What is your choice? (devotion)

This is a post from a youth pastor in Florida who is battling cancer. It was listed on his facebook page Josh's Journey.

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I had a lousy night last night and couldn't get to sleep until after 3am. But here is the good news. I was just talking with someone that also is going through her own battle with cancer. I told her that last night was a bad night for me. I was in pain and unable to even lay down until 3am. So today I am tired, my eyes are dry and I basically just feel bad. But I know that this is just one day and today is going to happen whether I am in a good mood or bad mood about cancer. I can choose to let it get me down and live in the negative or I can choose to be positive and use my situation to minister to someone today. It's my choice.


That is the truth guys. Whatever it is that you are going through you have a choice to be negative or to minister through it. What is your choice going to be today? On Tuesday, I was in a Bible study and we were taking about the book of Acts. I was reminded about when Paul and Silas were arrested for casting an evil spirit from a slave girl. After being severely flogged this is what the Bible says they did:

Acts 16:25

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

They could have been upset and in a bad mood but instead of living in their negativity, they were praising God. Guess what. As a result, people were saved. As a result of their willingness to minister during a tough time, there are people in heaven.

We have a powerful choice to make each day of our lives.

WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?

Perfect Imperfections (devotions)

I sang with the choir at my church for the first time this past Sunday. I know that sounds pretty ordinary, but it was a huge deal for me. Ever since childhood, I’ve been horribly insecure about my voice. However, I love to sing and praise the Lord. It brings me joy and I’ve been told by others that watching me brings them joy also. So I decided to join the choir. I was terrified Sunday morning certain that I would get off key and everyone singing would be furious with me. Of course, the choir sounded great and no one was mad. I had a fabulous time praising God and ministering to the congregation. To think I’d missed out on that blessing for years because I was worried I wasn’t a perfect singer.


I think we believers miss out on opportunities to serve God and others because of our insecurities. We miss out on sharing our faith because we feel we don’t know enough about God. We turn down leading a Bible study because we feel our past sins disqualify us. We avoid comforting the sick because we feel we don’t know what to say.

This is not a modern problem. Moses was afraid of public speaking. “But Moses pleaded with the Lord, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’” (Exodus 4:10) Gideon said, “But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15) The great apostle Paul said, “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15) Despite their shortcomings, God used all these men in mighty ways—just as he can use you.

My friend Jeanne Karst has a business remaking old furniture. She calls it “Perfect Imperfections.” I think it’s an excellent description of us as believers. We are imperfect people made perfect through Christ. 2 Corinthians says that God’s strength is evident in our weakness. We’re not supposed to be perfect. We’re just supposed to be available and God will do the rest.

Don’t let your insecurities keep you from serving God and ministering to his people. If you do that, you’ll miss out on all the wonderful blessings he has in store for you.

Why do you worship Jesus? (devotion)

Somewhere between three and four Tuesday morning, Bill woke up in pain. In eighteen years of marriage, I’ve never seen him in that kind of agony. It only took about twenty minutes before I said we needed to go to the ER. The fact that he agreed with me made the situation scarier. It normally takes an act of congress to convince my husband to go to the doctor. All the way there, he micromanaged my driving. “Go faster. Pass that car,” he said between moans. He knew relief was at the hospital. And it was. We had to wait through admissions and some tests, but they did come with medication. After about two and a half hours of pain, Bill started to feel relief. It turned out he was passing a kidney stone. They doctor sent us home with prescriptions and advice to drink lots of water.


While we were waiting at the ER, Bill said, “How did people do this hundreds of years ago?” His statement got me thinking. It’s no wonder people crowded around Jesus looking for healing. I hated seeing Bill pace, sit, and pace again unable to find any respite from his pain, but I knew the doctors could fix it. What if there were no doctors and no medicine? I would have been desperate to find a cure for my husband. I would have torn up the roof and lowered him at the feet of Jesus. I wouldn’t have done that because I believed He was the Living God—my Savior. I would have done that because I wanted Him to do something for me.

