God’s Forgiveness

Acts 9:1-30

Today’s scripture reading speaks volumes in terms of the forgiving nature of God.  The acts committed by Saul rank up there with some of the most cruel and brutal in history.  To make matters worse, Saul wasn’t just committing these terrible acts against random people, his targets were specifically the people of God!  If ever we might think that God’s forgiving nature had been pushed past its limits and we would see some vengeance unleashed, this seemed like the time!  But we all know how this story ended.  Saul realizes the error of his ways, becomes a believer and goes on to become one of the greatest Christian leaders the world has seen.  All of this because God never gave up on Saul, and he will never give up on us either.  That is a comforting thought.  I think that some non-believers feel the way they do because they assume they are too far gone to be acceptable in God’s sight.  It seems like they may want to make it appear as if they aren’t interested instead of feeling like they are not worthy.  It seems like Saul’s story might be a great one for them to hear.

Prayer:  Heavenly father, we know that we are far from perfect and that there are many times when we fail to carry out your will for our lives.  Thank you for your never ending patience as we strive to become better disciples.

Jeff Henricks

PLOWING A STRAIGHT ROW

Luke 9:57-62

            In this brief and seemingly harsh passage, Jesus proclaims that following in his footsteps can be difficult and demanding.

            Jesus encounters three individuals who express a desire to follow Him, but have unfinished business to attend to first.  Jesus responds by explaining that other matters must be put aside and the first priority given to discipleship.

            There may be some hyperbole when Jesus responds to their excuses by saying let the dead bury the dead (maybe a reference to the spiritual dead) and once the hand is laid on the plow you must not look back.  Hyperbole or not, the message then and now is that following Jesus is an unwavering and constant dedication. 

            You may have experienced in gardening that if you look back the row that is being plowed may become crooked.  Plowing for Jesus may be demanding, but the harvest is really something!

Prayer:  Oh God, help us to realize that following you can be difficult when we are distracted by side issues.  May we give our best effort to always put discipleship first.  We pray that the furrow we plow follows a straight path behind you, and may our crop yield a bounty of righteousness.  Amen.  

Warren Davenport

Just One Look

Isaiah 6

A dead king – An empty throne.

Recently in our history we witnessed another ‘king’ of the east who died and another empty throne.  And how did we see those who had put their hope and trust in that man of strength? The display of hopelessness and discouragement revealed from whom they got their help. Whose death, what king, what champion or hero, what strength, what ability, what idol in our lives has died?  ‘In that year’ did we give up, lose heart, become discouraged or—did we SEE the King of Glory?  We who are rightly related to Jesus need not be discouraged.  He is our help and ‘the lifter up of my head.’  We can now let a greater King fill our heart and our vision.

When we see the ‘brightness of His Glory’, everything else pales, and just one encounter with Him can change our vision forever.  Like Isaiah and like Paul, we too must personally see the Lord ‘high and lifted up’, and our gaze be upon HIM.  It must be God FIRST, God SECOND, and God THIRD.  And as we focus our love, passion, and pursuit on that one ‘pearl of great price’, our vision will be changed, and we will ‘come into His presence with singing’---‘Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me save that thou art…heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all’. No empty throne here, but upon it sits One whose ‘train fills the temple ‘til His enemies become His footstool.’!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, ‘just one look—is all it took’ for Isaiah to be changed.  We too want that one thing—the ‘Presence of Your Glory’.  Admittedly, we’ve been discouraged, but today we can decide to be encouraged.  Show us YOUR glory.  Just one encounter with You, and we can never be the same.  Hallelujah!

Maurine Sullivan

Elements of Character

Psalm 15

Ever since the Enron and WorldCom financial disasters, CPA’s across the country have been required annually to take two hours of ethics courses.  At the last one I attended, the instructor made the comment; “Character is how God looks at you when no one else is in the room”.  Then he went on to say; “When challenged between the right thing and the legal thing, always do the right thing”.  That was interesting.

