Category: Devotional

12/9/2020

Jerry Wirtley

5 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. 9 Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. 10 All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. 11 An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. 16 He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:5-17, CEB)

He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were unable to have children and they prayed that God would bless them with a child. And God heard the pray and blessed them. And an angel announced this to Zechariah in the sanctuary while he was burning incense. John will be his name and he will make ready a people, prepared for the Lord. 

What are you doing to continue what John started? 

Are you living in fear of the day, allowing people to control your life or do you live in the hope of the coming savior and share God’s love with all of the world?

Be like John and make ready a people prepared to receive the Lord!

12/8/2020

Jerry Wirtley

The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.3 They accused him, “You went into the home of the uncircumcised and ate with them!” 4 Step-by-step, Peter explained what had happened. 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying when I had a visionary experience. In my vision, I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered from heaven by its four corners. It came all the way down to me. 6 As I stared at it, wondering what it was, I saw four-legged animals—including wild beasts—as well as reptiles and wild birds. 7 I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!’ 8 I responded, ‘Absolutely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ (Acts 11:1-8, CEB)

This is an interesting passage out of context. It stops at Peter saying that he would never eat anything dirty or unclean. The word that my bible uses is “common.” Reading only this passage, I was honestly somewhat confused as to what the point of the dream was, and what it was supposed to illustrate. Reading on, the same voice says to Peter, “Do not call unclean what God has made clean.” Peter goes on to the house of a gentile and baptizes him and his entire family, making them ‘clean.’ Verse 17 says “If then God gave them the same gift that he gave to us when we believed in Jesus Christ, then who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 

It goes to show that we should not judge others, because we can never say that we truly know what is in their hearts or minds, just as we certainly can never truly know what is in the mind of God. If God has forgiven someone, why shouldn’t we? We have no way of saying that a person is ‘deserving’ of God’s forgiveness or not, because none of us are ‘deserving,’ and that is the point. We are all a part of God’s creation, and as such we all are created good and have been made clean by God. Who are we to stand in the way of that?

12/7/2020

Jerry Wirtley

37 When the crowd heard this, they were deeply troubled. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.” 40 With many other words he testified to them and encouraged them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day. 42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. (Acts 2:37-42, CEB)

I was excited to write this devotional because Acts 2:42-47 is a passage that for some reason I have always found very comforting. I think it stems from the idea of this ideal society that the new believers had with each other; sharing all they had, living in community with each other, making sure everyone’s needs were met. I like to imagine that I will find a community like that one day. The first summer that I worked at camp, where I met some of my friends who first brought me to Treehouse, this was a reading for our Thursday bible study. It is bookmarked and highlighted in my bible, and is something that I still turn to years after that first summer ended, hoping I can find another community in which to live, to share what I have with others, and to take care and be taken care of.

The verses 37-42 however, details not that perfect society but the way to get there. We get there by changing our hearts and our lives, loving one another, being forgiven of our sins. This is what we need in order to get to that place of love and caring. We leave behind the old, the sin, the hurt inside us, and we step into a community of believers who truly love and care for each other.

12/6/202

Jerry Wirtley

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, 2 happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, 3 a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” 4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals.8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:1-8, CEB)

I remember first hearing about John the Baptist in Sunday school and having a hard time connecting to him. Now reading this I think about all the people who have acted as John in my life. All of those friends and family that reminded me of Christ. Not all of them have been Christian or Lutheran either, they remind me of Christ through their love and kindness. 

I urge you to look for the John’s in your life and think about how they remind you of the coming of Christ every day. 

12/5/20

Jerry Wirtley

27 Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem again. As Jesus was walking around the temple, the chief priests, legal experts, and elders came to him. 28 They asked, “What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I have a question for you. Give me an answer, then I’ll tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things. 30 Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They argued among themselves, “If we say, ‘It’s of heavenly origin,’ he’ll say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But we can’t say, ‘It’s of earthly origin.’” They said this because they were afraid of the crowd, because they all thought John was a prophet. 33 They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.” (Mark 11:27-33, CEB)

I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s plan. Life this year, and especially the last two months, have been rather crazy, and I have been seeking answers for why life has been so crazy. As I read this, I’m reminded that we aren’t supposed or can’t know all the answers. Sometimes all we need to know is that God is the final authority and to continue to follow him all of the answers will eventually be found.

12/4/20

Jerry Wirtley

19 Now those who were scattered as a result of the trouble that occurred because of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They proclaimed the word only to Jews. 20 Among them were some people from Cyprus and Cyrene. They entered Antioch and began to proclaim the good news about the Lord Jesus also to Gentiles. 21 The Lord’s power was with them, and a large number came to believe and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church in Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw evidence of God’s grace, he was overjoyed and encouraged everyone to remain fully committed to the Lord. 24 Barnabas responded in this way because he was a good man, whom the Holy Spirit had endowed with exceptional faith. A considerable number of people were added to the Lord. 25 Barnabas went to Tarsus in search of Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They were there for a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching large numbers of people. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first labeled “Christians.” (Acts 11:19-26, CEB)

I don’t think I can put a number to how many times I have prayed for more faith. I have begged and I have pleaded, but my faith doesn’t seem to budge. It makes me jealous of people like Barnabas, whose faith was so obvious to others that they responded to his ministry in droves.