When Jesus was crucified, only a handful of people were with Him. After He ascended, one hundred and twenty followers waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Where were all the people blessed by Jesus’s miracles? Where were the five thousand He fed? Where were all the people Jesus healed? Once they felt He couldn’t do for them anymore, they went away. Many people have this attitude. They view God as a Daddy Warbucks in the sky, someone who gives them whatever they need. When He fails to do so, they no longer believe.

Even Mary and Martha were guilty of this when Lazarus died. They were angry Jesus had not come and healed their brother. (John 11) These two had been with Him, listened to His teachings, and still didn’t get it. He wanted the people gathered there to believe He was their savior. In verses 25 and 26 he says, “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” Jesus was talking about eternal life and the people were still thinking about what He could do for them on this earth. For example, in verse 37 it states, “But some said, ‘This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?’”

Why do you worship Jesus? As a Christ follower, your belief should be based on recognizing Him as a Holy God, Merciful Savior and not on what He can do for you.

Lessons from Acts: Don't Assume (devotion)

I started out in college as a pre-med major. Somewhere in my sophomore year, it dawned on me I planned on being a stay-at-home mom and that goal didn’t exactly coincide with pre-med. Why spend all that time and money on a career I intended to quit? I prayed about what to major in—speech pathology, science education, drama? I strongly felt the Lord telling me to proceed with science education. I knew it was what He wanted me to do. Imagine my surprise when my first year of teaching was horrible. God had called me to teach. Why was it so bad? I decided the problem was public school and I would be happier in a private Christian school. I wasn’t. Different issues, same misery. I was both relieved and confused when I felt God telling me to quit after two years. I wondered if I misheard in college or if I was mishearing about quitting. I actually heard correctly both times.


In college, I made the same mistakes the apostles made in Acts 1:15-26. Jesus had just ascended. The apostles and other disciples were hanging out waiting on the Holy Spirit. Peter gives a speech stating that they needed to select another apostle to replace Judas. Peter said they needed to choose someone who had been with them from Jesus’ baptism through His ascension. “For one of these must become a witness with us of his {Jesus} resurrection.” (vs 22) They chose two men, Barsabas and Matthias, prayed, and cast lots as to who would be the next apostle.

“24 Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” Casting lots was a tradition going far back into the Old Testament. It would be similar to flipping a coin today. According to scripture, God determined the outcome. Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” Based on scriptural evidence, we must conclude that God determined Matthias as apostle. However, Matthias never did anything we know of. He isn’t mentioned again in scripture. The one God intended to replace Judas came later, and he was someone the apostles never would have imagined—Saul.

What happened? God gave them an interim answer, a “this is good enough for now” answer. Why? Because that’s all they would hear. From the beginning, the apostles made assumptions. They set the parameters for the great apostle search. In verses 22 and 23, they state that the new guy should have been with them from the beginning. They didn’t ask God what His guidelines for the next apostle were. Saul, a hardened Pharisee, certainly didn’t enter into their criteria. When they did ask God his opinion, it was limited between two options. They didn’t inquire, “Who is the best man for this job?” Had they asked that question, God might have said, “I’ve got the guy, but it’ll be a while yet. Be patient.” However because they made assumptions and limited the options, the Lord gave them an interim answer instead of the best answer.

The same thing happened with me in college. I made assumptions of career paths based on what credits I had already earned and based on my interests. I also gave God limited options. I ultimately wasn’t satisfied with teaching because it wasn’t God’s lifelong plan for me. Motherhood was God’s best for me. Are you operating on interim answers? Seek God fully, without assumptions, and find out what His best is for you.

Lessons from Acts: Stop Looking at the Sky (devotion)

Several years ago we were part of an amazing homeschool playgroup. We would meet weekly at a local park. While the kids ran around like crazy, the moms had a chance to socialize sharing schooling frustrations, joys, and ideas. We also went on field trips together, attended birthday parties, and enjoyed other learning experiences. It was great because Sam was guaranteed a chance to see friends and play at least once a week. And I was guaranteed the same thing. Our family has moved twice since then and, each time we enter a new community, I’m trying to find another group just like it.


