Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week 28 Archives
Year 5; Day 191 He Had Compassion
Jesus had sent His disciples out two by two to preach and heal. When they returned they, "...gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught." (Mark 6:30) They must have been so excited! All eager for His attention. All trying to talk at once. All flush with success. There were so many people around that they didn't even have a chance to eat. So Jesus said, "...Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (verse 31) He knew they would need some time to wind down, come off their emotional high, talk, eat, sleep, and put things in perspective. So they headed to a solitary place but the crowds saw them leaving and, anticipating where they were going, ran on ahead. Jesus' desire and need to have some quality time with His disciples was thwarted. They really needed to recharge their batteries but, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things." (verse 34) He had compassion. Not irritation. Compassion. Not frustration. Just compassion. Not anger at having His plans interrupted. Compassion. He saw beyond the obvious behavior to their need for a Savior. He recognized their inner emptiness and their search for satisfaction. And so He taught and shared and gave. Today is Monday. How do we view people who stand in our path?
Jesus had sent His disciples out two by two to preach and heal. When they returned they, "...gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught." (Mark 6:30) They must have been so excited! All eager for His attention. All trying to talk at once. All flush with success. There were so many people around that they didn't even have a chance to eat. So Jesus said, "...Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (verse 31) He knew they would need some time to wind down, come off their emotional high, talk, eat, sleep, and put things in perspective. So they headed to a solitary place but the crowds saw them leaving and, anticipating where they were going, ran on ahead. Jesus' desire and need to have some quality time with His disciples was thwarted. They really needed to recharge their batteries but, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things." (verse 34) He had compassion. Not irritation. Compassion. Not frustration. Just compassion. Not anger at having His plans interrupted. Compassion. He saw beyond the obvious behavior to their need for a Savior. He recognized their inner emptiness and their search for satisfaction. And so He taught and shared and gave. Today is Monday. How do we view people who stand in our path?
Year 5; Day 192 What Do You See?
Just after the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude with only five loaves and two fish, He told His disciples to get in a boat and cross to the other side of the lake while He went up a mountainside to pray alone. In the middle of the night He saw the disciples struggling with the oars as the wind was against them. Jesus walked on the water out to where they were. "...He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified." (Mark 6:48-50) Why did the disciples think Jesus was a ghost? Because He was walking on water? Because they weren't expecting Him? They had all just come back from a time of preaching and healing. But they still did not seem to understand who Jesus really was. That He was not only their Lord but also Lord over the whole world. Even nature was subject to Christ. If He could raise the dead, feed thousands with miniscule amounts, open blind eyes, and straighten twisted limbs, why would walking on water be such a stretch? Perhaps a better question would be; why weren't the disciples looking for Jesus to come to their aid? He had told them to cross. Did they think He would let them drown? They seemed to take the miracles in stride when they were with Him, but little transferred when they were apart. Why weren't they looking for Jesus in the storm? Do we? Do we look for Christ or do we look at the wind and the waves? Do we cry out in terror or do we call out in faith? Today is Tuesday. Whatever storm you might be in, He sees you...do you see Him?
Just after the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude with only five loaves and two fish, He told His disciples to get in a boat and cross to the other side of the lake while He went up a mountainside to pray alone. In the middle of the night He saw the disciples struggling with the oars as the wind was against them. Jesus walked on the water out to where they were. "...He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified." (Mark 6:48-50) Why did the disciples think Jesus was a ghost? Because He was walking on water? Because they weren't expecting Him? They had all just come back from a time of preaching and healing. But they still did not seem to understand who Jesus really was. That He was not only their Lord but also Lord over the whole world. Even nature was subject to Christ. If He could raise the dead, feed thousands with miniscule amounts, open blind eyes, and straighten twisted limbs, why would walking on water be such a stretch? Perhaps a better question would be; why weren't the disciples looking for Jesus to come to their aid? He had told them to cross. Did they think He would let them drown? They seemed to take the miracles in stride when they were with Him, but little transferred when they were apart. Why weren't they looking for Jesus in the storm? Do we? Do we look for Christ or do we look at the wind and the waves? Do we cry out in terror or do we call out in faith? Today is Tuesday. Whatever storm you might be in, He sees you...do you see Him?
