Blaming The Student

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.  John 13:12-17

“What is wrong with kids today?”  I laugh when others say that not realizing that is what we ourselves often heard from our parents.  Many of us are frustrated with how today’s youth seem self-absorbed and do not care enough about God (or others for that matter) and what He wants.  My initial reaction has been to jump on the bandwagon.  However, I realize maybe God expects something better of us.  Perhaps we feel the way we do because the younger generation is just different from us.  Could it be we have fallen into the trap of trying to use old school math to solve a new school math problem?  It is far easier to tell the younger generation that does not seem to get it that they need to do things the way we did it.  Now there is some truth to that, and for some youth, that is exactly what is needed.  But think of this as a teacher and student problem.  If we, the teacher, are giving all the effort, our initial belief is it must be the student’s fault, but if the student is trying to understand but failing to, the teacher clearly is not good at teaching, right?  The real truth lies somewhere in the middle.  And it’s important that we stop focusing on blaming ‘the student’ because we all lose if they do not learn who God is and what He has in store for them, right?

Jesus as a teacher focused on helping others to learn of God’s plan, and He utilized a number of different ways to achieve this as His goal was for us to be living examples of Him.  Nearing His final days, Jesus washes the feet of the Disciples, and teaches as an example.  This is powerful because as Jesus noted, they acknowledged Him as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and yet He was humble enough to do this for them.  Jesus sometimes told parables, and other times asked questions to help others figure it out.  At times, He was blatantly direct, and others, He was a loving nurturer and empathizer.  Here, He simply sets the example for them and ultimately us.  If we want to reach a generation that has lost God, we cannot simply say they don’t get it.  What we need to do is understand where they are.  Then like Jesus, set the example and find out how to best teach them about who God is. 

God’s work is a labor of love.  If we love God’s people, we are obligated to be teachers to those who may not know Him.  If you are not capable of teaching a way that gets through to them, rely on someone who can, and learn from them.  What’s the worst that can happen?  They still stay lost?  How can you share your knowledge of God to others?  What can you do to be a better sharer of God’s impact in your life?  My prayer is that we focus being better teachers of who Jesus Christ is and stop blaming ‘the student.’  Amen.

Tues Devo: New Year, same path

Hello,

So often we talk about the New Year and making new changes. We look at what we need to do differently. Some do well with that, others fade in time, others just make no change in the face of pressure. But what if we were to look at the New Year from another perspective – that of our Heavenly Father? He isn’t going to do anything new. He wants to keep us moving down the same path – growth in Him and towards Him. Why should we bother looking at it from this way? We like to think about new and fresh starts. I think it is encouraging to have the element of consistency. God is working with and on us – that hasn’t changed. I think it is also good to not forget where things have come from to bring us to the point where we are now. While we may not be fond of the immediate past, if we step back and look at where we started we can see the progress over time, and be encouraged as God draws us closer to Himself. Paul reminds us of this in Philipians 1:6 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NASB)

Have a blessed day and 2017 – let God keep working in your life.

Will Hill

Lead by example

Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus.  As I reflect on this, sometimes I am lead to think about how he lead by example.  We are not following Christ just because we are told to.  Rather, the Son of God came to earth as a baby, grew up doing some of the same things we have likely done. 

Here he comes to John the Baptist, who knows that he is the Christ that will save him, and Jesus asks John to baptize him!  John is taken back and actually questions him.  Why would I baptize you?  I’m the one that needs to be baptized by you! 

Yet Jesus knows that leading by example is so much more powerful than just telling someone to do something.  Therefore, he has John baptize him. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, are we leading by example?  We can believe in Christ and tell others that we are Christians, however if the way that we live does not reflect that, then we are living a lie and not leading by the right example. 

Today I want to simply encourage you to take a look at your life.  As we come to the new year and many make resolutions, I encourage you to resolve to share Christ with others by leading by example and living a Godly life.

Happy New Year!  May you be blessed by God’s presence in your life this year.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part V - A Rough Beginning

When we first met James and Sarah at a park (in July 2015), Sarah was barely walking and not really talking. James was bouncing off anything and everything, but let us play with him. We met another time or two at a park. In the meantime, the court had a hearing and proceeded to pursue adoption rather than reunification. They were to schedule a hearing 3 months out to terminate the parents’ rights. However, it never got scheduled.

We continued to schedule meetings with the kids, though. In the Fall (of 2015), we met the kids at the Toledo Zoo and then scheduled their first visit to our house for the weekend before Thanksgiving. The plan was to introduce the kids to our house and then keep the kids over the Thanksgiving weekend overnight. We had a bad snow storm, though, and the foster family turned around after making it only a few miles. We still went ahead with the Thanksgiving overnight the next weekend. I was nervous and it ended up far worse than I had imagined. They screamed and flailed an hour at bedtime. We tried to reassure them that they were going home the next day, we hugged them, we scratched backs, but nothing seemed to calm them. Of course, I can’t imagine what was going on in their little heads and how confused they must have felt. Sarah screamed about 5 different times throughout the night, too. It was horrible! What made it worse is that we didn’t even know how likely it would be for us to adopt the kids.  

