Category: Grace

Posted in Devotions, Grace, mercy, Through the Bible Devotions

You want me to do what?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Angel Balashev on Unsplash

A “through the bible devotion from Genesis 22.

God says to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you”(Genesis 22:2).

That is a big ask. It seems so unlike God. Why would he ask Abraham to do such a thing? And why would Abraham even consider doing it?

There is only one answer, and it’s the one Abraham vocalizes. “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering” (v8).

It’s too much to ask. The cost is too high. The sacrifice is unthinkable. God is the only one with the resources to redeem a life. He’s the only one who can redeem my life.

We have the advantage of seeing how the whole story plays out. God will provide the ultimate sacrifice, his son, Jesus. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

Of course there is a lesson in all of this. Unless we walk the path of obedience, like Abraham did, we won’t get to experience what God provides.

  • Moses, you’re going to have to throw down that staff if you want to see it turn into a serpent.
  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can’t bow down to an idol if they want to encounter the Son of God in a fiery furnace.
  • The priests had to take that first step into the Jordan river to see God stop it’s flow so the nation could cross into the promised land.
  • A widow didn’t experience God’s provision until she baked that last loaf of bread for Elijah.

Letting my light shine makes the world a brighter place. Asking opens my eyes to the ways God provides. Confessing my sins opens a door for grace. So does forgiving someone. Praying for someone I don’t like changes my attitude towards them. Imitating the Good Samaritan and helping someone unleashes mercy in a cruel and heartless world.

What do you think God will provide today?

Posted in Devotions, Grace, Through the Bible Devotions

Haven’t you learned anything?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion on Genesis 20.

Wait a minute. Didn’t we just read a story like this just a few chapters before (Genesis 12)? Abraham is lying again, telling Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, to save his skin (Genesis 20:2). Hasn’t he learned to trust God? Hasn’t he learned anything? Apparently not.

I should look at myself in the mirror and ask, “Haven’t you learned anything?” Apparently not. You and I make the same mistakes over and over again, don’t we? We don’t sin in new and creative ways. We’ve got our favorite failures. We fall into the same temptation over and over again.

Well meaning folks have told me, “You can’t keep doing the same wrong things over and over again.” My response is, “Then why do you?” Why don’t you keep our mouths shut? Why don’t you control your tempers? Why are are you accumulating so many material possessions? Why haven’t you witnessed to your neighbor? Why are you so worried about the future? (Feel free to add more to this list.)

When the pressure’s on, when you’re afraid, when you’re jealous of someone else, or envious of their life, a lot of conviction goes right out the window. So many things that promise to make us feel safe and loved and happy overshadow the truths we learned last Sunday morning.

“How many times should I forgive?” (Matthew 18:21,22). Jesus said the number is a lot higher than you think. Good thing. My sins are a lot more than I like to admit.

Posted in Devotions, Grace, Through the Bible Devotions

I don’t think the flood solved the problem

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chris Gallagher on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 6-9.

As I read about the flood in Genesis 6-9, it occurred to me that the flood didn’t solve the problem. Before the flood, God saw that “Every intent of the thoughts of their hearts were only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). After? God said, “The intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). Doesn’t sound like much changed at all.

That’s the way life is, isn’t it? Clothing gets dirty and has to be laundered over and over again. You have to dust the furniture, clean the bathroom, wash the dishes, and bathe the kids again and again. Everything keeps getting messy, including hearts.

So why wipe out life with a flood? Why save a few people who are just going to get into trouble again?

You have to admit that forty days and night of rain is a powerful message of God’s judgment. By the same token, an ark big enough to ride out the storm and preserve life is a dramatic illustration of God’s grace. The flood is a picture of law and gospel, justice and mercy, and power and love.

Along with David, we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). What a difference it makes when Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17)!

I’m going to get in trouble again. So are you. Just don’t forget about that big boat of grace.

Posted in Grace

Seeing grace in new ways

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at pexels.com

My friend J was sitting on a bench outside of church this morning. I had a few minutes between the middle school Sunday School class I taught and the worship service. I sat next to him and said, “Hey, J, it’s Bill. How are you doing?”

J is blind. He replied, “Well, to be honest, I’ve had better weeks. I’ve been struggling with anger issues again.”

“It’s not easy dealing with anger.”

He went on, ” I’m mostly angry about things that have been taken from me.”

“What do you mean?”

“For example, at the complex where I live. They’ve changed the way you get into the laundry area. They installed an electronic touch pad. I can’t operate that.”

