Category: Devotions

Devotions

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: She gave birth

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 19, 2020. Read Luke 2:7 and Psalm 84.

“She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

This is it. It’s the big moment. After a stunning annunciation, nine months of pregnancy and a trip to Bethlehem, Mary gives birth to the Spirit-filled Son of God, who is destined to assume the throne of David, reigning over a kingdom that will no end. Mary has contractions, her water breaks, the head appears, a baby cries, the cord is cut, the infant is cleaned up and swaddled. Just like so many other babies, Christ the Savior is born.

There are so many things that can go wrong throughout pregnancy and birth. In our world, it involves prenatal vitamins, doctor appointments, ultrasounds, blood tests and heart-rate monitoring. High-risk pregnancy? There’s even more.

A lot of things go right, too. A tiny heart begins to beat. Internal organs develop. Tiny fingers and toes grow, including unique fingerprints and footprints. Hair grows. The unborn child moves and stretches, impatiently awaiting a birthday! Knit together in a mother’s womb, each child is fearfully and wonderfully made!

That tiny voice once spoke the universe into existence. Those tiny hands once formed the man from the dust. Those tiny feet would soon leave footprints everywhere from Galilee to Calvary. Those little fingers would one day open eyes to see, ears to hear and mouths to speak. So many lives will be changed because Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, Jesus the Christ.

This year, Christmas seems to be the destination. Liturgically, we reach the end of four weeks of Advent. Commercially, we’re wrapping up a longer-than-ever two-months of decorating and shopping. Physically we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel of a long year of distancing and quarantine.

Don’t forget that Christmas is actually the beginning. Soon, people would begin to hear Jesus teach with authority. They would begin to see his power as he commanded the demons, the wind and the waves. They would begin to witness his compassion for the harassed and hurting. They would begin to understand that he came to die and rise again. Christmas would indeed be the beginning of a new creation for all who embraced Jesus as the Christ.

There were no baby showers. No gender reveal celebrations. No cute nursery decorations. No car seat to install. No maternity (or paternity) leave.

Just a birth. Just a son. But what a gift! And what a Savior!

Lord, don’t ever let me forget the miracle and wonder of birth and especially your birth. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: A special visitor

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Boudewijn Huysmans on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 18, 2020. Read Luke 1:39-45 and Psalm 95.

“When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.'” (Luke 1:41-44)

Sometimes while working in my study at church, someone will slip past the office manager, poke their head in the door and start speaking to me. I’ll literally jump out of my seat, startled by a presence I didn’t expect!

The unborn John, who would later be called “the baptist,” jumps at the sound of Mary’s voice. Elizabeth shrieks, too, startled by the unexpected appearance of the mother of the Lord in her home. Mary wasn’t anyone special until the angel’s announcement that she would give birth to the Son of God. Elizabeth didn’t think she was anyone special either, until the mother of the Lord honors her with a visit.

How did Elizabeth know? All Mary said was, “Hi, Elizabeth!” That’s when John started jumping for joy in utero like someone who has just won the big prize on The Price is Right. Elizabeth knew something was up. Suddenly she was in the presence of the Lord, just like Moses at the burning bush, Joshua before the big battle, or Jacob when he wrestled all night. Yes, it’s exciting when the Lord shows up live and in person!

Everyone has questions for Jesus. But wouldn’t it be delightful to have Mary stop by and visit? You’d be so excited and honored to have Jesus’ mother in your home! What would you ask her? “So what was it like? Tell me about Gabriel. What did he look like? How long were you in labor? What was Jesus like as a little boy? Were you surprised when the shepherds showed up? How strange were the wise men?” Would you ask her about the wine at Cana? Life in Nazareth? Or the crucifixion at Calvary?

For a while – about nine months – Mary was the temple, that place where the Lord lived among his people. Perhaps not as impressive as Solomon’s or Herod’s temple. But an incredible woman, mother and servant of the Lord, full of faith and hope, believing God’s words to her.

Thank you, Lord, for Mary and Elizabeth and so many mothers who have amazing stories to tell about you, your presence and your grace. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: She knew who he would be

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 17, 2020. Read Luke 1:26-38 and Psalm 103.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
  And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
  And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (Luke 1:30-35)

The addition of a newborn to the family sparks the imagination. Parents watch with great interest, noticing (and bragging) about the slightest hints of athletic ability, musical aptitude, artistic tendencies and a higher than average IQ. With a vision for what that young child could grow up to be, they will invest in lessons, instruments, leotards, balls and books. Preschool is a must so that the child keeps up with others already on track for scholarships, medical school and talent agencies.