We couldn’t argue God’s hand in the details leading up to this point, so we had to continue following His lead even through all the difficulties and unknowns.

As with the blind man Jesus healed, his life didn’t get easier after encountering and following Jesus. He could see, but he then got kicked out of the synagogue!

John 9:24-34   ²⁴ A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” ²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷ He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” ²⁸ Then they hurled insults at him… ³⁰ The man answered…³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.³² Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁴ To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

How has following Jesus brought blessings, but also hardship and turmoil? God works through the hardships to develop perseverance and grow our faith, just as He did with the blind man. Where do you and I need to persevere (remembering the blessings), knowing God will be with us and help us?  

Doing More

Blessed are those who are generous,
    because they feed the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

In this time of annual giving, we are often reminded of those who are far less fortunate than ourselves.  Many of you do a great service to them volunteering time, money, and skill to help those in need.  Thomson Reuters does a great service volunteering thousands of hours to the community.  It makes me proud to work for such a place.  However, I had to ask a very startling truth.  What do I give to my church, and do I help the needy in my community with them?  Now I am not saying my church does not volunteer to help them.  However, maybe I am saying that I am not doing enough.  Or maybe if my church is not doing enough, it is because no one like me has made the effort to reach out to the community and help those less fortunate.  It strikes me as one of those moments where Jesus said, “Hypocrite!  First get rid of the log in our own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)  Is there more we should be doing within our church?  Is this not one of their primary functions?

We as followers of Christ are called to help those in need.  In doing this devotion, I actually stumbled across this verse while focusing on the beginning of the Beatitudes for Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount.  This is one of these instances where the Old and New Testament underline each other.  As noted by Jesus, He said, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)   Many who play it safe will point out that this refers to the poor ‘in spirit.’  However if you have been without financial means, you understand perfectly what it is like to be in need of God then more than at any other time.  While it can be uncomfortable for us to dedicate our time and resources to those in need, we are given a choice.  We can be safe and comfortable and just take in all that is needed to understand God’s plan for our lives, or we can be bold and courageous knowing God will both be with and teach us as we push to do more helping others.

There is nothing better than to give of ourselves in the service of others.  Whether it is a gift to a charity or organizing a volunteer day at church, we owe it to God to look out for those who are either less fortunate or even worse cannot help themselves.  Jesus says, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48b)  Let us be willing to roll up our sleeves, and give of ourselves in the name of holy and righteous God who valued us so much that He gave His life so that we may live with Him for all eternity.  What more can you do for Christ where you are?  How can you be more involved in helping those in need?  My prayer is that we look at ways this new year to give to those in need because we can do more.  Amen, and Happy New Year!

Tues Devo: Treasured

Hello,

Watching kids at Christmas is certainly entertaining! As my oldest starts to get a little older (6) he is beginning to show a range of reactions with gifts. Instead of just excitement or disappointment, there is more diversity in reaction. You can see what he dislikes, doesn’t care about, what he likes, what he really likes, and the things that spur a more emotional connection – with people, not just the things. The emotional connection was the one that stood out to me the most.

The emotional connection had me thinking about Mary and how 2 times the word “treasured” is used in reference to her and Jesus. The first time is when the shepherds came, and the second is after Jesus stays behind at the temple in the age of 12 – and despite His wisdom and position stays in subjection to His parents.

Luke 2:18-19 “ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (NASB)

Luke 2:41-51 “Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” (NASB)

These were the only 2 times in the New Testament that the word ‘treasured’ is used (NASB). It was used 4 other times in the Old Testament.  Notice how each is about the relationship of God to man.

Deuteronomy 26:17-19 “You have today declared the Lord to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. The Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.”

Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Psalm 83:2-3 “For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, And those who hate You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.”

Psalm 119:11 “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

The word treasured is certainly something that is used with a deep connection. Obviously, it is a word used in the past tense – meaning something has already happened in order to be treasured. The other obvious element here is that the thing which happened must be noticed. Whatever is not seen/experienced cannot be treasured. This word also implies time to look back and reflect – likely over multiple occurrences, not just once.

Where are you with your “treasured”? When was the last time you reflected on your Savior and His love for you? Is it just Christmas, or more often?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Thurs Devo: Go, Tell It on the Mountain!

I’m taking a break from our adoption story this week to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

During the Christmas season, my family had a few traditions that we have started now with our new children! At dinner time each night we light the advent candles, sing a Christmas carol, pick a Christmas card we’ve received and pray for the person that sent it to us. James and Sarah love to participate by praying themselves for the person, trying to sing along to the carol, or blowing out the candles at the end of dinner.

