Synergy

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. -Romans 8:28a HCSB

I have never been a fan of the cliché: "All things happen for a reason". I have always found it to be a simplistic understanding of how God acts and intervenes in the world. That said, I do think that "some things" happen for a reason. It is a truth evidenced in many parts of the bible as God's children cooperate in faith with the Holy Spirit.

Synergei is the Greek word that is translated "work together". It communicates an idea of synergy. The word reminds us that God is not a sovereign micromanager manipulating our lives but One who calls us into a synergistic relationship where we rule with him at his side. And in the end, all things are synergized for the good of those who love God.

Help us Lord to resist all forms of religious fatalism. Help us to work together with you in doing good.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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2016 Blogroll Update


If you have a blog and regularly read this blog I would love to add you to my blogroll.

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Plans

"A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps," (Proverbs 16:9, NKJV)

I love this verse. Long ago it freed me up to live from my heart instead of my head. It helped me to understand that God would direct my way if my steps were ordered from a motive to serve him and see his kingdom come. I feel such a peace when I live out of this verse. That said, it is obvious to me that this is not a valued practice among many.

It seems that the practice that is embraced the most is using our brains to plan our ways. In a very real sense, the ways that believers plan is often really not all that much different from nonbelievers. We scheme, manipulate and bargain our way thinking that we are doing God's will when we are just emulating worldly planning. Better to plan with our heart.

We surrender Lord. We relinquish control of our lives. Help us to plan with our hearts and trust you to lead us.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Comfort

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4 NASB

In the darkest of times. In moments of utter despair. I have felt God's comfort. His Spirit works both in and through us. Sometimes He comes with a quiet whisper from within. At other times by an encouraging word from a friend. In my darkest of valleys God always seems to be present. It is hard to read this verse and not remember this time in my life:
At thirty-nine years old my first wife, Ellen, had heart and kidney failure. At the brink of her death I found myself begging God to not let her die. I could not accept her situation or the possibility of her death. Three and a half years later after praying almost daily for her healing I found myself again faced with the possibility of her dying. Driving to work one day, racked with the agony of thoughts of a world without Ellen, I began to pray. I saw a picture in my mind. In this vision I saw myself standing on a mountain looking down at a valley. Somehow I knew it was the valley of the shadow of Ellen's death. As I looked into the vision I saw Jesus come to my side, take my hand, and walk with me into the valley. It was a comforting picture. God was trying to tell me that he would be with me when Ellen died and that I would be okay.
When I am at my lowest God is there. Beside me. Teaching me. To not be afraid. To experience his presence. To trust his rod and his staff to protect me when my world is falling apart. To lean into his comfort. However it may come.

Teach us to not be afraid Lord. Help us to experience the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Justice

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. -Proverbs 31:8 NLT

Over the centuries the idea of justice has taken on different forms. A presidential candidate recently reminded us that some envision it as an eye for an eye thinking that justice is all about payback. You hit me and I hit you back. Others see justice in more of a Western Civilization way. In a courtroom empaneled with a judge and jury. Yet others see it differently.

In this proverb we read of justice being carried out not by judges and juries but by defenders. People who speak up for the marginalized. For those who have been oppressed and crushed under the heels of people and world systems. This justice does not comes cheap as those who would speak up for those who cannot risk being crushed themselves.

Empanel us as holy defenders Lord. Give us words to speak that would bring justice.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Work

Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. -Colossians 3:23 MSG

It has always fascinated me how a person working a secular job could be spiritually minded while another working in a sacred vocation could be carnally minded. A good reminder that being spiritual has little to do with what we do but everything to do with how we do it. Work in the kingdom of God is all about doing it with faith, hope and love.

I retired from Ma Bell when I was 49. After a few years consulting for a few companies, I accepted a pastoral position at my church. I worked there until my wife became disabled. My time there was both a beautiful time of ministry and a troubling peek into church politics. In retrospect it helped me understand how hard it is to work from the heart.

Remind us Lord that our reward for our labors is a heavenly one. Help us to serve you with humility of heart.

... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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Heart

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. -Proverbs 4:23 MSG

It is so easy to encounter things that bruise our hearts. People do awful things. Sickness and disease sometimes ravage our bodies and those of the ones that we love. So often our prayers go unanswered and we are left feeling all alone in life. It is in these times that our hearts are so vulnerable and need to be protected from the things that cause it to harden to others and to God. If left untended our hearts become numb and lose the capacity to love.

In Matthew 18 Jesus speaks to us of forgiving from "our heart". Ever wonder why he said it that way? I like to think of forgiveness as God's heart softener. When wounds, criticisms and sins make it past our skin and pierce our heart forgiveness can make our heart soft again. Forgiveness guards our heart and keeps it from becoming hard. This is why it is so important to forgive. It is a way that we can keep a vigilant watch our heart and keep it soft.

As you have taught us to pray Lord: forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.


... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.
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