Celebration (Part 1)

Celebration (Part 1)

READ: 2 SAMUEL 6:12-23 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%202%20SAMUEL%206%3A12-23&version=NIV] Did you know God commands His people to party? Just skim through Leviticus 23 and count how many times God tells His people to celebrate. In fact, Jesus’s first miracle took place at a wedding celebration (John 2:1-12). And, as we can see in today’s Bible passage, sometimes holy festivities can look pretty wild. Celebration is vital to the Christian life. A birthday, a holiday, a graduation, or just a long weekend can be a reminder to look backward at all the good things God has done for us. Many of the festivals in the Bible commemorated times God saved His people, so festivals acted as regular reminders of God’s faithfulness. When we celebrate, we also look around at the good things God is doing in this moment, and we pause from normal life to acknowledge His great works. Then, we look forward to the good things He will do in the future, including our ultimate celebration with Jesus at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9). We also celebrate because we follow a God who celebrates. Zephaniah 3:17 says God rejoices and even sings over His people. When we rejoice, we are joining in with God’s perpetual celebration over us. Heaven echoes with the songs of God, and we can take every opportunity to sing along. As Christians, we always have a truth worth celebrating: we get to live in relationship with the God of the Universe because of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. That’s why King David danced in the street until his clothes fell off—because the ark of the covenant, where the very presence of God dwelt, was among them. David realized this incredible truth, and his joy was so great, he couldn’t hold it in. Celebration bubbled up from within him when he was in God’s presence. Today, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus has the joy of having the presence of God with them. Jesus’s love for us is wild, so let us celebrate with abandon! • Taylor Eising • What is your favorite celebration? What about it do you find fun and/or meaningful? • How do celebration, joy, remembrance, and merrymaking help us draw near to God? • Celebration is an act of faith that acknowledges life doesn’t depend on us. In Leviticus 23, how many times does God tell His people not to work? By resting, the Israelites remembered they depended on God to provide for them. What are some ways you can practice rest in your life? [Jesus said,] “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 (NIV)

Disoriented

READ: MATTHEW 7:24-27; EPHESIANS 4:11-32; COLOSSIANS 2:6-10 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATTHEW%207%3A24-27%3B%20EPHESIANS%204%3A11-32%3B%20COLOSSIANS%202%3A6-10&version=WEB] The space weather alarm buzzed on my cruiser, Nova. I was halfway back to Earth after gathering medical supplies on Triton. Sensors indicated a dense solar wind heading my way—usually bringing a geomagnetic storm. I routed extra power to shields, retracted stabilizers to prevent shearing, and strapped myself to the chair. One minute to impact. I slid sweaty hands down my legs and took a deep breath. “Flight tracker, this is Nova. I am 2.3 billion kilometers from Earth, returning from one of Neptune’s moons, Triton. A strong solar storm approaches. May need assistance.” Before I could transmit the message, the storm hit. The sudden radiation overwhelmed my systems, and red lights started flashing all over my controls. As I whirled, I tried to track my orientation, but sensors refused to lock. The navigation screen blanked—probably fried from the magnetic pulse. The Nova spiraled relentlessly. Nausea surged through my insides. I closed my eyes and wished the dizziness away. Which way was Earth? Could I stabilize the ship? I tapped the side thrusters. The engines hissed. My rotation slowed, but the sun’s brightness still whipped around several times per second. I burned the thrusters again. Sensors showed that Nova had stabilized, but my head was still reeling. In space, fluid in the inner ears continued to spin, causing vertigo. Should I trust my disoriented brain to navigate, or rely on the sensors, possibly damaged by the magnetic pulse? Thud! Something collided with Nova’s lower deck, followed by a high-pitched grating of titanium. I reversed the thrusters and saw my communications antenna drifting away amid a cloud of space debris. I ran a systems diagnostic. Along with my ability to communicate, navigation was also down. I scanned for a homing beacon signal, but found none. I closed my eyes and prayed. Father, lead me through the storm. I breathed deeply and opened my eyes. I could see the sun through a window. At this distance, it appeared more like a very bright star, but its shining was unmistakable. That’s what I needed—something steady, something outside myself. I turned the ship toward that brightest spot and engaged the main thruster. • Michelle Cochran • Today’s story is an allegory. So many things can leave us feeling disoriented. When the storms of life throw us off balance, we may not know how to find steadiness, or how to move forward. Thankfully, Jesus is always constant. He never changes, no matter how unsteady our lives may get (Hebrews 13:8). He always wants to help us and lead us safely home. What kinds of storms have you experienced lately? • Can you think of a time when a circumstance you went through or an idea you heard left you feeling disoriented, but then something helped you find stability and clarity again? Maybe it was a Bible passage, a conversation with another Christian, a time of prayer, a hymn or worship song, or something in nature that reminded you of its Creator. Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. • God sees everything you’re going through, and He has so much compassion on you. What might it look like for you to rely on Jesus to lead you through the storms you’re currently facing? That we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15 (WEB)

