Daily Devotional

February 6, 2023:

January 25, 2023:

One thing that I often find myself thinking about when thinking on Jesus’s parables is that the main character is doing something out of character. I know there are some farmers here at St. James so help me out… why would the sower even throw the seed in those places: on the road, on the gravel, or in the weeds and thorny bushes? My mom and dad decided, when I was about 8 or 9 to turn part of our property into a little mini farm. We planted corn, beans, lettuce, carrots on one side and did some herbs and tomatoes on the other. You know where we didn’t sow seed? We didn’t put it on our driveway, or on our patio or in the line of bushes in the back of our house.

What is the sower up to? I believe the sower in this story is God, which makes this even crazier: I’m confident that God, the creator of all things knows that seeds grow in fertile soil. What is he doing in this parable? If we are the soil, than God must be saying this: I will spread my seeds of faith in the least amongst the faithful. He is Faithful to us and so His faith is so hopeful and expectant that He will plant seeds of faith in those of us who have separated ourselves from Him the most. He will spread his seeds of faith in all of us and be hopeful that packed dirt, gravel, weeds and thorny bushes won’t stop fruit from being produced! That is the sacrificial love of God, of our Lord Jesus and of the Holy Spirit.

I hope you are all blessed by the knowledge that there is a seed of faith growing in you and I hope we get to see the fruit produced together! Blessings on this weekend for you all and we’ll talk again soon.

Blessings and love,

Anthony
saintjamesminister@gmail.com

January 23, 2033:

January 11, 2023:

Commentary on Matthew 28:1-10

December 19, 2022:

December 12, 2022:

December 7, 2022:

December 6, 2022:

December 5, 2022

December 1, 2022:

November 2, 2022

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/obadiah/

November 1, 2022:

October 31, 2022:

October 25, 2022:

October 19, 2022:

September 3, 2022:

September 2, 2022:

September 1, 2022;

August 2, 2022:

August 1, 2022:

July 28, 2022

July 27, 2022:

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July 19, 2022:

July 6, 2022:

https://todaydevotional.com/devotions/jesus-loves-misfits

July 5, 2022:

June 29, 2022:

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June 21, 2022:

June 20, 2022:

https://www.raystedman.org/daily-devotions/nehemiah/honest-assessment

June 17,2022:

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June 1o 2022:

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June 6, 2022:

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May 18, 2022:

April 12, 2022:

April 11, 2022:

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below…” “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God… Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:3-4, 7-8

When has the buildup to something proven to be utterly anticlimactic? The surprise birthday party that was not a surprise. The much-anticipated football game that was a blowout. The critically acclaimed movie that made you yawn. Sometimes a greatly anticipated event can be a bust.

But that was not the case at Sinai. The scene was loud as thunder rumbled, lightning crackled, and smoke billowed out of the mountaintop. The thick cloud covering the mountain added an almost tangible eeriness. Such was the scene for God’s delivery of the ten best-known rules humankind has ever heard. There at Mount Sinai, God spoke through Moses and blessed his people with clear instructions about how they were to live, visibly different from the world and completely dedicated to him. There would be no guesswork involved. But just how well would they do?

Take a look in the mirror of God’s laws and listen for him to give you guidance.

April 7, 2022:

April 5, 2022:

The Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians.” …. Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place… The water covered the chariots and horsemen – the entire army of Pharaoh… Not one of them survived. Exodus 14:26-28

What have I done? It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Thoughts like that may have been going through Pharaoh’s mind as the dust settled, the dust from the horrifyingly apocalyptic night and Israel’s departure. Every family was grieving the heart-wrenching loss of their firstborn, but life must go on. But how could it now that Egypt’s workforce had left? The nation’s economy would collapse. Those Hebrew slaves must be brought back!

So Pharaoh and his army pursued them. Thanks to God’s intervention, the people of Israel had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. When the Egyptians followed, God “jammed the wheels of their chariots” (Exodus 14:25). Suddenly the Egyptians were keenly aware that the Sender of the plagues was continuing to act on behalf of his people, but their realization came too late. “Not one of them survived.” If you find yourself questioning a decision, look to the Lord for guidance and remember that he is in control.

God doesn’t do things halfway.

40 Acts: We all live in the centre of our own narrative, but it’s helpful to remember that everyone around us has their own story too. It has highs and lows, and sometimes those lows are seemingly invisible. Today we’re each going to be a lifesaver for someone going through a tough time at the moment. Ask their friends and family what that person needs instead of asking them, and be sensitive to the person’s privacy and dignity. Be invested. There are some problems (like illness or bereavement) that you can’t make your problem too. But you can show that you’re in this for the long haul. Dedicate time to checking in, to seeing if anything needs doing, to being a good friend. Commit to seeing the person through the tough times, and help them to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Treading Lightly for Lent: Read and Reflect on Philippians 3:4b-14.

