Today Daily Devotional

THE JOY OF THE WALK

2012-05-31T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51
Restore to me the joy of your salvation …
—Psalm 51:12

The metallic, grinding sound was painful to hear. As I looked at my driving instructor, he stated flatly, “If it makes that kind of noise, something is wrong.” It should have been obvious. Even though I was just learning how to drive with a stick shift (manual transmission), I should have known that. The grinding noise indicated a problem.

In Psalm 51, the psalmist points out a nagging sound in his walk with God that indicated something was wrong. Sin in his life had caused disharmony with God—and, because of that, the joy of his salvation was lacking. The lack of joy is a grinding sound that indicates something is wrong.

When everything is working properly in a vehicle, there is a quiet, powerful rumbling of the engine that is not overwhelmed by grinding. When everything is harmonious in our walk with God, joy is present. That is the way it is supposed to be.

If our walk with God is cluttered with sin, joy will be lacking. If we believe our walk with God is something that we dutifully and begrudgingly approach by fulfilling legalistic obligations, joy will be lacking. The lack of joy is an indication that something is wrong.

God created us to know him and to enjoy his presence. When we develop habits that help us walk in step with God, we will know the joy of his presence.

Prayer:

Lord, let me know the joy of your presence, and allow me to revel in the wonder of your grace and love. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

THE PRIMARY PROMISE

2012-05-30T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
—Isaiah 43:5

If you treat the Bible like little more than a list of promises, you can slip into thinking that life is supposed to be easy for Christians.

For example, you might think that if you are having trouble in your marriage, God has a promise that will make your marriage better. If you are struggling financially, God has a promise that will make your bank account swell. All you have to do is pick and choose the verse that contains your favorite promise, and life will get better.

The problem with that way of thinking is that the primary promises in the Bible are not that you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Instead God promises that he will be with you.

In Isaiah 43, the prophet does not say that God will prevent fire and floods. Instead, God promises that he will be with us as we pass through fire and as floods overwhelm us. You may think this is a cheap promise, but if you understand God’s nature, you can grasp that this is a tremendous gift.

God is the source of all good things, so having God with us is the best possible way to live. His presence does not guarantee that every moment will be blissful, but it does mean that we have the greatest blessings available. God’s gift of himself is the greatest gift of all.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we praise you for being Emmanuel (“God with us”). Help us to know the true value of your presence. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

SEEKING GUIDANCE

2012-05-29T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Exodus 18:9-26
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
—Exodus 18:24

The book of Deuteronomy says there has never been another prophet like Moses (Deut. 34:10-12). Moses spent forty days on a mountain speaking with God. He spent so much time in God’s presence that his face began to glow (see Ex. 34:29-30).

You might think Moses received all his advice and the answers to all his questions directly from God, but that was not always true. In today’s verses we read that Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave Moses good advice for making his job more manageable. In this situation God didn’t tell Moses directly but used another person to bring this idea.

God regularly speaks to us through other people. Sometimes, he puts people in our lives who give us wise advice. At other times, he gives us people who set an excellent example of handling tense moments with grace. God has regularly chosen to work within communities.

We like the idea of being “self-sufficient.” We don’t want to need help from other people. But God calls us into a community of believers. We grow nearer to God as we enjoy fellowship with others. It is helpful to realize that God can speak to us, lead us, encourage us, and caution us when we make it a priority to develop relationships with other Christ-followers who are willing to speak the truth to us in love.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, we praise you for the gift of fellowship. Work in me so that I may offer your insights to others and be ready to receive your wisdom as well. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

ASSIGNING VALUE TOGETHER

2012-05-28T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Psalm 102:18-22
The name of the LORD will be declared … when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship …
—Psalm 102:21-22

In Psalm 102, the Bible calls people to come together to worship the Lord. When people come together, they are able to share how God has blessed each of them, and they are able to see how God has been at work in the lives of others.

There is something exciting about being in a group of people. When a room is crowded, it feels like something special is about to happen, and a sense of anticipation grows.

This is probably one of the reasons people like to attend concerts or live sporting events. We can watch a game on television or listen to music on the radio, but the atmosphere of being surrounded by others adds to the experience.

We can—and should—worship God as part of our time alone with him each day. But God offers us opportunities to gather with others so that we can be encouraged in our faith.