It was a bit different for Jesus. From conception, Mary knew exactly what her son would be and what he would do. He was destined for politics, assuming the throne of his ancestor David. He would be religious, filled with the Spirit and a child of God. He would learn a trade from his father, carpentry. He would dabble in fishing, the healing arts and meal prep. But his name alone spoke of his primary mission. They would name him Jesus, for he would save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Few lives are linear. While some know exactly what they want to do from a young age, others have lots of false starts. Students change their college majors early and often. Aspiring physicians discover they can’t handle the sight of blood, and branch off into other sciences. Some don’t discover what they are good at until they have tried a number of things. You might be cut out for a job that won’t even exist for another twenty years.

Queen Esther discovered she was around for a special moment. Peter, Andrew, James and John all changed careers mid-stream, leaving their fishing business to follow Jesus. Joseph, Daniel, David and Gideon are just a few who found themselves in totally unexpected leadership positions. And what a surprise it was when Mary learned she was going to be a mom!

From a young age, Jesus knew who he was and what he would do. In the temple at age twelve, he felt very comfortable in his father’s house. At his baptism, he knew the path he had to take to fulfill all righteousness. He didn’t let the devil or anyone else detour him from his mission. He knew the course of his life as determined by prophecies. He knew that he had come to die, to rise and to save.

Isn’t it amazing that God knows exactly who you’ll turn out to be? Since he designed and made you, he knows more about you than you do! It’s also amazing that each of us gets to be a number of things. We get to be part of a family, friends, parents, grandparents and beyond. We’ve got both vocations and avocational activities to get involved in. And through it all, we find “favor with God,” by grace and through faith in Mary’s child, the Son of God.

Thank you, Lord, for making me who I am and for being who you are, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: Packed with divine goodness

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 16, 2020. Read Colossians 2:6-15 and Psalm 113.

“In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

When my wife and I went to Haiti with medical mission teams, we got to see a form of transportation called a tap-tap. A tap-tap is a cross between a taxi and a bus. It’s usually either a pickup truck with a cap or an SUV of some sort that has been fitted with bench seats along each side of the back. Going from place place is simple. For a fee you hop in the back, and when you get to your destination, you “tap” or slap the outside of the truck so the driver knows to stop and let you off.

The amazing thing about a tap-tap is the number of people that fit inside. We rarely saw one with less than a dozen people crammed in, with bags or sticks or chickens tied to the outside. At some stops, it seemed like the stream of people getting off would never end. We only got to ride in a tap-tap one time, when our small bus broke down and couldn’t pick us up at the end of a clinic day. It was crowded, bumpy and dusty, but it got us back to the place we were staying.

It’s just as amazing to think that God can be stuffed into one human being. But “the fullness of deity,” every attribute and quality of God, took up residence in Jesus, a baby born in Bethlehem. Just when someone thought they had him figured out, more power and authority, more compassion and mercy, more grace and forgiveness would come pouring out of him. Jesus wasn’t just partly God. He wasn’t a part-time God. He wasn’t a scaled down version of God. He was the real deal. All things were created by him and for him. Angels were around when Jesus was around. He brought light to the darkness. He dismissed the demons. He brought the dead to life.

Paul wrote these words to remind Christians in Colossi that they didn’t have to look elsewhere for wisdom or advice. They would find everything they needed in Jesus. He had given them faith and life, and had a handle on their future. Part of our lives as Christians is unpacking all that divinity packed into the person of Jesus. You want to know God better? Get to know Jesus!

Thank you, Lord, for packing all that, all the fullness of the deity, into your son, my Savior, Jesus! Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: A godsend

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by why kei on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 15, 2020. Read Galatians 4:4-5 and Psalm 46.

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

“Thank you so much. You’ve been a godsend! I never would have gotten all this done without your help.” A little help from the right person at the right time is a blessing especially when you’ve got too much to do and not nearly enough time. An unexpected gift, an encouraging note or a timely reminder might be a godsend as well.

Who knows, maybe the word “godsend” came from this very verse in Paul’s letter to Christians in Galatia. In the bible God sends angels, plagues, prophets and His Spirit. The best “godsend” of all is his Son, Jesus, who was born to a woman named Mary in Bethlehem. He was sent to redeem us so that we could be sons and daughters of God, too.

