Day 21 - A Brightly Shining Light - More of Jesus Devotional

A Brightly Shining Light

Tad Coit

A year ago, I was evaluating the effect of my Christian walk within the environment of the school where I teach. Many of the other teachers know that I am a Christian and that I work to show kindness and integrity. That is in itself a positive, but does it represent all that I can say and do for Christ within my workplace? Even though I had been involved in prayer groups with other teachers at my school, I had never led another teacher to Christ and most students had little knowledge that my faith was important to me.

Matthew 5:14-15 struck me hard as I reflected on my work environment. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Was my light shining with the brightness that God intended or was it a light that was dimmed from being covered?

Jesus talked much about how He was the light. John 8:12 says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus, however, was only with us on earth a short time and we have now been called to be that light. In Jesus’s day, a city was often built upon a hill and was often visible for miles and miles. Was the walk at my school this bright?

I decided this year to take on being the school sponsor for FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I put up signs in our school clubs area, talked to students who would be potential leaders, talked to families of Christian students, and every Thursday put on the announcements that FCA is meeting in my room.

I have witnessed some unbelievable transformations in the 10-20 students who attend each week. For some of these students, my room has become a safe haven. For some, they have developed confidence and a sense of pride in helping to lead a ministry on campus. A number of students have approached me with problems and questions that they would have never approached me with in the past.

My decision to take on FCA has transformed my classroom place from a place with a somewhat dim light to one that is much brighter. All of us have the opportunity to transform the places in which we step. Some opportunities may be more limited than others but each of us can do more to let our lights shine fully.

Bible Verses: Psalm 27:1, John 1:5, Psalm 119:130 

Questions:

1. What places in your life are you most tempted to hide your light under a bowl?

2. Read Psalm 27:1. How does this encourage you in those difficult places?

3. What is something that you can do in your life right now that will brighten your light? 

Day 20 - Being Seasoned - More of Jesus Devotional

Being Seasoned.

Rachel Hanson

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?” (Matthew 5:13a).

              For a few years I wasn’t truly committed to a church and only half-heartedly worked at finding a new one. Then, early one morning, I saw VCC’s sign lighting the dark. A Vineyard! In my neighborhood! Vineyards were on my radar, but I had not been led to any. That Sunday I was ready to go then started to waver. However, I knew I had to be faithful. I knew this was “it.” God had answered a prayer more fully than I ever imagined and I couldn’t turn my back on that.

              Chalane’s introduction this year of the MORE theme brought this experience to mind. God had more for me than being churchless or at a church that no longer seasoned me. In that sermon she talked about acting according to God’s timing. When God finally said, “Here. Now,” I had to follow. I had to step out despite my timidity.

               Salt is significant because it is a healing and cleansing agent. It keeps food from spoiling. Its flavor enhances other flavors. It is both useful and makes life more enjoyable.

            A year and a half ago I was at a Vineyard in Ohio with my friend. It was her experiences that made me think a Vineyard could be right for me. However, during that visit, most of my flavor was lost and I wasn’t fully present. That was a few months before God brought VCC to me. Recently, I was once again at church with that friend. During worship I felt the fruit of my spiritual renewal. My heart and soul rejoiced in the re-seasoning. God wanted more for me. I followed. Now He also is asking more from me. And I am blessed by both.

Questions:

God seasons us when we follow Him. Do you feel He is calling you to something?

When you feel spiritually dull, who or what activities lift you?

What gives your life that extra spark that you know only comes from your relationship with God? 

Day 19 - The Heart's Ecosystem - More of Jesus Devotional

The Heart's Ecosystem

Zema Chambers

Luke 6:45 - "The good man out of the good treasure of his

heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the

evil treasures brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks

from that which fills his heart." (The KJV it says "out of the

abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.")

abundance - periseuma (per-is'-syoo-mah) - a surplus or superabundance; what is left over after something is full;

there is enough and extra to spare

Once when I was at my niece's house, she had a lovely pool

of water called a "patio pond". Right in the city she had a

refreshing pond. The pond had a waterfall over some rocks

that poured into a pond at the bottom of the structure. The

whole draw of this pond was that after a busy day, you could

sit by it, watch the fish swim and unwind from the busy day.

I began to wonder how that pond kept working. Of course, I

understood that there was a pump that kept the water

recycling. The plan of the pond includes a complete cleaning

system. But, as I stared at that pond, I wondered if that pond

ever would get dry. Would it ever run out of water?