When we gather together for the purpose of worship, we gain access to see God’s work in the lives of others. We receive the opportunity to develop friendships, and we are encouraged as we see that we are not alone in the pursuit of growing nearer to God.

Our faith grows as we are encouraged by others while -honoring our Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to see your true worth. Bring others into my life who will help me know your value, so that I may treasure you above all things. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

HARNESSING THE SPIRIT

2012-05-27T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: John 3:1-21
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
—John 3:8

On the main road between Indianapolis and Chicago the land is dotted with monstrous wind turbines. It looks like an eerie scene from a science fiction movie. Each turbine has three blades that turn to produce electricity whenever the wind blows between 7 and 30 miles per hour. On some days, all of the windmills are turning, but on other days, the blades are all stationary, because the wind is not blowing enough.

Indiana wind farms cannot control the wind, but well-designed generators can harness some of the wind’s power.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, and on this day we remember the way the Holy Spirit’s power was evident fifty days after Christ rose from the grave.

The practice of spiritual disciplines is intended to help us grow nearer to God. One of the dangers of focusing on our disciplines, however, is that we can mistakenly think that our spiritual growth is powered by our spiritual disciplines. Practicing spiritual disciplines is similar to building a windmill. Our disciplines do not compel the Holy Spirit to work on our behalf, but by developing habits that draw us nearer to God, we are in a better position to be propelled by the Spirit’s power when he moves.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, prepare my heart to be moved by you so that I am ready to respond whenever you call me. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

SIMPLE SERVICE

2012-05-26T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
—Romans 12:6

When I think about all the good things a person can do, I get a little overwhelmed. We have so many possible ways to volunteer our time and resources. We have opportunities to serve lunch at school, deliver food baskets in the evening, read to children, rake leaves for senior citizens, teach Sunday school, serve on a church committee, write letters to prisoners, give money to different organizations, invite our neighbor to church, help build a home for someone—the list could go on and on.

But when God calls us to serve, he doesn’t mean for us to get overwhelmed. He doesn’t tell us that we have to do every good thing that we can possibly do. He tells us to use our gifts. God has a lot of people who are working to serve him. This means each of us can use our individual gifts to serve God, without feeling guilty about other opportunities we may have missed. In Romans 12 the Bible describes the church as a group of people who focus on using their gifts to serve the Lord.

When we walk with God, we are called to action. We are supposed to show his grace to a world that desperately needs it. We recognize that our actions will not address or correct every problem that exists, but we can use our gifts and abilities to reach beyond ourselves to show God’s grace through our actions.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, activate the gifts you have given me, so that through my actions others may see your grace. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

FAITH AND SERVICE

2012-05-25T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: John 13:1-17
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
—John 13:14

When you are young, parents can do things that you do not understand. They tell you how life was different when they were children. They explain that they are punishing you “for your own good.” They tell you to be home on time and to “stay safe.” I noticed this trend when I was younger. My parents weren’t the only parents who were “guilty” of these actions; my friends had parents who did the same things.

After I became a parent, something strange happened. I found myself explaining how life was different when I was a child. I tried to convince my children that discipline would build their character. I even set curfews and repeatedly told them to “be safe.” After taking on the responsibilities that my parents had, I started to understand them a lot more.

After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus told them that they should do likewise. It might seem obvious that service is beneficial. When we practice service, we build friendships, contribute to the well-being of others, and learn to see concerns beyond our own lives.

One of the blessings of service that we often overlook is that we grow in our understanding of God’s love. As we take on the tasks of serving others, as Christ did, we begin to understand the ways God has dealt with his people. We learn of his character as we imitate him by serving others.

Prayer:

Lord, move me to serve others so that they may be blessed through the work you have done in me, and so that I may grow closer to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bill Sytsma

THE TREASURE PRINCIPLE

2012-05-24T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:41-44
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”
—Mark 12:43

If you see someone’s checkbook, you can figure out a great deal about their priorities. We spend money on things that are important to us, and the way we handle our finances is a good way to check the condition of our hearts.

In the story of the widow’s offering, Jesus looks at the act of giving as something more than providing for the needs of temple ministry. After watching in silence while generous donors placed large amounts in the temple treasury, Jesus noticed that a poor widow donated two small coins worth less than a penny. Jesus was not impressed because of all that would be accomplished with two copper coins; he was impressed by the condition of the widow’s heart. Her gift revealed her priorities.

