The Holy Spirit is often thought of as confusing. For how can anyone be clear about something that is invisible?

The Bible helps us with any confusion we might have. The Spirit does not have to confuse any of us; instead with clarity we can grow in our understanding of who the Spirit is and how the Spirit works through each one of us.

This week a different prayer about the Holy Spirit is shared each day.

Monday, October 26

Read Genesis 1:1-5

It’s easy to think that the Holy Spirit only appeared in the New Testament—but this is far from true.

In the very first story in the Bible the Spirit was present.  While the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, “a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” The English word “wind” comes from the Hebrew word, “ruah.” This Hebrew word could also be translated as Spirit or breath.  The Spirit of God was hovering over the darkness in the creation story.

This past Sunday Pastor Paul shared that the Holy Spirit is God—just as important as the first part of the Trinity and the second part of the Trinity. And though the Trinity can be hard to understand at times—for accepting that 1=3 and 3=1 is not easy—we can understand from this story that the Holy Spirit is God.

Oftentimes people will pray to the Holy Spirit.  Try praying this way today. At the start of your prayers address God as Holy Spirit.  “Holy Spirit, [content of prayer].”  Addressing the Holy Spirit in our prayers and directly can help us connect to the Holy Spirit, the wind of God—in a fresh way.

Tuesday, October 27

Read Exodus 14:19-21

Once again the “ruah” or wind or Spirit of God showed up at an important time.  The Israelites were literally boxed in. On one side was the Red Sea; on the other side were the advancing Egyptian armies. The Israelites had nowhere to go.

Except God can always find a way for us to go.  Look at verse 21, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind [ruah] all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided.” Exodus 14:21

The ruah or the wind of God, or the Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit created a path of life for the Israelites.

One activity of the Holy Spirit is to create a path of life for each one of us. Even though each of us is alive, the Spirit can help us discover new life. We’re filled with a sense of energy or excitement or imagination or awe, or something else. We can literally skip again.

Reflect about times in your own life when the ruah has helped create new life for you.

And make new life your prayer today. Try this prayer, “Holy Spirit, through you may I find a path of life.”

Wednesday, October 28

Read Psalms 104:27-30

Verse 30 is powerful and worth committing to memory:

“When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.”

Each of us could insert our name into this verse.  Try the following:

“When you send forth your spirit, [insert name] is created; and you renew the face of the ground.”

The English word for spirit once again is translated from the Hebrew word, ruah. Each of us is created in a new way when we encounter God’s Spirit.

This is not a self-help program. The Psalmist would have never said, “do these five things and your will receive the spirit.”  The Spirit comes from God and is sent by God.

One way to pray for the Spirit is to paraphrase this verse. Try praying the following over and over again.

“Send forth your Spirit so I am created in a new way.”

Thursday, October 29

Read Matthew 3:13-17

We know that Jesus was a Spirit-led leader. The story of his baptism proves this.

Just as Jesus was coming out of the Jordan River, the heavens opened and the Spirit came upon Jesus like a dove.  It landed on him and stayed with him for the rest of his ministry.

As a human, Jesus carried the Spirit with him; as God, Jesus shared the Spirit with anyone who wanted it.

We can pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon us.  Even if we’ve been sealed with the Holy Spirit in baptism, we can still pray that we will come alive this day through the Spirit.  Try this prayer:

“Land on me today, Holy Spirit.  May your light shine through me through all who encounter me today.”

Friday, October 30

Read Luke 4:16-19

Verses 18 & 19 are almost the same as Isaiah 61:1. In Isaiah 61 the Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruah; in Luke 4:18 the Spirit comes from the Greek word, Pneuma.

It is no accident that the first words of Jesus as an adult that were recorded in the Bible shared a teaching about the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted people to know that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. Jesus wasn’t an ordinary leader; he was an extraordinary embodiment of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus never would have had made such an impact on people’s lives in his age and in the centuries following without the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helped transform Jesus from being ordinary into being extraordinary.

If you’ve ever wanted to be extraordinary, then turn to the Spirit for direction and help.  Try the following prayer today.

“Holy Spirit—turn this day from an ordinary one to an extraordinary one.”

Saturday, October 31

Read John 20:19-23

Sometimes the Holy Spirit is described as the breath of God. This story illustrated how this idea came to be.

Jesus literally breathed on his followers as they were in a locked room afraid for their lives.  As he breathed on them, he said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Just like in the first story of Genesis where the Ruah or wind of God brooded over the deep, in this story the Spirit is the literal breath of Jesus.

As you pray today, imagine that the breath of God is filling you and surrounding you.  Try the following prayer:

“Breath of God, fill and surround me today.”

This past Sunday Pastor Paul shared a sermon about Jesus. One of the purposes of Jesus was to bring in the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. We can read about the Kingdom of God or heaven throughout the Scriptures—in both the Old and New Testament.

This week we have the opportunity to learn more.

Enjoy!

Comments and thoughts about the devotion can be emailed to Pastor Paul at pastor@colpres.org.

Monday, October 19

Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17

This is one of the most important and least known chapters in the Old Testament. At this point Israel is at peace and secure from its enemies. David expressed a desire to build a temple for the Lord. Through the prophet Nathan, God told David that God didn’t want a Temple. Instead God told David that God was going to build a kingdom through David—really a dynasty.  Through David’s off-spring (see verse 12) this kingdom would be established.