I said, “They must have had the push buttons with raised bumps on them before.”

“Yeah. And they changed how you use the machines. You can’t put quarters in anymore. You have to swipe a credit card. And then there’s another touch pad to tell it what to do. I can’t use that.”

I don’t blame him for being angry. I think J is in his forties, and he has never been able to see. He lives on his own and church members pick him up every week so he can attend worship and an evening bible class. He supports himself working at a pizza place across from the beach. About a year ago J shared how his apartment complex moved the trash dumpsters without letting him know. That was frustrating, too.

I rarely think about the obstacles a blind person deals with every day. Eyes are critical in a world filled with smart phones, laptops, cars, and video games. I should be grateful for all my senses.

J is one of several blind people who come to worship each week. He has been a part of the church’s outreach to a nearby training institute for the blind. I don’t think the church ever pursued that ministry, but we know God opened up that door anyway.

I’m thankful for J and how he helps me see God’s grace in new ways.

Posted in Grace, Moments of grace

An unexpected blessing: a no-wait week

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Patience may be a virtue, but I appreciate the gift of quick appointments.

  • I brought a book to read while waiting for my wife at her doctor’s office. They called her name and got her in and out in five minutes. I only got to read a couple of pages.
  • I had the first appointment after lunch at my retina doctor. After I gave my name, they called me back as soon as I sat down in the waiting room. Within minutes the staff dilated my eyes, took pictures of my retinas, and the doctor came in to see me. Everything looked good, I had no questions for him, and the receptionist looked surprised when I walked out to make my next appointment. Quick and easy.
  • I brought my computer to sit and write while I waited for an oil change and tire rotation. They finished with my car in less than twenty minutes. I didn’t even have a chance to finish a story.
  • I walked into the barbershop. A few other guys were waiting, but they were waiting for a specific barber. I sat down but heard a voice say, “I can help you.” No wait for me that day!
  • I had to drop off the car to get the windshield replaced. They said it would be a two to three hour job. Before we got back home, I got a text that they were done, in less than an hour. Sweet.
  • For the first time in years the dermatologist had to do a little cutting to remove some skin cancer. Once I was numbed up, he came in, chatted while he made a couple of snips, and was out the door in under two minutes. He got it all. Okay, I did have to wait a little for my turn to get closed up, but I got to go home a lot sooner than a whole waiting room full of people.

I’m on a roll. Most of the time, I expect to wait. Self-checkout lines at the grocery store, security at the airport, dentist’s office, latte with an extra shot, etc. If I prepare myself, I’m patient. No wait? I’m blessed!

Posted in Grace, Moments of grace

From despair to hope in five minutes

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Skica911 on Pixabay

I was happy to see hardly any line when I pulled into Five Minute Oil Change. Every bay was full, but there were only two other cars ahead of me waiting to pull in. Sweet. If you’ve ever been, you know it can take over forty-five minutes to get that five-minute oil change.

Suddenly, the guy who waiting to pull into the first bay ignored the “don’t get out of your car” sign and jumped out. He shouted at the crew, “Hey, I’ve been waiting longer than any of these people! Are you going to get me in or not?”

The savvy manager rearranged a few cars and had him pull into the middle bay. I don’t know how long that customer had been waiting, but from that moment they got him out in about five minutes.

As I sat there and watched, I thought, “This could easily escalate into something much worse.” News stories of road rage and mass shootings have conditioned me to imagine that most people are carrying guns. All I have to do is look cross-eyed at them and they’ll try to use it.

Reality is much different. Everyone else at Five Minute Oil Change was either patient in line or working hard under the cars. A savvy, well-trained manager knew how to deal with the situation. Unruly customers are served and directed out of the bays as quickly as possible without further incident.

My four-year-old grandson was sitting in the backseat, looking through books we had just gotten at the library. I’m sad that he has to grow up in a world like this. I’m also hopeful because he can be someone who can make it a better place.

Posted in Grace

Street corner violinist

Posted on by William Douthwaite

As I left Starbucks this afternoon, I heard accompanied violin music. A man was playing some new age-ish much on the corner of the driveway. I stopped to listen, and then stepped in to take a picture.

As I did, a man stepped up to talk to me. I remember seeing him inside Starbucks. He had an earbud and an ugly polo shirt. He said, “Did you take a picture of that guy?”

I admitted, “Yes.”

