts—to embrace the most vulnerable in our world.”

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8

Written by Pastor Phil Stout, JAXNAZ

Read: Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8

Matthew 28:19-20
New International Version (NIV)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

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“Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

We always carry with us the deep, profound conviction that Jesus came for everyone—“all nations.” We cannot stop working as long as there are people who are hungry, both physically and spiritually. Those who are oppressed by the world and oppressed by sin, need to hear the good news that we have received. So we go beyond our home—our “Jerusalem”—out into the “Judea” that surrounds us. We enter into “Samaria”—that place that seems so disgusting and hopeless to our world. And we look even further. We try to envision those we have never met, people who are radically different from us, and we hurt for them, pray for them and try to reach out to them. We don’t see them as “others.” We see them as our sisters and brothers. We reach out to them even if it seems like we’re going “to the ends of the earth.”

Sometimes I hear people say, “Why do we send money and teams overseas when there are so many needs in our own country.” I can think of several reasons. First of all, Jesus never calls us to an “either/or” mentality. We are called to “both/and”—to love those who are near and to love those who are far. We set up a false dichotomy when we imply that we must choose one over the other.

Secondly, all the world is inhabited by God’s children and he loves us all. If those early disciples had not reached toward “the ends of the earth,” you and I would have never heard the good news.

And, again, we must not forget that geography means nothing. Those who are far away are not “other,” they are “us.” If we really believe in the household of faith (Ephesians 2:19), we know that our family is in our homes, in our churches, across town, throughout the nation and around the world.

As we remembered yesterday, this is not an assignment for any one of us. It is an assignment for all of us together. The church—filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit—is sent to the world.

Pray: “Lord, I pray for the church. Help our gaze, our passion and our love to extend beyond what we can naturally see. Help us to love as you love. Expand our thinking, deepen our love and empower us together to be a light to ‘all nations.’”

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: Ephesians 4:1-6

Read: Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:1-6
New International Version (NIV)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

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Consider: Sometimes words are so large—their meaning so broad—that we can’t comprehend them with our minds alone. We have to humbly ask the Holy Spirit to translate them to our hearts—to our entire lives. For me, that is the case with Paul’s words about unity in the Body of Christ.

“There is one body and one Spirit…one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…” (4:4-6)

I’ll be honest. There are a whole lot of believers in Christ that I don’t feel “one with” at all. I disagree with them on theological and ethical issues that are central to my faith. Some have rejected me. (I’ve been accused of being “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” who is leading people astray and destroying the church.) So how do I overcome these feelings of division?

Although this unity that Paul describes is not intelligible on a rational basis alone, I have learned one important principle: unity is love and love is unity.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

I lead a congregation of diverse people with diverse opinions. There are things I believe with which many (perhaps most) of the people in my church would disagree. Yet, we have served Christ together with amazing unity for almost thirty years. How is that possible? I can honestly say that we really love each other.

The church does not demand unanimity of opinion. (If fact, if that is the demand, real unity is destroyed.) But Christ calls us to unity that is based in humility and love. Love for Christ compels us to love one another in the messy, difficult work of the church.

Pray: “Lord, give us a love that transcends our differences. Help us to see that the acid test of love is how it works in real life. Forgive us for the times when our ‘self-ness’ has been larger than our ‘other-ness.’ Thank you that true humility and love free us from ourselves and empower us to see and follow you.”

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: Ephesians 4:1-3

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Ephesians 4:1-3

Ephesians 4:1-3
New International Version (NIV)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

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Consider: Our circumstances can distract us and keep us from seeing life in its proper perspective. Our awareness of God’s love and presence can get sidetracked by the affairs of life. All of us experience and contend with this on a daily basis. (That is one of the reasons it is so important for each of us to make time to be alone with God each day.)

But difficult life circumstances can also be used by God to give us a renewed perspective—a new, true focus. That is also a reality we have all experienced. We’ve received crushing news about a loved one and immediately we knew what was important and what was trivial. We put our minds to prayer to combat our fear of the future and we saw God change our ideas about what kind of future we should want. In great conflict we yearned for peace and then began to discover what real peace is. Yes, our God of amazing grace keeps loving us, teaching us and drawing us to him in the middle of life.