God was clear that the success of the kingdom will last forever as long as the king follows God.

In the New Testament Jesus was sometimes called “Son of David.” This meant that Jesus was following in this line of kings that God established with David. Jesus didn’t suddenly appear with no announcement or no history before him.

God had been preparing for Jesus’ arrival.

Today as you pray, give thanks for this deep rootedness of Jesus.

Tuesday, October 20

Read 1 Kings 9:1-9

This story is very similar to the one that was shared yesterday.  At this point in the Old Testament, King David had died and a Temple had been built.  Solomon, King David’s son, was promised that the royal throne that was started with David would remain forever.  (verse 5)

God was clear that the blessing God gave would depend on people following the commandments and statues that God had given to the people.

Ultimately the nations of Israel and Judah did turn away from God and were destroyed.

This message of blessing was changed by Jesus. We don’t teach that God blesses people who follows God’s laws, and God punishes people who don’t.

What mattered most to God was not a beautiful temple, but how people would follow God. God wanted followers, not buildings. God wasn’t against buildings and wasn’t against the building of the Temple. But something was more important than this.

Wednesday, October 21

Read Matthew 1:1-17

This passage is rarely read in the church.  It is sometimes read at Christmas pageants that share the story of the birth of Jesus.

Many of the people listed in this genealogy of Jesus were kings.  The second genealogy that started with David and ended at King Josiah listed many people who were kings.  In sharing this genealogy Matthew was showing that Jesus’ ancestors were kings.  Jesus continued the line of kings that was started with David.

It’s not an accident that only in Matthew was this genealogy so prominently displayed.  Matthew was very interested in the kingdom of heaven.  He started out his gospel by showing that Jesus came from this kingly genealogy.

Jesus was the fulfillment of Israel’s hope—a hope that had been destroyed by the exile in 587. Matthew was sharing that Jesus would establish the kingdom that had been destroyed. The Kingdom that he would establish was much different.

 Thursday, October 22

Read Matthew 3:1-12

In this chapter Matthew moved the story ahead almost thirty years.  Up until this time the story was about Jesus as a baby.  Suddenly John the Baptist appeared telling people to repent because the Kingdom of Heaven had come near.

The story of the baptism of Jesus is found in the first three gospels. Only in Matthew is the phrase, “Kingdom of Heaven” used. The phrase occurred 33 times in Matthew’s gospel.

Jesus was the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven. John’s task was to prepare people for Jesus—the Kingdom of Heaven.

One of the tasks of followers of Jesus is to live out the Kingdom of Heaven. We can do this by sharing the values of Jesus. This past Sunday Pastor Paul talked about mercy and how this is a value of the Kingdom. Pray that you can embody and live out mercy today. When you do that, you are living out a value of the Kingdom.

Friday, October 23

Read Matthew 4:12-17

The phrase in verse 17 should sound familiar. The phrase is “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” It’s the same phrase that John used to describe Jesus. Now the phrase came from Jesus’ lips.

The Greek word that is translated into English as “kingdom” is “basileia.”  The people of Jesus’ day were familiar with a kingdom.  At the time the Romans and Caesar Augustus were ruling them—that was the kingdom.

Jesus’ kingdom was far different. It was a reign or rule. It was a space where people followed Jesus and his teachings. If Jesus was present today as an adult he would encourage all of us to live into this kingdom.

Today as you pray, pray for a renewed appreciation and understanding of this “basileia.”

Saturday, October 24

Read Matthew 6:7-15

We know this prayer as the Lord’s Prayer.  Look at how the word “kingdom” is used in the prayer.  Jesus prayed that the kingdom comes on earth as it is already present in heaven.  When we live out the kingdom on earth, we are experiencing heaven here on earth.  It is as if heaven bursts into earth.

Heaven is a kingdom to which we look forward. Until we enter heaven, we are called to live into the kingdom here on earth.

Jesus is the best example of Kingdom living. Understanding how he approached situations can help us approach situations in our own life.

What can you do today to experience the kingdom on earth as it is on heaven?  This might seem like an impossible task.  Pray to God with renewed emphasis that God’s kingdom comes on earth as it already is in heaven.

The two chapters we will read this week in Exodus give a complete picture of God. We learn about how God responds when humans disappoint God. We learn about the faithfulness of God and the character of God. These chapters are very important to know for our own faith lives.

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org

Monday, October 12

Read Exodus 33:1-6

These verses are a poignant reminder of the human capability to ignore and even resist God, and an illustration of how God stays faithful even amidst a terrible situation.

At the start of this story the relationship between God and the Israelites was literally broken. God had given Moses two tablets that contained what we call the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments reflected the covenant between God and the human race. Moses received them on Mount Sinai.

When Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Israelites acted horribly. They created a golden calf and worshiped that calf. They substituted a graven image for God.
When Moses saw what happened, he broke the tablets that contained the 10 Commandments. The sign of the covenant was now in pieces.

God did not leave the people in their brokenness. God told Moses to gather the people and to continue on their journey to the Promised Land. God was faithful to the covenant that God initiated even though the people were terribly unfaithful.

Who is God? God is faithful to us even when we as humans act horribly, or do things that we know are wrong.

Tuesday, October 13

Read Exodus 33:7-11 

This is a powerful story of God’s presence coming to earth. God’s presence was part of the pillar of cloud. Two verses are especially important to know.

