Advent Devotional #3: Abram

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Messiah, we’re going to walk day-by-day through profiles of folks who were winners on a large scale. The next step on our Journey towards Christmas is in Genesis Chapter 12.

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him;

Once again, we have a visit with a very familiar Biblical Character, and a very familiar Bible Story. But, think about this? How willing are we to pick up and go when/if we hear God calling us to do? How in tune are we with the voice of God to know when He calls? Couldn't we win more and in bigger/better ways, if we simply went when God said to go, and let God's plan develop, and didn't worry about all the details of what happens after we go? Let's listen for God's call, be ready for it, and most importantly, answer it. That way, we can produce more, and better, wins. Every day.

Immitation (Conclave Devotion)

This is the Devotional from Conclave on Saturday Morning.

I opened by asking for volunteers from the audience to come forward and do an impression of either a celebrity or a brother who was present. Highlighted among these was an impression featuring the line "The Reds are awesome and buy Tide!" (or something to that effect ... not sure on exact wording).

Second, I showed the following video:

(Warning, if you are easily offended or don't like humor that pokes a little fun at Christianity, you might not enjoy this, and/or you might want to turn off your offensive sensor. I think it's hilarious and think everyone should check out the entire series)


Finally, I asked two questions:

Why did I show this video? Why did I ask for impressions?

First, because I think we need to have fun, and getting involvement and being able to show off Mr. Deity are awesome in my books. But also to drive home the point of how we represent other people, things, and ideas. Through the things we say, do, and how we behave. The brothers brought to our mind an idea of another brother or a celebrity, and Mr. Deity brought to our mind a comical idea of God.

But the real reason, was to drive home a passage of scripture:

Ephesians 5: 1-2
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Now, consider this:

The best way to give an impression of God. The best ay to remind someone of God.

Is through Love

And if you don't believe me, read First John.

Moving Forward

Alright.

We've made it through Lent. This blog has posted a discussional/devotional a total of 47 times in the previous 47 days. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. I hope you enjoyed them and got some spiritual growth out of it.

So, with that done, I'm used to posting on this blog on a very regular basis now, so I'm wanting to look to the future and see what else we can do here. I'll be posting weekly polls on the side of the blog to look at what we might be doing. I'd encourage all visitors to vote in the polls and leave their opinions either in the comments section or in an e-mail to me. Keep in mind, though, poll results are non-binding.

Also, if you've got other suggestions for things we can do on this blog to grow together and grow towards the followers Christ calls us to be, let me know those, too.

First poll is up now, and I'd like to gauge interest in an online book study. What I'd basically do is announce a book, ask anyone interested to get the book, and then we'd read it. I'd post a chapter-by-chapter or section-by-section post on thoughts on the book, and then we could discuss it via the comments section. This is somethings I really want to do, so let me know if you're interested. I've already got a few books in mind for it!

He is Risen!

It is my intent to put up a mini discussional/devotional each day of Lent. But, I may fall of that pace. I'd ask anyone who reads this to keep me accountable to it, however. Lent is a time for us to reflect and grow, and I feel that with each day bringing a new discussional/devotional and a prayer combining our program theme and Lent we can accomplish each of those in a better way. If you have a discussional/devotional for Lent that you'd like me to include, send it to me via e-mail at vicepresident@sigmatheta.org

Today, we celebrate Easter. The return of our King. The triumph our of King over sin and death.

And we can never have more of a reason to celebrate. There's no bigger victory attainable. No larger prize to be won. No bigger gift to be given.

Jesus Christ, the perfect son of God, who was sacrificed on the cross for atonement for our sins is alive and reining as King. He, who was mocked and scorned just after being welcomed as king, is now alive and in His glory, and available as King to any who would want Him.

There is no greater reason for us to celebrate than this. There is no greater cause for us to share with the world. There is no better day to recommit ourselves to lives of grace, love, sacrifice, hope, and faith.

Join me, today, and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. And join me in recommitting to the cause of Christ in all we say, all we do, and all we believe.

HE IS RISEN!

Join me in this prayer:

Sovereign Lord,

You are the risen Lord
The One who has conquered death
He who has rescued us from sin

And I give glory to you

You are the conquering King
Greater than any other king
The one with ways high above

And I give glory to you

Consecrate me to You
Let my life be a living testament
To your love, grace, message, and sacrifice

Thank you for atonement
Thank you for you
Thank you for love

Amen.