In the beginning of Acts, Jesus has been resurrected and He is giving His followers final instructions. Then He ascends into heaven. He had told them on more than one occasion that He needed to go so that the Holy Spirit could come. He reminds them of this twice before He ascends (Acts 1:5, 8). Yet in verse 10, it says Jesus’ followers were gazing into the sky where he’d gone.

It continues, “…two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!’” My paraphrase goes something like this, “Why are you looking at the sky? Get on with what He told you to do.”

I’d have been right there with them staring at the clouds. If those two white-robed men hadn’t come, how long would those people have stayed in that spot? Would they have built a shire or altar and had followers come from all over to the place from which Jesus ascended? I can imagine them wanting to hold onto Jesus and all He had done, afraid of a life without His physical presence. I think we are all guilty of this—holding onto the past and thus missing the future.

Sometimes we do this out of pain, shame, or guilt. How many times have you missed out on a good relationship because you were burdened with mistrust from a past one? Craig Groeschel talks about this in his book The Christian Atheist. In the chapter When You Believe in God but are Ashamed of Your Past, he says, “Once we accept the unchangeable past, we must embrace that God can change our future.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We can’t be made new if we cling to our old sin and hurt.

Sometimes it isn’t pain or shame that makes us miss out on God’s future, its glory. Like the men of Galilee above, we hold onto the good things in our past. Those men looked into the sky remembering they had walked with Christ, seen miracles. Perhaps they wondered “How could it possibly get any better?” Even though Christ had told them it would be better, they were rooted in the past until those two mysterious men booted them into the future. I think this attitude of operating in past glory is a problem in the church. Congregations are dwindling because they insist on doing things as they always have. Conferences and seminars don’t have the same impact because they’ve been utilizing the same format over and over. To modify Groeschel’s quote, “Once we let go of our glorious pasts, we can embrace God’s future for us.”

Of course, God’s future is going to be different. I still haven’t found a group like my old one. I have to work harder to make sure Sam has time with his friends. However, I have found a homeschool athletic association. My son has trained and competed with homeschoolers from all over our area in cross country and track. He wouldn’t have had that opportunity in our old group. Once I let go of the past, I was able to find a future for my son I hadn’t imagined.

Bird Whisperer (devotion)

My sister is a bird whisperer. She loves and has owned all kinds of animals, but birds hold a special place in her heart. I call her Crazy Bird Lady and joke that she needs to charge admission to her zoo. However, I truly admire the uncanny relationship she has with these creatures. When we were at Silver Springs, a blue hyacinth (a bird with a 60 inch wingspan and a beak that can crack coconuts) allowed her to scratch his neck through the bars of his cage. He then pointed with his claw to a bothersome pinfeather he wanted her to pluck out, and she did it!


Her love of birds has naturally led her to be involved with bird rescue. Here she has seen the negligent side of pet ownership. Birds with deformed claws because their owners never had their nails cut. Others suffer permanent feather loss due to neglect or malnutrition. She’s heard stories of cage bottoms filled with several inches of feces because no one bothered to clean them out. Still more are anti-social and aggressive due to lack of stimulation. Some birds have the same intelligence as a two or three-year-old child. Can you imagine what would happen to a toddler that was kept in a confined space, rarely spoken to, and never given toys? Sadly, stories of neglect and abuse are not limited to avian pets.

In Genesis 1:26, it says God made us to rule over all the animals. When you do further study of the Bible, it is clear that God commands His rulers to take care of those under them. We, humans, are supposed to be taking care of God’s creatures, but we are not.

Matthew 10:29 says, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” The next verse states that God considers us more important than the sparrow, but I want you to see something else. These verses also show that God is intimately connected with His creation. He is aware of every dog that is left outside on a summer day without water.