We use the term “separation of church and state” frequently.  This phrase is not in the Constitution, but in a letter by Thomas Jefferson.  The Bill of Rights prohibited the establishment of a religion by the government in the first amendment.  But, how do you separate church and state, when the elements of “character” come from the Bible and teachings of Jesus?  There is an expectation of character in our leaders.  We have laws regarding theft, slander and fraud but do those come from politicians or the commandments and psalm of David?  We have laws against unreasonable interest rates, but so does the psalm of David. 

Now that we are in a political race at the national level, shouldn’t we look for one that “speaks the truth from their heart”, “who casts no slur on others”, and “keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind”?   Let us not forget, God gives us ways to live and when we will be welcome in his house, and they apply to everyone.

Prayer:  Heavenly father, we struggle at times to find the right thing to do, when you have already told us.  We try to understand others, when you have explained who is welcome in your house.  We are thankful for your guidance and pray for the wisdom to listen to you first.  Amen.

Steve Beebe

Why Worry? God’s Got This

Matthew 6:25-34

Worry...why do we do it?  I had to laugh out loud when I was chosen to write a devotional on this particular scripture.  I am not the best one to write a devotional on this topic; however, I do have a lot of first-hand experience with it.  I must admit that I come from a long line of worriers.  That's one thing I definitely got from my mother, and that I hope I will not pass along to my child.  I haven't always been a worrier.  In fact, growing up I can remember getting very frustrated with my mother because she fretted over the silliest things.  And then I became a mother myself.  Motherhood = worry!  (I can just hear my mother saying, “I told you so!”)  The moment we brought our little bundle of joy home from the hospital, I became a certified worrier. I feared I wouldn't measure up as a mommy.  Would my child survive my multitude of shortcomings?  Then she started walking, and I soon realized we needed a house without a staircase.  My worry was at an all-time high when Chrissy was one and had to be hospitalized due to dehydration.  God took care of our little one and despite all of my worries; she has grown into a rambunctious 7 year-old that is too much like her daddy.  

           

One thing I've learned about worry is that when I stop worrying about one thing, there's always another something to take its place. It is a constant struggle in my life.  I don’t like to go on plane trips without Chrissy because I am afraid of something happening and leaving her without her mommy and daddy.  Airplanes in general scare me to death!  I absolutely refuse to take one over the ocean; yet, someday I would love to see Hawaii.  There’s always a cruise ship I can take instead.  At least that was my backup plan until the cruise ship recently went down in Italy like it was the Titanic. 

            

I often have to remind myself that when I worry I am basically telling God that He’s not God enough to take care of me.  I don’t know why things happen the way they do. The year 2009 was not a good one for my family.  That was the year we dealt with the loss of Ryan’s mom and later the same year the loss of our baby.  But I can’t sit around and worry about the bad things that might happen.  If I dwell upon the “what ifs,” I will miss out on the blessings around me.  I continue to look forward to the day when it all comes together.  I will say, “Wow God! You did have it under control.  And Your way is best.”  I struggle with this daily.  Just when I think, “Way to go, Amy! You haven’t worried once today.”  It’s then I realize I haven’t even gotten out of bed yet. Nevertheless, I try to remember 2 simple words.  Trust God.  If I do this, I am much better off.  He always comes through!  Whether it’s a last minute teaching job or just enough money to get us until the end of the week.  He is much better at being God than I ever can be. 

            

The last two verses are some very important reminders for us.  “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  So don’t worry about tomorrow.”  During this season of lent, I pray that we let go and let God.  No worries!  God’s got this!

“Worrying does not empty tomorrow of it's troubles...it empties today of it's strength. ” ― Mary Engelbreit

Amy Benton

Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

As Christians, we are each called to serve God.  This scripture urges us to be the conduit through which God’s blessings abundantly flow.  We are not only created to receive God’s blessings, but to also share them with others.  We are called to be the Salt that enhances the lives of those around us and brings out the “God Flavors” of this earth.  We have the opportunity to help preserve the lives of others by showing our Christianity through acts of love and kindness so others may experience the grace of God.  Likewise, we are also called to be the Light, bringing out the “God Colors” in this world.  We must use our Light to help guide others down the right path and brighten the lives of those living in darkness.  God provides these blessings so we may show others His light, His goodness, His grace.  We are not meant to keep these gifts hidden, or saved away for a rainy day.  We are to pay them forward, so to speak, by making them known and seen by others.  Through our acts of selflessness, love, and forgiveness, we share God’s love with others that they too may shine with all of God’s goodness.

