|
 | Devos |
 |
|
Monday, 24 May 2010
Friends,
The Holy Spirit is still active! Are you sensing that today?
The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will be changed into a different person. 1 Samuel 10:6 (NIV)
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses. Acts 1:8
Historically present. And presently historic....making your history right now! This Spirit comes to change us and call us to be witnesses.
Many of you know already, but my place, shape and style of ministry will be changing in the weeks and months ahead. I will be leaving the ministry at Zion Lutheran Church in Downtown Clarence Center NY at the end of the summer to allow the Holy Spirit to call me into a different place and shape to impact the world.
It's exciting and scary. It's fulfilling and emptying. It's clearly directed and randomly stepping forward.
It's a life of faith.
But the part that is so peace-filled is that it's a win/win situation because of the promise of God's Holy Spirit. You can't lose. Yeah, you might lose certain pieces of life as you shift in style and shape. But if you really needed them to begin with, they'd already be there.
One of our staff at church put on our church sign out front this saying: "To have more, desire less." Have you realized that the Spirit's presence in your life can make that happen.
Are you sensing that Spirit today - poking or prodding?
It's a Spirit that has been doing this for a loooooong time. Let those encounters move you...shape you...change you.
And see where the Spirit leads!
Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Friends,
Usually in the mornings on weekdays, we have about 30 minutes to get the kids from the prone position in bed to the edge of the driveway to walk on the bus. Drew and Lauren have this incredible propensity to want to sleep in on weekdays and wake up early on weekends...very annoying.
So, needless to say, the schedule is tight. They role downstairs, Michelle and I get them breakfast, they drag back upstairs to brush their teeth, they role downstairs to get their sneakers on and get out the door. Yesterday though, both kids stopped to do something extra. We must have built in an extra three or four minutes...so Drew stopped at the computer and said, "Dad, I've got to check the baseball scores on ESPN. It's the most important thing I do every day!" So I said "OK" (half agreeing in my head, only to find out that the Red Sox lost yet again to the dreaded Yanks).
Then Lauren came down with a small piece of paper in her hand. I said, "What'd you got?" She simply said, "I just wrote down the 10 Commandments so I could keep them while I'm at school. Honor God...no idols...don't be jealous...(and she named a few more)"
Wow, did I feel like a big dope standing next to Drew checking the baseball scores!
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Hebrews 10:35 (NASB)
She took three extra minutes to get out her "kid Bible" and read the page on the Commandments, which gave her some confidence that day! Pretty simple. And didn't take a lot of time.
Meanwhile, Drew and I were putting our "confidence" in the relief pitching of the Boston Red Sox.
Which one do you think works out better?
Take a few extra minutes today...maybe just three or four...and put your confidence into one of the gifts God has given.
The Commandments - Exodus 20
God's plan for your future - Jeremiah 29:11
God's call for your ministry - Matthew 28:18-20
God's good news through his Son - John 20:1-18
God's connection to you always - Romans 8:31-39
There are a ton more...but those are good places to start.
So have confidence today...taking just a few extra minutes...to hold onto something that lasts!
Lord, remind me please so I can follow. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Pastor Steve Biegner
Monday, 17 May 2010
Friends,
Discernment. It's a big word. Simply put...it's a process of figuring out "what is what."
I do a lot of work helping people discern their calling in life...trying to figure out "what is what" when it comes to purpose...direction...vocation...work...decisions.
But, it's really not all that difficult to do because of who is issuing that call and where it all begins.
It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him. 1 Samuel 3:18
Samuel is trying to figure out what is going on in his own life. He keeps having these "encounters with a voice" while he is lying down. He hears a voice calling out to him. Each time though, he runs to the wrong thing. He ends up going to Eli and saying, "What's up? What did you want?" (Thinking that it was Eli calling out to him) Eli tells him that he wasn't the one calling. But through these interactions, Eli helps him realize that it is indeed the Lord calling out to him.
For Samuel, it was a process of hearing that calling and then taking the time through conversation to "discern" who was calling and listening to what that call was all about and what he needed to do with it.
You might not be waking up night after night (or maybe you are?) hearing voices clearly telling you what to do. But you may be in that "I'm hearing something but can't quite figure it out" phase. You may be wrestling with God's will and purpose for you life. You may be feeling that you're being pulled one way or another in life...different from the current plan. Maybe you are doing one thing because it pays well or it's easy...but the voice/call/gut feeling is telling you to do something else that will impact and change the world for good? Maybe you're reacting one way to a relationship in your life...but the voice/call/gut feeling is telling you to love a different way? Maybe you're praying for the answer that you want...but the voice/call/gut feeling is answering your prayer tangibly in another way?