I think the perspective that pain can bring was at the heart of Paul’s words about unity in the Body of Christ. As he wrote to the Ephesian believers about unity, he began by saying…

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (4:1)

What we call the Book of Ephesians is one of Paul’s letters written from prison. Sometimes Paul found himself under house arrest. Other times he was bound in chains and thrown in a dungeon. Paul knew suffering and pain. And because he allowed God to shape his response, prison gave him a clear perspective about what was important for Christ’s church and what simply did not matter.

So from that place in which Paul could see what was really important, he wrote…

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (4:2-3)

Sometimes we make unity in the Body of Christ a secondary issue. Our needs, our opinions, our preferences, our irritations can become so important to us that we think we are helping the church by pressing those issues. But from prison Paul told us to “be completely humble” and to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (4:3). That’s a perspective that you and I must bring to the Church of Jesus Christ.

Pray: “Forgive me, Lord, when I have forgotten how precious your church—your bride—is to you. When I have wanted the church to serve me more than I wanted to serve the church, I lost perspective. Humble me. Humble us. Teach us to be your body and not simply a collection of body parts.”

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Deuteronomy 6:1-7

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Deuteronomy 6:1-7
New International Version (NIV)

Love the Lord Your God
6 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:1-7
New International Version (NIV)

Love the Lord Your God
6 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Time Alone With God Daily Devotionals: Deuteronomy 6:1-7

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-7

Deuteronomy 6:1-7
New International Version (NIV)

Love the Lord Your God
6 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

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Consider: This week we’ve been meditating on the family that the Lord gave us. In addition to the families in which we were born, we were adopted into God’s family—the household of faith. He is not simply my Father. He is our Father. We can only fully live in the reality of the Fatherhood of God when we live in relationship with one another.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Among the many responsibilities of a family is the vital task of passing our faith on to the next generation. In the Old Testament, God passionately calls us to this work.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

What are “these commandments” that we must impress on our children? We find the answer in the previous verse. The command is to…

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (6:5)

And, of course, Jesus affirmed this. He taught us that all of life hinges on loving God and loving God’s image-bearers (Matthew 22:36-40).

So what is it that we’re supposed to teach our children? Over time we’ll teach them many things, but the most essential thing we are supposed to teach them is how to love. In order to do that, we must learn how to love. We can’t teach love academically. We can’t teach it as a series of ideas. We can only teach it by the manner in which we live.

As you tuck them in and then wake them in the morning, as you drive them to school and pick them up from youth group, as you sit at home and gather at the dinner table, teach them how to love. How to love family. How to love friends. How to love enemies. How to love the household of faith. How to love God. Teach them by showing them.

Pray: “Lord, teach me how to love so that my life will lead others to love you more and to love all who are made in your image.”

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Ephesians 2:11-22

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Ephesians 2:11-22

Ephesians 2:11-22

New International Version (NIV)

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
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Consider: Sometimes Paul stacks images upon images to take us to a deeper level of meaning. In writing to the Ephesians about how God has “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (2:14) between Jew and Gentile, he takes us beyond simple truce-making. He teaches us that we…

…are no longer separated from God’s people (2:13)

…are “one” with God’s people (2:15-16)

…are at peace with one another (2:15)

…“are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people” (2:19)

But he doesn’t stop there. There is one more image—one more vital relationship—he wants us to understand. He tells us that we are “also members of his household” (2:19). We are family!

It only makes sense. If God is our Father, if we have been adopted by him, if Jesus is our brother (see Romans 8:14-17), then you and I are siblings.

As is the case with the concepts of the “body of Christ” and the “bride of Christ,” the idea of the “family of God” brings understanding that calls us to live in a new way. Families must together take responsibility for the weakest members. Families must learn to forgive—to continually forgive—or the home will deteriorate into a battle field. Families must understand the worth of every individual regardless of that person’s ability to “contribute” in a manner that looks successful in our culture. Families must transcend differences in opinions and passions. And families should take pride in every member of the family.

Families eat at the same table. We—the household of faith—eat at the table of the Lord. We take the bread and the wine that reminds us of who we are in Christ and who we are in relationship to one another.

Pray: Ask the Lord how he wants you to adjust your attitudes and behaviors toward his family—the household of faith. Ask him to forgive you of the times you have forgotten to honor other family members above yourself. Ask him to give you a tender spirit toward members of his family, like the attitude you have toward small children in the household. For we are all children of the same Father.

