Amy Boucher Pye

Tag: devotional

  • Weekly devotional: Light and dark

    “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:15–17, TNIV)

    Our world is filled with light and dark, and the latter seems to be winning lately. The flood of the #metoo statements in our social media feeds brings us sadness and pain. Governments seem corrupt; racism and classism seem to increase; we lose heart. We need the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, that those living in darkness would see a great light. We need Jesus to come.

    Darkness and light have levels of meaning in Scripture. Darkness implies a place where evil reigns. It nurtures anger, violence, adultery, and other sins of the flesh, as well as bitterness, pride, envy, greed and other sins of the spirit. The shadow of death closes in on the living, extinguishing all in its path.

    But God coming to earth through his son Jesus is the light that dispels all darkness and fear. As King David echoes in the Psalms, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?” (27:1) With the coming of Jesus, no longer are we oppressed by the grey or black.

    In our fallen world, however, we still have the darkness. I remember when our community in North London was rocked by the news of a sexual assault in our local park. “Never in my sixteen years here have I heard of such a thing,” said one mother at the school gate. Where people don’t know Jesus, darkness will lurk – even in our carefully cultivated public spaces.

    We can respond with bitterness or anger, or we can work to spread Christ’s light, receding the darkness, bit by bit. As Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “You are all children of the light and children of the day… Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thessalonians 5:5, 8).

    May we not lose hope.

    Prayer: Lord Jesus, light of the world, shine in and through me, that you may dispel the darkness.

     

  • Weekly Devotional: Best Feast Ever (14 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Revelation 19:1–9 (NIV)

    Think of all of the planning that can go into a wedding. Months or even years before the big event, special clothes are purchased, the venues secured, the ceremony planned, the feasting arranged. In fact, so fully can people get caught up with the wedding plans that they forget to focus on what follows – a covenant life together.

    In our final devotional on Sabbath and rest, we turn to the revelation received by the aging disciple John on the island of Patmos. The vision John sees nears its climax as the angel of the Lord pulls back the curtain and reveals the great preparations in heaven for the wedding of the Lamb. God’s plans and years of redeeming actions come together in the union between bridegroom and bride, that is, between the true and living God and we his people, his church.

    Blessed are we who are invited to this feast. As we seek to be like the wise virgins, keeping oil in our lamp while we wait for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1–13), we prepare ourselves in the finest linen, as created out of our acts of mercy and love.

    As you reflect on the meaning of Sabbath, rest and celebration, take some time in prayer, asking God through his Holy Spirit to bring alive this passage from Revelation. Hear the cries of “Hallelujah!” ringing forth from the great multitude in heaven – those saints from ages gone by and the loved ones who have just died. Hear too the roar of the rushing waters and peals of thunder as the cries resound, “Our God reigns!” See the fine linen, bright and clean, as you feel the everlasting love of the One who is the beginning and the end and everything in between. Come, Lord Jesus.

    For reflection: “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let … the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

  • Weekly Devotional: Love Births Unity (13 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    May God “give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify … God.” Romans 14—15:13 (NIV)

    The Apostle Paul’s letters should be read as conversations between two parties. Often we may read them statically, not thinking about what those who received the missives would be saying or doing. As Conrad Gempf shows us in How to Like Paul Again (Authentic, 2013), Paul encourages the freewheeling Corinthians to embrace a stronger sense of rules but wants the rule-bound Galatians to enjoy more freedom.

    Here in his letter to the church at Rome, he instructs the newly formed group of Jewish and Gentile believers. Their different backgrounds and the new covenant brought about by Jesus’ death and resurrection – with its impact on how the believers interpret the Old Testament laws – result in conflict and disagreement. Paul asks for grace and love on both sides; for the unity that flows from Christ living in them to pervade their actions and relationships. He reiterates how all are one in Christ, for Christ serves the Jewish people and brings hope for the Gentiles.

