Daily Devotional: Friday, Oct 2

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Religious Baggage

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  My Savior Lives by New Life Church; Majestic by Lincoln Brewster; How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin; Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster.
 

Paul, known as Saul before his conversion on the Damascus road, was a leader among the Jewish people in first century Judea. Not only was he a Pharisee, he was also a radical who participated actively in hunting down Christians to kill them. As a new believer in Christ, he found himself stuck between the skeptical Christians he had been persecuting and the extremist Jews who wanted to kill him. Talk about spiritual baggage!

But Paul was cared for by Christians who overcame their fear. They protected him and cared for him. Nurtured within the church in Damascus, he was able to lay aside the baggage from his past and become an incredibly powerful witness for Christ. God used him not only to preach to thousands in the course of multiple missionary journeys, but also to write the first works that came to be included in the New Testament.

I think this story challenges us in two ways. First, having let go of the bad stuff in our spiritual past, are we willing to be used by God like Paul? Would we take the risks he did? ‘Yes' is easy to say, but hard to do. And, second, are we ready to help other people deal with their spiritual baggage when we encounter them? We all know the name of Paul. But what would have happened to Paul if it were not for the unnamed ‘disciples in Damascus'?

Do:  Think of someone you know who is dealing with some spiritual baggage. Commit now to helping them when they need it.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, Oct 1

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Religious Baggage

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  My Savior Lives by New Life Church; Majestic by Lincoln Brewster; How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin; Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster.
 

Read: Hebrews 12:1-3

Think: Back in the 1980s, there was an odd news story that ran for several months. It was about a huge barge loaded with tons and tons of trash from a city in New York State. This barge was towed up and down the East Coast and as far as Central America before a solution for disposing of the garbage was finally found. I thought about this story when Pastor Ben reminded us that we need to drop our spiritual baggage.

So often, it seems easier to identify our spiritual baggage than to leave it behind us. Perhaps you resent the way the nuns never answered your difficult questions, or how a youth pastor told you that dancing was evil. Growing up, I had a hard time with the enormous pride I saw people take in performing acts of Christian service. These are all examples of spiritual baggage, and it's certainly helpful to understand what particular spiritual baggage we've each picked up.

But just identifying our baggage isn't enough. You see, hauling around this garbage slows us down and prevents us from doing useful work. Clinging to our resentment of the bad spiritual stuff we've experienced can become sin in our own lives. We need to get rid of it.

Hebrews 12:1 seems to speak of ‘everything that hinders' and ‘sins that so easily entangle' as two separate challenges. Whichever category your spiritual baggage falls into, you need to get rid of it. And, unlike the garbage barge, you can dump the trash you've been hauling around at any time and any place.

Do:  Perhaps during the sermon this week, or in reading this eDevo today, some sort of spiritual baggage you carry has been brought to mind. On a slip of paper, write it down. Then toss it in the nearest recycling bin, letting go of it for good.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Sept 30

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Religious Baggage

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  My Savior Lives by New Life Church; Majestic by Lincoln Brewster; How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin; Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster.
 

Church can be like that.  We like the music, we like the preaching, and we love the espresso cart.  It would be great, if it weren't for all the sinners around the place!  It's an absurd thought, obviously. 

Pastor Ben talked about this flawed thinking in his most recent sermon, pointing out that one manifestation of toxic religion is a disdain for ‘sinners'.  He cautioned us about looking down on others for their sin, which is especially easy when it's a different sin from ours.

Maybe, like me, you've experienced this issue from the other side.  I've been in church settings where it was made quite clear to me that I wasn't meeting the high standards of the group and that I needed to shape up.  It was true, I'm sure, but lacking in the grace that is at the heart of the gospel.  Fortunately, God brought people into my life that didn't just hate my sin, but also loved me, the sinner. 

Just as hospitals exist for the sick and hurting, churches exist for sinners.  According to Luke 5:32, Jesus came to call sinners - you and me - to repentance.  Once we've answered that call, we need to make it easier for others to do the same.

Do: When you see someone doing something wrong today, don't focus on their failure.  Think for a moment about your own sin.

Pray: Lord Jesus, basking in your forgiveness, I am tempted to forget that I have sinned in the first place.  Show me clearly that I am a sinner forgiven by grace, and help me extend that grace to all around me.  Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, Sept 28

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Religious Baggage

Weekend Music links on iTunes: My Savior Lives by New Life Church; Majestic by Lincoln Brewster; How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin; Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster
 
 Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Think: It's pretty easy to pick on the Pharisees.  In this week's eDevos, I'll probably pick on them quite a bit.  They made some big mistakes.  However, in order to really understand their mistakes, we need to see that they had some important things right.  We can learn good things from the example of the Pharisees.

