Monday, November 4
Theme for the week:
Disciples Forgive Outsiders

• In Christ, you and I are being built into a holy temple, a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

Ephesians 2:11-22

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

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Pondering Point

What is God’s goal from Paul’s perspective?

[1] It is to bring those who are far away from the Lord near to Him through the blood of Jesus.

[2] It is to tear down that which divides people.

In Paul’s setting there was a socio-political and religious divide between Jews and Gentiles (a Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew). Nowadays, you name it: Political stance, race or color, religious persuasion, gender issues, personal rights. It is an extensive list.

But listen – anyone in Christ is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). And anyone in Christ is united to others in Christ, known as the church, the family of God, the body of Christ. Followers of Jesus don’t necessarily lose traits that previously led to divisions, but we are no longer defined by them. Instead, we are defined by what (or better said, by Who) unites us. From there we learn to practice “bearing with one another in love” (see Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:13 for a deeper immersion). God’s goal is to unite us to Himself AND to each other through Jesus. What is your goal with people? Are you working with God or against Him here?

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Prayer

Father God, Let Your Holy Spirit help me get aligned with Your goals to tear down whatever walls divide people. Help us followers of Jesus looks past secondary issues and celebrate the unity we have as His disciples.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Tuesday, November 5
God’s Mission

Luke 19:1-9

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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Pondering Point

Jesus hung out with “sinners” because they were the ones he came for, those on the outside.

The tax collector, Zaccheaus, would easily qualify as an outsider. He was a Jew who had joined up with those ungodly Romans to squeeze his fellow Jews financially, all while lining his own pockets. Such people were labeled and treated as “sinners” -- despised and rejected.

But Jesus, who himself would be despised and rejected and treated as a sinner, offered different treatment. He offered forgiveness and reconciliation for sinners like Zaccheaus.

Look at the impact of Jesus’ act of love (or compassion or grace or whatever you want to label it). It is in verse eight, "Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!”

His reconciliation with God through Jesus led to acts of reconciliation with the people around him. Jesus wants you to be at peace with those around you. (See Hebrews 12:14 for further study on the matter.)

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Prayer

Jesus, I welcome you as a guest in my home and my heart. I rejoice that you came for sinners like me. Move me to open my heart and home for others, including reconciling with any I have sinned against – and forgiving all who have sinned against me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Wednesday, November 6
Biblical Teachings on Prayer

Matthew 5:23-24

If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
~ Jesus

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Pondering Point

Because outsiders watch, it is imperative that we take reconciliation seriously among ourselves – and in relation to outsiders. This is a major complaint from non-Christians about followers of Jesus. Check with the Lord about your willingness to reconcile with others.

Many Christians love the idea of bringing God gifts that would cause Him joy. The picture of God smiling over us is a warm one. Such gifts may vary from finances to sacrifices of one’s time or opportunity. They might include worshipping through music, meditation, or serving others and the like.

But the offering of such gifts while letting a lack of reconciliation persist is NOT pleasing to God. We know this precisely because of Jesus’ teaching here in Matthew 5:23-24. We know that God already looks upon us with joy thanks to the forgiveness that comes through Jesus. Let’s further that joy as we live out the will of Father God by reconciling wherever rifts have developed among us. Seriously!

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Prayer

Father God, just as it is Your will that we believe in Jesus as Lord, is it Your will that we reconcile with each other in Jesus’ name. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven. Where I have sinned, help me confess and ask forgiveness from those I have offended. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Thursday, November 7
Prayerfully Re-Center Around God

Matthew 26:38-39

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
~ Jesus

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Pondering Point

Despite the painful road ahead for Jesus, we see alignment between the will of the Father and the compliant Son in order to bring reconciliation between God and His people. Jesus prays for strength to follow through on this plan: To pay the wages of sin (by His death), enabling God the Father to not count men’s sins against them, giving them life in His name. We bring up God’s will in this devotion because doing what God wants is not always easy nor simple. But with Jesus as our example and inspiration, let prayerfully re-center around God and His will about reconciling with others.

Review the week

Is there need for reconciliation with someone in your life? If so, is your heart bent toward forgiveness or bitterness? Are you open to God’s help? Are you willing to let go of anger, resentment?

Repent (if necessary)

Repent of letting any bitter roots grow within you (Hebrews 12:15) and inhibiting God’s work of grace through you.

Return (as necessary)

Ask God for divine strength to forgive and to reconcile, for healing of current or past wounding and then pray this adaptation from the Lord’s Prayer: Lord, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

The root of bitterness can be plucked out as we continue to call upon God and seek His healing.
~ Crystal McDowell ~

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Prayer

[Create your own prayer for recentering yourself in Jesus' eyes.]

Friday, November 8
Discipleship Point and Prayer

The leader should be the example of openness and confession. A worldly approach to leadership operates on the idea that you cannot lead if people know your weaknesses or your failures. In the kingdom of God there is an entirely different value system. But we can forget that the leader who will be the most respected will be the leader who is completely honest, forthcoming and vulnerable. Obviously, he or she should not use every setting to list shortcomings, but a leader should be known as one who brings where he or she really is out into the light. When confession is coupled with repentance and when repentance is clearly seen, credibility is gained, not lost.
p.111, The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility, Fontenot/Jones
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Humility Prayer

Father God, whether I am leading or following, let me lead by example of admitting mistakes, showing vulnerability and displaying both confession and forgiveness. I trust you to defend me as necessary and lift me up when I have fallen. Amen.

Learning the Point of being a Disciple

As a disciple, realize  that Jesus has called you to:

o be a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19)
o in whatever you are doing (Colossians 3:17)
o as you are going about life (Matthew 28:19)

Remember that like any maturing process, people are sometimes ready to learn and other times not. Some can learn from others’ mistakes; some only learn after going through their own failures. Keep expectations appropriate for levels of maturity in those you’re discipling – and remember that the Holy Spirit is the primary disciple; you are His vessel.

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Discipleship Prayer

Father God, as your disciple following in the footsteps of the Peter and Andrew, James and John, teach me how to fish for men in whatever I am doing as I go about life. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Saturday, November 9
Scripture's Story for the Week

Paul Confronts Peter
on His Actions

Luke 19:1-9

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

In this story, Jesus inspires some serious life change and hard-core reconciliation. How would you respond to this event as one whom Zaccheaus comes to repay concerning what he stole from you? Take in the story as one who benefits from this act of reconciling that Zaccheaus performs. How would you view him – and Jesus?

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Prayer Prompt

Jesus Christ, I love how “salvation had come” to that home and changed lives. I want your salvation coming into my life and changing lives around me too – starting with my own heart. Change me to be more like You.

Sunday, November 10
Call to Gather, Pray and Worship God

God Bless You

2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!
Strive for full restoration,  encourage one another, be of one mind,
live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 

Wow: Rejoice – and STRIVE for full restoration. Live in peace, encourage each other and be of one mind. These challenges are being laid down to a group of people – with the clause that doing so includes having “the God of love and peace” be with you. That makes it a collective blessing, not merely an individual one.

Sponsored by Hope Lutheran Church 

Copyright (c) 2017-2019 Paul vonWerder

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