The Challenge -- Day 133

Today's scripture: John 1:19-51
[If you don't have a Bible within reach, click the reference above to read online.]

Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them,

"What are you seeking?"

John 1:38 ESV

As a follower of Jesus, What are you seeking?

Hear Jesus ask you this same question. How would you answer Him?

Some of us are seeking peace and security through 401Ks and IRAs.

Some through the perfect relationship or accomplishment.

What are you seeking?

Those following Jesus answered by saying: Rabbi, where are you staying?

These followers wanted to be with Jesus. They wanted to know where He was staying. They called Him Rabbi, which means Teacher, they wanted to be taught by Him.

What are you seeking?

Jesus said, Come and you will see.

Remember, Jesus reveals God to us as the Word made flesh. Today, I see God as the one who invites those who are seeking Him to come and see.

He is a God waiting and willing to show us His wonders and teach us His ways, all we have to do is seek them.

Consider if He has shown you anything recently. Has He blessed you with revelation of His Word? Or revealed the root issue of a particular struggle in your life?

If you feel like He's been keeping you in the dark, perhaps you're seeking in the wrong places. Because when we seek Him, desire to live our lives in Him, He will invite you: Come and see.

Father God, You know what my heart is truly seeking,

You know where I'm distracted by the things of this world.

Today, I choose to seek You and Your way. 

Show me the way...

The Challenge -- Day 132

Today's Scripture: John 1:1-28
[Click the above reference to read online at BibleGateway.com]

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...

John 1:14 ESV

Jesus is God's Word made flesh. He came as Light and Truth to reveal God's grace and love, His authority and power.

In Him we see God.

What does Jesus reveal to you about Father God?

As we travel through John, the last leg of the 170 day challenge, let's consider, really look at Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Look at Him with fresh eyes. Ask: What do I learn about God from Him? His actions? His Words? His life? His relationships?

Consider how we -- Believers, followers of Jesus -- are to reveal Him to the world where we live: our home, our workplace, our church, our community.

How are you making His Word flesh?

Do you see Him fleshed out in others?

The Word became flesh to reveal God's light of love and healing to a dark ailing world.

That is our call, too, as we follow Him.

Father God, reveal Yourself to me through Your Word.

Translate Your Word to my heart and life.

Enable me to make Your Word flesh where I live.

"... In the same way, let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:16 ESV

Sabbath Challenge -- Day 131

Today's Scripture: Luke 24:36-53
(Click on the link to read the verses for today.)

And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy;
and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

It's Sunday and I'm full of joy... great joy even. You see we have reason to celebrate. This is our final reading for Luke. In fact, we are only 39 days from reading through all four Gospels. I can honestly say I've never read through them consecutively like this.

This reading idea formed during a Grow Team meeting as we considered how we might also celebrate the 170th birthday of our church. I can say that The Challenge was Holy Spirit inspired. I know it because in my most disciplined self I could not have written so many devotionals. I know it because on my own I rarely complete what I start.

So let us shout some praise:

...for His word and the freedom to read it...

...for His inspiration...

...for His faithfulness to complete the good works He begins in us...

...for the church and body of Christ...

...for the transformation happening in our lives and the lives of others...

You might be thinking... uhhh, Stacy, we are not done yet. I know, my favorite Gospel still awaits. And I'm passing the devotional writing for this one to my friend Carol. So let's keep going. I cannot wait to see what the Gospel of John has in store for us.

You bless us with peace, Lord, may we bless You with worship and praise.

Continue to make the way for us to complete the journey we have begun.

Amen.

The Challenge -- Day 130

Today's Scripture: Luke 24:13-35
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

They were returning home. After all Jesus was dead, what else could they do. And then a stranger shows up that is not a stranger at all. Only they didn't recognize him.

...not by His physical appearance...
...or the way he explained the scriptures to them...
...not when He entered their home...
...or sat down at their table...

Recognition came with the breaking of the bread. There are times I don't recognize him either. No "Aha" moments when a stranger walks my way. Some days I read the Bible and pray but feel nothing. I wonder how many times I've missed Him in my home... at my table.

Still there is one place that my eyes are opened and I recognize Him without fail. When I kneel at the altar to receive His body... His blood... something clicks. It's as if I have new vision... a new way to see what I didn't recognize before.

Only one more week until we join together at His table to celebrate Holy Communion. I'm looking forward to it!

Lord, prepare my heart to see You in the breaking of the bread.

Prepare me to receive Your grace, Your mercy, Your peace

and freely share it with others whom You love.

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks,

he broke it and gave it to them, saying,

"This is my body, which is given for you. 

Do this in remembrance of me."

Luke 22:19 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 129

Today's Scripture: Luke 23:44 - 24:12
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

I always found it interesting that the angel had to remind the women of Jesus' teaching. He discussed it openly with them, but then again, he taught them a lot of things. When the angel reminded them, they remembered.

It is the same for us as we continue to read and study all Jesus is teaching us through His word. The Bible has hundreds of pages with so much to absorb. For years, I have practiced the spiritual discipline of memorizing scripture. If you asked me to spout them to you now, I couldn't.

But here's the amazing part to me. When I need it, the Holy Spirit reminds me just like the angels did for the women at the tomb.

Want to give scripture memorization a try? Here are some tips that have helped me:

1. Choose a passage and break it into smaller segments.
2. Write the verses on two or three index cards and put them in places you will see them each day: laundry room, mirror, car.
3. Say it out loud... go ahead... it feels weird but it works.
4. Yes... they have an app for memorizing scripture. Check out Scripture Typer.

Lord, bless me with a hunger for Your Word.

Enable me to memorize Your Word.

Remind me of the Word I need at any given moment,

so I can remember.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 NIV84