“When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses.”  Verse 9

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Verse 11

These verses illustrate the desire of God to be in relationship with humans. God extended the divine self to talk to Moses to even be a friend with Moses. God is more than an awesome, incredible force. God is personal and wants to be in relationship with humans.

This personal dimension of God extends to us as humans. God wants to be in relationship with us. This incredible, dynamic force of God wants to be personally known by us.

Who is God? God is personal and wants to be in relationship with us.

Wednesday, October 14

Read Exodus 33:12-23

Moses wanted something from God. He needed to be assured that God’s favor was with him, so Moses asked something quite dramatic. Moses asked the following, “show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight.” Exodus 33:13.

His request is a form of prayer, as prayer is communication with God.

God listens to Moses request and responds to it. In reading the story we get the sense that God really didn’t want to show the divine ways to God. But this was important to Moses, and God listened.

This characteristic of God is available to each of us. God is willing to listen to us. God is interested in our most fervent pleas. God might even go a different direction than what it seemed that God was going to do.

Who is God? God is a personal force that listens and responds to our fervent pleas.

Thursday, October 15

Read Exodus 34:1-9

Because of what Moses had asked, God descended and proclaimed the identity of God to Moses. These verses are some of the most important verses in the Old Testament.

The verses are worth memorizing:

“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,”

We can take seven words or phrases that describe God from this verse:

• Merciful
• Gracious
• Slow to Anger
• Abounding in Steadfast Love
• Faithfulness
• Keeping Steadfast Love
• Forgiving

The end of these verses is worth exploring. The explanation is nuanced, but the point is that God takes our failures seriously. It matters to God. And the failures of families are passed on through generations. Not because God is punishing future generations. But in our humanity failures of families are passed on.

Who is God? God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, faithful, keeping steadfast love, forgiving.

Friday, October 16

Read Exodus 34:10-28

In these verses God renewed a covenant with humanity. The use of the word “covenant” is significant. A covenant is more than a contract. It is a binding agreement that expresses the divine commitment from God to humans. This binding agreement will never stop. God displayed that even though God was terribly disappointed by what the people had done, God was still willing to make this binding contract with humanity.

Imagine how hard it was for God to do this.

Think of a time when you have been terribly disappointed in something that someone did to you. It would have been much easier to remain upset with that person compared to stay in relationship with that person.

This is the decision that God had to make. God chose to stay in relationship with the people.

Who is God? God is a force that makes a binding contract with humans

Saturday, October 17

Read Exodus 34:29-35

After receiving this covenant and coming down from the mountain, the face of Moses was shining. His face literally displays the mark that God’s presence had made on him.

Moses would never be the same because of what he experienced on Mount Sinai. The complete pathos of God that he had experienced was a light that was shining out of him.

God’s light was visible everywhere Moses went. Moses had to put a veil over his face because the light was so strong.

Who is God? God shines the divine light into all of our lives.

This past Sunday Chain of Lakes Church celebrated different cultures in worship. This was a marvelous celebration of differences. These differences don’t need to keep people apart from each other. By understanding and celebrating them, we grow in appreciation, and ultimately love for each other.

This week we have the opportunity to read stories of how God’s message speaks to different cultures and brings those cultures together. Enjoy! Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org

Monday, October 5

Read Acts 2:1-13

The second chapter of Acts is a foundational story of the Scriptures. Some look at it as one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible.

People from all over had come to Jerusalem to celebrate a religious festival called the Feast of Weeks. The countries listed in verses 8-9 represent a great diversity of cultures. Each of these countries or areas had certain practices and behaviors that were unique to that area.

The people who gathered were amazed that even though they spoke different languages they could understand what was being said. Despite their cultural differences people were communicating with each other in a deeply spiritual way.

The message of Jesus Christ brings different cultures together. The message is a source of unity and community. The message doesn’t diminish cultures or pit cultures against each other. Instead the message connects different people while acknowledging and even celebrating these differences.

Pray that this message can reach the many different cultures of our earth in 2020

Tuesday, October 6

Read Genesis 2:18-25 

“It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helper as his partner.” This statement by God in Genesis 2:18 is a foundational statement of how God looks at humans and how humans need each other. We humans were created to be in relationship with each other.

No matter what the barriers to relationship, God can help bring those barriers down.

Being in relationship with a person from a different culture is something that God celebrates. God doesn’t want people to only be in relationship with people who look like them, act like them and speak like them. If that was the case, then God would have let the man be by himself.

Instead, God’s message connects people of different cultures.

Think of someone you know who is of a different culture. What can you do to connect to that person?

Wednesday, October 7

Read Matthew 28:16-20

In verse 19 we read that Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples of all nations. The word “nations” comes from the Greek word transliterated as ethne or ethnos. It means people who are connected by norms or behaviors. Really it means a culture.

God wants disciples to reach into different cultures to share the message of Jesus Christ.

In saying that, Jesus was also saying that cultures do not need to be judged against each other. As humans we are not to say that my culture is better than your culture or that your cultural norms are inferior to mine. This would be the height of arrogance!

Instead, in this command Jesus accepted that many different cultures do exist. He celebrated these differences. He wanted people to communicate his message into all of these differences. Pray that the world can be a place where the potential divisions of culture can be diminished because of the message of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, October 8

Read Luke 10:25-37

This is more than a story of doing a good deed for our neighbor. This is a story of how people who are very different are called to love each other.