Year 5; Day 193 It is I!
There is a sentence that strikes me as odd in the story of Jesus walking on the water. He saw the disciples struggling against the wind in the middle of the lake and walked out to them. I love that His eye was on them in the storm. "About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,..." (Mark 6:48) Pass by? Why would He do that? Was He checking on their faith? They had just witnessed Jesus compassion with the teaching and feeding of thousands. Would they trust Him to care for them? Had their faith and experience grown enough for them to pray for help with expectation? It doesn't sound like they were expecting Jesus at all since they thought He was a ghost and all cried out in terror. He gave them time. He walked steadily towards them and so close by that He nearly passed them...but He didn't. Their cries of terror rather than joy or relief were countered by words from Jesus. "Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I! Don't be afraid." (verse 50) Jesus was all they needed. No army of angels. No crowds. No implements. Just Jesus...and those simple words, "Take courage! It is I! Don't be afraid." He didn't pass by to leave them but rather to come near to join them. "Then he climbed into the boat with them,..." (verse 51) Jesus doesn't change. He is the same today. Whether you are in the boat alone or with a crowd, He sees you and He will climb in to be with you. Today is Wednesday. He can calm a storm of nature...or a storm of the heart. He is here.
There is a sentence that strikes me as odd in the story of Jesus walking on the water. He saw the disciples struggling against the wind in the middle of the lake and walked out to them. I love that His eye was on them in the storm. "About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,..." (Mark 6:48) Pass by? Why would He do that? Was He checking on their faith? They had just witnessed Jesus compassion with the teaching and feeding of thousands. Would they trust Him to care for them? Had their faith and experience grown enough for them to pray for help with expectation? It doesn't sound like they were expecting Jesus at all since they thought He was a ghost and all cried out in terror. He gave them time. He walked steadily towards them and so close by that He nearly passed them...but He didn't. Their cries of terror rather than joy or relief were countered by words from Jesus. "Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I! Don't be afraid." (verse 50) Jesus was all they needed. No army of angels. No crowds. No implements. Just Jesus...and those simple words, "Take courage! It is I! Don't be afraid." He didn't pass by to leave them but rather to come near to join them. "Then he climbed into the boat with them,..." (verse 51) Jesus doesn't change. He is the same today. Whether you are in the boat alone or with a crowd, He sees you and He will climb in to be with you. Today is Wednesday. He can calm a storm of nature...or a storm of the heart. He is here.
Year 5; Day 194 According to Your Love
I have had to "deal" with a lot of children over the years. I learned early on not to teach math after lunch. My patience and understanding were thinner by then. The students' attentiveness and concentration were less. I found it harder to explain "again" a math concept and keep the edge out of my voice...especially to certain students who weren't the least interested in congruent angles or decimals no matter what time of the day it was. Whether as a teacher or in some other capacity, it can be difficult to not feel and act frustrated when you have to repeat something over and over. The writer of Psalm 119:124 says to the Lord, "Deal with your servant according to your love..." Why love? Why not justice? Or holiness? Or intelligence? Because love covers everything else. His great love for us will include justice. The wrongs will be righted. Rewards given. Accountings demanded. Judgments carried out. His love gives us a way to come into His presence of holiness. Christ's sacrifice on the cross bridges the gap between sin and God. God's loving intelligence has created a world that allows us to live. Out of the outflow of His love come mercy and grace and forgiveness and patience and umpteen second chances. And while we may have days when our love seems to have reached its limit, His never does. I am glad God doesn't deal with me only from a sense of justice...I'd be doomed. I could never measure up to His holiness or keep up with His intelligence...never, ever. But when I am dealt with out of His love, I am humbled and grateful and thankful and I'll take it. Today is Thursday. What a great standard for being dealt with, "...according to your love..." What is our standard for "dealing" with others?