    And so however we interpret the shades of Sabbath, we can do so loving and supporting one another. We might yearn for new believers in the faith to see joining us at church not as a leisure option that can be easily cast off for family get-togethers or days out, but as a key faith-building exercise. We can hold our tongues, not spewing forth judgmental words on our friends but praying for them. And we can receive the Lord’s grace and affirmation when we’ve too strongly interpreted the laws, when our actions become restrictive to the point of closing off the Holy Spirit. As often we might move from one extreme to the other, we seek God’s guidance and wisdom as our corrective and joy.

    For reflection: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

  • Weekly Devotional: Sabbath Feast (12 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:1–23 (NIV)

    When I was speaking at a women’s day a couple of years ago, I led the group in an imaginative prayer exercise about how God is the architect of our homes. In our mind’s eye we moved from room to room in the homes we pictured, each one beautifully different and unique – just like those assembled. For one of the women, the room that stood out most strongly to her was the dining room. In it she saw a massive table, heaving with good food for a feast. She said through tears how this image spoke to her deeply, for she holds a great sense of love for those who do not know the Lord.

    I love this week’s reading, because although Jesus has again to put the Pharisees right about healing on the Sabbath, correcting their desire for rules over compassion, he also moves into two discussions of banquets. In the first he tells the guests how to behave – not to choose the best seats to later avoid suffering embarrassment when someone more important arrives. In the second, he shares the parable about how even though people are invited to the greatest feast of all, they find reasons not to attend – things more important than sharing his table.

    For me, the banqueting table on earth can be a foretaste of heaven. There we will enjoy the richest of food without suffering indigestion or unwanted weight gain; there we will enjoy fulfilling conversations with people who know us deeply and completely; there we will bask in the never-changing love of the God who made us and loves us. May our exercise of the Sabbath, and those we welcome to our table, be a means of ushering in the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

    For reflection: “Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love” (Song of Solomon 2:4).

  • Weekly Devotional: Lord of the Sabbath (11 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:23—3:6 (NIV)

    The Sabbath stories we read this week reveal how Jesus bursts through the rules and regulations of the teachers of the law. Over generations they had added layer upon layer of commands to those revealed by the Lord, so much so that their laws kept them from recognizing the needs of people. While they view Sabbath as a negative space – the time not to do things – Jesus sees it as a time for life and living.

    Jesus smashes their restrictive, self-imposed rules. Citing the Old Testament, he says how King David ate the consecrated bread when there was a need – so the disciples picking the grains on the holy day are not doing wrong. And he renders his critics silent with his question about whether it is lawful to do evil or good on the Sabbath.

    In this discussion of law and freedom, I’m not advocating we chuck out the commandments given to God’s people in the Old Testament. Rather, that we ask the Lord to shine his light on how we hold fast to his rules – are we, out of fear, being too rigid and literal in our interpretation? Or out of sloth or indifference are we not keeping to God’s way of living?

    A personal example to consider: I try not to shop on Sunday, especially because my husband feels strongly about this topic. But one Sunday I was back in America with my family, and my sister and I wanted to find one more perfect gift to bless my mother on her birthday. After church we dashed into a nearby department store and found just the ring to give to her. I felt conflicted, but was grateful for the grace of the Lord who loves us and helps us to share his love.

    Prayer: Father God, you made the Sabbath for us, and you are Lord over it. May you help me to embody your life and love each day. Amen.

  • Weekly Devotional: Amazing Authority (10 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    Museo del Prado, Veronese, Jesus among the Doctors, public domain

    The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” Mark 1:21–31 (NIV)

    The gospels recount seven instances of Jesus performing miracles on the Sabbath – seven being a special number in the Bible to signify perfection and completeness. Over the next weeks we’ll explore several of these stories, which show how Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath.