If you're hearing that voice...sensing that presence...feeling that pull...getting that gut feeling...to follow/do/be/act in a way that honors God and the ones you love...even though it might be different than your current/normal/past patterns and actions...then hear the words again that were spoken to Samuel in his discernment process....
"It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him."
Listening to those words might bring change. Those words might bring risk. Those words might bring something outside of your comfort zone. But when those changing actions and words bring hope, love, forgiveness to others...and purpose for you....
then it might just be the Lord!
Happy Discernment!
Lord, keep speaking...I'm listening! Amen
Still in One Peace,
Pastor Steve Biegner
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Friends,
I came into my office this morning to put some finishing touches on my message for the weekend and I received a great devotional from a friend's church in Chicago. It focuses on the same lessons that I am preaching on, but pulls out a very different theme.
Read for yourself:
"It is so easy for us to make judgments about another person based on their demeanor, clothes, profession, or any other number of observations. Too often even before a person opens their mouth to tell their story we have categorized them and compartmentalized them deciding how they will fit into our already determined ways of life. Sometimes, if we wait long enough to actually listen to their story, we come to find that they are in fact not so different from us, or from our mothers, our fathers, our brothers, or our daughters.
The thing that is so amazing about Jesus as we read this week in John (17:20-26) is that Jesus prays for ALL believers. Not just the righteous ones who are "worthy" of redemption and eternal life, but the messy, judgmental believers...the rest of us. He says, "I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message" - praying not only for the disciples but for all who will become believers through the witness of the eleven. As only Jesus can, he speaks of the past and future from an eternal perspective, but it is all grounded in the present - right here, right now - "the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13)
With open arms, Jesus welcomes and loves us all inviting us to "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (Revelation 22:17) Jesus gives an open invitation to all. Will you accept his invitation? The cost is minimal and the gifts are plentiful.
The reading for this week from Acts (16:16-34) tells the story of Paul and Silas in prison. After an earthquake shakes the foundation of the prison, letting the doors fly open and all of the prisoner's chains come loose, the jailer draws his sword and almost kills himself because he feared all of the prisoners had escaped. When the jailer discovers that all of the prisoners are still there, he rushes, trembling, to the feet of Paul and Silas asking what he must do to be saved. Their response is simple - "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household."
Jesus' invitation is open and his requirements are minimal. Too often we can overcomplicate something that wasn't meant to be complicated at all, focusing our time and energy on what we see as the faults of others instead of taking time to re-examine ourselves. Who are we to decide who is worthy of God's love? Shouldn't it be God who decides? After all...he did decide that we, the messy and judgmental ones, were worthy...didn't he?"
He did. And as a "messy one", I give thanks to God this morning that he did.
May you be blessed today with eyes of grace like Jesus...to see all that God places in your path with hope and worthiness.
Lord, help my vision. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Friends,
I was on the road with the fam today due to the kids getting an extra day off because we didn't use all our snow days. We traveled down to the Corning Museum of Glass. So we made our plans, packed some stuff and strapped up Bertha for the ride.
Now many of you "frequent fliers" of Email Devo's know that I moved from maps to GPS a couple years ago. I bought Michelle a GPS for her travels around Clarence Center (kidding!!!! that was a joke people!!!!) but I take the GPS when I am traveling on the road in other cities, etc. And, I affectionately named her Bertha. That was my grandmother's name and no one seems to get that name anymore, so it seemed to fit. She straps onto the window and talks sweetly to me in an English accent. We have a great relationship.
But today she might be mad at me. I wasn't a good listener. I was pretty sure I knew better ways to get to Corning than she did. I really just needed her for the last few miles. So she set her route...I would change and go my direction...and she would have to change...while saying nicely "recalculating"...even though she probably wanted to say "You big dope! Why did you bring me along if you weren't going to listen!"...and we repeated that time and time again.
But we always think we are right...right?
The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. Proverbs 16:9
The journey of faith for the most part is the incredible ballet...salsa...zoomba...whatever dance steps people actually do...between us and God's plan for us.
God has already come into the world through his son Jesus and said, "Here's my plan...my route map...for you. To be loved by me and for you to live out that love in the world as a response."
How are you doing today at listening? At following that route?
Is there some recalculating needed?
In our faithquest.com plan that we print out, it's alright for US to recalculate sometimes...that's called repentance and God already said he's there to forgive us. So maybe on your route today, the recalculating needs to start from within?
Or maybe it's your direction itself? Your vocation? Your time with your free time? Your family time? Your service time? Your boundaries? Your......?
The Lord is strapped on and ready to direct our steps...with his plan of love...his offer of forgiveness...his Spirit of direction...and his Son who brings life and hope.
Do you hear his voice sweetly speaking to you?
Lord, speak a tad louder...the kids are jabbering away in the back seat! Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Monday, 10 May 2010
Friends,
"Those you touch, you change."