That jealousy made me miss the point of the story of Barnabas for a long time. In truth, Barnabas went where he was sent, paid attention, and did his job. Much of the work was done before he got to Antioch, so when he arrived he used his gifts for the benefit of the new Christians there. His faith was a gift, but it wasn’t the point.

While I still might wish I had a little more faith, I know I have the gifts I need for the tasks to which I’m called. Like Barnabas, I can know my gifts and be ready to go.

12/3/20

Jerry Wirtley

2 We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our prayers. 3 This is because we remember your work that comes from faith, your effort that comes from love, and your perseverance that comes from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.4 Brothers and sisters, you are loved by God, and we know that he has chosen you. 5 We know this because our good news didn’t come to you just in speech but also with power and the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know as well as we do what kind of people we were when we were with you, which was for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord when you accepted the message that came from the Holy Spirit with joy in spite of great suffering. 7 As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The message about the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place. The news about your faithfulness to God has spread so that we don’t even need to mention it. 9 People tell us about what sort of welcome we had from you and how you turned to God from idols. As a result, you are serving the living and true God, 10 and you are waiting for his Son from heaven. His Son is Jesus, who is the one he raised from the dead and who is the one who will rescue us from the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10, CEB)

I’m often disheartened by the massive number of horrifying stories that clog my news feed. I feel the need to thank God for the handful of heartwarming stories of caring people, much like Paul thanks God for the continued faith and love of the Thessalonians. 

The world is constantly in need of more Imitators of Christ, but these people can take any form. Jesus summarized his teachings into a single commandment and called on us to follow it: to love thy neighbor. So, to me, an Imitator of Christ is anyone who acts gracefully with love in their hearts, regardless of their background or faith. 

Imitators of Christ can come from anywhere to deliver the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who need it, and for these people I give thanks to God. 

12/2/20

Jerry Wirtley

34 “Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. 36  Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.” 37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, but he spent each night on the Mount of Olives. 38 All the people rose early in the morning to hear him in the temple area. (Luke 21:34-38, CEB)

We need to not get lost in the fear and anxiety of this world so we give in to the downward spiral of the world. We must stay above board and focus our lives on Jesus. Do not let yourself be caught up in the fear and hate of this world that you lose sight of what is coming to us in a manger in 23 days.

Christ our savior came to us and gave us the understanding of loving the world, but not being a part of it. 

Follow after Christ and do not live in fear, but share God’s love.

12/1/20

Jerry Wirtley

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was filled with light because of his glory. 2 He called out with a loud voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a home for demons and a lair for every unclean spirit. She is a lair for every unclean bird, and a lair for every unclean and disgusting beast 3 because all the nations have fallen[a] due to the wine of her lustful passion. The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth became rich from the power of her loose and extravagant ways.” 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say, “Come out of her, my people, so that you don’t take part in her sins and don’t receive any of her plagues. 5 Her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God remembered her unjust acts. 6 Give her what she has given to others. Give her back twice as much for what she has done. In the cup that she has poured, pour her twice as much. 7 To the extent that she glorified herself and indulged her loose and extravagant ways, give her pain and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit like a queen! I’m not a widow. I’ll never see grief.’ 8 This is why her plagues will come in a single day—deadly disease, grief, and hunger. She will be consumed by fire because the Lord God who judges her is powerful. 9 “The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality with her and shared her loose and extravagant ways, will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke from her burning. 10 They will stand a long way off because they are afraid of the pain she suffers, and they will say, ‘Oh, the horror! Babylon, you great city, you powerful city! In a single hour your judgment has come.’ (Revelation 18:1-10, CEB)

Babylon has fallen, as powerful and as great as it was. It has fallen in spite of its kings and wealth and tyranny. Today and forever, Babylon only receives what it has given, and can give only injustice. 

God’s power makes even the mightiest, most terrifying powers of man crumble into dust, but his power is not the great destructive power of armies, nor is it violence magnified. The power of God that sweeps all away is the same love and life-giving power of a clear river, slowly chipping rock and smoothing sand, shaping land and sea. 

11/30/20

Jerry Wirtley

Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven. There were seven angels with seven plagues—and these are the last, for with them God’s anger is brought to an end. 2 Then I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those who gained victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name were standing by the glass sea, holding harps from God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, God’s servant, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and awe-inspiring are your works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, king of the nations. 4 Who won’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? You alone are holy. All nations will come and fall down in worship before you, for your acts of justice have been revealed.” 5 After this I looked, and the temple in heaven—that is, the tent of witness—was opened. 6 The seven angels, who have the seven plagues, came out of the temple. They were clothed in pure bright linen and had gold sashes around their waists. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls full of the anger of the God who lives forever and always. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power, and no one could go into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven last angels were brought to an end. (Revelation 15:1-8, CEB)

Justice is a difficult question for Christians. What is just about justice sent down in seven plagues? What is awe inspiring? 

Maybe the plagues are not what God has done, so much as they are what we have left undone, and we are reaping the whirlwind. As we wait patiently for the most precious gift, what can we do to leave less in the world undone, and prepare it again for God’s Kingdom?