Daily devotion

Are We on God’s Crew?

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You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

As we work hard to build our churches sometimes we forget whose house it is. The home under construction under the supervision of God’s general contractor the Holy Spirit is for His. And since God in all His wonderful creativity has made us different then every color of living stone myst be included.

Being a part of God’s construction crew means more than just showing up for work. We are called to follow God’s blueprint if we are going to be on His construction site. And if we are to all be built together we need to do more than allow diversity we must pursue it! If glancing at God’s plans and seeing a lot of remodeling to do seems daunting, don’t walk off the job and quit. God is still at work in us and will hand out specific work orders for each of us on a daily basis.

The church is still an active construction zone. Stick around, pick up your tools and be willing to work with everybody He puts on the job. When Jesus is in charge we can start being less of an exclusive religious resort and more of a city on a hill that shines a light and glorifies our Father!

Who is Jesus?

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Somehow we got a bit off track in our men’s zoom meeting last week and some of the newer believers seemed confused by conversations they had with some Jehovah’s Witnesses as to just exactly who Jesus is. They probably didn’t realize that the Watchtower society teaches that Jesus Christ was really originally the Archangel Michael – but not to get too deeply into the weeds I simply put together a pop quiz of people in both the Old and New Testaments to ask them one question. “Who is Jesus?” Here is a brief sampling of their answers –

Peter said: Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Matthew 16:16

 Isaiah said: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

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John said: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. John 1:1

Moses said: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3  (Father Son & Holy Spirit in creation)

Paul said: Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

King David said: Your throne O God is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness. Psalm 45:6

Thomas said: Thomas answer him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

Daniel said: And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

Jesus said: So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.” John 9:57

I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, “Who is and who was and who is to come” Revelation1:8

But Most important of all is who you say that Jesus is!

Matthew 16:15 He said to them “ But who do you say that I am?”

Reconciled

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But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. Genesis 33:4

You might have heard the question about what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. Let me say that for those of us who have raised boys – we know that answer!. We who have pleaded or even demanded our sons to: “Just be nice to each other!” or asked; “Can’t you two get along for five minutes?”

A Rare and peaceful monet

this scene of reconciliation between Jacob and his brother Esau is a greater miracle than even walking on water. These guys had lied, cheated, and tricked one another and in Esau’s case even plotted the murder of his brother. Our son’s battles evidenced by assorted holes in walls, a broken door and angry accusations flying across our home seem mild by comparison. But we have also been blessed to live long enough to see these same guys giving each other cars; sharing their homes when divorce came knocking on the door and most importantly learning to listen to one another.

In light of the current chaos in America today we can draw hope from the reconciliation of these radically different brothers. It took a crisis to force them to finally focus; not on what separated them but on remembering that they were family. As family God is calling for us to meet together for embracing not injuring; weeping not shouting and forgiving as God has freely forgiven anyone who kneels where the ground is level at the foot of the cross.