As I looked at that pond, I wondered how it keeps spilling

over from one place to the next. My niece explained that

every day, she had to add water or the system wouldn't

continue to work. The whole ecosystem must have enough

water to spill from one area of the pond to the next. There

must be an abundance of water that will fall from one place

to the next.

The Holy Spirit dropped deep into my heart a reminder that the "ecosystem" of the Father's Presence in me must be filled to overflowing. My life is more than just a pond that keeps refilling, but it is an abundance of what He is working in me. What I have in my "ecosystem" (my heart) is what flows out of my mouth.

Questions:

What finds a way of surviving in my heart? What do I "feed" on – Facebook, the Bible, the news, etc?

How do I permit the Presence of the Holy Spirit to fill me and then overflow from me?

How do I give from the extra of Him so there is extra flowing out of me as I speak and act? 

Day 18 - Love Your Enemies - More of Jesus Devotional

Love your enemies.

Micah Abeloe

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus in this bit of scripture lays out for us as believers a perfect illustration of His character. Jesus explains how we should not only love those who love us but, also love those who are our enemies and pray for those who persecute us! That is a very hard perspective and or principle to comprehend when we look at it through our own eyes. As we allow the Holy Spirit to change our perspective to align with this character trait of His, we can see how God’s love for people is not contingent upon what He gets from them. He doesn’t allow how they view Him dictate His love for them. We can’t allow how people treat us dictate how we treat them. Jesus loves everyone... past, present and future and His blood atoned for all people past, present and future. There is nothing we could do or perform, and no way to earn God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy. It was bought with the precious blood of Jesus. That shows how much He loves us.

We must never allow how people love us dictate how we will love them in return. Jesus says to love others as He has loved us. (John 13:34-35). By this love the world will see that we are disciples of Jesus and that we know we are sons and

daughters of the Most High! If we are to love others like God loves us, we must allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts so deeply, that we see people how Jesus sees them, which is, “The hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

Questions:

- Do you believe in this perspective of God’s love? Do you believe that Jesus died for us to show His love even though we hadn’t earned it and didn’t deserve it?

- There are some people that are just hard to love. However, Jesus challenges us to love people even when they don’t deserve it. In what relationships can you implement this perspective of love?

- How has Jesus’ love for you, as shown for us on the Cross, changed your life? 

Day 17 - Judging a Book by it's Cover - More of Jesus Devotional

Judging a Book by it’s Cover

By Tina Pinson

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 6:2

             As a writer, I try to make my book covers appealing to the eye, so they’ll sell better. But that is not a measure we are supposed to use on others. Sadly though, we do.

            Years ago, hubby was in the Navy. With three boys and little money, I would augment funds babysitting, making burritos, and sewing clothes for the boys out of hubby’s worn clothes. When we moved into Military housing, things eased, but we still had little room to breathe. We started attending a church nearby. An affluent church. The people were nice for the most part. They dressed in designer clothes, and drove expensive cars. We’d pull up in our old Ford, wearing our thrift store rejects, handmade clothes, or last year’s sales, and I felt out of place. Maybe I was the snob, but some of the looks we got said otherwise. I loved the Bible study though. Without the designer masks of wealth and education (and other masks) people were real. We had similar problems. Similar dreams.

            Shortly after that, we attended a poorer church where I was among the more affluent people. Having been on the receiving end of upturned noses, I figured I was doing well not using my station above others.

           Then a woman came to church in a short slinky, low cut, spaghetti-strapped dress that resembled a slip. I saw her bra straps (times have changed). Dressing in expensive clothes or Target sales garments was one thing, but one did not come to church dressed like a tramp. A good Christian, I decided to say something. Oh, not to her. I cut her behind her back. But the woman I crowed to, was having none of it. She told me the woman was poor, and she was wearing the best she had for the Lord. She wore it almost weekly. I limped away to lick my wounds and the Lord reminded me how I felt at the other church. I wish could say I never stood in judgement or was judged harshly again. But I can’t.

           Scripture may tell us to hold brothers and sisters in Christ accountable and we could probably do a better job of that. But we better make sure we are following the Lord’s guidelines and going with His heart.

Questions:

Have you been on the receiving end of judgement? How did it make you feel?

What is the difference between accountability and judgement?