One of the kids’ favorite carols is “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” probably because it’s upbeat, has a catchy chorus and I added hand motions to it. The message of the carol is great for us all to focus on or sing in our heads throughout the day!   

Chorus:

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Verses:

While shepherds kept their watching
Oe’r silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth

Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born

And God sent us salvation

That blessed Christmas morn

John 10:14-18         ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Who will you and I share the message of Christmas with this week who isn’t already part of God’s sheep pen? The Savior of the world left His secure home with God to experience all the pain of this world. He then willingly died on the cross and rose from the dead to provide salvation to those who believe!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Alice

A Call To Action

“Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”  Exodus 3:9-12

One of my all time favorite sermons talks about us as Christians going out and being the church of Christ.  I’ve used many of its sayings to motivate me toward action.  It reminds me that I am not to be just a student of the word although I must read to understand its relevancy.  It does not call upon me to be just a consumer of God although I must take in all that He gives me to enrich my own life.  It tells me that I am not to just hang out with church goers although they give me great strength when I do.  It calls me to act.  It calls on me to put my study of the word into living action.  It asks of me to put out into the world what God has instilled in me, and it forces me to engage with those who are not only just like me but also very different from me.  There is a reason they call the Bible ‘The Living Word of God.’  It is because it lives within all of us, and we are called to bring it to life.

We are called to spend as much time living out God’s word as we are understanding it.  Today’s verse is one that I have reference many times because it spells out how we are to respond to God’s prompting.  God is giving Moses marching orders to do God’s will of freeing the Israelites from Egypt.  Moses says the famous words that many of us find ourselves saying when God is asking what seems to be a monumental if not impossible task.  “Who am I?”  Moses is not questioning God’s righteousness.  He is questioning himself.  In Moses’ eyes, he is but a mere man who was exiled from Egypt.  But to God, Moses was a faithful man who He had prepared for this calling.  We all have doubts about who we are to God, or we feel we might not either know or understand God enough to fulfill that which He would ask of us.  However just as God reminded Moses, He is with us wherever He commands us to go.  Our mission is to act on His word.  Studying for understanding is important, and taking in of God’s spirit is essential.  However, action is what God needs from us.

God requires our active living out of His word each and every day.  As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, we can’t just be in the huddle every Sunday and not play in the game Monday through Friday.  Just as Moses was reminded, God is with us each and every step of the way.  All we must do is walk with Him showing His love, compassion, guidance, and wisdom to a world and generation who is in desperate need of all of these.  Jesus Christ is the ‘reason for the season!’  Let’s commit to being shining examples of Him in our deeds.  What is God prompting you for?  How will you put what God has taught you into action?  My prayer is that we live out God’s word for what it is meant to be; a call to action!  Amen.

Tues Devo: Two reactions

Hello,

I was reading some of Luke to my kids this weekend, and I was struck by a difference in response to the presence of Jesus. Let’s take a quick look at the two examples:

John – while he was still “living on the inside” his mother Elizabeth encountered Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus. The presence of Jesus caused an excitement in John. We see the description in Luke 1:39-44 “Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.” (NASB)

I want to contrast that to the response of the presence of Jesus by Herod. Matthew 2:1-12 goes into this account: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, [a]magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.” (NASB)

So what is the comparison here?

Both John and Herod had a reaction to the presence (and existence) of Jesus. John was one of joy and hope – Herod was one of fear. We see later in John’s life that he placed all he had to the promise of Christ, spending his life turning folks to Christ – not trying to gain any position on his own.

But Herod, he had a response of fear. He feared for his current role as king, and let the short term perspective impact his choices.

What is your response to the presence of Jesus? Is it fear or joy? Are you concerned/focused on what you may have to give up, or what can be gained in the long run?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

When something seems unbelievable

Luke 2:8-15

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Imagine with me, if you will, being a shepherd, out keeping watch over your flock.  It’s night, likely very dark as you are not going to have street lights like we probably have in our neighborhoods today.  All of a sudden, an angel appears.  You’re terrified!  No worries, though, the angel tells you not to be afraid.  That makes it all better, right?  Goodness, no!  You’re probably still standing there scared to death! 

Then all of a sudden a great number of angels appear together.  I’m sure that sets you even more at peace, not really!  After being told of the birth of Jesus, which in itself probably seemed unbelievable, the angels are suddenly gone. 

Would you have been one to get excited and say, “Let’s go!”  I can imagine that they were curious to if this was really true yet at the same time, probably still very scared. 

There are times in our lives that the Lord sends us signs that sometimes see unbelievable.  Like Alice talked about yesterday with her journey to adopt her children, sometimes the path seems to be an odd way to get to a destination yet when you look back at it, you can completely see God at work. 

Today I want to encourage you to seek out what God has in store for you and trust him even when things seem unbelievable.