I have had to "deal" with a lot of children over the years. I learned early on not to teach math after lunch. My patience and understanding were thinner by then. The students' attentiveness and concentration were less. I found it harder to explain "again" a math concept and keep the edge out of my voice...especially to certain students who weren't the least interested in congruent angles or decimals no matter what time of the day it was. Whether as a teacher or in some other capacity, it can be difficult to not feel and act frustrated when you have to repeat something over and over. The writer of Psalm 119:124 says to the Lord, "Deal with your servant according to your love..." Why love? Why not justice? Or holiness? Or intelligence? Because love covers everything else. His great love for us will include justice. The wrongs will be righted. Rewards given. Accountings demanded. Judgments carried out. His love gives us a way to come into His presence of holiness. Christ's sacrifice on the cross bridges the gap between sin and God. God's loving intelligence has created a world that allows us to live. Out of the outflow of His love come mercy and grace and forgiveness and patience and umpteen second chances. And while we may have days when our love seems to have reached its limit, His never does. I am glad God doesn't deal with me only from a sense of justice...I'd be doomed. I could never measure up to His holiness or keep up with His intelligence...never, ever. But when I am dealt with out of His love, I am humbled and grateful and thankful and I'll take it. Today is Thursday. What a great standard for being dealt with, "...according to your love..." What is our standard for "dealing" with others?
Year 5; Day 195 Light of the World
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain where they witnessed the words of Jesus become literal. Jesus had said, "I am the light of the world..." (John 8:12) On the mountain Jesus was, "...transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them." (Mark 9:2,3) Matthew 17:2 says, "...His face shine like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." Luke 9 says, "As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning." (verse 29) The light of the world became a literal light...a supernatural light...a visual for the disciples of divinity revealed. I imagine the disciples had to cover their eyes. Who can look at the sun without squinting and it's 93,000,000 miles away? What would it be like to have even a fraction of that brilliance right in front of you? Did they remember or ponder or think later that Jesus had not only said He was the light of the world but they (and we) are too? "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14,16) When we become followers of Christ, our transfiguration/transformation will not be quite as blindingly bright. But it most definitely is to be visible. Christ in us cannot be hidden anymore than a city on a hill can be. Our light is to be manifested in our good deeds...our actions...our behavior. Do we cause people to think of God by the way we live our lives? Do we illustrate, reveal, a better way? Do we shine a light not only for Jesus but to Him? Today is Friday. Is the light of Christ clearly visible in our everyday living?
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain where they witnessed the words of Jesus become literal. Jesus had said, "I am the light of the world..." (John 8:12) On the mountain Jesus was, "...transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them." (Mark 9:2,3) Matthew 17:2 says, "...His face shine like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." Luke 9 says, "As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning." (verse 29) The light of the world became a literal light...a supernatural light...a visual for the disciples of divinity revealed. I imagine the disciples had to cover their eyes. Who can look at the sun without squinting and it's 93,000,000 miles away? What would it be like to have even a fraction of that brilliance right in front of you? Did they remember or ponder or think later that Jesus had not only said He was the light of the world but they (and we) are too? "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14,16) When we become followers of Christ, our transfiguration/transformation will not be quite as blindingly bright. But it most definitely is to be visible. Christ in us cannot be hidden anymore than a city on a hill can be. Our light is to be manifested in our good deeds...our actions...our behavior. Do we cause people to think of God by the way we live our lives? Do we illustrate, reveal, a better way? Do we shine a light not only for Jesus but to Him? Today is Friday. Is the light of Christ clearly visible in our everyday living?
Year 5; Day 196 Need Help?