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Mathew 7:3 (ESV) What does this verse tell you about judging others?

Matthew 7:6 it says Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. What does vs. 6 tell you about judging? Ask the Lord for insight and write your thoughts.

Food for thought. Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6 

Day 16 - Change Your Clothes - More of Jesus Devotional

Change your Clothes

Sandra Dubois

“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’

Then they began to celebrate. 

Luke 15:20-24(WEB)

Jesus invites you to come into His arms. If you’ve never really known who you are, or who Jesus really is, well, He says you’re His own beloved, and He is your kind, strong, loyal and loving Father. If you are tired of wearing the slave clothes of this life, lay them down. Step into the river of His love, and let His love wash through you. Cross to the side of His pure love, of His acceptance, of His forgiveness. Let Him cover you in His best robe, because He wants you to wear it. He wants you to own it. You are no longer a slave, but a fully adopted child of the Father. As you seek to have more and more of Jesus, you will see that He is not a hard taskmaster, but that you were harder on yourself than He will ever be on you.

Look into Jesus’ face. If you are too full of shame, or too used to the blindness of this world, He will lift your head, and undo you with the full light of His loving face, of His radiant being. That’s His kindness. That’s His love. That’s what it is like to walk into your true inheritance: into the richest house in the universe. If life has been missing from your life, enter into His.

Enter into your Father’s house, and all of heaven will celebrate.

Questions:

1) In what ways do you relate to the prodigal son, considering yourself less than a full son/daughter of the King?

2) How is the prodigal son’s father’s response similar to how Jesus loves us?

3) What steps can you take to live fully in Jesus’ house? 

Day 15 - From the Smallest - More of Jesus Devotional

From the Smallest.

Tad Coit

The man in the grocery line gave me a timid nod. “I believe you had my daughter in class last year,” he said. The man looked vaguely familiar and I asked, “What is your daughter’s name?” He told me and I remembered her well. He replied, “Thank you for that note that you wrote her last year. She had a difficult start and that note was something that really seemed to propel her forward. She still has that note on her bedroom mirror.”

I thanked the man for letting me know this but truly was a little surprised. I remembered writing her 4 or 5 sentences about how I was happy to have her in our school and mentioned some of the positive qualities that I had observed in her. The note had seemed rather small to me, but obviously the comments went a long way.

It reminds me of the short parable of the mustard seed. In Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Jesus’s ministry was very much like a mustard seed. Not only was Jesus born in the lowliest of places but He was raised in the smallest of towns in a remote part of the world. His apostles were insignificant and uneducated men who knew little of religious matters. He died a brutal death that was reserved for the worst criminals of society. Yet His actions led to greatest revolution in the history of our world.

It is a reminder to us that we should never take anything for granted and always be on the lookout to serve God. Even when we are exhausted or have little left, that one slight smile or small word of encouragement might be the thing that propels someone else to do something amazing for God. Nothing is too small or too little.

Other Verses to Study: 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, James 3:18, Matthew 17:20

Questions:

1. What are some additional things you can learn about seeds in the verses above?

2. What are some little seeds that you can plant each day? 

Day 14 - The Shepherd's Stories - More of Jesus Devotional

The Shepherd's Stories

Zema Chambers

The best stories keep you hanging on until the last minute. The art of storytelling is sometimes lost in the realm of videos and short clips of conversation, i.e. Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

On what appears to be Tuesday of the last week of Jesus' life on earth in human form, He had some pretty powerful stories. His followers (and some antagonistic religious leaders) found His stories much less cozy in description than maybe originally anticipated. Jesus flatly exposed the religious leaders of the time saying they "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24, NASB) The thought of what it was doing to the believers at this challenging time in their lives must have brought Him angst. Prophets sent with a strong message; they weren't willing to respond. What His face must have said when He looked at them saying, "but you wouldn't listen!" (Matthew 23:37) He had the stories to tell.

What do you think the Facebook posts might have been? "Jesus was on a roll today . . ."

"Kinda bummed . . . buried my talent ... "

"Whatever I did to another human - I did it to God? Wow . . . harsh!"

What would your Twitter message say?

"barely makin' it by. . .#followingGodistough" "simple faith . . . simple life ... #Jesusiseverything" "feeling peaceful with Jesus . . . #notalwayssosimple"

I wonder what Jesus would have texted?

"Tried to warn the flock today . . . they keep getting sucked into lies."