My Centurion Guard

READ: PSALM 71:3; GALATIANS 6:1-10; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:8-11 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%2071%3A3%3B%20GALATIANS%206%3A1-10%3B%202%20CORINTHIANS%201%3A8-11&version=NIV] Have you ever considered who you can count on when times get tough? For thirty years, I had an undetected brain tumor. While it wasn’t cancerous, it took over every part of my life and affected how I behaved and thought. Many people got scared of me and left me. However, my family and close friends did not…because they knew me the best. They knew how I was prior to the tumor. When the tumor was found, I had a twenty-hour surgery to remove it. My health was restored. After my surgery, I looked back and realized all the support I had received from both earthly family members and my broader Christian family—who stayed with me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. I now call those people my “Centurion Guard.” That name fits because, like the centurions of ancient Rome, they are strong warriors. My guards are my prayer warriors, and they provide encouragement. It’s been amazing to see how Jesus has used these people in my life. They helped guide and support me before and after my surgery. And, because of the prayers of my Centurion Guards, Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, answered those prayers for healing. In fact, my doctor said I had the fastest recovery he’d ever seen, especially after a twenty-hour brain surgery. What a gift to see Jesus working in this way through my doctor and through His church! When times get tough, we’re meant to share our struggles with Christian friends and pray together. As we bring our troubles to the foot of the cross, we can rest in Jesus’s love for us, trusting Him to work on our behalf—in His way and in His good timing. • Robert Keur • Who is your Centurion Guard—faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who God has brought into your life? How can you serve and pray for each other? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify people in the future.) • Illness and injury are terrible results of the fall (when sin and death entered the world in Genesis 3). Therefore, God wants us to pray for the healing of others, both for people who know Him and people who don’t. Sometimes God heals instantly or gradually, and sometimes He waits to heal someone until they see Jesus face to face (James 5:13-16; Revelation 21:1-5). No matter how God answers, we can know that He hears our prayers and He is always working for our good—and at Jesus’s return, those who belong to Him will be healed in full. (Matthew 14:14; John 5:17; 9:1-9; Romans 8:28-29, 38-39) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Rescuing Luigi

READ: ROMANS 8:1-4, 38-39; COLOSSIANS 1:13 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ROMANS%208%3A1-4%2C%2038-39%3B%20COLOSSIANS%201%3A13&version=NIV] We waited outside the pole barn on a brisk winter morning to meet our new foster dog. Cheryl, the head of the animal shelter, brought the little terrier out to us. Nearly furless, the dog cowered at the end of his leash. “Poor thing,” Cheryl said. “He’s spent the last six years in a small pen outside with little human contact. He had so many mats, the groomer had to shave him down to his skin.” We named the dog Luigi and went about the challenging job of housetraining him for a future adoptive family. In the first few weeks, the twelve-pound terror dug through the garbage, jumped up on the dinner table, had accidents in the house, and snarled at us. But as the months went by, Luigi began to scratch at the door to go outside. He laid down on the floor while we ate dinner and even snuggled with us for family movie nights. One night, Cheryl called to tell us she’d found a permanent home for Luigi. After a family meeting, we called Cheryl back to tell her we’d decided to adopt him. But here’s the thing. Sometimes, Luigi still jumped on the table, growled at visitors, pawed through the trash, and escaped into the neighbor’s yard. His many flaws made it clear: we didn’t love Luigi because he was perfect; we loved him because he was ours. The unconditional love we have for our temperamental rescue pup reminds me of the unconditional love God has for me. When I snap at my mom or tell a lie, God loves me. When I choose the easy way instead of the right way, God loves me. While I rejected Him and chose sin, He reached out in love to save me (Romans 5:8). God loves me no matter what, and He has also made me a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). His unwavering faithfulness holds me as He works in my life, transforming me to become more and more like Himself (2 Corinthians 3:18). And Jesus’s great love for me makes me want to be a part of His rescue plan for the world—by showing His love to other people who are flawed, just like me. • Sarah Rollandini • Why is it important to remember that we are all like Luigi—imperfect but loved by God? • Read John 3:16-21 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. As imperfect-yet-beloved people, how can we show each other Christ’s unconditional love? (Remember, love can look like setting healthy boundaries, especially in cases of deep hurt. Who are trusted adults you could talk to about this?) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Driving in the Slow Lane

READ: MATTHEW 6:25-34; PHILIPPIANS 1:4-6, 9-11; 4:4-13 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATTHEW%206%3A25-34%3B%20PHILIPPIANS%201%3A4-6%2C%209-11%3B%204%3A4-13&version=NIV] As I was driving down a rural highway, I glanced in my rearview mirror and spotted a car very close behind me. Even though I was driving the speed limit, I worried this driver thought I was going too slow. So I stepped on the gas, then suddenly spotted a deer crossing the road, and slammed on the brakes. Thankfully, I didn’t hit the deer or cause a collision. From then on, I decided that faster drivers could just pass me. I was content—and safest— going my own speed. Have you ever felt pressured to speed up? Maybe not behind the wheel, but in life? Well-meaning people can sometimes ask questions that make us feel just a little bit panicked about the future, such as “When will you know what career to pursue?” or “Have you picked your college or trade school?” If God hasn’t provided the answers to these questions yet, it can be easy to grow frustrated and doubtful. But God doesn’t operate the way humans do. He is patient, loving, and all-knowing. He often asks us to wait longer than feels comfortable. He knows that slowing down can allow us to learn to trust in Him and notice His presence in every situation. It can be helpful to remember that God cherishes us as His own children, and He calls us to trust Him with our lives. The surprising thing is, we can have peace in the midst of unknowns as we rely on God in the decision-making process. As a result, we may stand out—and perhaps even encourage others. It’s okay if your future feels uncertain right now. It’s okay if your path differs from those around you. Only God knows what lies ahead, and He loves you more than you can imagine. • Hannah Chung • Has there ever been a time when you’ve felt pressured to have your future perfectly mapped out? God doesn’t expect us to figure out every detail of our futures—that’s His job. Instead, He invites us to rest in Him and seek His wisdom, taking one step at a time as He lovingly guides us. While we may sometimes want to know the whole plan ahead of time, Jesus knows what we need each day, and He will never leave us. • What questions do you have about your future? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about whatever is on your mind. You can be honest with Him about any anxiety you feel—He has so much compassion on you, and He wants to share His peace and comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-11) [Jesus said,] “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)