Tag: bible

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What if the answer to your prayer is…you?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3.

In the song “Do Something” Matthew West sings

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you.”

After Moses removes his shoes in the presence of God who is speaking from the burning bush, the Lord says, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people…and I have come down to deliver them…Come, I will send you” (Exodus 3:7-10). It’s all good news until that last part. In response to the cries of his people, God is sending Moses.

When Moses asks, “Who, me?” God replies, “Don’t worry, I’ll be there, too” (Exodus 3:11,12).

It’s an easy trap to fall into. I’ll send my prayer requests to God and then sit back as he takes care of me, my situation, and my friends’ needs. I’ll ask, seek, and knock because I know he can do it, I know he cares, and I trust him. I’ll call on him in the day of trouble, he’ll deliver me, and I’ll glorify him.

Well, it turns out that I’m not in the bleachers but on the field. I’m the hands and feet of Jesus. He alleviates hunger, loneliness, conflict, despair and grief through the church. That means me and people just like me.

So when you feel that nudge to call, visit, give, apologize, invite, or write to someone, don’t think, “Who, me?” Just do it. Let God do his thing through you and with you.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Thanks for taking off your shoes

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3.

One of my granddaughters recently challenged me, “Where are your socks?”

You see, she leaves her socks on when she takes off her shoes. She even sleeps in socks. I usually walk barefoot around the house.

There are some things best done in bare feet:

  • Walking on the beach
  • Yoga
  • Measuring your height
  • Swimming
  • Talking to God

When God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush he said, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). I don’t think they had socks back then, so I assume this left Moses in his bare feet.

Like me, you’re probably wondering why this is a thing. In Egypt, where Moses grew up, priests took off their sandals when they went into their temples. In eastern countries, worshipers take off their shoes before entering synagogues or mosques. It’s a symbolic way of acknowledging uncleanness or unworthiness in the presence of a deity.

Don’t you hit your shoe against the side of the car before you get in so you don’t get too much dirt or sand on the floor? Or imagine a parent saying, “Take off your shoes. I just mopped. Don’t track more dirt in here.”

Liturgical Christian worship usually begins with confession and absolution. Guess what? That’s just like taking off your sandals or knocking off some dirt before you step into a place of worship.

Lol. I want to go to a church someday where there’s a whole bunch of shoes lined up outside the doors.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Just another amazing day

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 45.

You have to blame somebody, right? Your parents, noisy neighbors, politicians, the kids, lawyers, greedy CEOs, a spouse (current or ex), the liberals, the conservatives. Whoever.

Joseph says, “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8).

After what his brothers did to him? They sold him to a passing caravan. He ended up as a slave, a prisoner, and finally got a decent job in Egypt working for Pharaoh.

But it wasn’t home. And it wasn’t his family. And it was out of his control.

But in hindsight, it was God. God was to blame. Or God gets the credit for working out a long range plan to save not just Joseph, but his whole family. In hindsight, it was only something God could do.

“Today” may seem to have little rhyme or reason. Purpose is often shrouded in everyday routines, chores, and appointments. What a blessing to stop and realize that God’s been working on “today” for a long time. It’s significant. It’s memorable. And it’s praiseworthy.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Joseph does well, considering

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 39.

It’s good to know that growing up in a dysfunctional family doesn’t limit your chances of success.

So far Reuben has slept with one of his father’s concubines. Simeon and Levi are violent and abusive. Judah sleeps with his daughter-in-law, who has dressed up like a prostitute. One by one Jacob’s sons are discredited.

However, Joseph is doing well. In fact, the Lord made all that he did prosper as a slave and a prisoner (Genesis 39:3,23). He didn’t get the job he wanted. He’s not living near family. But he got to travel and meet a lot of interesting people.

It’s good to know that neither your family nor your circumstances determine your future. Those are colors in the palette God uses to shape your life, use you, and introduce you to others along the way.

I’d say all families are dysfunctional in some ways. In some situations, it’s obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle. Just because you’re related doesn’t mean y’all get along. It just means you’re a family!

Posted in Devotions, neighbor, neighborhood, Through the Bible Devotions

The new neighbor

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 34 and 35.

We try to be good neighbors. You know, friendly, keep an eye on each other’s houses, keep the yard looking nice, and pick up trash. Smile.

Most of our neighbors are like that. But not all. Some yards are kind of trashy. Some throw garbage into vacant lots. Some don’t seem to know how to smile. a few are kind of scary looking.

Jacob’s neighbors weren’t fond of him when he brought his family back to Canaan. After Simeon and Levi avenged the abuse of their sister Dinah, Jacob feared attacks from the locals (34:30). But the locals were afraid of them and avoided them (Genesis 35:5).

I guess that’s ok. But I’d rather the neighbors bring me a plate of cookies. I’d want to introduce myself (and my dogs) and get to know them (and their dogs). Let’s exchange smiles rather than scowls.

