Focusing On The Truth
Sunday, January 19
Isaiah 62:1-5
Growing up, I concluded it was usually better to keep my mouth shut. I believed that people tended to think I was smart, and I didn’t want to prove them wrong. Here Isaiah is encouraged to speak up. Not about how righteous Jerusalem was, but about how wonderful she will be when God’s work is fulfilled. Isaiah declared she who was once rejected would become God’s chosen one, God’s bride.
Most believers seem more comfortable agreeing on how bad things are now than how great it is going to be when God is finished with us. Even among believers, there is a tendency to see only the growing darkness rather than anticipate the coming dawn.
I wonder, if we declared the full salvation revealed in Scripture, with our hope not in what we are, but in who we are going to be—would we have less of an audience? Would our church planning meetings be more hopeful?
Lord, open the eyes of our hearts to see power of your promises. Amen.
Serving With Power
Monday, January 20
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
There has been some controversy over the years concerning spiritual gifts. Some believers have embraced them, while others avoided them, thinking of them as a distraction at best and a danger at worst in the life of the church. In this chapter, Paul teaches us what spiritual gifts are and how to use them. In essence, spiritual gifts allow us to serve one another and the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. They are a demonstration that it is God at work and not just human energy or ingenuity powering the church.
These verses remind us we cannot submit to the Lordship of Jesus apart from the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. The church was born on Pentecost when hearts and minds of those who followed Jesus received the Holy Spirit in an amazing and public manner. To wish to be a follower of Christ is to submit to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. How this is made manifest in our individual and collective lives depends on God.
Lord, help us to live in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Trusting God’s Leading
Tuesday, January 14
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
The idea of what is good for the whole church can be difficult to grasp. Whether it be calling a new pastor or choosing the color of the carpet, few churches are so homogenous that everyone agrees on what the best choice is. Of course, those concerned will have opinions and may even believe they are inspired opinions! Hence church politics can lead to chaos and pain.
The answer is not simply to be quiet and keep one’s mouth shut. Nor is it that people always must offer their deeply felt and “honest” opinions. Even the biblical direction to “speak the truth in love” can be misused and cause damage.
Here Paul reminds us there is only one Spirit, although we see a variety of expressions of that Spirit. It is critical that we admit that no one person can see the whole picture. To embrace the common good, we must trust the Spirit’s leading and work in all. Not an easy task.
Lord, help me learn to be a contributing member of the body of Christ and submit my will to yours. Amen.
God’s Calling
Wednesday, January 22
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
C.S. Lewis, in the creation of the animals of Narnia, recounts where Aslan separates some animals and gifts them with the ability to speak and think. These animals were then capable of communicating and serving Aslan in a new way. We see something similar in today’s passage. Part of receiving the Holy Spirit is having a new identity in Christ and new capabilities called spiritual gifts.
Our passage today lists some of these gifts. These gifts are not just for a few but apportioned to each member of the church. The truth is that every believer is unique and powerful. Each one has an important contribution to make to the rest of the body.
Does this change the way we view and treat one another? Does this impact the sense of responsibility we each have as members? Can we see the Holy Spirit’s calling in one another?
Lord, help us walk in the calling you have given us. Amen.
Grace
Thursday, January 23
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The gift of the Holy Spirit, with the new calling and relationships God brings to our lives, is aimed not at elevating us as individuals but at drawing us together as believers. In the body of Christ, there is no ranking of the gifted.
In the world there is competition to establish a pecking order. This is the rule rather than the exception. The world’s perspective is that competition brings out our best efforts and weeds out the weak and unmotivated. Although the kingdom of God values people differently, it can be difficult to shed this worldly perspective.
Yet God imbues each person with intrinsic value and function. With God, it begins with our relationship with Christ—a relationship that depends on grace rather than our efforts or talents. Our status in society has no effect.
Lord, open our eyes to see ourselves and one another as you see us. Amen.
Identity
Friday, January 24
1 Corinthians 12:14-27
Identity is a major issue today, especially among the young. Who am I? Where do I fit in? These are deep and important questions that we all face. Our society’s general disconnect from God, our Creator and Savior, severs a critical part of what we need to understand ourselves and our life here on earth.
In one of the woodworking magazines I receive, there is a regular column that depicts a picture of an obscure tool, and readers are invited to write their thoughts to its purpose. Sometimes people look in the mirror and ask themselves the same question. But trying to figure out the answer from the people around you can be confusing. Furthermore, the statement “You can be anything you want to be” is rarely helpful. Why? Because the answer to that question does not lie within us. Our identity is in Christ and in healthy community, where we serve and receive, as well as in love that we come to understand who we are.
Lord, we need your guidance to help to find our place and our people. Amen.
Hope In Discouragement
Saturday, January 25
Psalm 36:5-10
As much as we love the church, it is can be a challenge to consistently support and participate our local body with enthusiasm. Imperfect people, with limited knowledge and immature relationships attempt to fulfill what seems an impossible task that has required sustained effort over 2,000 years. Life in the church can be discouraging. Some cry out for Christ to return because it is tough. Psalm 36 is a song of hope in God’s faithfulness and power when we become discouraged.
A great pastor, a talented staff, and a congregation with wealth and prestige are no guarantee of success. In fact, those things might hinder as much as help our ministry. It is in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect. We trust God and seek to respond to God’s love for us with our own love for Christ. We keep watch, looking to the hills from whence our help comes.
Lord, have your way in us and through us. Amen.