This was Randy's sermon theme this past weekend at Zion. It was a clear call and reminder that each of us having had our lives touched and changed by God are given an opportunity...calling...gift...responsibility...blessing...to be able to touch and change the lives of those around us.
Jesus asked the man who had been blind, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?...You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.' He said, 'Lord, I believe.' And he worshipped him. John 9:35,37-38
Some of my favorite Bible stories revolve around Jesus strolling through town. It seems day after day much of his ministry was done through the lives of those he came in contact with, like this blind guy from John's gospel that he had a chance to heal. He saw the whole spectrum of needs!
Were they planned out? Or was it just that there were SO many needs out there and Jesus wanted to show us how easy it was to touch and change someone's life?
A leper. A blind guy. Hungry people. A woman who had turned to prostitution. Worried women. Distracted men. People wandering with no purpose that needed to hear a call. The sick. Those who just wanted to argue for the sake of the rules.
Person after person after person...Jesus just walked into their story and changed them.
What was the true miracle here? Was it that Jesus had some miraculous power? Or was it that we all have the power to be miraculous by recognizing and acting on the needs we encounter?
Who can you help "see" today?
Who can you support?
Who can you remind of God's purpose for their lives?
Who can you tell to listen to God's guidance?
Who can you feed?
I have a bike tour to do this Friday....100 miles through Western New York...called The Ride for Missing and Exploited Children. We ride in formation led and followed by State Troopers and Sherriff's vehicles stopping at 7 or 8 local elementary schools to high-5 the kids who will then have a presentation at their schools reminding them to be safe, not talk to strangers, know the basics of 911 calls, etc. The funds we raise will help the professionals and volunteers find missing children faster and do more prevention so that families don't have to experience this incredible pain.
I hope that this Friday (as I pray my way through this ride because the weather has not allowed for much training) that God will use us to touch and change at least one life. If you want to join me on the ride by sponsoring me, the link and website are below my signature.
Who will you touch today?
What person is waiting for you to walk by? The blinded? The hungry? The lost?
As a person who has had their life touched and changed by a Savior, look around...your miraculous opportunity might just be today!
Lord, help me see...and act. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
To sponsor me, go to http://www.active.com/donate/2010RFMCBuffalo/sbiegne ( you might have to cut and paste this into your browser) or if it's the general fund raising page, insert " _fcksavedurl="">http://www.active.com/donate/2010RFMCBuffalo/sbiegne ( you might have to cut and paste this into your browser) or if it's the general fund raising page, insert "Steve" and "Biegner" under the first and last name at the top of the page. The Ride for Missing and Exploited Children's website is http://www.rideformissingchildrenbuffalo.org/. Thanks for your support!
Thursday, 06 May 2010
Friends,
It's been awhile since I've written...lots of Easter, lots of travel, lots of computer problem and lots of writer's block...so I apologize to those of you who don't just immediately press delete when you see "devo's for..." in your inbox. We're gettin' back on track!
It's fitting that I re-start today, which is National Day of Prayer. Maybe you are taking part in some large organized prayer event or maybe you are spending a few more minutes in prayer today or maybe you had no idea that a National Day of Prayer even existed...either way, let me encourage you today to spend a few extra minutes talking with the One who always hears and listens.
Our preacher this past week at Zion was Pastor Eugene Coplin, who leads Project L.E.E. ministries http://www.revgenecoplin.com/, and he encouraged us again to live out today " , and he encouraged us again to live out today "in anticipation and expectation of the manifestation of God." It sounds easy...but it can be tricky. Because sometimes that manifestation can come right through us! And we sometimes miss the invitation.
He gave us an image that each morning when we wake up there are two people listening closely with their hands cupped behind their ears, waiting for our words and actions. One is God, waiting to see if our words and actions will begin to be a blessing to ourselves and the world around us. And God knows he can work through those! The other is the Devil, waiting to see if our words and actions will begin to be hurtful, neglectful and evil to ourselves and the world around us. And the Devil knows that he can work through those!
Sometimes we can become the manifestation of good...of God...and sometimes of evil...of the Devil.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
The Bible is filled with invitations to us, like this one in Hebrews, to give us the opportunity to use our words and actions as ways for the Lord to manifest himself here and now...through us. When we don't take up the invitation from God, chances are we've just taken up the invitation from the other listener!
So let me invite you to pray a bit more today...asking the Lord to fill you with strength to take up the invitation to impact the world for God...asking the Lord to bless our leaders, teachers, politicians, our President, parents and youth to take up the invitation and use our time, talents, gifts, and passions to love the world around us.
And let the manifestation...of God...begin!
Lord, I lift up to you today many! (Time for prayer) Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
 |
| |