He said, “I’ve been watching him for two days. He’s been out here every day. I figure he’s making $30 an hour. He’s not homeless. Just out there taking advantage of people.”

I said, “Oh. I didn’t know.”

Honestly, I was going to put a few dollars in his box. Just like I would do for anyone busking. Just like I hope someone would do for me one day when I am playing my guitar somewhere.

I got in my truck and drove away. But I thought, “Can’t I throw a few bucks to a musician on a street corner without feeling guilty?” So what if he’s not homeless? He’s pretty good. He might play a request. He might have a family. At least he is doing something.

Posted in Grace

“You’re mic is on!”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Lee Soo hyun on Unsplash

It’s four minutes before I walk towards the altar, the prelude comes to a close and worship begins. More than a few times, someone has come up to me and said, “Your mic’s on!”

Well, of course it is. I fully trust the person at the sound board to pot me up at the appropriate times in the service. If the whole congregation can hear my small talk with those arriving for worship, those I’ve spotted who are with us for the first time, and those who have last minute questions for me, it’s not my fault!

I usually think, “I hope it wasn’t on when I was just in the bathroom.” Or expressing frustration under my breath about someone or something. Or speaking having a confidential conversation.

Actually, most of the time, it’s not true. My voice tends to carry. That’s a polite way of saying I’m just plain loud. I’ve heard it many times from my wife when guests are sleeping on the other side of the house or my comments are of a personal nature. I don’t even realize how much volume I can generate. It must come from all those years of playing the trumpet and sending air through the horn.

Can you imagine what it would be like if people could hear what you were thinking? So many thoughts resonate in my head that fortunately never make it to my vocal chords. About someone’s appearance, behavior, language, priorities, commitment, faith, choices or lifestyle. If that mic were ever left on I would be in a lot of trouble!

It’s troubling to sit here and write about thoughts I am glad no one knows I have. Obviously I am not proud of them, nor do I share them very often. Such thoughts reveal a level of sinfulness I shudder to admit. My thoughts aren’t always nice, constructive, merciful, forgiving and gracious. They are too often judgmental, condescending, cruel, hateful and evil.

No one knows. Except for God. And when I stop to ponder that, I am ashamed and humbled. But he still sent Jesus to atone for those thoughts. Amazing.

Posted in Grace

Forgiveness is a must

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Gianandrea Villa on Unsplash

“Is it ever OK for a Christian to not forgive?” In a word: no.

I wasn’t present, but I know the question came up recently in a bible class. More than a few folks argued that there are just some offenses and sins that couldn’t and shouldn’t be forgiven.

Scripture is clear: Christians forgive. We forgive because we have been forgiven. When Peter asked Jesus if there was a cap on forgiveness, Jesus said, “No.” Peter asked, “How many times do I forgive someone? Seven times?” Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times.” In other words you always forgive.

Jesus then tells a story that illustrates his point in Matthew 18:23-35. God’s forgiveness is so extravagant that we must forgive the comparatively small things others say or do against us. His instruction to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” expresses the same directive. Our mandate is to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). He sets the example; we follow suit.

No one ever said it was easy. Forgiveness is hard. God doesn’t just look the other way or say, “Forget about it.” His declaration of the forgiveness only happens because Jesus was crucified, paying for our sins with his life. In fact, Jesus paid for all sins by his innocent suffering and death.

“But what if they don’t repent?” “What if they aren’t sorry?” Neither changes the call to forgive. Forgiveness is one-sided. You let it go. You don’t hold it over someone’s head. You don’t seek retribution. You do not make them pay for what they have done.

Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, though. It does, however, give us a different way of remembering without resentment or bitterness. Forgiveness makes it possible to see the one who hurt us through the lens of the cross, which always brings Christ’s compassion and mercy into view.

However, forgiveness may or may not lead to reconciliation. Forgiveness is one-sided. You can intentionally forgive in your heart all on your own. Reconciliation, however, takes two. It requires two people to work to heal a broken relationship. Reconciliation may take a long, long time. Though pursued, it may never happen. You may never get along with someone, even though you have forgiven them.

What about Jesus’ words to his disciples, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20:23)? The church pairs these words with Jesus’ teaching about what to do when a “brother sins against you” (Matthew 18:15-20). Much responsibility is given to the church to hold its members accountable for their actions and proclaim God’s forgiveness. In other words, the preaching of Law and Gospel is serious business! Just remember, you are not the church. You are simply a child of God, forgiven and free from your sins. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).