Scripture Nugget 3.6.2017 (3.13.2017)

Scripture Nugget 3.6.2017 (3.13.2017)

Scripture Read Genesis 36-39

Nugget Genesis 39:7-9

“Now Joseph was handsome and good-looking. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, with me here, my maser has no concern about anything in the house, and had has put everything that he has in my hand. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’”

Devotional thought: This piece of scripture takes us back to the garden, to the time when God commanded Adam and Eve to “keep and till” the garden. All was available to them, they were to care for, fertilize, weed and prune – to be fruitful and multiply, and all they produced was available to them; only they were not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Joseph is entrusted with all in his master’s house, to care for the household and business of his master. Nothing was withheld from him by his master, his master trusted him to “keep and till.” Joseph, didn’t allow himself to overstep the relationship, to overstep the boundaries. In our lives, sometimes there are situations where something or someone is available to us but not meant for us. Are we strong of character as Joseph or do we give in like Adam and Eve? Take pause to seek God’s forgiveness for those times when you have violated God’s trust, when you have consumed that which you were to protect.

Scripture Nugget 3.5.2017 (3.13.2017)

Scripture Nugget 3.5.2017 (3.13.2017)

Scripture Read 1 Corinthians 1-2

Nugget 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes. To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind – just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you – so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Devotional thought: We are all called to be followers of Jesus Christ to be Apostles, those who are sent out to make disciples. Apostles of Jesus Christ are called to be holy, those called to holiness are disciples to be sent out. He who calls also purifies and strengthens. Give thanks to God; the One who is faithful, the One who showers us with grace so that we can be holy as He is Holy by His grace. Take a moment, look deep within, asked God to reveal any and everything that you don’t see. Give all that is not of God to God, ask forgiveness and an anointing of God’s Holy Spirit to fill the void.

Scripture Nugget 3.4.2017 (3.13.2017)

Scripture Nugget 3.4.2017 (3.13.2017)

Scripture Read Matthew 23-25

Nugget Matthew 25:34-45

“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Devotional thought: 25+2+1=28 is the formula I have developed to explain mission and ministry for individuals and congregations. In Matthew 25 we find the actions and attitude Jesus expects of us. In Acts 2:41-47 describes the foundation of the ideal congregational life. Acts 1:8 reminds us in whose power and where we can accomplish the acts of grace we read today in Matthew 25. Matthew 28: 18-20 tells us to go, teach, proclaim and baptize others. The question for myself and for all believers this day, as we continue the Lenten journey, is our life in balance with what God desires for us or are we outside the lines?

Scripture 3.3.2017

Scripture 3.3.2017

Scripture Read Isaiah 45-50

Nugget Isaiah 45:1-8

“Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him – and the gates shall not be closed: I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of Bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by name. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not now me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the LORD do all these things. Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation my spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the LORD have created it.”

Devotional thought: Woe, Woe, Woe, a friend of mine use to say to get other’s attention. Did you catch this? God calls Cyrus, “His anointed”; Cyrus who does not know God, is called “anointed” (Hebrew “Messiah”, Greek “Christ”), pay attention! God is going to use an unbeliever in a powerful way to set His people free. God says, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, so that they may know.” Stop, ask yourself, are you so in tune with God that you would recognize when God is using an improbable person to provide rescue, freedom, redemption, salvation for His people? There is only one God! God loves His creation and desires salvation to spring up, and righteousness to sprout throughout His creation; so much so that He may even use someone who doesn’t know Him to free those who do. Pay attention to what God is doing, listen to Him, expand your world view or you may miss something huge. During this Lenten season, listen to God more attentively, pay attention don’t miss the opportunities He provides, especially when they come from unlikely persons…..

Scripture Nugget 3.2.2017

Scripture Nugget 3.2.2017

Nugget Job 17:13-16

“‘If I look for Sheol as my house, if I spread my couch in darkness, if I say to the Pit, “You are my father,” and to the worm, “My mother,” or “My sister,” where then is my hope? Who will see my hope? Will it go down to the bars of Sheol? Shall we descend together into dust?’”

Devotional thought: Where is our hope? O the gift of living on this side of Easter! As we journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter morning it is much easier for us who know the resurrection story than it was for Job. Job wrestles with his faith over something he senses deep down in his soul, that God loves him and provides eternally for him (us); while we know what God has done for us: became human – born of woman, lived among us, ministered to us, taught us, suffered for us, died for us, was buried for us and defeated death for us – breaking out of the tomb, continuing his ministry to us and sits at the right hand of the Father advocating for us. Shall we go down to Sheol, descend to the dust? Absolutely not; Jesus has already done so! We who, Repent, and believe the Gospel rise to be with the Lord! Journey to Easter in assurance, grow to be more like Christ. Journey into the fullness of the relationship that God offers with the faith of Job.

