Knot Enough

Knot Enough

READ: PSALMS 16:11; 63:1-8; JEREMIAH 2:5-13; JOHN 10:10 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALMS%2016%3A11%3B%2063%3A1-8%3B%20JEREMIAH%202%3A5-13%3B%20JOHN%2010%3A10&version=CSB] Growing up, I admired my mom’s ability to sew everything from Christmas decorations to Easter dresses. I wanted to develop those skills too. One aspect of sewing I learned the hard way was that I needed to tie a knot at the end of my thread before I made the first stitch—and ensure the knot was large enough. I couldn’t begin my project unless the knot filled the needle hole and held my thread securely in place. If I pulled the needle through the fabric and the knot at the end of the thread slipped right through without stopping, I hadn’t created a big enough knot. Then I’d need to create a larger one. I could only continue stitching fabric together or sewing on a button if the knot was bigger than the puncture. The success of my entire project depended on the knot. When God formed humans in the Garden of Eden, humanity was whole and complete. Our lives (and relationships with God) hadn’t yet been broken by sin. But then sin entered the world. Now we each start life with shattered spirits and holes in our hearts. Blaise Pascal, a 17th century mathematician and philosopher, described this hole as an “infinite abyss [that] can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” Like the needle leaving a hole in the fabric, our rebellion against God leaves us with a vacuum—an emptiness in our souls that only God can fill. Yet how often have I used created things to try to fill the void in my soul? Success, academics, music, others’ approval…I’ve sought out what might give me a sense of worth, significance, or acceptance. All those pursuits, though, turned out to be too-small knots, unable to fill the void. Never providing lasting wholeness. Only by knowing God through Jesus, who loves us and gave His life so we could be forgiven and experience a relationship with Him, can the God-shaped vacuum be filled. Only Jesus can make us whole. • Allison Wilson Lee • We all try to fill the void with created things instead of turning to the Creator (Romans 1:25). What have you turned to as a way of filling the void? How have those things let you down? • Only a relationship with God can provide lasting fulfillment. God longs for this relationship with us, and He made the way for us to be with Him through Jesus. Consider spending some time talking with Him in prayer, asking Him to help you notice His love and His invitations to more. You [God] satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5 (CSB)

Out of Style

READ: PROVERBS 18:21; EPHESIANS 4:14-32; JAMES 3:1-18 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PROVERBS%2018%3A21%3B%20EPHESIANS%204%3A14-32%3B%20JAMES%203%3A1-18&version=NIV] I grew up wearing lots of hand-me-downs from my aunts, a few friends, and an older cousin. Once, I got a second-hand dress that I felt great wearing. The following Sunday, I showed up at church in it feeling polished and put together. Then came the comment—from someone I’ll call Bonnie. Bonnie complimented my dress, remarking that it looked pretty. I thanked her enthusiastically, pointing out how I liked its belt. Bonnie followed up with, “I mean, it’s not the latest style, but it looks nice.” I swallowed hard and thanked her once more— less exuberantly this time. My confidence wavered, and I questioned whether I actually felt attractive in my new-to-me dress. Bonnie’s words held power. First they uplifted me. Then they deflated me. I don’t know her reason for announcing that my hand-me-down clothing had gone out of style, but I wonder if she considered the impact of her speech before she spoke. In the New Testament book of James, the younger brother of Jesus writes to Christians encouraging them to “tame the tongue” (3:8). When we place our faith in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and a renewed relationship with God, we start a journey as followers of Jesus. His words are always full of truth and love, and He died so our sinful words could be forgiven. Following Jesus involves learning to honor Him in all parts of life, including how we speak to others. James warns his readers about the damage the tongue can do, reminding these believers we should not use our mouths to speak words of both praise and cursing. Controlling what we say presents many challenges, especially during disagreements or in the heat of anger. Yet, because we have the power of Jesus at work in us through His Holy Spirit, we can grow in keeping our tongues in check—using our words to bless instead of curse. • Allison Wilson Lee • What struggles do you have in controlling your words? Do conversations with certain people tend toward gossip, inappropriate talk, or harsh criticism of others? • Can you think of a time you were hurt by someone’s careless (or even cruel) words? Jesus grieves with us and offers comfort. How can it be helpful to remember what He says about us? • Can you think of a time you spoke carelessly and hurt someone else? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this. He invites us to confess any sin, rest in His sure forgiveness, and rely on Him to help us move forward in His love, kindness, and wisdom. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Seeing the Face of God