If kid’s won’t even knock on your door at Halloween, you might want to give a wave or crack a smile once in a while.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Wrestling with God

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 32.

I vividly remember wrestling with all of my three children. They were toddlers, and I would lie on the floor, hug them to my chest, and roll back and forth saying, “Wrestlin’, wrestlin’, wrestlin’!” Of course, I didn’t use even a fraction of my strength. I wasn’t in it to win, but to enjoy some silly dad time with them. The giggles were the best part.

“Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” 

In the heat of the moment, Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

When it was all over, “Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, ‘I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.'” (Genesis 32:24-30)

I think it’s fascinating that Jacob tries to wrestle a blessing out of God. Jacob’s life is filled with God’s blessing. He ran away from home with nothing, and returns with all kinds of family and flocks, plus the same covenant promises of God given to his grandfather Abraham.

The Almighty doesn’t use a fraction of his strength, and lets Jacob hold on all night. In the morning, Jacob realizes he’s been wrestling with God, and he lived to tell about it. That in itself is a pretty great blessing!

How often do I try to wrestle a blessing out of God rather than recognizing all the things he’s already given?

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

The deceiver is deceived

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by nikki gibson on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 28-29.

If you’re like me, you’re tickled to read how Jacob the deceiver is deceived!

“Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him; and Jacob had relations with her…So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah!” (Genesis 29:23,25)

Jacob works seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage. But on their wedding night, Laban pulls a fast one and has his older daughter Leah consummate the marriage. Jacob doesn’t realize it until the morning? That must have been one heck of a feast! It sounds more like a fraternity party where one of the brothers is so drunk he doesn’t even know the name of the girl he spent the night with.

We live in a world where we must be ever vigilant against scams. My spam folder is filled with emails from unknown sources who want me to click something or call a number so I can give up some personal information. Is that guy at your door peddling alarm systems legit? Is that really a piece of grilled grouper on your plate? How about that “American made” product assembled from parts imported from other countries?

Just be careful. Ask around. Do your homework. Read the fine print. Run it by a friend. Get some references.

At least make sure your best man is looking out for you!

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

“What are you doing here?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sam Solomon on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27 and 28.

“The Lord is certainly in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

I think it’s interesting that Jacob thought that he was leaving God behind when he ran away from home. After disguising himself as his Esau get his father’s blessing, his older brother is ready to kill him. Mom says, “Why don’t you go away until he cools off. You can go visit your uncle Laban.” (Genesis 27:43,44)

When Jacob wakes up from a vivid dream about angels, a ladder, and God himself, he’s amazed. “How about that? I never expected to find God out here in the middle of nowhere.”

When someone mentions a “house of God” I immediately think of a church building. But sometimes I talk to him while I’m out walking the dog. Yes, the dog will sometimes glance up at me like I’m crazy. I have to assure her, “Just keep walking; I’m not talking to you.”

I’ll chat with God in the car, imagining him riding shotgun. With the way other people are driving, I’ll often ask for a couple of extra angels to get me safely to my destination.

I’ve heard folks comment that they feel close to God when they are out walking through the woods or sitting out on the beach watching the ocean, or looking up into the night sky.

Jacob, however, wonders, “What are you doing here?” Rather than feeling blessed, Jacob’s deception has made a mess of his life. In moments like that, you might think that God really doesn’t want anything to do with you. But that’s never the case. Rather, he’s the one we can be certain will never abandon us.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Dressing up for a blessing

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27.

On any given day, one of my granddaughters will be dressed as Cinderella or another Disney princess. Another will have her legs wrapped in a mermaid tail. With an apron around his or her waist, another will be my waiter at a pretend food diner or ice cream shop.

Who doesn’t like to dress up?

I chuckle when the bible tells us of the time Jacob pretended to be his brother Esau. Esau was a hairy guy who smelled like a field. So Jacob puts on his older brother’s clothes and ties goat skins to his hands and neck so that his father, Isaac, whose eyes are failing, will think he is Esau. Amazingly, it works! Isaac blesses Jacob with the words Esau should have received. (Genesis 27:15-29)

How many of us pretend to be someone else to get approval or recognition? Social media makes this very easy to do. If you post pictures of the happy, fun, and adventurous moments of your life, everyone will like and envy your adventurous, fun, and happy life.

How’s that working out for you? Are you feeling blessed? Are you happier? Is your life an amazing adventure? Maybe for a moment or two. Then it’s back to reality. Back to real life.

Why don’t we want to be ourselves? That’s easy. Someone else is happier, having more fun, and is better liked. I want to be like them.

We’ve just learned that artificial sweeteners are actually much worse for us than sugar. The real thing, sugar, in moderation, is OK after all.

What if the real you is better than anything you could pretend to be? After all, no one can be you better than you.