At the time this story was shared, Samaritans and Jews had great distaste for each other. The two weren’t different cultures. They were different forms of the same religious tradition. But because of their differences Samaritans and Jews had developed different cultural practices.

For a Samaritan to help the man on the side of the road—who was a Jew—was a terrific act of helping someone who was different. When people are in pain or distress, they need to be helped. It doesn’t matter their religion or skin color or cultural practices. God’s message of love can resist these barriers and empower each of us to be helpful. Pray that you can live like the Samaritan today.

Friday, October 9

Read Exodus 3:1-12

The Egyptians had kept the Hebrews in slavery for many years. And the cry of the Hebrews came to God.

This story of God calling Moses at the burning bush is a story that illustrates the character of God. God is not going to tolerate one nation or culture keeping another one in slavery and oppression. God heard the cries of the Hebrews and responded.

God wants the different cultures of the earth to live together. God doesn’t look at one as better than another; God certainly doesn’t want one to cause injustice to another.

As you pray today, pray that you can live out these desires of God. Imagine that you are at the burning bush receiving direction from God to help people love each other. Imagine replacing the name of Moses in this story with your name.

Saturday, October 10

Read Acts 2:37-47

This story is the last part of the second chapter of Acts; we had the opportunity to read the first part this past Monday.

God’s message transcended people who were different and brought these different people together. At the start of the story we read that people were “cut to the heart.” Their insides were touched by the story that Peter had shared of God’s restorative love.

Inspired by this story the people made a commitment to live with each other. This story is not a past story of history; it’s a present story of how the Spirit works. As you pray today, pray that the Spirit can move beyond differences and connect with the message of God’s love.

Each day this week we will have the opportunity to read one verse of the 23^rd Psalm.

As you read one verse a day see if you can memorize that verse. Memorization is an act of repetition. Keep reading and saying that one verse over and over until it is attached in your mind.

The 23^rd Psalm is a powerful expression of who God is for us, and how God helps us when we go through very difficult times. Reading the 23^rd Psalm will help us in our own faith journey. This Psalm is an antidote for anxiety!

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org

Monday, September 28

Read Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Try memorizing one verse a day of Psalm 23 this week. Read the verse and then try to say it from memory. Repeat this process at least ten times. Through repetition you can memorize the 23^rd Psalm

Right away David, as the writer of this Psalm, shared an important image of God. God is our shepherd. As a shepherd God tends to us, keeps an eye out for those who might harm us, and looks out for our self-interest. One way to pray is to address God as a good shepherd. Try this today as you pray, “Good Shepherd, …”

Another way to say, “I shall not want” is “I am not lacking.” In the first week of the sermon series Pastor Paul encouraged everyone to look into the mirror the first thing in the morning and say, “I am not lacking.” Try that this week. “I am not lacking.”

In this last part of verse 1 David was talking about our spiritual strengths. We do not lack anything in a spiritual way. Spiritually, God has given us everything we need.

I am not lacking!

Tuesday, September 29

Read Psalm 23:2 

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;

This verse describes what God as the Good Shepherd can do for us.

Look at the verbs that are used in this verse. Both verbs are in active tense. God is actively helping us and looking out for our own self-interest. We might not see this action happening, but through faith we can understand how it is happening.

What are the green pastures and still waters in your own life right now? Where do you find this comfort? Take some time and talk to God about these locations.

As the Good Shepherd, God wants the best for us.

Try a prayer of praise today. Say the following over and over: “I praise you for being the Good Shepherd.” This prayer of praise can lift up your own spirit. By praying it you can have an experience of green pastures and still waters.

Wednesday, September 30

Read Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.

Like the last two days, spend some time memorizing this verse. When you are confident you’ve memorized it, then try saying the first three verses from memory.

As the Good Shepherd, God is always in the process of restoring our souls. This restoration doesn’t mean that something is going wrong with us. What it does mean is that God is inviting us to go deeper with God. We are restored through this process of going deeper.

How can you imagine going deeper with God? What would that look like for you in your life? Spend some time today talking to God about going deeper.

Thursday, October 1

Read Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

 This is the hardest part of Psalm 23. Pastor Paul preached about this verse on Sunday, September 20. The sermon can be found on the Chain of Lakes Facebook page, the Chain of Lakes Vimeo page, and the Chain of Lakes web site.

David didn’t start out the verse by writing, “if” or “maybe” or “perhaps” I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He assumed that it would happen—even though.

Even though we go through these hard times, God is with us. God will go out of the divine way to provide us comfort. David acknowledged that God is present with us even during the hardest times. God doesn’t abandon us. Instead the Good Shepherd is comforting us.

Friday, October 2

Read Psalm 23:5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

In preparing a table for us David acknowledged how God is a host for us.

David spent much of his time in the wilderness. This was a dry place, like a desert. Imagine if you were in such a place and you suddenly came across a table with oil and other means of sustenance. What a gift this would be!

David acknowledged what he had experienced in his life. At hard times God had provided a table that had sustained him and equipped him for the current parts of his life.

You might be going through a wilderness time right now. Keep your eyes open for this table of oil and other means of sustenance!

Saturday, October 3

Read Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 Pastor Paul shared in his sermon this past Sunday that the word for follow could also be translated as pursue. Goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life.

