Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Trying to be Religious
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Band; Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture; How He Loves by David Crowder.
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Deuteronomy 27:5, Exodus 15
Think: Coming home, how sweet it is. I’ve been a prodigal in my life. Maybe not exactly like the guy Pastor Ben told us about this week but I’ve walked away from God’s goodness and thought I knew better. When I came to the end of my vast knowledge (in short order usually) and rushed back, it was such a sweet reunion.
The Bible talks about what God has prepared for us (1 Corinthians 2:9) and so much of that is prepared and available to us now. We sometimes think of the things God has prepared for us as heaven, the sweet by and by, but the peace that passes all understanding when we come to Him either the first time or subsequent times is one of those things He has prepared for us here and now.
I walk away because I don’t place a high enough value on His peace, joy, strength, communion, wisdom, grace, mercy and forgiveness. The prodigal son parable talks about a party. There is a party in God, a banqueting table. It is so sweet to be set free of guilt and shame, to be restored to relationship.
When I start to value other things higher, I am walking on a slippery slope. I need to make an altar of stones like the Jews were told (Deuteronomy 27:5) or write songs like Moses (Exodus 15) to commemorate those times God prepared for me a sweet reunion and remember those times and walk off those slopes.
Do: Watch what we value. Do we crave the Lord’s presence? Do we love His peace, His joy, His strength? Write a remembrance of that time He met you with open arms and keep it close.
Pray: Father, you have prepared so much for me, help me stay on the path that leads me to them.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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