First, the Pharisees knew their scripture.  They studied the Law and the Prophets intensely, and could quote scripture at length.  They sought a depth of intellectual understanding of God's word that, I fear, exceeds our own passion.   We don't value memorization of scripture the way they did, and we rarely study and debate the deeper meaning of difficult passages. 

Believe it or not, the Pharisees also attempted to live out the commands of scripture. They took God's word extremely seriously.  Taking Deuteronomy 6:8 not just seriously, but literally, the Pharisees tied leather boxes containing scripture passages to their hands and foreheads (a practice that is still followed today by many Jews).  No one valued the scripture more highly than the Pharisees.

In these respects, Jesus was like the Pharisees.  Jesus knew scripture inside out and loved it greatly.  His life was a living out of the essence of all that the scriptures contain.  We need to follow the example of Jesus - and the Pharisees - of learning the Bible, and working to live it out properly. 

Do:  Memorize a Bible passage.  How about Matthew 22:37-39?  "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Friday, Sept 25

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: Unforgiveness - a BIG bag!

Weekend Music links on iTunes:   Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Glory by Hillsong United; Mighty to Save by Hillsong.
 

Read: John 8:1 - 11

When I have messed something or someone up the Lord is quick to remind me. In reminding me He wants to have me seek His forgiveness and restore my relationship with Him and others. However, I can also take His promptings and beat myself up with them. I can rehearse my shortcomings as easily as someone else's. And I think unforgiveness for myself leads me to all the same places Pastor Paul spoke of: it affects my relationships, holds me in bondage, gives Satan a chance to work and results in bitterness.

Young mothers who lose babies, alcoholics who lose families and livelihoods, divorced couples with children, businessmen whose businesses fail all need to study this teaching. Jesus provided us a wonderful image of applied forgiveness in John 8:1-11. Jesus came into the temple courtyard and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. "In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women". Jesus led this woman from public humiliation in the temple courtyard, to all her accusers slinking away knowing their own sin, to a wonderful blessing from Him "Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I".

Sometimes I need to imagine myself standing in the courtyard with Jesus, humiliated in front of all the people I'm thinking look down on me and as they slink away hearing Jesus say "Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I".

Jesus was hung on the cross for us. It is enough. Getting up on the cross myself says it wasn't enough. We are forgiven and we must forgive ourselves.

Do: Think about things you've done and can't forgive. Take yourself to the temple courtyard of John 8 and hear Jesus say "Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I".

Pray: Jesus, I accept your sacrifice on the cross for all my sins. I won't hold on to them because your sacrifice is enough. Thank you for your grace, mercy and love. Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, Sept 24

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: Unforgiveness - a BIG bag!

Weekend Music links on iTunes:   Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Glory by Hillsong United; Mighty to Save by Hillsong.
 

Read: Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:5-9

A culture has been built for us that celebrates or at least is very focused on many of the attributes of bitterness, anger and unforgiveness that Pastor Paul warned us about. It's called reality television, competition shows and partisan politics. The Real World, Big Brother, Survivor and so many more now give us opportunity to weekly get "involved" in anger, criticalness, celebrating misfortune, writing off groups of people and discontent. I know I have to be careful as this "involvement" now becomes part of my work place conversation, my trips to the grocery store and too many idle moments.

"That girl can't sing at all" I hear myself saying. "Who would ever cook that? That looks disgusting" Rush hates Anderson who hates Bill who hates Chris and they spend an awful lot of time screaming about it.

Col 3:2 says, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth". It is so easy to be drawn into the strife and anger and even feel justified in it. Philippians 4: 5-9 tells us about being anxious for nothing, letting our gentleness be known, meditating on truth and nobility. I have a choice to adopt this culture of anger or to seek the peace that Jesus modeled for me and offers.

Do: Write down the television shows you watch for a week. Go back and grade them one thru five. One being least peaceful and noble, five being the most peaceful and noble. 

Pray: Father, help me be aware of what I allow into my mind, my heart, my house and my family. Let it honor you. Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Sept 23

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: Unforgiveness - a BIG bag!

Weekend Music links on iTunes:   Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Glory by Hillsong United; Mighty to Save by Hillsong.
 

I never really knew my father.  I grew up in a huge family, one of the "babies" of the family along with my twin sister and little brother.   My memories of dad are of an angry man with an explosive temper who would discipline his ten kids in anger, profanity, and fear.  Mom was as afraid of him as I was.  She prayed a lot and worked hard keeping the peace.   But whenever he had a drink in him, you could be sure he'd be on a tirade. 

