"...may [God] grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being."
Ephesians 3:16
Happy Wednesday!
If you grew up in church you would have been encouraged to have something called a "morning devotion". This is typically a time each morning when you read the Bible or book and then pray in some common format.
While generally something I would wholeheartedly support, and Martine and I practice, some Christians have tried and then given up. One of the main reasons for giving up is that people find it mechanical and impersonal...easily becoming something you "have to do", not "want to do".
I understand! I've been there.
But I've learnt something this week which has helped me understand why Christians promote, "devotions", and why so many who try doing it, get frustrated.
In "Good or God" on Sunday I shared how I am reading a "devotional" book from the 1300's - not 1600's as I mistakenly said on Sunday 😄
The foreword to the book explains how this book was written at a time when the word "devotion" was incorporated into Christian thinking as, Devotio Moderna [Latin], "The New Devotion". As a rejection of centralised church authority and abuses, it signified a profoundly personal love for and dedication to God with one's whole self. Devotio thus became an expression of a time of lovingly giving oneself to God.
So, the original concept of a "morning devotion" was a time set aside to lovingly give over life to God each day. These first attempts at "devotions" were much like our modern ones. Bible reading, Christian books and prayer were all foundational.
However, the goal further illustrates why many of us today misunderstand the purpose of this ancient practice. Rather than simply, "read some Bible" or simply "saying a prayer", the goal was that our "inner life" was transformed by love for Jesus. We see this strengthening of our inner selves outlined clearly in Ephesians 3:14-19:
14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Every one of us needs this strength in our inner being. And this strength comes from the love - chiefly that of Christ.
However, it's not simply "devotions" that create the love of Christ. Rather, its the time of devotion that makes space for the Holy Spirit to strengthen, root, ground and fill us with Christ's love. The love of God present in us in this way cannot be conjured up through religious rituals, but is simply the fruit of his presence that comes through faith.
Likewise, while I constantly guide our church back to three simple rhythms - Know, Invite, Gather - it's not the rhythms themselves that lead us to faith or following Christ. Rather, it's the space they offer God's Spirit to strengthen, root, ground and fill us with Christ's love.
So, if you've given up on "devotions", or they've always sounded boring to you...why not just set apart some time today to simply love, or experience the love of, God.
This week, may God's Holy Spirit enliven us as we learn to make space for devotio.
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday!
Dan
Jesus: Ask God to Send People on Mission
““The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”
- Matthew 9:37-38
This week we look at Jesus' command to ask God to send people on mission. It's part prayer, part purpose and part...mission!
If you're keen to read more:
https://52follow.com/ask-god-to-send-people-on-mission/
Coming Up
March
Sun 30 Mar - Beach Gathering at Moffats
April
Sun 06 Apr - Worship Night - 4pm @ City Life, Gregson Place
Sun 13 Apr - Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 20 Apr - Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 27 Apr - Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $10,217
Last month's expenses: $12,340
Balance: $76,430
Giving Kitty Oct 23- Feb 25: $5,000
Giving out Oct 23-Feb 25: $9,886
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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