How does this relate to us as Christians? Don’t worry I’m not going to get all PETA on you. We do, however, have a duty to respect and take care of God’s creation. I’m not saying for you to spend five thousand dollars you don’t have on cancer treatments for your animal, but you do need to make sure they are housed and fed. Before you buy or adopt a pet, research its special needs. If you want to adopt a greyhound, make sure you have the time to take him somewhere he can run. If you want to buy a gecko, make sure you have the proper heat lamp. If you want an eclectus parrot, make sure you feed her fresh fruits and vegetables every day. If you can’t meet the animal’s needs, don’t buy it. God gave us the special privilege of watching over his creation and we need to take that call more seriously.

Fruit of the Spirit: Fruit Basket (Lesson Plan grades 5-12)

Materials:


Bible
Copy of Prayer “Fruit Basket”

Prep:

(optional) Make a worksheet using the prayer “Fruit Basket” as a model. Type out the opening phrases and leave the second half blank for your child to fill in. For example:

Lord, please give me Love when ________________________________. Continue for each fruit of the Spirit and include the closing line.



Lesson:

1) Have your student read Galatians 5:22-23.

2) Discuss the areas in his life where he struggles with each fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, tenderness, and self-control.

3) Ask, “What does Fruit of the Spirit mean?” Answer: They are gifts given by the Holy Spirit.

4) Ask, “Why do we need these gifts?” Answer: Apart from God these things are difficult to accomplish in our lives.

5) Show him the prayer “Fruit Basket.”

6) Tell him to use it as a model to write his own prayer. Refer back to his answers in #2 and have him complete the prayer using those areas where he struggles. (If you made a worksheet, give to him to fill out.)


Fruit Basket


Lord, please give me Love when my brother breaks my CD.

Lord, please give me Joy when I’m picked on at school.

Lord, please give me Peace when my parents are fighting.

Lord, please give me Patience when my best friend forgets to call . . . again.

Lord, please give me Kindness when a new kid comes to class.

Lord, please give me Goodness when I’m in a bad mood.

Lord, please give me Faithfulness when others reject You.

Lord, please give me Tenderness when my Grandma is sick.

Lord, please give me Self-Control when my friends have none.

Lord, please give me these things because I don’t have them on my own.

Lesson Plan: Fruit of the Spirit Tree

Materials:


Paper

Brown Marker

Finger paint or other washable paint in green and red

Bible

Optional: various fruit such as apples and bananas



Prep:

1) Draw the trunk and branches of a tree on the paper with the marker.

2) Write the words “Fruit of the Spirit” beside the tree.



Lesson:

1) Show the fruit to your child and ask what it is. If you are not using actual fruit, name various fruits and ask your child what they are. It may be necessary to introduce the word “fruit” and define it.

2) Ask, “Where does fruit come from?” Answer: trees, plants

3) Ask, “What is fruit used for?” Answer: food, nourishment

4) Tell your child that the Holy Spirit produces fruit in us.

5) Explain that the Holy Spirit’s fruit feeds other people.

6) Read Gal. 5:22-23.

7) Discuss what each fruit means with your child. Explain how these things bless other people. Example: “Patience means waiting with a good attitude. Your brothers and sisters are blessed when you patiently wait for your turn when playing a game.”

8) Take the drawing of the tree. Ask, “What is missing from this tree?” Answer: leaves.

9) Tell your child she is going to put the leaves on the tree.

10) Have her put her thumb in the green paint and add leaves to the tree.

11) Say, “Now let’s add some fruit.”

12) Dipping her pinky in the red paint, have her put nine fruits on the tree. Count with her if she’s unsure of her numbers.

13) While she does this, ask, “What kind of fruit grows inside you?” Answer: Holy Spirit fruit.

14) Explain, “We have nine fruits on our tree because there are nine fruits of the Spirit.”

15) When she is finished, reread the passage from Galatians. Have her point to the red fruits on her tree as you state each one.



Extension:

If you have an older child who is skilled at handwriting, you might have her write the names of the fruit on the picture—Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.