Not a nourishing environment for a family.  My father died of lung cancer when I was 30.  I was a young mother with a 6-month old daughter and a loving marriage.  After a yearlong illness, in and out of hospitals, my father died surrounded by his very large family.  I remember standing in the hospital room with my family watching as my father's life slowly came to an end.  And in those last moments, he called each one of us by name and wanted to touch our hands.  It was the most intimate moment with him we'd ever known.  I stood there remembering how hard he worked to feed and clothe all ten of us, sending us all to private schools, adding on to our house as the family grew, fixing everything that needed fixing, including cars, even reupholstering furniture, all the ways he showed devotion to his family.  One of ways to start a healing journey is to do what Philippians 4:8 tells us. Meditate on the good report.

In that moment we all knew he really did love us, but he didn't know how to show affection.  A few days after the funeral I remember standing at the kitchen sink doing the dishes of all things, and thinking of my father's life and my confusion and hurt from the lack of relationship we had.  In that quiet moment of reflection the Lord showed me a picture of my father, not as an angry man unable to give or receive love, but as a child who had come from a dysfunctional home who was needing love and encouragement as much if not more than I did. I pictured the children that Jesus called in Matthew 19:14. And forgiving that child, my father, came easily, blessed by the Lord's love and tender mercy.

Do: If you have anyone you are struggling to forgive try visualizing them as a child.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Sept 22

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: Unforgiveness - a BIG bag!

Weekend Music links on iTunes:   Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Glory by Hillsong United; Mighty to Save by Hillsong.
 

Read: Ephesians 4:17-29, Matthew 18:34, 1 John 1:9

I think divorce and the painful end to long-term relationships are some of the greatest opportunities to apply this teaching on forgiveness. I contributed to this mess I had to forgive myself. Without forgiving myself I would continually doubt if I could ever make marriage work again. I had to forgive my spouse or risk hating and mistrusting all women. I had to forgive the others involved or risk the bitterness that poisons a life.

Ephesians 4:17 -29 tells us we must not darken our understanding, harden our hearts and lose our sensitivity. With every rehearsal I was building a bigger wall and hardening my heart to keep from getting hurt like that ever again.

Pastor Paul told us that unforgiveness holds us in bondage. In Matthew 18:34 the "prison" and "torture" that the servant who wouldn't forgive experienced was very much my experience. I had to learn from my mistakes or risk repeating them but I also needed to open the self imposed prison doors by asking for and receiving God's forgiveness and then asking for His forgiveness to flow through me to everyone else involved.

God answered this prayer for me. He is faithful 1 John 1:9. If you ask He will answer you too.

Do: Examine your relationships past and present and ask, "Are there any negative changes in my life that I carry as a result of that relationship?" Write it down and pray to be released from the bondage.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Friday, Sept 18

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Negativity

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  Glorious One by Marcus Jones; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; The Stand by Hillsong United. 

Read: John 16:32-33; Matthew 14:25-31; Psalm 139:1-2; Philippians 4:10-13;

Think: We all have heard the saying; "He or she sees the glass as half empty or half full."   Most often it is used to characterize someones predisposition towards life; some are sunny and optimistic, while others may be dark and gloomy like a late November day here in the Northwest (just a preview of coming attractions for those of you new to the area).  

The Bible is full of amazing individuals that God used throughout their lives to advance His Kingdom. Jesus tells us in his own words that we will face trials and tribulations in this world (John 16:32-33).  Let's take a quick look at two people who certainly faced trials and tribulations of their own, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Peter:  Peter was used mightily by God but had a half empty outlook at times.  How so you say?  Peter like Paul, is well known in the New Testament and his denial of Jesus is a foundational teaching for a Christ follower.  His half full view of life becomes painfully evident when Jesus walks across a stormy sea and encounters the disciples in a boat (Matthew 14: 25-31).   Peter upon being called by the Lord steps out of the boat and walks towards Jesus (Glass Half Full), but then he loses focus and seeing the wind he begins to sink (Glass Half Empty).   He was so close, he was on his way, but at the last second he let fear and doubt take him down.  Notice also that Jesus' immediate gesture was to reach out his hand and save him, you see Jesus knew the result even before Peter began to sink (Psalm 139:1-2).

Jesus later on in His ministry declared that he would build His church upon the rock (Peter).  I suspect the many hard lessons learned by Peter served as a necessary pruning so that Christ could grow strong in him, strong enough to build His church upon.

The Apostle Paul: His conversion and transformation from persecutor to one who was persecuted is well known. His outlook while being persecuted can be stated as nothing less than half full, even more than half full, Paul saw the glass as overflowing!! The circumstances did not alter Paul's outlook or focus on what is really important. Read what Paul has to say while imprisoned and chained:

 ⁸ Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. ⁹ And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. ¹⁰ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

 ¹¹ This is a trustworthy saying:

   If we die with him,
      we will also live with him.
 ¹² If we endure hardship,
      we will reign with him.
   If we deny him,
      he will deny us.
 ¹³ If we are unfaithful,
      he remains faithful,
      for he cannot deny who he is.