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Romans 8:12-17

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:12-17
New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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Consider: The scriptures teach that every human being is a child of God. We were all created in his image (Genesis 1:26-27). All of us are his image-bearers. So what did Paul mean when he said that “those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14)?

We know that some people do not live as though they have a parent. Some people have rejected their parents. They have no communication with them and, therefore, no relationship with them. I’m not throwing stones here. For some, there may be good reasons they have had to cut off that relationship. Others have been given no choice. All I’m saying is that it is possible to have a parent without living as that parent’s child.

Paul is asking us to embrace our Heaven Father—to embrace his parenthood in our lives. And he tells us that as we allow the Father to lead us, we are led into greater intimacy with him. That’s why he uses the Aramaic term, Abba (8:15). It is a term of endearment that a child uses when talking to his or her father.

What is fascinating is Paul’s teaching that we are adopted into the family (8:15). In our self-ness and sinfulness, we rejected God’s fatherhood in our lives. We rejected our heritage. But we were welcomed back into the family. And since we so thoroughly rejected him, he adopted us to once again call us his children.

We were born as his children. Then we were adopted—born again.

Pray: Prayerfully meditate on what it means to be adopted into God’s family. Consider that adoption doesn’t happen accidentally. It is intentional and comes at a great price to the adoptive parents. Ask the Holy Spirit to translate the image of adoption for you so that today you live with a renewed sense that God is your Father.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Matthew 3:1-17

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Matthew 3:1-17

Matthew 3
New International Version (NIV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[a]
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

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Consider: As Matthew introduces us to John the Baptizer, he repeatedly makes it clear what John was preaching—repentance.

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” (3:1-2)

“…he said to them…‘Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.’” (3:7-8)

“I baptize you with water for repentance.” (3:11)

Repentance is an often misunderstood concept. People tend to see repentance as synonymous with confession. Confession of our sins is certainly a part of repentance, but repentance is so much more. Simply put, to repent is to turn around. It is to change directions. It is not about living in the regrets of the past, but about hope for the future. It means stepping into the new life that God has for us and following a different path.

This brings a complete change in the way we think, in the way we prioritize, in what we value most, in how we determine our ethics, and in what comprises the center of our universe. That’s why Paul said…

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This repentance that John preached was such a radical thing that it was to be marked with a strange, but wonderful event—water baptism. This beautiful sacrament carries with it the image of cleansing. That’s why it is a celebration. We are washed, not by the water, but by the Spirit. This submission to the water is a sign of our repentance, his forgiveness and our cleansing from sin.

You can see John’s reticence to baptize Jesus. He knew that Jesus needed neither repentance nor forgiveness. But Jesus chose to become one of us and for that reason he said to John, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this…” (Matthew 3:15).

Later, the work of Christ would infuse even more meaning into this simple act of submitting to the water and submitting to the Holy Spirit.

Pray: Praise the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing. Ask him to help you today to walk in the joy of knowing that your sins are forgiven. Thank him that repentance is not about our regrets of the past. Instead it empowers us to live in joy today and in hope for tomorrow.

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Written by Pastor Phil Stout


Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Today believers around the world will light four candles. As we light again the candles of Hope, Love and Joy, we add to them The Candle of Peace.

“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

— Isaiah 9:1-7

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Isaiah 9:6-7

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 9:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

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Consider: We’ve talked this week about peace and we’ve talked about justice. But those are not two separate ideas. As Isaiah spoke about the coming Messiah, both are prominent in his prophecy.

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (9:6-7)

Peace and justice are inextricably intertwined. Without justice there is no peace. If you look at the most oppressed nations of this world you will find that they are filled with strife and violence.

Without peace there is no justice. Where there is war and violence the innocent suffer. They become refugees and are deprived of the basic necessities of life. Children are orphaned and conscripted to fight. Civilians are killed and women are raped.

But, why talk about these things? After all, aren’t they beyond our influence? Nations wage war and there is nothing we can do about it. Or is there?

When you believe that Jesus is the King of Kings, you also believe that he brought his kingdom to earth. The kingdom of God has come even though we still wait for it to come in its fullness. (We call it the “present/coming kingdom,” or the “now/not yet kingdom.”) We are charged—and privileged—to be part of that kingdom. And because the kingdom of heaven spreads slowly and imperceptibly (Matthew 13:31-33), we have to have faith that our work counts. We are making a difference.