When you fly into an airport, call your friends to tell them you’ve arrived, they may say, “OK, we’ll send someone over to get you.” Or when the air conditioner isn’t working or the roof is leaking or the dryer won’t dry, I can call someone, hoping to hear, “OK. We’ll send someone over to take a look at it.” A lot of times, when we pour out our hearts to God, we don’t just need something. We need someone to help us with a relationship, a situation or worry that gets the best of us. God knows this, too, and throughout the pages of scripture, He promises to send someone to help.

And what a someone God’s Son turns out to be! “Born of woman, born under the law,” the fullness of God was in Him, too. He came with power, mercy and love. There is no one like Him, both true God and true man, Jesus the Christ.

How many times have you heard someone say, “Someone needs to do this.” It might be something anyone can do. But so far, no one has stepped up. It certainly is good news that God sent forth his Son, live and in person, to be the Savior everyone needs.

Father, Your Son Jesus really is a godsend, just the Savior I need. Thank you for sending someone like Him. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: In the flesh

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 14, 2020. Read 1 Timothy 3:16 and Psalm 1.

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Tim. 3:16).

Paul writes these words in a letter to Timothy, reminding him that life in the household of God is different. Such a life is a result of and flows from the life of Christ, who was divine, has ascended, is the object of our faith and was revealed to us “live and in person.”

From time to time, someone will ask me, “How did you learn to do that?” More than a few times I’ve answered, “My dad taught me how.” Dad taught me how to throw and catch a baseball, how to tune up a car (when a tune up meant plugs and points), how to drive a stick-shift, how to grow vegetables, how to finish sheetrock, how to do some basic home electrical work, how to glaze a window, how to sharpen a pocket knife, how to solder wires, how to sing harmony, how to fill out a scorecard at a baseball game, how to sharpen a lawn mower blade with a grinding wheel, how to whistle, and how to eat corn on the cob.

Now when I want to learn how to do something, I watch a YouTube video. I’ve always been able to find step-by-step instructions for any repair or project. Just as effective as dad? Probably. But it’s different. You can’t ask questions and you can’t ask for help.

In the life of Jesus, God “manifested in the flesh,” we find out just how serious God is about our lives. Jesus is someone who knew how to do everything required by the covenant. Folks learned a lot about compassion, mercy, sacrifice, forgiveness and love as they interacted with Him.

I learned a lot about pastoral care on my vicarage (3rd year internship of a four-year seminary program). I had a book about it. But I learned a lot by watching a pastor, my supervisor, actually do what a pastor does live and in person.

Such is the blessing of a Savior “manifested in the flesh.”

Thank You, Father, for the life, the example and the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus, who came in person to be my Savior. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: The Word became flesh

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kyle Head on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 13, 2020. Read John 1:14 and Psalm 33.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John  1:14).

Having gone to church and Sunday School all my life, it is easy to take the human Jesus for granted. He’s born, grows up, walks around, eats fish, drinks wine, and bleeds when whipped. He sleeps, cries, draws, spits, and sweats. Just like each one of us.

But that person was God (John 1:1). The Eternal now has a birthday and a funeral. The One who said, “Let there be light” must now learn to speak. The omnipresent God now has a local address. The omniscient God sits and asks questions of the teachers in the temple. The Almighty might now be found taking a nap. The King of kings and Lord of lords submits to a local governor.

Just think of how amazing it is when an idea or words become something tangible. A recipe becomes a delicious meal. A script becomes a play. A book is made into a movie. Lyrics on a score become a song. A prescription becomes medication that makes you feel better. A promise results in a marriage and then a family. A wish becomes a birthday gift. A loved one’s words are etched onto a tombstone.

But the promises and prophecies of a birth and a child who will be God with us was hard to first century folks to grasp. They seemed underwhelmed. “Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” “Is the Christ going to come from Galilee?” “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Meeting celebrities can be disappointing. “He’s so much shorter than he’s looks on TV!” “She was so rude. She wouldn’t even sign an autograph.” “How could he leave her?” Substance abuse, depression and family problems are just as much a part of life for the rich and famous as they are for us. Life in the flesh can be ugly.

The prophets said the Servant of God wouldn’t be attractive, would be despised and rejected, and wouldn’t have any honor in his own hometown. Welcome to the real world, Jesus.

But that’s where we see the glory of God. We are more important to him than honor, praise, respect, acceptance or popularity. We are more important to him than his own life. We are his treasure. The apple of his eye. His dearly loved children.