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Here is what I love about this. Paul is not a syrupy optimist, he acknowledges the chains and suffering (Glass Half Empty perhaps), but celebrates the eternal glory available to us (Glass Overflowing). What a powerful, powerful, testimony on how we need to lead our lives.  It is not the daily circumstances that should drive our contentment, but rather the truth and knowledge of our salvation. (Philippians 4:10-13). 

We are to give God glory honor and praise in all things, in all circumstances. We are not asked to blindly deny the reality of the situations we face, however when we look upward beyond the half empty glass we see Jesus, and His abundant (overflowing) love for us.

Do: Take a look, are you seeing only a half empty glass?  Take a moment today and thank God for the blessings in your life.  Look back and remember times in your life when He reached His hand down and saved you in the midst of your sinking faith - praise Him and thank Him for that. 

Pray: Heavenly Father.  I have so much to be thankful for. I want to thank you for your gift of Jesus to me.  I know that it is through that gift that I am saved.  Help me to always see that, always remember that, always focus upon that no matter the circumstances.  Thank you for Your love overflowing for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Sept 16

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Negativity

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  Glorious One by Marcus Jones; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; The Stand by Hillsong United. 

Read: James 3:14-16;  Proverbs 3:5-8; Deuteronomy 3:23-27;   Psalm 27:4-7

Think: Unfulfilled Dreams. .....does the thought of Unfulfilled Dreams touch a chord? I will admit it; this idea is a real tender one for me. It gets just a little more raw with each passing year as I come to grips with the reality that some of my dreams are slipping further and further away from my grasp. Pastor Ben spoke of how Unfulfilled Dreams can potentially create in us a negative spirit.

Dreams come in many forms. There are the silly dreams where I envision myself to be a talented and gifted musician (which clearly was not a gift bestowed upon me).  While this is an Unfulfilled Dream, it is one that doesn't cause me too much anguish, unless I somehow let it fuel envy and jealousy in my life.   God tells us that jealousy is not spiritual, and harsher yet, it is evil (James 3:14-16).  God has magnificently humbled many of us in this area; get in line behind me.  I am thankful that we can witness and celebrate the many and wondrous gifts God has provided to His children.  Be careful to not let dreams that were never meant to be, turn your thoughts into daggers of destructive jealousy.

We have two more to cover today, and I will warn you, it doesn't get any easier. Some dreams are unfulfilled because of something I did to prevent it from coming true.  This may be a perfectly legitimate dream, one that I am equipped for (unlike my musical desires), even one that God would desire for me, but somehow, someway I blew it.  If I am honest with myself, it is in these times that I recognize when I have lost my way. When I recognize that I got off track and I tried to follow my own course without reliance upon the Lord.  It wasn't the dream that was necessarily wrong; it was how I went about realizing it.  The wisdom of Solomon comes to mind in Proverbs Chapter 3:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
       and lean not on your own understanding;

 In all your ways acknowledge him,
       and he will make your paths straight.

 I can honestly say it has become my life verse. I know the Lord always has my best interest at heart. I can look back and be thankful for the times that my dreams did not come true, when I decided to fly solo, and didn't give the captains seat to its rightful owner.  

The last example is Moses, chosen by God to lead the Hebrews out of captivity and return them to the Promised Land. What a calling God had for him.  Rescued as a baby, raised in privilege, leader amongst leaders, recipient of the 10 commandments, surely he would see the Promised Land.  Oops.  (See Deuteronomy 3:23-27).  You see Moses doubted God and in so doing he was denied stepping foot into the land he so longed for.  Three things are important here, there are consequences for our doubts and disobedience; God's plan will always prevail; He gives us grace when our dreams are shattered.  Read some of Moses' words as he spoke to the assembly of Israel after  the Lord spoke to him and told him he would not cross the Jordan:

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;
       hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

 ² Let my teaching fall like rain
       and my words descend like dew,
       like showers on new grass,
       like abundant rain on tender plants.

 ³ I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
       Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

 ⁴ He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
       and all his ways are just.
       A faithful God who does no wrong,
       upright and just is he.

Wow. Moses saw the bigger plan didn't he. He saw a God who was perfect! Grace was indeed given to Moses.

Do: Ask yourself whether your dreams are appropriate for you (I am five feet nine inches and older than you care to know so the NBA is not calling). Ask yourself whether God is really in the center of your dreams and plans (Psalm 27:4-7). Is He guiding you and leading you? Are you focused on your dreams more than Him?

Pray: Dear Father, thank you for dreams and desires, that's not the problem. The problem is me. Help me to rely upon You, so that all You desire for me can be fulfilled.  Forgive me for silly pursuits that turn me away from you. Help me run to You. I love You with all my heart. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org