Every time we work for justice we are working for peace. Every time we feed the hungry or watch out for the vulnerable and oppressed we are advancing Christ’s kingdom of peace. This Christmas season when you give to the poor, volunteer in the church’s food pantry, visit a lonely person, embrace a hurting child, show grace to a troubled teenager or pray for peace, you are proclaiming with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” You are proclaiming it with your life!

Pray: Thank God for the coming of the Prince of Peace. Praise him that he chose you to live Messiah’s message and proclaim his good news.

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Luke 2:8-20

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:8-20

New International Version (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

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Consider: We are so grateful to Luke for giving us the account of the shepherds who were tending their sheep outside of Bethlehem—the first ones to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth. Shepherds were not the elite of society. They were among the poor, those who struggled for their daily bread. This is an account, among many passages in the Bible, which signifies God’s special concern for the poor. (Again, take note of Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55.)

The Old Testament prophets spoke about justice. But remember, the term “justice” was used in the scriptures in a different manner than we usually use it today. Today people often talk about punitive justice. But our Bible—our God—teaches restorative justice. Justice that brings mercy and grace to our world. Justice that treats everyone—particularly the disadvantaged—to the blessings and prosperity God wants for his people.

One of the great justice passages from the Old Testament is found in Amos 5:24…

“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”

The coming of the Messiah signified salvation, peace and justice. The night that changed the world was heralded to the poor of this world. And it was brought to us in the One who became poor for us. That message continues to transform the world. We can recognize it if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Pray: Thank God that the message is for everyone. Thank him that the message was proclaimed to ordinary shepherds like you and me. Ask him to use you to be his good news to the ordinary and the poor that you will encounter today.

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Ephesians 2:11-18

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Ephesians 2:11-18

Ephesians 2:11-18

New International Version (NIV)

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

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Consider: In the Old Testament the people who heard the messianic prophecies considered them to be promises given to the nation of Israel. They were. But there was more to those promises. When we look at the promise—the covenant—in its original form as it was given to Abraham, we read that God told Abraham, “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). The “offspring” refers to the nation out of which Jesus would come and “all nations” includes you and me.

In today’s scripture reading Paul describes the fulfillment of that promise as the peace that Messiah brings. Jesus brings peace to us individually by his death and resurrection—by the forgiveness of our sins and restoring us to a right relationship with God. But there is another peace that Jesus brings…

“His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:15-18)
No wonder Paul says…

“There is neither Jew nor Greek (gentile), slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

The peace proclaimed by the angels in Bethlehem means that the peace of Christ can rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). But it also means that Christ came to break down the walls of hostility among the nations. He came to do what the angels promised—bring peace on earth.

Pray: Mediate on what Paul meant in Ephesians 2:14 when he said, “He himself is our peace.” Praise Jesus for that reality.

Time Alone With God daily devotional: John 1:14

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: John 1:14

John 1:14

New International Version (NIV)

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Start:
Consider: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” In the original language it states that “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”

A tabernacle was a temporary dwelling, a tent of sorts that could be moved from place to place. That’s why we often translate John 1:14 to say that “he pitched his tent among us.” While the whole cosmos is Christ’s domain, the physical appearance of Jesus of Nazareth was given for a set time—an appointed time.

Yesterday we remembered that we are resident aliens—those who live among the kingdoms of this world as foreigners (1 Peter 1:17). In so doing, we are living like the One who pitched his tent among us.

We don’t pound our tent stakes too deep here. The kingdoms of this world are where we live, but their values are not our values. While we love the world as God created it and will one day fulfill it, we don’t fall in love with the ways of the earthly kingdoms. We are like our father, Abraham, of whom it was said…

“By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents…for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:9-10)

While we sojourn here, we also look forward to that city—what John called “the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:2, 10). And like the One who came for an appointed time, we bring heaven to earth every day we travel this terrain with him.

God was incarnated—made flesh—in our world. We call that the Christ. Then he filled us with his Spirit so we could live his life in the flesh. We call that the Body of Christ. And we pitch our tent with him dwelling in it.