In our personal relationship to God it is very important to acknowledge who is the pursuer. It’s easy to think that we have to pursue God; in fact, God is pursuing us. As the Good Shepherd God is not going to let us go. God will continue to pursue us.

What does it mean to you that God is pursuing you? No matter how long you’ve believed in God or practiced your faith, God is still pursuing you. What does this mean to you?

This past Sunday Pastor Paul preached about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. During this walk we are always searching and trying to discover God’s will or God’s way. The discovery is one of the most important tasks we can ever do.

This week we have the opportunity to read Scriptures that will help us in the discovery.  Hopefully after reading these Scriptures you will have a clearer understanding of how to discover God’s will.  Enjoy!

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org

Monday, September 21

Read Proverbs 3:1-8

Even in the midst of pain we can discover God’s will or God’s way.  This passage teaches us that discovering God’s will or way is a partnership.  It is discovering the intersection between what God wants us to do and what we want to do.  Pastor Paul has called this the “Inspirational Intersection.”  At that intersection is tremendous joy, energy, and passion.  We feel alive.

The writer of Proverbs was teaching the beauty of discovering God’s will—even when we experience pain.  The last four verses of this chapter are worth reading and eventually memorizing:

“Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.  It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

Tuesday, September 22

Read Colossians 1:9-14  

Like the passage we read yesterday from Proverbs, this passage is worth committing to memory.  Try starting off with the first three verses:

“For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.”  Colossians 1:9-10

Discovering God’s will or way can be different than making a decision.  Think to yourself how your own life would be better if you discovered God’s will in every situation you find yourselves.  How would your life be better?  How would knowing God’s will for our lives be different than making a decision about what we are doing with our time, or if we are going to the doctor, or whether we will get more involved with an organization.

God gives us principles by which we live.  Our task is to take these principles and then bear fruit in all that we do.

As you pray today, pray this reading from Colossians.  God wants you to discover God’s way.  How exciting it is to find this for our own lives!

Wednesday, September 23

Read 2 Timothy 3:10-17

In this letter to Timothy the apostle Paul shared his own life as a model for discovering God’s will.  We might think of people who were examples to us in the faith.  The way they lived their life helps us know how to go deeper in our relationship with God.  And ultimately their own life can help us discover God’s will.

Paul concluded the passage by sharing the importance of Scripture in discovering God’s will.  Discovering God’s will or way is more than making a decision based on how we are feeling at one particular time.  Scripture instructs us on the ways God wants us to live.  The stories from certain people in the Bible teach us, just like the stories of people who are our own faith mentors teach us.

We don’t discover God’s will without being informed by the Scriptures. The Bible teaches us, corrects us, and trains us to live the right way—to discover God’s will!!

As you pray today, think about specific Scriptures, stories, or even people from the Bible who serve as role models for you in discovering God’s will.  Name those Scriptures and people.  Give thanks to God for them!

Thursday, September 24

Read Matthew 6:7-15

God’s will already happens in heaven.  When we discover God’s will in our own lives it’s as if a part of heaven comes to earth.

Isn’t that exciting?

God’s will is more than following the 10 Commandments or doing our duty by “going to church.”  It’s a journey of discovery where we connect to heaven.  It’s heaven breaking out on earth.

Think what would happen if every person you knew suddenly was inspired to discover God’s will.  Think how the world could change.

And then think how the world would change if you were successful in discovering God’s will.  Think how the world would change.  You would be an example of the breaking out of heaven onto earth.

This should be enough inspiration in discovering God’s will to make this discovery the most important thing that you will ever do!  Pray about this today.

Friday, September 25

Read Romans 12:1-2

This is another passage that is worth committing to memory.    The two verses teach us about discovering God’s will or way.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

What is good and acceptable and ultimately perfect for you?  That is God’s will.  How exciting it is to discover this.

Saturday, September 26

Read Mark 12:28-34

Discovering God’s will always involves love—loving God with our heart, soul, and mind & loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.  If our actions aren’t motivated or prompted by love, then they are not God’s will.

Jesus confirmed this at the end of this story.  When Jesus saw that the scribe understood that loving God and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves was central, he saw that the scribe had answered wisely.  He then said this:

“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

When we discover God’s will from a place of love, we are not far from the kingdom of God.  How exciting is that!

One title or metaphor for God is that of the shepherd. Psalm 23 starts out with the phrase, “The Lord is my shepherd…”  The idea of God as a shepherd can be found in many different passages in the Bible.  This week we have the opportunity to read and reflect on a few of these passages.

Pastor Paul asked for feedback on the devotion. He is looking to possibly change the format of the devotion. Take some time to email your thoughts about the devotion to pastor@colpres.org.

Enjoy!

Monday, September 14

Read Psalm 23:1-3

As Pastor Paul shared in this sermon, the phrase “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” is a famous phrase that most of us instantly recognize. The phrase is like: “Four score and seven years ago,” or “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” or “I have a dream that people will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character,” or “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

You might have phrases that were said often in your household. What were some of them?

The Hebrew word that is translated as “want” is transliterated as, “ehsar.” It means “lacking”. With God as our shepherd we are not lacking. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have many needs—physical or emotional needs. This phrase is a spiritual statement of how God, the Good Shepherd, makes us spiritually complete.

One word of encouragement that Pastor Paul shared in his sermon on Sunday was to look in the mirror and say, “I am not lacking.” Try that at least once a day this week. Reminding yourself each day that you are not lacking is a terrific source of encouragement and support.