April 4, 2022:

March 31, 2022:

March 30, 2022:

During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites!…. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go.”… The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” They said, we will all die!” Exodus 12:31-33

Road trips can be great fun – and a ton of work before, during and after. (These are definitely not Anthony’s words) Before – make the lists, gather all the items, pack’em up. During – “Are we there yet?” “I’m hungry!” After – Unpack the car and start way too many loads of laundry. The Hebrew people’s journey out of Egypt was a ton of work too. After being in Egypt for 430 years, 600,000 men were leaving the land (Exodus 12:40, 37). Add women and children, and easily a million people[1], if not closer to 2 million were on the move. Sounds like a logistical nightmare!

What would be involved in providing food and water for so many? One estimate said 1,500 tons of food to feed the people, 4,000 tons of wood to use as fuel, and 11,000,000 gallons of water[1] to sustain the men, women, and children –each day! Only God could handle logistics like these – and he did! Remember that no problem in your life is too complex for God to handle.

God is in the details!

[1] Jacob Gebhard, “How many came out of the exodus of Egypt?” Hebrew Research Center, http:www.ancient-hebrew.org/39_exodus.html

March 29, 2022:

March 28, 2022:

March 25, 2022:

March 23, 2022

A little bit about Anthony:

I’m a Lego enthusiast, it’s funny as a kid I was not at all into Legos but as a dad building with three boys I find myself collecting as well. My mornings start off with building for about twenty minutes as I listen to devotionals, listen to the scripture for our sermon and begin to pray. Many Christians talk about needing something to center their mind and for me: I can clear all my neural pinballs out by building a set slowly. This is a tribute to Jane Goodall one of my anthropologist heroes!

And now, our devotional:

[Moses went] out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew… Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand…. When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled and went to live in Midian. Exodus 2:11-12, 15

Of all the things we do, those impulsive acts are the ones that tend to get us in the most trouble. It’s not that it seemed like such a good idea at the time. It’s more like we didn’t even consider its goodness or badness or any possible consequences. We just acted! The legal term for such unpremeditated actions is “crime of passion”.

And Moses may have indeed been guilty of such a crime when he killed the Egyptian who had been beating a fellow Hebrew. Moses had not forgotten his roots; he couldn’t stand idly by. When he realized that his deed was no secret, Moses needed to leave Egypt. He had a price on his head, and he knew it. And that’s how God moved Moses to the desert where, for forty years, Go further prepared Moses for a task he never would have volunteered for.

God sometimes moves us from what we know so we can get to know him better.

40 Acts of Kindness: This might be one we can do together as a church. Make generosity kits to pack in your car and give out when you see someone in need: they could contain snacks, portable umbrellas, bus fare, first aid needs, bottled water, etc. “This service that you perform is not oney supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12)

Treading Lightly for Lent: Refresh your memory regarding which items your city or town allows for curbside recycling. Remind your family, friends and coworkers to recycle.

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March 21, 2022:

Pharoah’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe… She saw the basket among the reeds… She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. Then his sister asked Pharoah’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Exodus 2:5-8

What was the easiest class you took in school? Often, the simple classes are referred to as “Basket Weaving 101” – but there’s really nothing all that simple about weaving a basket. Especially a basket big enough to hold a three-month-old baby and waterproof enough to withstand the waters of the Nile. But that is exactly what this one resourceful mom did.

And God sent Pharoah’s daughter to bathe just as the baby in the basket floated by. The baby cried and attracted her attention. God then had the baby’s older sister step forward and offer to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Pharoah’s daughter agreed, so the baby’s older sister went to get the baby’s actual mother to nurse this hungry young boy. God moves people to exactly where he wants and needs them to be!

Thank God for His divine choreography.

40 ACTS of Kindness: Be full of joy always because you belong to the LORD. Again I say, be full of joy! (Philippians 4:4). Today, try to smile as often as you can.

Treading Lightly for Lent: Read and Reflect on Isaiah 65:17-25.

17 For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it
an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain,
or bear children for calamity;[a]
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—
and their descendants as well.
24 Before they call I will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
but the serpent—its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
says the Lord.