The act of giving can reveal the condition of our hearts, and it can also be part of the process of shaping our priorities. Whenever we invest in something, we immediately become more attuned to our investment. When a newlywed couple buys their first home, or a young entrepreneur invests in her new business, they quickly learn about caring for their new purchase, because it is such a significant investment. The act of financially supporting ministries for God’s work is good for those ministries, but it is also good for our hearts, because in the process of giving, our hearts can be drawn nearer to God.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, change the way I use the resources you have given me so that my heart may be drawn nearer to you. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

2012-05-23T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Acts 15
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements … .”
—Acts 15:28

The early church was struggling to decide how they would welcome new believers who had never been part of the Jewish tradition. The major issue was whether Gentile believers would need to be circumcised. Circumcision had been the sacramental-type sign of being an Israelite (Jew) since the time of Abraham. Some did not think the old sign was necessary, but many argued to maintain the practice.

After gathering the church leaders together, the apostles and elders decided that new believers did not need to be circumcised. Instead, they would need to observe certain dietary restrictions and refrain from sexual immorality.

The list of requirements for believers is striking. They did not restate the Ten Commandments, nor did they send a comprehensive list of cleanliness laws. They offered the new believers a short list of instructions that would help them grow. No one believed this list would make anyone perfect. The purpose of these instructions was to help the new believers begin to align their lives with God’s plans for them.

The habits or disciplines we practice do not make us perfect, but they do help us walk with God and begin to experience his power to transform us.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, help me to walk within your will so that I may be transformed to be more like Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

SABBATH

2012-05-22T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Mark 2:23-3:6
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
—Mark 2:27-28

Years ago, one of my neighbors let me know that he did not want my dog stepping on his grass when I walked the dog around the block. I did not want to make him angry, so I made sure to pull the dog off the grass and onto the road whenever we walked past his house. I felt no joy in keeping my neighbor satisfied; I just did it out of a sense of obligation.

There are many things we do in life just to satisfy an obligation or to avoid someone’s anger. We might even think that practicing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, confession, meditation, fasting, and Sabbath keeping would somehow reduce God’s wrath toward us. But that’s not the point of spiritual disciplines. We do them gladly out of thanks to God.

Jesus faced people who accused him of violating the Sabbath because he and his disciples picked and ate grain on that day. Those people looked on the Sabbath law as an obligation, and they tried to point out that Jesus and his disciples were not keeping the Sabbath requirements and were thus making God angry.

Jesus’ response shows us that Sabbath was meant not to be an obligation but a gift. The gift of Sabbath is to renew and transform us by calling us to set aside time from normal routines to bask in the joy of God’s presence.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I want to know your grace more fully. Help me recognize the intent of your gifts so that I may enjoy and celebrate your salvation. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

A DAY OF REST

2012-05-21T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16:21-26
“Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD.”
—Exodus 16:23

For centuries the people of Israel had lived in slavery to the Egyptians. They did not have three-day weekends or vacations. Their lives consisted of working to build Pharaoh’s kingdom. When God freed his people and called them to worship him in the desert, he set a new pattern for their lives. Rather than following an endless pattern of working, eating, and sleeping, they were to take one day off each week, to rest.

The Lord they met in the desert was very different from the slave-driving Pharaoh. They were compelled to be slaves in Egypt, but they were invited into a covenant relationship with God in the desert. They had to make their own bricks in Egypt, but they received free bread every morning in the desert. They worked endlessly for Pharaoh, but they were commanded to take a day of rest as part of their relationship with God. The Lord was so intent on blessing them that he even preserved their sabbath-day bread from the previous day.

Israel was to set aside time and space to make room for the God of Abraham to live among them. God’s presence came with the promise of peace, blessing, and flourishing for all (shalom). Israel would not have seen this as an oppressive command, but as a gift of grace.

Have we set aside time in our busy lives to make room for God?

Prayer:

God of grace, thank you for the gift of your presence in my life. Help me to set aside time and space to enjoy you and your generosity. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

MEDITATION

2012-05-20T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Psalm 77:1-12
“I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
—Psalm 77:12

With all of the access we have to information in our world, we have no shortage of things to think about. I can watch television programs that teach me how to prepare food or remodel my home. I can find scores and statistics from sporting events on the other side of the world with just a click on my computer. Or I can discover where my favorite actor lives and whom he is currently dating.