Tuesday, September 15

Read Psalm 95:6-7

The metaphor of God as our shepherd and we as the sheep is explored in these verses. The Psalmist wrote that “We are the people of the pasture and sheep of God’s hand.” (Psalm 95:7)

Having God as our shepherd gives us much meaning.

As a shepherd God helps us find green pastures where we can find rest. As a shepherd God leads us beside still waters that restores our soul.

When is a time recently that you experienced rest or that your soul was restored? Reflect on this moment. How did God lead us to that moment?

On Sunday Pastor Paul guided each person through a short meditation that helped people imagine lying down in a green pasture or being by still waters. If you have a moment, watch that part of the sermon again. The sermon can be watched at colpres.org. This section of the sermon is at the end. Join him in that guided meditation. Doing this can help restore your soul.

Wednesday, September 16

Read Isaiah 40:6-11

This chapter from Isaiah is part of a book called 2^nd Isaiah. It was shared with the people as they were in exile. The people were deported from their home country of Israel and now were living in a foreign country. The people had no choice about this exile.

Amidst this pain Isaiah shared a word of comfort.  God was their shepherd. The last verse of this passage expresses this idea.

“[God] will feed his flock like a shepherd; God will gather the lambs in God’s arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.” (Isaiah 40:11)

Even as the people had to live in a place where they didn’t want  to live, God was still helping the people. God was willing to feed the people and gather the people and carry the people forward. Even as they lived in pain, the good shepherd would help.

This message is very important for anyone who is suffering in pain today. Our pain is not a sign that God has abandoned us. On the contrary, God is helping us—even when we find ourselves in a place where we don’t want to be.

As you pray today, open yourself up to this comfort of God. God is the source of our healing and not the cause of our pain. Be open to how the Good Shepherd wants to heal us and is the source of our healing.

Thursday, September 17

Read Psalm 78:70-72

At the end of this long Psalm, God shared how God chose David to be a shepherd. David lived during a time that people looked at their kings as a shepherd. The task of a king was to protect the people of his (and all the kings were men) country from a foreign intruder. Just as a shepherd was to protect the sheep, a king was to protect the people.

David took on this role. He eventually was the second king of Israel. As the last verse of this Psalm shared, David tended to the people with an upright heart and guided them with a skillful hand.

We don’t think of our political leaders as shepherds, but they do function this way.

Today, pray that the political leaders of our country can act like a shepherd. Pray for the President; pray for the two Minnesota Senators; pray for your representative to Congress; pray for the Governor, your state senator and rep, your County Board rep and your City Council rep. If you don’t know who these people are, then take some time to learn who they are. Pray that each of them can act like a shepherd.

Friday, September 18

Read John 10:11-18

In these verses Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. As a shepherd Jesus had deep and abiding care for the sheep. He was willing—and ultimately did—lay down his life for the sheep. A hired hand would not lay down his life for the sheep because the motivation of a hired hand was to make money. As the Good Shepherd Jesus had a different motivation. His motivation was the deep care that he had.

This care of Jesus extends to you. Jesus cares and ultimately loves you deeply.

The people who heard this message from Jesus had a hard time understanding it. It was unfathomable that a person would lay down his or her life for another person. But Jesus was willing to do this.

As you pray today, give thanks for the deep and abiding care that Jesus has for you. And give thanks that he did give up his life for you.

Saturday, September 19

Read 1 Peter 2:22-25

In these verses, Peter was explaining what the death of Jesus meant. Read them slowly, more than once. The words give clarity of the love that Jesus as the Good Shepherd has for us.

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:22-25)

As you pray today, give thanks that Jesus embodied these words as the Good Shepherd.

This week we have the opportunity to learn about knowing God in the gospel of John. The word is used 102 times in 82 verses.

Knowing God brings us life—and it’s life that extends beyond death. We receive eternal life from knowing God.

This week reflect on how you are doing in knowing God and pray about going deeper in your own knowledge. Enjoy!

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org.

Monday, September 7

Read John 17:1-5

John 17:3 is worth knowing and memorizing. “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Jesus shared this verse in one of the most famous prayers he offered. The prayer is known as the High Priestly Prayer.

We can learn from this verse that eternal life does not begin when we die. It begins while we are on earth. In this verse we also learn that eternal life consists of knowing God. We know God here on earth and our knowledge of God will expand beyond death. Knowing God is not limited by life or death—it happens in both.

It’s worth reflecting on how knowing God while living on earth brings us life. The more we learn and grow and move deeper in our relationship with God, the more we grow in our spiritual life.

How are you doing at knowing God? As you pray to God today, talk to God about how deeply you know God. Ask for help in knowing God more deeply. The benefits of this knowledge are clear—it’s life—that will last beyond our own death.

Tuesday, September 8

Read John 1:10-13

These verses in John are from the Prologue to John. The Prologue is eighteen verses of rich teaching about the identity of Jesus and the relationship of Jesus (the Logos) to Abba, Father, or the first person of the Trinity. In verse 10 we read that the world did not know Jesus.

This does not mean that everyone who lives does not know Jesus. The phrase “the world” does include humans; however here John was talking about people who don’t know Jesus or God.

Do you know people who don’t have an active relationship with God? If you had three minutes with that person to share how Jesus brings life to you, what would you say? In what ways does your own relationship or knowing Jesus bring life to you?