Prayer:  Lord, bless us when our senses become dull, when our Salt has lost its flavor and our Light is not brightly shining.  Help us to focus on your presence in our lives, that we may show others the abundance of blessings you so graciously give us.  Amen.

Lauren Seiss

THE BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:1-12

The scripture begins when Jesus gathered his disciples on the mountain to teach them of true happiness.

Appreciate simplicity.  Think back on what God has done for you and this will strengthen your faith in the future.  God's promise to us is that He will always be with us.  Our difficulties are only opportunities for God's control.  He will either protect us or give us the strength to get through the most difficult of times.

As Christians, we have the capability to make a difference in the world for the glory of Jesus.  In every situation, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?" Then do it.

Rejoice in the Lord's discipline as well as His blessings.  Remember - we love God because we know He loves us.  God loves us despite who we are.  We need to listen, obey and follow.  Do your best - God will do the rest.

Have compassion for others as they are loved equally by God.  This will make you feel good about yourself knowing that God approves.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you have promised and help us to be worthy of your love each and every day.  We so often fail, yet you never ever give up on us. Amen.

Francine Lunde

Me First

Mark10:35-45

When James and John approached Jesus and asked Him about sitting at His side in heaven, they didn’t like the answer they were given.  Jesus explained to them that God will be the one to assign those places.  Jesus concluded by telling them that if a person wants to be great, he must first be the servant of the rest, and if one wants to be first, he must be the slave of all.

This scripture reminds me of a lesson I learned early in life.  It was the first day of my first grade year of school.  The teacher instructed the class to line up at the door—we were going on a tour of the school.  Naturally, I made my way to the front of the line.  I proceeded to oust the boy who had beat me to the spot.  He, not willing to move aside, left me no choice… the fight was on.  In spite of the fact that I felt I had won the battle, I got three licks and was sentenced to tour the school from the back of the line.  Later that afternoon, I remember my mom’s lengthy explanation that left me understanding why it was that I could not always be first.  She said, “Sometimes you have to start at the back of the line and hope to work your way to the front.”  Similarly, I think what Jesus was saying in this scripture is that if we want to live our lives in a way that would be pleasing to God, we must humble ourselves and put others ahead of us. 

Prayer:  Dear God, We want to be your servants.  Help us to remember to humble ourselves and not always think that we have to be first.  As we approach Easter, help us remember that your Son came to serve and to give us life so that we, too, could serve many people.  Amen.

Bob Bruner

Intro

Dear Friends,

Remember the story of Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan?  Through the centuries Christians have remembered that story during the season of Lent, a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter.  During Lent we’re encouraged to pray, repent, give offerings and practice a little self-denial.  The elders of the First Christian Church have prepared this Lenten Devotional to help us make that journey to Easter and we hope you like it.

I would offer a few suggestions for making it more useful.

1.                   Choose a time in your day when you can devote yourself to thoughtful reflection and prayer.

2.                   Keep your Bible near by and if you don’t have one call the church and we’ll fix you up with one!

3.                   Don’t get ahead of yourself.  Read one devotional a day.

4.                   Let the prayer included be a guide to shape the other issues you might bring before God.

5.                   Include a prayer for the person who wrote each days devotion.  They’ve put a lot of work into this and we’re grateful.

I too am grateful for each effort made preparing this devotional and as ever I am

Glad to be your pastor,

Arnold Nelson

Front Cover

lENTEN

2012

First Christian Church

Duncan, Oklahoma

Lent Devo Soon

Lent Devotionals to be posted daily beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012