March 20, 2022:

Joseph said to his brothers… “It was not you who sent me here, but God… You shall live n the region of Goshen and be near me… I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household… will become desolate. Genesis 45:4, 8, 10-11

It started in the garden: we too readily blame others for our poor decisions or difficult circumstances. And while our sin does indeed impact one another, the bottom line is God’s sovereignty. He is either sovereign or he’s not. There is no middle ground. Rather than blaming his brothers, Joseph chose to rest in God’s sovereignty and to celebrate the ultimate goodness that he clearly was bringing from the painful, lonely, dark twenty-two years Joseph had experienced since his brothers had sold him into slavery. Looking back on his life and seeing God’s redemptive actions, Joseph was able to extend remarkable grace to his brothers. Suddenly his life made sense. Yes, his story had been difficult, but he could rejoice in God’s story: in anticipation of this famine, God had placed Joseph in the unique position of being able to give food to Jacob and thus preserve the line of God’s chosen people, Israel. Indeed, God had sent Joseph for a purpose.

It’s black and white: God is either sovereign or He’s not.

Joseph said to [his brothers], “Don’t be afraid… You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid”… And he reassured them and spoke kindly.Genesis 50:19-21

Hindsight really is twenty-twenty. When we look back on our lives, and perhaps especially when we look back from a spiritual perspective, the events that made no sense as we lived through them suddenly make total sense. We see painful and seemingly pointless circumstances as extremely significant. That paradigm shift doesn’t discount the pain, but it definitely redeems it.

And Joseph would be the first to tell you so. God’s good came out of his brothers’ jealous, evil motives. Selling Jospeh into slavery was the sinful act that God redeemed as he placed Joseph in a position of life -saving power and authority. Yes, their father, Jacob, had died after living in Egypt for seventeen years, but Joseph was not about to exact revenge now that Jacob had breathed his last. Resting in God’s sovereignty enables us to be kind to those who have hurt us and gives us hope for current situations that seem purposeless.

Your Redeemer God is able to make beauty out of ashes, including ashes in your life.

The Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; the multiplied greatly… and became so numerous that the land was filled with them… Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must thrown into the Nile. Exodus 1:7, 22

One remarkable aspect of America’s experiment in democracy is the peaceful transition between governments. Current events as well as history show that a change of leadership is not always smooth, the new leader is not always respected, and the change of regime can be disastrous for the ruled. Such was the case when Egypt got a new king. Unaware of the key role Joseph had played in preserving the people of Egypt during the seven-year famine, this pharaoh was instead all too aware of the vast number of Israelites who could, if the opportunity arose, join Egypt’s enemies. The solution was brutal slavery for God’s chosen people – and then the ruthless slaughter of Hebrew baby boys.

One woman ignored this cold-blooded law, and when she gave birth to a son, “she hid him for three months” (Exodus 2:2). The stage was set for God to work – and he would work mightily.

Choose God’s life-giving law over the world’s rules whenever the two are in conflict.

March 17 2022:

March 16 2022:

March 14 2022:

March 11 2022:

While Joseph was there in prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes if the prison warden…. The LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39:20-21, 23

Injustice, unfairness, betrayal, cruelty, sabotage, blackmail – acts like these sow seeds of bitterness. What starts as anger and doesn’t give way to forgiveness results in a bitter, hardened heart. Joseph certainly had reason to be angry and bitter. He had been framed by Potiphar’s wife for something he hadn’t done (details in Genesis 39). Then he had been thrown into prison by Potiphar, who believed his wife’s account instead of his servant’s. But while Joseph was in prison, it was deja vu all over again: God blessed him.

Jesus explained what Joseph experienced: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Doing what is right doesn’t often earn us a standing ovation from the world around us. In fact, doing what God calls us to do can result in trouble. But even when right action leads to hard times, you can know the reward of God using those hard times to further capture your heart and shape your life.

What is the biggest price you have paid for living God’s way instead of the world’s? What resulting good made the act worth the cost?

Treading Lightly for Lent: Read and reflect on Psalm 8.

40Acts: Get post it notes and put words of encouragement around your house, text encouragements to people in your circle or grab some chalk and head to the streets create an encouraging work of art.

March 12 2022: Saturday

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:15-16

Do you remember your dreams? Or are you not even sure you do dream because you never remember any? Joseph knew about dreams. Two dreams he’d had back home had been key to alienating his brothers – all eleven of them (Genesis 37). Now, in prison, he helped two prisoners understand their disturbing dreams (Genesis 40). One of them was freed from prison and he remembered Joseph when, two years later, Pharaoh had some troubling dreams that the wise men of Egypt did not understand. Yes, Joseph knew about dreams, and he knew that the source of his ability to interpret dreams was Almighty God. Joseph gave credit where credit was due, yielded himself to God’s power, and made himself available to serve Pharaoh, leader of all Egypt.