"Some religious nuts - straining at gnats and swallowing camels!"

"Challenged the sheep to stick it out . . . don't give up!" Be inspired by the stories; your stories are being written right now.

#lovingsheperdstories

Questions:

What story do you have to tell of Jesus in your life?

What are you doing with your talents? How are you preparing for the future?

How do you experience Jesus with you in the challenging times?

What is your hashtag today? 

Day 13 - Our Eye is a Lamp - More of Jesus Devotional

Our eye is a lamp.

Micah Abeloe

“No one lights a lamp and puts it where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy your whole body is full of light. But, when they are unhealthy your whole body is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light that is in you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, then it will be just as full of light as when a light shines its light on you.” Luke 11:33-36.

What I have learned about this bit of scripture is that the eye is a metaphor for our perception or worldview. Jesus tells us that what we take in and how we perceive things will dictate how much light we let it in to ourselves, which in turn will dictate how much light we put off. He also warns us to not let what is coming into us be anything but light, lest, everything in us be darkness.

Our perception of our faith in Jesus will dictate how we will live our lives. Our perception of what Jesus did on the cross will dictate how we view our selves and the rest of the world. And our perception of ourselves will dictate our relationship with our Father God.

We must always make sure that what we are seeing and perceiving is the truth. We can’t afford to let anything but the word of God define how we will live and view life and others. We must learn what the absolute truth of life in Jesus is and live by it. We must allow the grace of God to shift our perspective to line up with His perspective and live

by that! (School of Kingdom Ministry teaching 😊 )

Questions:

- What are some places where the worldly perception and a godly perception are different?

- In what areas of your thought life do you need the light of God shined on?

- How can you allow the Holy Spirit to change your perspective on these things? 

Day 12 - Parable of the Pearl of Great Price - More of Jesus Devotional

Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Craig Droskin

Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.”

In this parable Jesus suggests that God’s magnificent kingdom of heaven is something we should want more than everything of value in our life. The message in this parable is great news, proclaiming heaven is spectacular and better than anything we have on earth.

So now that the greatness of heaven has been affirmed in this short passage, what are you willing to give up for heaven? The merchant sold all he had for the pearl of great price. Would you give your car, your house, all your income? The parable indicates heaven is worth all of this and more. But are you willing to pay the great price of selling all you own? And if not, what price would you pay?

The good news is the price has already been paid. The cost of heaven to you and me is nothing. Jesus paid the price when he died on the cross for all of our sins. So the pearl of great price, or heaven, is free to us. We need only to accept Jesus and his free gift.

Questions:

Have you ever been anxious about the unknown, wondering what heaven would be like? What do you know about heaven from the Bible?

Isn’t it amazing to be reminded that heaven is worth more than all the treasures anyone could accumulate on earth? This makes me excited to see what heaven is like. 

Day 11 - Using our Talents - More or Jesus Devotional

Using our talents.

Rachel Hanson

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21, 23).

              In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:24-30) you can read “talent” as a monetary unit and you can read it as “gift” or “ability.” Either way, the story teaches that if we put the talents God has given us to work, they multiply. When we are faithful, God entrusts us with more. The man who buries his single talent misses the point. He misses the point that God doesn’t want us to hold on to it, doesn’t need us to keep it safe for Him. God desires that we bless each other by giving more of ourselves. When we do, He will replenish us -- with time, with strength, with money; with whatever it is we willingly give for His sake. The man with one talent admits, “I was afraid . . . Look, there you have what is yours” (25:25). I imagine him tossing the talent back saying, “Here you go. I didn’t make a difference.” But God doesn’t want back what He gave us. He wants people who will use the talents for His Kingdom.

            
The parable reminds me of a song: “Love is like a magic penny, hold on tight and you won’t have any, lend it and spend it and you’ll have so many, they’ll roll all over the floor. . . Love is something if you give it away . . . you’ll end up having more,” (Malvina Reynolds). With God’s economy, you can insert all your variations of “talent” in place of “love.”

            Here’s the real ah-ha for me. God gives us talents which can make life easier. When we share them, we multiply His work. We bless others and, in return, He blesses us. That’s amazing! But what is this really about? It’s about our relationship with Him. God desires us to celebrate with Him, inviting the faithful to “Enter the joy of your Lord.”

Questions:

When have you shared a talent and then experienced its growth and multiplication?

What can you give more of to more fully enter the joy of the Lord?