Pray: “Thank you, Lord, for placing us here as your body. We’re humbled to think that we are Christ’s hands and feet on this planet. We are Christ’s arms that embrace a lonely, broken, wounded world. Help us to live as you did, knowing that we are working for a kingdom ‘whose architect and builder is God.’”

Time Alone With God daily devotional: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: 1 Peter 1:17-21

1 Peter 1:17-21

New International Version (NIV)

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

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Consider: Peter teaches us to live out our lives “as foreigners here” (1:17). This instruction has given us a title that we embrace. We are “resident aliens.”

Whenever I remember that I am a resident alien, I feel the sentiment expressed by the late Rich Mullins…

Nobody tells you when you get born here
How much you’ll come to love it
And how you’ll never belong here
So I call you my country
And I’ll be lonely for my home

Now let’s not get confused. Our home is not some faraway place. Christ is our home. And the One who came in the flesh will one day return. His presence will make our world his home, and in so doing, make it our home as well.
At his return the voice from the throne will proclaim…

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:3-5)

The breathtaking beauty of that statement can make us a little homesick. But while we yearn for that day, we realize that our call is not simply to hunker down until Jesus returns. As resident aliens, we have an attitude, an approach and a calling—a calling to make our home a reality in the strange land in which we live today.

Pray: “Lord, this Advent Season is our time of waiting, anticipating, yearning and hoping. Thank you that you have made us part of your work. Our hope is in our hearts, in our minds and in our hands. But ultimately our hope is in you. Thank you for loving your world so much.”

Time Alone With God daily devotional: Luke 1:46-55

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Luke 1:46-55

Luke 1:46-55
New International Version (NIV)

Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

Start:

Consider: Mary’s song is, in part, a prophecy. And like so many of God’s prophets, she presented her words in the past tense, as if these things had already taken place.

“He has performed mighty deeds…scattered those who are proud…brought down rulers…lifted up the humble…filled the hungry…sent the rich away empty…”

There is certainty in her words—great confidence in what her son would do. And for those in power who were committed to keeping their power, this was not good news. Why, if Augustus would have heard those words, Mary would have been arrested for treason. It wasn’t safe to proclaim Jesus as Lord when the empire was saying “Caesar is Lord” (Acts 17:6-8).

But in the great turmoil of those months leading up to Jesus’ birth, the Holy Spirit had somehow taught her something about this baby in her womb. Somehow she was beginning to understand what Isaiah meant when he said that “the government will be on his shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6). Her words showed that a new kingdom was on the way and the world would never be the same.

Isaiah also talked about it in the past tense, as well as the present and the future…

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)

The new kingdom—it has happened, it is happening and it will happen. Such is the reality of Advent.

Pray: “Lord, so often I am trapped in time. I regret the past or dread the future. But you are the God who was, who is and who is to come (Revelation 1:8). Thank you that the kingdom you bring transcends time. Help me to live in eternity in this moment, filled with gratitude for your coming and your presence.”

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: Matthew 1:21-23

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: Matthew 1:21-23

Matthew 1:21-23
New International Version (NIV)

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[b] (which means “God with us”).

Start:

Consider: Two prophecies in two testaments, separated by centuries, give us the same promise. In a time of war and fear, Isaiah said that the Lord would reveal himself—would give a sign…

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.’” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)

Centuries later, from a cave on the Island of Patmos, John saw a vision and declared…

“I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:3)

It’s the same message. “God is with us”—“God’s dwelling place is now among the people.” Both advents declare the same promise.

It is essential to see this or we will not understand how we are to live in this present age. The kingdom of heaven is coming, but it is already here. Jesus will come again, but he has already arrived. In other words, today we get to live in the new kingdom even as we await it in its fullness.

I get to live by the new kingdom values today. Today I get to receive and give grace. Today I get to be filled with hope. Today I get to love my enemy. Today I get to reject the sword and embrace the cross. Today I get to lay down my life for Christ and for his world.

I don’t have to live by the old, tired values of the kingdoms of this world. That’s the freedom given to us by Christ’s arrival.

Pray: “Lord, your presence is a gift beyond my comprehension. And yet I can know your presence. What my mind cannot conceive, my spirit can receive. Thank you for the promise and reality of Immanuel—God with us. God with me.”

