Daily Devotional: Monday, Feb 15
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Goodness & Faithfulness
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest College; Run by Hillsong United; To the Ends of the Earth by Hillsong United; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.
Read: Mark 10:13-16; Romans 15:2; Ephesians 4:29
Think: This weekend Pastor Ben talked about us all wanting the kind of love that is grounded in goodness. When he made the point of doing "the right things in the right way" that was an easy way to sum up just what that means to live that out in day-to-day life!
The phrase ‘their intentions were good' is often used when something goes wrong despite the person's plan. Today before church, as many of us do, I checked Facebook and had a message from someone who while attempting to make a joke called me a few names. Usually I'd let that run off my back but these things pressed particular buttons where I am sensitive. The other person has no idea of the effect of their words and I'm sure they were not intended in the way I received them but I remembered them as Pastor Ben spoke. In Romans 15:2 we are told we must all "bear the burden of being considerate" because we never know how it will affect the person on the other side of it whether that is words or actions.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us to use "only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed", treating people with love and respect and honoring those who invest in our lives.
In our passage today from the Gospel of Mark, we read about the disciples turning away the children from Jesus and I'm sure their ‘intentions were good'; wanting Jesus to rest and make the most of his time but Jesus saw from a view of love and encouragement and His actions were different.
Do: Today let's follow Jesus' lead and show love and encouragement when we are pushed for time and priorities. Become someone's cheerleader and encouragement or show thanks to someone who has invested love and time in your life.
Pray: Dear Lord, please help us be an encouragement in the lives of those You love today. We ask for opportunities to show love and for wisdom in our words that we may build others up and show them Your love in action through us. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