If you have some extra time, write out your response to this question, “In what ways does my relationship or knowing Jesus bring life to me?”

Wednesday, September 9

Read John 3:11-21

These verses come from the conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus, a Jewish man who came to visit with Jesus at night. Some people believe that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he knew that he would be threatened by fellow Jews for just talking to Jesus. Nicodemus needed to be careful about being seen with Jesus.

In verse 11 we read the following statement by Jesus, “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.”

Knowledge in this verse is similar to belief. Jesus was saying in verse 11 that he spoke about what he believed. Later in these verses Jesus talked about how believing in him, Jesus, would bring forth eternal life. This idea of knowledge bringing forth eternal life is the same idea that we read about on Monday.

To what extent does your own knowing God bring you life?

Take some time and write out your answer to this question. Understanding how our own knowing God brings us life is a powerful, and in some ways basic part of faith.

Thursday, September 10

Read John 7:25-31

The word “know” is used many times in these verses.

John 7:27         Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, not one will know where he is from …

John 7:28         Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I am from.  I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him.”

John 7:29         “I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”

We learn from these passages that one way to learn or grow in our understanding of God the Father or Creator is to learn more about Jesus. Jesus illustrates the identity of God.

As Pastor Paul shared in his sermon on Sunday, we can’t see God, but we know Jesus. This knowledge of Jesus gives us a much clearer expression of the identity of God.

Friday, September 11

Read John 8:48-59

Jesus claimed clearly that he knew God the Father or Creator, the first part of the Trinity. And because Jesus knew the Father or Creator, we can also.

It’s not easy to say that we can know God the Father or Creator. How can we know something that we don’t see? In the Old Testament people could not see God because seeing God would bring forth death.

This changed when Jesus came. In this and other passages in John we learn that Jesus is a reflection of God. Jesus is God, but also reveals what his abba, Father is like.

Do you want to know God, the first part of the Trinity? Learn and get to know Jesus even better.

As you pray today, pray that you can come to know God even better.

Saturday, September 12

Read John 10:22-30

Jesus gave a beautiful illustration of what it means to know God. Just as a sheep knows the voice of the shepherd, we know God by following the voice of Jesus. We don’t hear the voice, but we can learn about the impressions of the Holy Spirit.

In his sermon on Sunday, Pastor Paul shared the acronym, IFAR. It stands for:

1. Information – facts, truths, principles
2. Familiarity with a person or topic
3. Awareness of what makes a person think or believe or want
4. Relational – understand or know the character of a person

We know God by knowing information, being familiar with God, being aware of the thoughts or desires of God, and being in relationship with God in our heart.

Of these four letters which one do you do well? Which one would you like to improve? Talk to God about this today.

Praising God is a wonderful way to connect to God. Many of the Psalms are expressions of praise. In fact, the last six Psalms of the book of Psalms are expressions of praise. They each share reasons for us to praise God for a quality of God.

The word praise in these Psalms is transliterated as Hallelujah.  When people say this word they are saying “Praise be to God.”

We have a wonderful opportunity this week to read these praise Psalms. These Psalms are especially appropriate to read during the end of summer. As you read them keep an open heart to how these Psalms of praise can help your own heart burn stronger for God.  Enjoy!

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org.

Monday, August 31

Read Psalm 145

Some people believe that Psalm 145 originally ended the book of Psalms. This Psalm was written in the Acrostic pattern—each line was begun with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

In this Psalm we read many wonderful qualities of God—reasons to Praise God.

If you have a chance, try writing out a Psalm praising God using the acrostic pattern. Fill in the following blanks

P

R

A

I

S

E

Have fun!! When you are finished, offer up your praise to God as a prayer.

Tuesday, September 1

Read Psalm 146

This Psalm confronts us with a very important question. Whom do we ultimately trust? The writer of this Psalm had an answer—“Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”

In his book Love Wins, Rob Bell wrote that “Hell is refusing to trust, and refusing to trust is often rooted in a distorted view of God.” (Page 176)

How would you rate your own trust of God?  On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, what number would you use to describe your trust of God.  Share your number with a trusted family member or a friend.

Re-read the Psalm focusing on what it teaches us about trust.  As you pray today, pray for added trust of God.

Wednesday, September 2

Read Psalm 147

Look at the active verbs used in this Psalm to describe what God does:

1. v. 2 builds, gathers; v. 3 heals, binds up; v. 4 determines, gives; v. 6 lifts up; v. 13 strengthens, blesses; v. 14 grants peace, fills; v. 15 sends.

Which of these verbs speaks to you right now?

Verses 10-11 are worth memorizing

“[God’s] delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who hear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”

As you pray today, repeat these verses over and over.  They are wonderful words upon which to base our lives.

Thursday, September 3

Read Psalm 148

This Psalm gives another dimension to Praise.  Praise is the reflection of the creation.  The elements in creation give praise to God—sun, moon, shining stars, sea monsters, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind, mountains and all hills, fruit trees, wild animals and cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

These objects and animals in creation give praise to God.

Think about the last 24 hours.  Think about something in creation that you believe is a reflection of praise to God.  If you have a moment, share your discovery with a friend or family member.

As you pray today, give praise to God for this part of creation.

