Daily Devotional: Monday, April 5
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Living Every Moment
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Jesus Paid it All by Kristian Stanfill; Hosanna by Brooke Fraser.
Read: Matthew 26:36-41
Bible Challenge: Luke 15
Think: Pastor Ben used several props this weekend to illuminate several truths for Easter services. Most notably an easy chair, which even more appropriately is trademarked by a certain company as the "La-Z Boy Recliner". Admittedly, I have one in my office at home, complete with a remote control on the table next to it.
I have some productive moments in that chair, on many an occasion leaning back and having a conversation with my best friend, Jesus. That's the good news. The not so good news is that too often that chair represents exactly what Pastor Ben was trying to show us this weekend, it is a chair of lost and squandered opportunities and under-appreciated relationships that God has desired for me. My comfort to watch a TV show, and dine on popcorn (Ho'Ho's and Twinkies just aren't my thing) took precedence over something else that undoubtedly was more important.
In addition to the reading of Luke, today's devotional focuses on a very familiar "La-Z Boy" moment if you will. Jesus asked three of His disciples to join him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He specifically asked them to keep watch with Him while he poured out His anguish to His Father. At this moment Jesus knew full well what was about to happen, the sacrifice that He would asked to make. His humanness felt the pain; His Godliness, love and humility For His Father and for us, caused Him to utter these words: "My Father, if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." When Jesus returned to His disciples he found them sleeping. At this time, at this hour, the disciples chose to sleep. The disciples surely missed an opportunity to spend time serving our Lord in an hour of need. I am pretty sure they were regretful for the rest of their earthly lives about this event.
What am I missing in my comfort, in my slumber? Don't get me wrong, we all need our rest, but Jesus provides a very clear instruction: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation". Living urgently forces us to ask ourselves whether we are living for God, or living for ourselves, for our comfort. A friend of mine advised me on what regret is: "Regret is knowing that you could have done something differently but chose not to". As the song says "Live Like You Were Dyin"....so how would that change what you would do?
Ask: What regrets am I carrying with me today? How can I make amends for those regrets? What are one or two things that continually nag at you that you need to do? Speak to a long lost friend? Forgive someone? Let go of a hurt? Reach out to a neighbor? Share your testimony about the saving grace and everlasting life of Jesus Christ with a friend or family member?
While you are in that recliner, ask God to help you examine your priorities, to help you get up out of the chair and take a step of faith, an urgent step of action.
Pray: Heavenly Father, You desire so much for us. You desire an abundant life, pressed down, and overflowing. Help me Lord to put away my agenda and urgently follow You. Help me to be watchful and prayerful always. I love You and want to know You more. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