Say, “Here am I, LORD” as you ask His guidance for where to use the abilities He has given you.

Treading Lightly for Lent: Understand the environmental and social impacts of what you are buying. Do research on products you commonly use and find information on more creation friendly products at www.ethicalconsumer.org.

40Acts: Show Love today to one person, taking into consideration their way of being loved.

March 13 2022: Sunday

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.” Genesis 41:39-40

Often in the job market, it’s not what you know but who you know that seems to matter. Maybe because of someone you know, you were in the right place at the right time to meet your spouse, land a job, or learn the home was for sale. Being in jail hardly seemed like the right place for Joseph. Getting to know the royal cupbearer and baker probably didn’t seem significant. But Joseph knew Someone who would make all these things matter for Joseph, for Egypt, for people in Israel.

Joseph knew God, so when Pharaoh went on about cows and grain, God told Joseph that those dreams meant: “Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them” (Genesis 41:29-30). Who better to put in charge of saving grain during the seven good years and rationing out the grain during the seven bad years than Joseph himself? The path had been circuitous, but Joseph knew that God had gotten him to exactly where he needed to be.

No experience, pain, or hardship is wasted in God’s economy.

March 10 2022:

His master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused… “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Genesis 39:7-10

If you went on trial for being a God-follower, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Let’s learn from Joseph.

Like Potiphar, his unnamed wife also couldn’t help but notice Joseph, for he was “well-built and handsome” (Genesis 39:6). So she issued the invitation – or command – “Come to bed with me!”

Joseph called the adultery “wicked” and refused to betray his master and “sin against God.” Joseph knew that he would be answering to the Holy One for any unholy act he chose to be involved in, and Joseph would have none of it. His code of ethics was different from the Egyptian world’s – and the twenty-first-century world’s as well. As one of God’s chosen people, Joseph stood strong in what he knew was right.

When you’re swimming upstream against the culture, what helps you stand strong in what you know is right?

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

James 1:19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger

Prejudice is pre-judgement, it’s placing a verdict before having the facts. Prejudice is sin. Pre-judgement is sin. Therefore, we can’t judge those who are hurting because they don’t always know how to articulate their pain. They may not know how to communicate their hurts.

We can’t tell people how to hurt or how to express pain. Everyone responds to pain differently and it’s impossible to know exactly how they feel. The truth is, feelings buried alive don’t die, and if we don’t express our emotions in healthy ways we will explode in destructive ones. This doesn’t excuse outbursts, but maybe it will help us understand what they may feel. Understanding is not agreement. You don’t have to understand pain to empathize with it. Do not be so quick to judge or defend that you don’t listen to those who are hurting.

Step 6: Empathize, do’t judge those who are hurting.

Treading Lightly for Lent: Take a walk to appreciate the Earth’s natural beauty. Remember why preserving the Earth is crucial for the health of future generations.

40 ACTS: Today’s act is all about activating the gift of prayer. Wait, what? How is prayer generous? When we prayer, we spend time talking to a God who lives and moves and acts on our behalf and for the good of those who love him. It’s generous because you’re asking the creator of the universe to do a good thing for someone else.

Read the newspaper or scan social media, find some quick things to pray for.

Schedule a regular daily time to pray for what you are seeing and the people you are hearing. Download an app like Prayer Mate to organize prayers.

Share your gift of prayer with people in your circles, communal prayer can be powerful thing to put into your regular life.

March 9 2022:

March 8 2022:

March 3, 2022:

March 2, 2022:

Video:

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:2

Who is the most unpredictable person you know? Maybe it’s the person you see in the mirror.

If you are unpredictable, you have yet another trait in common with the Almighty. This God of wonders had – at long last – blessed Abraham with the son he had promised. God had undoubtedly relished the rejoicing: he loves to give! But now he commanded the unpredictable, the unexpected, the unimaginable: “Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and.. sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.”

We aren’t privy to Abraham’s thoughts, his immediate reaction, or any conversation he and the LORD had. Any parent can easily imagine the reaction and the thoughts running through Abraham’s mind. We simply read that “early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey” (v. 3). We don’t hear any of that conversation either. But we see actions that speak more loudly than a recorded dialogue would: Abraham did all he needed to do to prepare to obey God even though the command was incomprehensible.

A God we could fully understand wouldn’t be a very big God!