Scripture Nugget 3.1.2017

Scripture Nugget 3.1.2017

Scripture Read Psalms 24-26

Nugget Psalm 24:1-6, 25:4-5

“The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall ascend to the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”.… “Make me know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.”

Devotional thought: Today is Ash Wednesday. Today we enter a time of reflection that leads us to Easter, the Resurrection and an empty tomb! Who shall stand in that holy place? Those with clean hands, and pure hearts made that way by God. Every day is a day to contemplate our relationship with God; what specifically is it that I do, think, say and feel that separates me from God? Become aware, admit, then confess and turn from those things. Turn to the Lord’s path from the myriad of other choices; Repent, and believe the Gospel! Repent and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ, Savior who is the Way and the Light and the Truth!  

Scripture Nugget 2.28.2017

Scripture Nugget 2.28.2017

Scripture Read Judges 17-21

Nugget Judges 17:6, 18:1a, 19:1a, 21:25

“In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes. … In those days there was no king in Israel. … In those days, when there was no king in Israel, … In those days there was no king Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.”

Devotional thought: In those days God was amongst the people yet the people of Israel did not follow God, nor did God provide a judge, someone to hold the people accountable in accordance with the boundaries that God set. The people, individually did what was right in their own eyes. Sin was prevalent; theft, idolatry, dis-honoring mother, opportunistic priest wrangling their own appointment, broken prayer life, the people not asking God for direction but to bless their decisions, war, rape, inhospitality, murder, and rash vows. “In those days there was no king in Israel, all the people did what was right in their own eyes.”  As Wesley states, “What wonder was it then, if all wickedness overflowed the land?” (Notes, 21:25) Who or what is “king” in my life? This is a timely question to ask ourselves as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a focused period (40 days) to prepare us to receive the gift of Easter, the resurrected life. As yourself; what is it in my life that separates me from God, what sin do I need to realize, admit, confess and repent of? Which means of grace do I need to participate in? Every day is an opportunity to become more like Christ, Lent is a time to be intentional about allowing God’s grace to work in and through us. How do you respond? Who is King in your life, in your family’s, your congregation, your community, your nation?

Scripture Nugget 2.27.2017

Scripture Nugget 2.27.2017

Scripture Read Genesis 32-35

Nugget Genesis 35:1-4

“God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Make an alter there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.’ So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your clothes; then come, let us go up to Bethel, that I may make an altar there to the God who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.’ So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak that was near Shechem.”

Devotional thought: We cannot worship God with all our heart mind and strength while possessing foreign gods – idols. We must put them aside, permanently, then purify ourselves and change our clothes. Purification is God’s business, ours is to confess and repent and put on the Spirit of God. This Lent, join me in prayerful discovery, let us identify the foreign gods, the idols that separate us from the love of God so we can get rid of them and enter into the fullness of the potential of the possibilities of life with God.

Scripture Read Genesis 32-35

Nugget Genesis 35:1-4

“God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Make an alter there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.’ So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your clothes; then come, let us go up to Bethel, that I may make an altar there to the God who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.’ So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak that was near Shechem.”

Devotional thought: We cannot worship God with all our heart mind and strength while possessing foreign gods – idols. We must put them aside, permanently, then purify ourselves and change our clothes. Purification is God’s business, ours is to confess and repent and put on the Spirit of God. This Lent, join me in prayerful discovery, let us identify the foreign gods, the idols that separate us from the love of God so we can get rid of them and enter into the fullness of the potential of the possibilities of life with God.

Scripture Nugget 2.26.2017

Scripture Nugget 2.26.2017

Scripture Read Romans 15-16

Nugget Romans 15:5-6, 13, 20-21

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. … May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. … Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, ‘Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’

Devotional thought: Who do we share Christ with? Filled with joy and peace by God who makes and keeps Over-the-Horizon Promises how do we not glorify God by sharing the love of Christ with others who have not heard of Him? Far-fetched you say, not in America, how could anyone not have heard of Jesus. A young lady, who has become a close family friend, had not even heard of Jesus until she was a senior in high school. During college, after entering a relationship with Christ she became a Young Life Coach to high school girls. She grew up in metro-Atlanta. There are plenty who have not heard of Christ, some might even be our neighbor. With whom and where will you share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Consider making this something to focus on during this Lenten Season.

Scripture Nugget 2.25.2017

Scripture Nugget 2.25.2017

Scripture Read Matthew 20-22

Nugget Matthew 21:43-44

“‘Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’”

Devotional thought: Today, a few days before the start of Lent is a good day to assess the quality of the fruit we as individuals are producing. Whose fruit? Our own or kingdom fruit? To produce fruits of the kingdom requires us to be broken, peeled apart and crushed, i.e., to die to self and live for and with God. That in us that desires to produce “self-fruit” over kingdom fruit separates us from God; let us commit to weeding out that desire, let’s allow God to crush our selfishness so that we become gardeners of Kingdom fruits.