Because I have access to so much information, my thoughts can be stimulated by almost any whim. It is easy for me to obsess about things that are rather insignificant.

One of the classic spiritual disciplines that may be valuable today is the practice of meditation. We might think of meditation as a mystical practice that causes people to enter a trance-like condition. It seems so different from anything we do in our normal routines.

But meditation is not a practice that is only for spiritual mystics. In the Old Testament the word for “meditate” refers to talking to oneself. When we meditate, we set our thoughts beyond the trivial minutia of our whims, and we consider God’s place in our lives.

Meditation helps us keep our thought-lives clear of the distractions that the world throws at us, and it helps us set our minds on the greater thoughts of God’s plans and purposes.

Prayer:

As I set my thoughts on you, O Lord, show me the wonder of your ways. Help me to focus on you alone. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

SIMPLIFY

2012-05-19T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”
—Luke 10:41-42

Martha was having a busy day. She was making an elaborate meal for Jesus and his followers. She was a gracious hostess, but her grace turned sour.

The story does not tell us that Martha was wrong to make a nice meal, but she was foolish to allow the preparation of the meal to sour her opportunity to be with Christ. She was so distracted and overwhelmed by her preparations that her desire to be hospitable backfired when she accused Christ of not caring about her plans.

I feel bad for Martha. Whenever I hear this story, it is told as though Martha should have imitated Mary, who just sat and listened. That may sound good, but it doesn’t always work well in life.

If I need to get something done, I want Martha on my side. We want people like Martha to serve on committees, lead Bible studies, and plan events. If everyone only sat and listened, much would be left undone.

Jesus was not teaching us that we should sit still and do nothing, but he does challenge us to reconsider our priorities so that we can be near him. If we are overwhelmed to the point that we become angry at God for not paying attention to our plans, we may need to reconsider the value of our ideas.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to set my priorities so that there is room for me to grow nearer to you. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

CHANGED FOCUS

2012-05-18T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
—Matt. 14:29-30

I always feel bad for Peter when I read the story of his water-walking adventure. After seeing Jesus on the water, Peter proceeded to do something that most people would never dream possible. He walked on water! But when the wind distracted him, Peter got nervous and started sinking.

Did Peter do anything bad? In similar circumstances, I would be afraid too. I think Peter had a great deal of faith to merely step out of the boat. The other disciples did not venture out, and yet they were not scolded. Peter, however, was scolded for having “little faith.”

But Jesus was scolding Peter mainly for letting himself get distracted. Peter had a moment of extreme trust, but he forgot about Christ’s power as he noticed other forces surrounding him. He didn’t realize that the Lord who could empower him to walk on water could also keep him above water as the stormy wind and waves churned around him.

Peter had the faith to get out of the boat, but it was “little faith”—too easily distracted.

Walking with God means not only that we will trust him to do amazing things through us but also that we will maintain our focus on him when distractions rise up around us.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I confess that I am easily distracted and often worried by circumstances in my life. Help me to remember and trust in your power to sustain and rescue me. Amen.

Bill Sytsma

OPENING OUR EYES

2012-05-17T07:00:00Z

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11
He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
—Acts 1:9

Forty days after Jesus rose from the grave, he left his disciples and ascended into heaven. Since that day, we no longer have the physical presence of God with us on earth. That does not mean God is not with us, but it is easier for us to ignore him, because he is hidden from our sight.

Even in the Old Testament, God seemed to know that his people would be apt to ignore him. To combat this, God developed a series of patterns and habits for the people of Israel. Whenever they put on clothes, prepared food, entered their house, or groomed their hair, they were reminded of God’s presence in their midst (for example, see Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Although they were not able to actually see God, their eyes were opened to the reality of his presence, as they learned to exercise his will in every area of their lives.

After Christ ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit taught his followers that the dietary restrictions, clothing regulations, and even the sign of circumcision were no longer necessary, but it was still important to be aware of his work in their lives, even though Jesus was taken from their sight. (See Acts 2:1-4; 42-47; 15:1-31.)

In the practice of spiritual disciplines, we develop an awareness of his work and presence as we strive to walk with him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we praise you as you reign on high, and we ask that you will make us aware of your presence through your Spirit, even though we cannot see you. In your name we pray. Amen.

Bill Sytsma