As we all know, Lord, life in the flesh isn’t easy. Thanks for becoming flesh for us, so that we might always have life with you. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: Glory fills the temple

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 12, 2020. Read 1 Kings 8:10-11 and Psalm 11.

Finally, after seven years of construction, the temple in Jerusalem is finished and furnished. Priests bring the ark of the covenant into the inner sanctuary. “When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (1 Kings 8:10,11). The cloud of God’s presence which had covered Mt. Sinai, had led the people through the desert and had filled the tabernacle now took up residence in the magnificent temple built by Solomon.

Solomon’s dedication prayer recognizes that the God of all creation certainly cannot be contained in a structure built by human hands. Yet for this occasion, God was indeed with them in a holy place only he could occupy. In the years to come, Solomon hoped that whenever there was trouble, the people would pray towards that place to remember God’s presence and receive his grace.

Many of you reading this probably remember “glorious” churches where you have worshiped. I remember the dedication of a new sanctuary for the church where I grew up. It seemed so big and the music was like nothing I had ever heard. I remember the dedication of the new sanctuary where I currently serve. It too was so big compared with where we previously gathered.

Many of you might also remember some of the glorious moments in churches where you worshiped. I vividly recall churches where I played trumpet with enormous, powerful organs whose sound filled every inch of the worship space. I have wonderful memories of baptizing, confirming, and marrying my children. I treasure the awesome moment of laying my hands on my son’s head, ordaining him into the ministry. I also can’t forget glorious moments on mission trips to Haiti or Kenya, where I worshiped in structures with tin roofs and dirt floors.

I’ll bet every believer has been in a space that seemed to be occupied by God. Or a moment when God seemed especially close. If God is indeed bigger than the universe He created and can do more than we ask or imagine, why would He choose to squeeze Himself into a temple, sanctuary or even a modest chapel? For that matter, why would He squeeze Himself into the human form of a baby born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth and crucified on Calvary? He must really want to be with us, live and in person!

Thank You, Lord, for the moments and spaces You have filled with Your presence. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: A cloud in the tabernacle

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Ruvim Noga on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 11, 2020. Read Exodus 40:34-38 and Psalm 81.

So finally, after all the work collecting materials and crafting the tabernacle, the portable worship center for the newly free nation of Israel was ready. The curtains are in place, the table is in place, the lampstand is in place, the altar and basin are in place, the ark is in its place and the priests are sanctified and ready to do their jobs. Now the cloud which will lead them on their journey (and will be a pillar of fire at night) covers the tent as the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle. No one can go in. It’s occupied by a holy God, live and in person with His people.

We have a fog machine at church that we’ve used for Vacation Bible School special effects. I got it out a couple of years ago for a Transfiguration Sunday children’s sermon. It almost worked too good. Any more smoke and I think we would have set off the fire sprinklers! I do not need that kind of excitement on a Sunday morning.

The idea of a smoke-filled room can be good news or bad news. If the cassarole in the oven is burning, it’s bad news. If some policies and procedures are being ironed out, it could be good news. If all that incense makes you wheeze and cough, it’s bad news. If it’s the sweet-smelling prayers of God’s people ascending to heaven, that’s good. If the Advent wreath is on fire, that’s bad. If the sanctuary is filled with VBS kids, that’s good!

For the nation of Israel, the smoke of God’s presence in the tabernacle was very, very good news. It meant that their God was with them wherever they went. He would not leave them nor forsake them. He would be with them always, to the end. They would never be on their own to survive, navigate their journey, or fight an enemy. God was with them!

When I was a pastor of a church in Connecticut, I went to a pastor’s conference at a retreat center on the southern coast. It was a really nice place, with great meeting spaces and pretty good food. The pastor in charge of worship was pretty high church. When we met in the chapel of the retreat center, I experienced my first incense-filled evening prayer service. Where I grew up, we never did that. But here, it was a reminder of our prayer and the Lord’s presence.

A few months ago I preached at a colleague’s church for the anniversary of his ordination. I noticed a censor in the front of his church. I asked, “How often do you use that?” He said, “Every week. I light the incense and walk around the sanctuary about an hour before our worship. The smoke and aroma lingers just enough to remind us of our prayers and God’s presence.” I really appreciated his efforts. I had never had this experience.

How about you? Would a cloud of aromatic smoke remind you of God’s presence in our worship? Or do other sensory reminders draw you into the presence of the Savior?

Thank you, Lord, for all the reminders of your presence in our worship and in our lives. Amen.