Friday, September 3

Read Psalm 149

This Psalm has been misused in history.  Verses 6-9 have been used to justify war.  Caspar Schopp used the verses to incite Catholics to a holy war against the Protestants which resulted in the Thirty Years War.  Thomas Muntzer appealed to the verses to incite the German peasants to revolt. (Page 1276 New Interpreters Bible, Volume IV) Instead of an incitement to war, the Psalm encourages us to be active in the world.

The Psalm also gives a description of worship

“Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.  Let them praise God’s name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.  For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.” (Psalm 149:2-4)

Reflect on how well Chain of Lakes worships God in a spirit of praise.  We might not dance, but does praise describe our worship?  As you pray today, ask God for help in worship and reflect on how well our worship illuminates a spirit of praise.

Saturday, September 4

Read Psalm 150

This Psalm concludes the longest book of the Bible with a cacophony of noises—all of them are meant to praise God.

I—Pastor Paul—have always encouraged people to make a joyful noise.  Imagine trumpet sound, lute, harp, tambourine, strings, pip, clanging cymbals, loud clashing cymbals all being shared at the same time.  It would be noisy—AND—it would be praise.

Today as you pray, pray that this wonderful sense of spiritual energy will pervade worship at Chain of Lakes.

This past Sunday Pastor Paul preached about going the extra mile for our friends. At the end of the sermon, he encouraged us to pray for ways we could each go the extra mile for a friend.

In his sermon he talked about the friendship between David and Jonathan. The friendship between the two was quite remarkable. This week we have the opportunity to go deep into their story. Enjoy!

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org

Monday, August 24

Read 1 Samuel 18:1-9

These verses are the start of a description of the friendship between David & Jonathan. Jonathan was the heir to the throne of king Saul. But in this story he gave up the throne to David. There was a connection between the two. Jonathan loved David just as he loved his own soul. People have argued what type of love Jonathan and David shared. For the point of this devotion we can see that they became deep friends—perhaps best friends.

Jonathan’s love for David was a reflection of what Jesus taught many years later. Jonathan loved David as Jonathan loved himself.

Jonathan made a covenant with David. This covenant was based on the Hebrew word, hesed, or loyalty. The two were very loyal to each other.

In each of our own lives we have different best friends. Take some time to reflect on the different times of your life and who was your best friend during that time. Think about right now. Who is your best friend? How can you go the extra mile for your best friend? Spend some time praying with God about going the extra mile for your best friend.

Tuesday, August 25

Read 1 Samuel 19:1-7

In these verses Jonathan learned that his father, Saul, wanted to kill David. Saul became jealous of David. And his jealousy fueled his own hatred.

Jonathan stood up for David. He spoke well about David in front of his father. He shared how David had risked his life in his encounter with Goliath and that the nation of Israel had achieved a great victory because of David’s victory.

Saul listened to Jonathan and decided not to follow-up on his own desire to kill him.

Each of us have had times where people stood up for us. People defended us when we needed help. These actions were done by our friends. And this is what friends do for each other.

Reflect on a time in your own life when someone stood up for you.

And perhaps your own story of having someone defend you can inspire you to stand up for one of your friends. This is a way to go the extra mile.

Wednesday, August 26

Read 1 Samuel 20:35-42

Once again Saul became upset with David. Saul’s jealousy kept fueling his own hatred of David. This time Jonathan could not convince Saul to let go of his hatred.

Saul had to give a secret sign to David. He told David that the words he gave to the boy who was retrieving his arrows would be the signal about how Saul viewed David.

Jonathan didn’t view his friendship with David as something which would enrich his own life. Jonathan knew that David didn’t exist to serve his own needs. Instead Jonathan went the extra mile to help David.

People who go the extra mile to help their friends will be remembered. We might not even remember the story of Jonathan and David if Jonathan hadn’t been so willing to help David.

Jonathan’s loyalty to David is an example to us.

How can you express this loyalty with a friend today? To whom can you go the extra mile?

Thursday, August 27

Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18

This is the last time that David and Jonathan are together face-to-face in this story. We can feel the poignancy and sorrow that each of them experience.

Before they left each other, they made a covenant with each other. It was a promise.

We can sense how important faith was to David & Jonathan. Faith connected the two as friends.

Who would be a friend with whom you can share faith? This is a person with whom we would have no problem sharing what is happening in our faith life. We look forward to talking about God with this person.

Each of us needs this type of “faith friend.” Who would yours be?

If you don’t have such a friend, spend some time talking to God today about who could be this friend.

Friday, August 28

Read 2 Samuel 1:1-16

Losing a close friend is something that none of us wants to experience. In this story David learns that Jonathan (and Saul also) have been killed in a battle. Along with others, David mourned and wept and fasted. He was very sad.

Have we had a friend who we have lost? A friend who is so close to us that we have mourned and wept and were so full of sorrow that we couldn’t eat?

If we have had such an experience, spend some time thinking about the legacy of the friend who you have lost. What was good about the person? What lessons from your friend do you carry with you? What are some experiences you shared with your friend that you will never forget?

Saturday, August 29

Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27

In his own grief David sang this song for Jonathan and for Saul. It’s significant that even though Saul had wanted to kill David, David still grieved his passing.

The connection that David shared in these verses was very deep. Look at verse 26

“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love for women.” (2 Samuel 1:26)

David and Jonathan shared a deep love of friendship. The way they stood up for each other and cared for each other is a model for our friendships, even as we live thousands of years later. Today as you pray, pray that your friendships can look like the friendship between the two.