READ: GENESIS 27:41-45; 32:3-6; 33:1-11; ROMANS 5:6-11 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=GENESIS%2027%3A41-45%3B%2032%3A3-6%3B%2033%3A1-11%3B%20ROMANS%205%3A6-11&version=NIV] The story of Jacob and Esau is a roller coaster. These twin brothers started fighting before they were even born (Genesis 25:21-23). Jacob’s name can be translated “trickster,” and he lived up to it. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright (the unique privileges Esau had as the firstborn) and later tricked their dying father into giving him Esau’s special blessing (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45). No wonder Esau wanted to kill his brother! Jacob had stolen Esau’s inherited property, power, and prestige. Because of Jacob’s wrongdoing and Esau’s anger, their relationship was broken, and Jacob feared it would never be fixed. But, twenty years after Jacob stole Esau’s blessing, God did something amazing: He brought Jacob and Esau back together—and He reconciled them. Upon hearing Esau was on his way, Jacob was terrified to meet with his brother, thinking he might kill him. But on the night before the brothers met, God appeared to Jacob. Jacob wrestled with God all night. Later, Jacob said, “I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared” (Genesis 32:30). Then, when the brothers saw each other the next day, Esau ran to Jacob, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They even wept together. Jacob told Esau, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God” (Genesis 33:10). This doesn’t mean Esau looked like God. It means Jacob recognized how deeply he had wronged his brother and how little he deserved Esau’s forgiveness. So, when Esau forgave Jacob, it was a reminder of God’s undeserved forgiveness. Our God is a reconciler. We, like Jacob, have committed wrongs against God that we can never hope to make right. But God loves us, and He wants to be with us. So, from the time Adam and Eve first sinned, God has been reconciling His people to Himself, first through the law, priests, and prophets—and ultimately through Jesus’s death and resurrection. And one day, Jesus will return, resurrecting us from the dead so we can enjoy being with Him for all eternity! Every time we reconcile with someone, we get a glimpse of that ultimate reconciliation. And if God reconciled Jacob and Esau, He can reconcile anyone. • Taylor Eising • Why does God care about our broken relationships with other people? • Reconciliation doesn’t always happen overnight. It took twenty years for Jacob and Esau! When we’re waiting on reconciliation, how can the hope we have in Jesus give us comfort? And through him [Jesus] to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20 (NIV)

Grow the Habit and Come to Love It

READ: PSALM 119:97-104 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%20119%3A97-104&version=NIV] I used to read my Bible because I felt like it was something I was supposed to do. I thought I had to read a chapter a day, minimum, and that’s usually what I did. I read one chapter at the end of the day and left it at that. In recent years, though, I’ve completed a number of different Bible reading plans using an app on my phone. These plans always require multiple chapters each day. And somewhere along the way, I went from feeling like I have to read my Bible every day to wanting to read it. Now, I look forward to reading both at the start of my day and at the end of it—and sometimes in between too, if I have free time or I simply want to spend some extra time with God. What once would have made me tired—and maybe even bored—is something I now love! Sometimes we have to sort of force a habit in order to get used to doing something regularly. But, when we do, we often find we start to love what we’re doing. The Bible offers so much—it’s the amazing story of God’s relentless love for us, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (John 20:31). And the more we read it and meditate on its truth, the more we come to love what’s inside its pages. The Holy Spirit uses the truth of Scripture to transform us from the inside out, helping us know God more deeply. In fact, we often find that the more time we spend in Scripture, the closer He feels. What a tremendous gift from God! • Emily Acker • Have you ever had a strong desire to read and understand the Bible? There is so much richness in God’s Word, and we have a whole lifetime to dig into it. It’s normal to go through seasons when we’re hungry for the Bible, as well as seasons when reading the Bible feels boring, difficult, or annoying. Thankfully, in every season Jesus is with us. He never gives up on us, and He always invites us to spend time with Him in His Word, both by ourselves and with other believers. This could look like reading long passages, or listening to just a few verses and meditating on them, etc. How could you spend time in the Word this week? I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. Psalm 119:48 (NIV)

Entrust It to God

READ: PROVERBS 3:1-8; MATTHEW 11:28-30; JAMES 1:5 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PROVERBS%203%3A1-8%3B%20MATTHEW%2011%3A28-30%3B%20JAMES%201%3A5&version=CSB] When I try to figure my life out, that’s when it tends to feel the most overwhelming and confusing. When I entrust it to God, that’s when I have peace. When I try to think too far into the future, I feel uncertain. When I look to God to lead me step by step, I feel much better. God is a great planner. He is a great leader. In fact, He’s the best. And He invites us to seek Him and rely on Him through every situation and decision. We don’t have to be worried or afraid. When I have decisions to make in life, I like to carefully weigh my options. I like to take my time and consider every possible scenario. But even when I do all that, I can still be left feeling stressed. It’s easy to forget that I can trust God with the situation. I don’t have to be obsessed with it. Sure, I still need to make decisions and work toward things, but I can do this more peacefully when I remember that He loves me, He wants to guide me, and He will help with all the details. There’s no need to worry because Jesus is there with me through it all. God cares about us and where our lives are going. Whenever we’re overwhelmed or confused, He has compassion on us. He invites us to entrust all our worries to Him and seek His wisdom and guidance. He will make the next step clear to us in His good timing. • Bethany Acker • Can you think of a time God helped you feel peace about a future situation or decision? Or a time something turned out better than expected? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. • Especially when we’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to forget that God wants to help us! Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern His guidance—people who love spending time in God’s Word and in prayer, and whose lives display the godly wisdom described in James 3:13-18? Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (CSB)