Category: Through the Bible Devotions

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

More or less: a different kind of math

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Valentina Giarre on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Ephesians 3.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:17-19).

I measure lots of things: the inseam of my pants, 3-1/2 cups of flour for a batch of sugar cookies, 1/3 c. of food for the little dog, the weight of a dumbbell, how much time to drive to a destination, the area of a rug, the brightness of a lightbulb, days until Christmas (lol), how long I slept, and how many steps I took today.

Churches measure lots of things, too. Leaders track worship attendance, offerings, membership numbers to track progress, plan programs, and strategize ministry.

One of Paul’s prayers for the believers in Ephesus is that they would have the power to grasp the dimensions of Christ’s love, a measurement that goes far beyond mere knowledge (numbers).

We miscalculate those dimensions. Someone has wandered too far away from God’s care. The bar to please God is as low as our best efforts. He doesn’t have time to care about our down days, so we have to pull ourselves out of a funk. His promises are out of reach.

The truth is much different. No one is beyond God’s reach. The bar of righteousness is way over our heads. He’s really close, right there with us on our worst days. His promises aren’t far away at all, lodged in our hearts. We underestimate our sinfulness. We underestimate his grace, too.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Far above

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tolu Olarewaju on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Ephesians 1.

Paul ends a long, long sentence describing Christ as “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21).

When I worked for Bell Labs forty-five years ago, I found myself in a sea of engineers far smarter than me. They had developed transistors, long distance networks, and digital communication for trips to the moon. It was a privilege to be out of my league for a few years.

From there I found myself at the seminary, surrounded by theologians far smarter than me. As I struggled to parse a Greek word, they read, taught, and preached from the Greek New Testament as if it were their native language. They explained eras of church history as if they had lived back then. It was a privilege to be out of my league for a few years.

Years later I worked out at a CrossFit box, surrounded by athletes older, younger, and in far better shape than me. As I struggled through box jumps and burpees, they flew through thrusters and muscle ups. They flew up and down ropes before carrying crazy heavy dumbbells over their heads the length of the floor. And back. It was a privilege to be out of my league with them.

On the one hand, it’s humbling to be in the presence of those whose abilities are far beyond mind. On the other hand, it’s a great opportunity to learn and be inspired.

It’s good to appreciate the humility of Jesus. He humbled himself and became the lowest of servants. But that’s not the end of the story. He was also exalted to the highest place, to a place of authority far above any other. And not just for a moment. All day today. And tomorrow. And forever.

Plus, he has authority over every other authority, rule, power, and dominion. That includes every dictator, billionaire, influencer, writer, entrepreneur, spiritual leader, venture capitalist, scientist, or AI. This includes those who exist now and those who will exist in the future.

When you think about it, what kind of a God wouldn’t have that kind of authority? Such a God wouldn’t be much of a God.

And yet, we quickly forget that he’s got a handle on things. He has a handle on everything. Nothing – from your health to the stock market to an election – happens outside the realm of his control. Which begs the question, “What are you worried about?”

Are you worried about your health? The country? Your freedoms? Your portfolio? That mole on your back? Your church? Your children (or grandchildren or great-grandchildren)? Your garden? Your neighbor? Your bloodwork? Your schools?

He’s got a handle on it.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Rules: we need them and we don’t

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Galatians 3.

“Why then the law?” (Galatians 3:19)

Why indeed? If we receive the Spirit of God through faith, why have the law at all? (Gal. 3:2) If we are justified by faith, just like Abraham, why bother with the law? (Gal. 3:8)

“It was added because of transgressions” (Gal. 3:19). It’s because without the law, we’d do a lot of foolish things. We’d self-destruct.

I recoil at the printed warnings, cautions, and instructions that wallpaper my world. From desiccated silica packs labeled, “Do not eat” to “warning hot surface” on my 3D printer, I wonder, “Are all these warnings necessary?” Then I remember, if there’s a rule, it’s because someone ate or touched something, opened something, or broke something.

Someone let their kid play in a big plastic tote. So we’re warned, “Not a toy.” Someone poked their finger on a pod coffee maker needle, so I’m reminded, “Caution: sharp metal.” Someone messed up a yard with an excavator, so the Benadryl label reminds me not to operate heavy machinery. Someone stuffed a towel down the toilet, so now there’s a sign forbidding that. An ugly “Don’t poop in our yard” ruins a beautiful lawn because a dog dropped a deuce.

I never responded well to the abundance of signs adorning the walls of church buildings. (If you noticed one missing, chances are I tore it down and threw the paper away.) Turn off lights, throw away your trash, clean up the kitchen, wash your hands, flush the toilet. None of those signs should would exist. But they do. Human nature means we need lots of rules just so we can live together.

However – Paul really drives home this point in Galatians – living together with God isn’t about the rules. It’s about faith in Christ.

(Sunday, January 11 update) Sure enough, this greeted me in the church bathroom this morning:

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A battle in the mind

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Олег Мороз on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Romans 8.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

The word “mind” occurs five times in Romans 8:5-7. The word refers to a way of thinking, a mindset. It’s a person’s aim, aspiration, or striving. One commentator described the mind as “a strategic battleground where the Spirit and the flesh fight.”

It reminded me of something I hear in my workout videos (BODi.com). Basically, let your body follow rather than rule your mind. Rather than letting your body tell you, “I’m tired and and I want to sleep in,” you get up when the alarm goes off and get moving. Your body follows. On a long run, my body would get tired, but I’d keep going, remembering my training and previous runs. My body would follow. When you’re hungry, your body may say, “Junk.” Your mind will remember, “Nutrition.” You’ll eat healthy, and your body will be satisfied.