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: John 11:17-26

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: John 11:17-26

John 11:17-26
New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

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Consider: Yesterday we listened in on Jesus and Martha as he comforted her at the loss of her brother. There we saw two resurrections…

“Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’” (11:23)

“Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’” (11:24)

Jesus was speaking about a resurrection that was imminent—one that would happen within the hour. Martha was speaking about a future event—one that had been anticipated for centuries. But then, Jesus bound them together in a manner that Martha could hardly comprehend…

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’” (11:25)

That is what we try to comprehend—to embrace—at Advent. God was in Christ, reconciling us and his entire creation (cosmos) to himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus brought this reconciliation by bringing resurrection.

So when we see new life in the manger and new life emerging from the empty tomb, we see ourselves and our world in the three resurrections…

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Your resurrection and mine, described by Jesus when he told Martha, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (11:25-26). That eternal life began the day we were born again.

“…the resurrection at the last day” (11:24) when the “groaning creation” will be renewed (Romans 8:22).

The First Advent and the Second Advent cannot be understood apart from one another. These are not disparate pieces. They form one act of God, for Jesus is resurrection and Jesus is life.

That is why we cannot talk about Advent without talking about hope.

Pray: “Lord, you asked Martha if she believed that you are the resurrection. Help me to believe, with my faith and with my life. Today I will live in hope—no matter what I see or experience—because you are ‘the resurrection and the life.’”

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: John 11:17-26

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: John 11:17-26

John 11:17-26
New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Start:

Consider: This is a remarkable account of resurrection. But it is not the story of one resurrection. We find three of them in this story.

If you are not familiar with this event, read John 11:1-44 and you’ll find that Jesus brought his friend, Lazarus, back from the dead. But today we’re listening to the conversation between Jesus and Martha prior to the raising of Lazarus, which opens our understanding about something much larger than what happened that day.

In the midst of Martha’s grief and deep disappointment that Jesus arrived so late—too late to heal—Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again” (11:23). Martha’s response shows us the hope that had been passed down to her by the prophets and leaders of Israel.

“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (11:24)

Isaiah had foretold the day when swords will be beaten into plowshares (2:4), when “the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard…no more” (65:19), when this earth will be made into “a new earth” (65:17) and when “they will neither harm nor destroy…for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (11:9).

Martha believed that. Martha believed that God would heal all wounds and restore all of creation. And we still believe in “the resurrection at the last day.”

In order for us to understand the Season of Advent, we must see Jesus’ First Advent in the context of his Second Advent. We believe that the One who came to us in Bethlehem will come again. We believe that God’s will for this earth is not to destroy it, but to resurrect it. And we believe the new earth—the new kingdom—began when God put on our humanity and came to be one of us.

Jesus raised Lazarus and promised a final resurrection yet to come. Tomorrow we’ll look at the third resurrection that we find in Jesus’ encounter with Martha.

Pray: “Lord, ‘the resurrection at the last day’ is almost too wonderful for me to believe. During this Advent Season help me to somehow embrace the hope you brought at your First Advent. And then empower me, by your Spirit, to participate in the preparation for your return when all things will be made new (Revelation 21:5).”

Time Alone With God Daily Devotional: John 12:24

Written by Pastor Phil Stout

Read: John 12:24

New International Version (NIV)

24 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.

Start

Consider: As we saw yesterday, we have to grow down to grow up. Scripture and life repeatedly teach this. And sometimes that growing down is the hardest part of life.

Yesterday we talked about the intentional nature of growing by choosing to go deep. That vital work prepares us for the depths we endure that are not of our own choosing.

We know that birth leads to life. But, spiritually speaking, death also leads to life. Death precedes resurrection. I’m not talking about physical death alone, for even as we live in this flesh, we die so that life may flourish.

We know what it’s like to grow through suffering. Journeys though illness, grief, disappointment, betrayal and disillusionment are journeys through death toward resurrection. As we journey through “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4), resurrection is rarely visible. It can only be seen through eyes of faith and hope.

But we don’t simply die the deaths that are imposed on us. We choose death. We choose to kill our pride, our arrogance, our self-will. With the help of God, by the power of his Spirit living in us, we continually present ourselves to him, asking him to do away with the old, false self and to resurrect the life of Christ in us.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Pray: “Lord, I submit my will to you. Though I often fear the death of my old self, I rejoice in the new life you bring. Thank you that, in you, death always leads to resurrection.”

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