It's nice to have help when you need it, isn't it? Friends. Family. Even strangers. Years ago I saw a colleague of husband's in the mall parking lot. He looked distressed. When I greeted him he asked (but not expecting) if I had a set of booster cables as his car wouldn't start. I did but had no clue as to how to use them. He did, however, and he was able to get his car going. I was glad to help (well, have what would help). Once on a trip the air conditioning wouldn't work. We stopped at a small store looking for help. Just then a local mechanic pulled up and was able to diagnose the problem...but couldn't fix it. Sometimes people can help, sometimes only partly help, and sometimes they are no help at all. In Psalm 121 the writer asks a good question...one we have all asked at one time or another. "I lift up my eyes to the hills --- where does my help come from?" (verse 1) What do we do when we don't have any answers, when nobody is around, when we need sound advice, when we just need help? Where do we turn? "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (verse 2) Quite the resume...Maker of heaven and earth. How does He help? "...he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (verses 7,8) The word "watch" means much more than observe in the Hebrew. It means to put a hedge about, guard, keep and protect. And not just life in general but your life and mine...our comings and goings...everyday living...now and forevermore. Today is Saturday. Where does your help come from?
It's nice to have help when you need it, isn't it? Friends. Family. Even strangers. Years ago I saw a colleague of husband's in the mall parking lot. He looked distressed. When I greeted him he asked (but not expecting) if I had a set of booster cables as his car wouldn't start. I did but had no clue as to how to use them. He did, however, and he was able to get his car going. I was glad to help (well, have what would help). Once on a trip the air conditioning wouldn't work. We stopped at a small store looking for help. Just then a local mechanic pulled up and was able to diagnose the problem...but couldn't fix it. Sometimes people can help, sometimes only partly help, and sometimes they are no help at all. In Psalm 121 the writer asks a good question...one we have all asked at one time or another. "I lift up my eyes to the hills --- where does my help come from?" (verse 1) What do we do when we don't have any answers, when nobody is around, when we need sound advice, when we just need help? Where do we turn? "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (verse 2) Quite the resume...Maker of heaven and earth. How does He help? "...he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (verses 7,8) The word "watch" means much more than observe in the Hebrew. It means to put a hedge about, guard, keep and protect. And not just life in general but your life and mine...our comings and goings...everyday living...now and forevermore. Today is Saturday. Where does your help come from?
Year 5; Day 197 What Must I Do?
Often when we ask a question, we are genuinely seeking the answer. But not always. A rich young ruler came to Jesus and fell on his knees before Him...actually he ran up to Him. This question he had was really important. "...what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17) When Jesus gave him a check list, the young man declared he was in good standing. However, Jesus knew there was one thing holding him back, one thing that led to a divided heart...his wealth. Jesus answered the young man's question, "...Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." (verse 21) The young man got his answer. Except he didn't like it. It wasn't the answer he expected...or wanted. "At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (verse 22) Did he already have a preconceived notion of an answer? Had he already decided how far he would go and was hoping Jesus would confirm it? Was he expecting a pat on the back that he was already doing just fine and to just carry on? Was he seeking a genuine answer or an answer that suited him? And how about us? When we ask God what He wants us to do, are we open to whatever He might say, or do we have a readymade check list that He can choose from? Are we open to serving with no strings attached or do we have a few conditions? Will we walk away sad or joyfully follow? Today is Sunday. What must we do...and are we willing?
Often when we ask a question, we are genuinely seeking the answer. But not always. A rich young ruler came to Jesus and fell on his knees before Him...actually he ran up to Him. This question he had was really important. "...what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17) When Jesus gave him a check list, the young man declared he was in good standing. However, Jesus knew there was one thing holding him back, one thing that led to a divided heart...his wealth. Jesus answered the young man's question, "...Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." (verse 21) The young man got his answer. Except he didn't like it. It wasn't the answer he expected...or wanted. "At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (verse 22) Did he already have a preconceived notion of an answer? Had he already decided how far he would go and was hoping Jesus would confirm it? Was he expecting a pat on the back that he was already doing just fine and to just carry on? Was he seeking a genuine answer or an answer that suited him? And how about us? When we ask God what He wants us to do, are we open to whatever He might say, or do we have a readymade check list that He can choose from? Are we open to serving with no strings attached or do we have a few conditions? Will we walk away sad or joyfully follow? Today is Sunday. What must we do...and are we willing?