No Fat Lady

It is my intent to put up a mini discussional/devotional each day of Lent. But, I may fall of that pace. I'd ask anyone who reads this to keep me accountable to it, however. Lent is a time for us to reflect and grow, and I feel that with each day bringing a new discussional/devotional and a prayer combining our program theme and Lent we can accomplish each of those in a better way. If you have a discussional/devotional for Lent that you'd like me to include, send it to me via e-mail at vicepresident@sigmatheta.org

Imagine how you'd feel if you're watching the Star Wars Saga, and instead of it being as we know it, the Saga ends during The Empire Strikes Back, when Luke has fallen down a shaft, Han is frozen in carbonite, and the Galaxy at large is in disarray. Doesn't seem quite right, does it?

Or, imagine the Harry Potter series ends when Dumbledore is killed. Rather than seeing the rest of the wizards rally to a stirring victory, we're left with the world in chaos, and the lasting image is a dead leader. Not exactly something you want to read about over and over again, is it?

Or, if Aslan never returned in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Or if Neo was unable to stop Agent Smith in The Matrix and sacrificed himself with no end to the terrors? Or if The Lord of the Rings ended with Frodo dead at the hands of Shelab? Or ... well, you can put in any number of movies, books, and sagas here, but I think my point is coming through.

Imagine yesterday (Good Friday) was the end of the road. There was no resurrection. All we had was a great teacher, with some great speeches and some revolutionary ideas (think about the Sermon on the Mount, for example). Some of the teachings probably survive to this day, but that's probably it. The world would never be radically changed by Jesus.

This is a depressing thought for me. When I consider it, there's no joy, hope, or faith in this made-up scenario. It's not pleasant in the least bit.

But when I meditate on that for a minute, and then think of the truth, of the power of the resurrection ... well, it makes my joy in that truth just a little larger.

And so I'd invite you to join me in that meditation, and to expand our joy of the entire truth of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Join me in this prayer:

Sovereign Lord,

Thank you for the cross
For the out pouring of your blood
For the atonement of sins

Thank you for your teachings
For sharing your wisdom
For providing words to live by

But most of all
Thank you that there's more to the story
That the story doesn't end there.

Bring me to atonement
Bring me to you
Bring me to love

Amen.

By His Stripes ...

It is my intent to put up a mini discussional/devotional each day of Lent. But, I may fall of that pace. I'd ask anyone who reads this to keep me accountable to it, however. Lent is a time for us to reflect and grow, and I feel that with each day bringing a new discussional/devotional and a prayer combining our program theme and Lent we can accomplish each of those in a better way. If you have a discussional/devotional for Lent that you'd like me to include, send it to me via e-mail at vicepresident@sigmatheta.org

Today, we remember the death of our Lord. We remember this beating, his carrying of his cross, his last breath, and "it is finished".

And we sometimes question why this path was taken. And I offer no new insight on this, because I cannot hope to explain it better than the prophet Isaiah. Please, reflect and meditate on his words.

1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

Join me in this prayer:

Sovereign Lord,

We remember on this day that we are saved
Only by your love
Only through your wounds
Only because of your grace
Only by your sacrifice

Thank you
More than our words can ever express
Thank you

Bring me to atonement
Bring me to you
Bring me to love

Amen.

A Fine Meal

It is my intent to put up a mini discussional/devotional each day of Lent. But, I may fall of that pace. I'd ask anyone who reads this to keep me accountable to it, however. Lent is a time for us to reflect and grow, and I feel that with each day bringing a new discussional/devotional and a prayer combining our program theme and Lent we can accomplish each of those in a better way. If you have a discussional/devotional for Lent that you'd like me to include, send it to me via e-mail at vicepresident@sigmatheta.org

We've reached Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday. A celebration of the Last Supper of Christ, and the establishment of Holy Communion.

A lot has been written about the Last Supper and Holy Communion. Let's take a look at it in a new light, and start by looking at Paul's description:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

I'm sure we've all got different ways to celebrate Communion. For me, my church partakes in the ritual every week. We set out bread and juice before service begins, and at the invocation of our pastor, we're invited to serve each other; to pour a cup of juice for someone, or to hold the bread while someone else tears a hunk off. It's a ritual of remembering Christ, and of growing as a community and serving each other. I'd love to hear the specifics of how you celebrate Communion.

But regardless of the specifics, one thing is important. We're coming together, and doing so in remembrance.

We're remembering that Christ's body was broken for us when we take the bread. We're remembering the new covenant when we take the cup/wine/juice.

And, hopefully, when we remember the broken body and we remember the new covenant, we're motivated to live a life of faith, love, and service, just as our sacrificed Messiah did.

I hope to one day partake in this ritual with all of my brothers. But until that day comes, I hope we can at least join in collective remembrance when we individually celebrate Communion.

Join me in this prayer:

Sovereign Lord,

Thank you for establishing
The ritual of Holy Communion

For giving me common items
By which I can remember you

To remember your sacrifice
To remember your new covenant

Help me to be motivated
To a life of faith, love, and service

Bring me to atonement
Bring me to you
Bring me to love

Amen.