That’s not to say you should never listen to your body. It will tell you when you’re injured and need to heal, when something is too hot to touch, when you need to go to the bathroom, or when throw out rather than eat that funky-smelling food.

But a mind set on Christ will butt heads with a body that is drawn to forbidden fruit, cheap thrills, “do not touch” signs, and selfish choices. We know this world is passing away. We know Christ will lead us to life. Yet that tug-of-war is our favorite game.

A regular helping of God’s word first thing in the morning helps my minds get a head start on the tyranny of the flesh. I don’t always win, but Christ already has. Thank goodness he’s in my head as well as my heart.

I had more thoughts on the mind last summer.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Yes, thank you, I would appreciate your help

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kampus https://www.pexels.com

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 13.

“Then [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:5).

It’s the lowest of all tasks. Only the lowest of servants wash feet. And Jesus is that servant. Jesus humbles himself. Jesus is the least. Jesus isthe servant. Jesus is last in line. Jesus is last in his class.

Peter doesn’t want it. He doesn’t want Jesus to wash his feet. No way, no how. But Jesus says he must do this. This is what God does when he comes to earth. This is his mission.

I’ve learned to always accept an offer of help. Even if I can handle it, or it’s not too heavy, or its within my capabilities, I now say, “Yes, thank you.” Someone carries something, cooks something, builds something, writes something, teaches something, or whatever? Yes, thank you.

It’s good for me. And good for them. I’m not self-sufficient. And others benefit from helping me. It’s a win-win.

Little ones love to help. I always ask the grandkids, “Do you want to help me?” They are thrilled to help me walk a dog, gather sticks for a fire, or prepare a snack. They love being a part of the action.

Jesus told us to love, serve, comfort, and encourage. But if everyone is doing just fine, how can we follow his command? Sometimes we need to let others follow his instructions by being helped, comforted, and encouraged.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

High, low, buffalo

Posted on by William Douthwaite

When we’re together with the granddaughters, someone will say, “High, low, buffalo!” In response, we’ll go around the table and share the high point of our day so far, the low point, and then something silly (the buffalo). It’s a variation of the “Good thing/bad thing” we launch into with the grandsons.

It’s a fun discussion starter, and a good way to reflect on the blessings, adventure, and joys of each day.

But in some ways, every day is a bad day (according to Romans 3) and every day is a good day (according to Romans 4).

“None is righteous…no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10,12). I’m never really having a good day.

On the other hand, “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). In other words,
‭‭through faith, I’m always having a good day.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to do better. And it’s good to admit you’ve screwed up. But it’s important to remember that we’re justified by grace through faith, which means God no longer judges us by high, low, or buffalo. His love is steadfast and endures forever.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

No excuses

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Romans 1 and 2.

With more means of communication than ever, we’ve also got more excuses.

  • “I didn’t see your email.”
  • “I didn’t get your message.”
  • “My phone was dead.”
  • “I didn’t hear what you said.”
  • “The email went to my spam folder.”
  • “I never got the letter. It must have gotten lost in the mail.”

In Romans 1, Paul states there’s no excuse for not knowing God. Creation makes it obvious (1:20).

In Romans 2, Paul adds there’s no excuse for your behavior, either. You can’t say you didn’t know. Either your conscience (2:15) or the law (2:17) convicts you.

On the one hand, I’m dismayed that all my excuses have been disqualified.

On the other hand, with no excuses to fall back on, I have can only depend on grace. Which is where my hope should be anyway.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

This is the way

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Romans 8.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (Romans 8:22).

The apostle Paul transforms our view of suffering in the eighth chapter of Romans. What if suffering and sorrow were not simply reminders of mortality, but labor and delivery for new life to come?

Since we believe God has the upper-hand on everything, even suffering must be a part of his plans and purposes.

What?

Well, if the cross is any indication, suffering and even death are a part of God’s overarching plan. Suffering produces endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Want to experience comfort? It only comes after suffering (2 Cor. 1:7). Want to experience resurrection? You have to die (ugh) (Phil. 3:10-11).

Sore muscles means I am doing some beneficial workouts. My body reveals its power to heal after I’ve cut myself (this happens a lot). Bumps and bruises teach me not to do that again.

You learn from your mistakes? Failure is a better teacher than success? Grasping victory from the jaws of defeat? Exactly.

The next time you’re struggling, look at it as labor pains rather than death pangs.

Posted in Christmas, Jesus, Through the Bible Devotions

It’s that time of year…

Posted on by William Douthwaite

This blue and white display caught my eye as I zipped through my mostly red and green Publix yesterday. Even though Chanukah (Hanukkah?) is almost over, there’s still plenty of holiday merch on these shelves. Must haves include menorahs, games, dreidels, straws, stickers, and potholders.

But my favorite item is the box of eight milk chocolate Macabbees. Not as many as the twenty-four piece chocolate Advent calendar, but more than a typical box of chocolate Santas.

The Maccabees were Jewish freedom fighters before the birth of Jesus Christ. Their revolt against the Seleucid empire secured freedom for the nation. They rededicated the temple in Jerusalem and reestablished Jewish worship in 164 BC. Hanukkah is the eight-day celebration of that event.

Spoiler alert: Most of “Christmas” revolves around fictional characters (Santa, Frosty, the Grinch, Rudolph, Jack Skellington, Buddy the elf, Mickey and Minnie Mouse). Hanukkah is the real deal, honoring those through whom God would send a Savior, who is the real deal of Christmas. (Oh, and yes, you can buy a chocolate nativity.)

When I went to college, many of my friends were Jewish. Cliff taught me this little jingle:

“I had a little dreidel, I made it out of clay; And with my little dreidel, I lost ten bucks today.”

The only Hanukkah light display in my neighborhood.