    Our first story comes in Mark, after Jesus calls his disciples to follow him. Jesus teaches in the synagogue, and the people are amazed at the authority of his words. When a demon-possessed man interrupts Jesus’ teaching, Jesus commands the demons to leave by the same authority with which he teaches. The Pharisees hadn’t yet realized that their power would be called into question, and that they should therefore oppose Jesus, so at this first instance of healing on the Sabbath none of his later opponents appear.

    Then we see Jesus showing compassion on the mother-in-law of Simon and Andrew, healing her fever. The disciples sense that this man is special, taking him to her for release. She becomes so well that she can serve them.

    These first stories of Jesus breaking the Sabbath rules – as interpreted by the teachers of the law – appear without fanfare. Jesus sees the needs of two hurting people and does what is necessary to bring them release and healing. He reveals his authority by who he is.

    Our culture has moved away from a pharisaic temptation to be hidebound by a strict adherence to the Sabbath which could entail us overlooking the needs of others. Instead we might need to consider how we could strengthen our observance of the Sabbath, so that through our joyful celebrations we can be a witness to a hurting world. For although we don’t have the same power as Jesus, we can speak in his name and share his love.

    For reflection: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

  • Weekly Devotional: Choice Wine (9 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” John 2:1–12

    For a giggle (but sometimes a horrified gasp), check out these wedding failures to see a host of videos in which the unexpected happens, such as tripping on high heels or other cringe-inducing accidents. Jesus saved the day in such a situation back when wedding feasts could have lasted a week. I love that his first miracle as marked in John’s gospel was to redeem a wedding from failure.

    The story may be familiar – the host ran out of wine, which would have been a reprehensible oversight in ancient times when hospitality was prized. The feast had been occurring for some time; perhaps Jesus and his disciples were invited at the last minute – adding to the shortage of wine. He reveals himself as Lord over creation as he changes the water into wine. No cheap boxed wine either – this was the best vintage, in abundance. As the master of the banquet said with incredulity, “You’ve saved the best for now.”

    I wanted to include this passage in our engagement with Sabbath and rest because so often we don’t connect a good party with as a means of practicing rest. We might have inherited a view of the Sabbath as a time of no smiles or loud laughter, thinking that our party behavior won’t fall in line with what is holy. But where do we get these ideas from? After all, Jesus knew how to feast and make merry. He wanted people to enjoy themselves, celebrating the beauty of two lives coming together as one.

    In prayer, ask the Lord if there’s a party or other social gathering that you could plan or host. How could this occasion, set aside to celebrate and give thanks, lead to the worship of God? How could, as it’s blessing others, bring you blessing?

    Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to celebrate fully, losing my worries as I look to you as the Master of the Dance. May I bring you glory and praise. Amen.

  • Weekly Devotional: Generation after Generation (8 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    The prophet Ezekiel, Pantokrator monastery, Mt Athos, 1535/1536

    “I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.” Ezekiel 20:1–44 (NIV)

    We might read the Old Testament despairing that God’s people turn from him again and again. They follow the desires of their own hearts instead of aligning themselves with his plans; they lust after other gods, seeking fleeting pleasures; they lack the faith and belief that the Lord will follow through on his word.

    This passage in Ezekiel outlines three generations of God’s people rebelling against him – those who lived in Egypt in the time of the exodus from Pharaoh, those who wandered in the desert with Moses, and their children. Each generation followed their own ways, turning from the Lord, and in each case, the Lord saves them – for the glory of his name amongst their neighbors. Ezekiel cites these generations as he speaks to the current generation of God’s people, asking them if they too will follow the detestable practices of their ancestors, or if they will turn to the Lord in purity and holiness.

    The Lord through Ezekiel highlights again and again how the generations ignored the Sabbath. Instead of keeping the day holy and being an example to those around them, they acquiesced to the culture. No longer were they set apart, following the wisdom of God’s cycle of time and rest, as they blended in with those who followed pagan practices.

    We too often fail the Lord, getting wrapped up in our lives and ignoring his gentle prompts and prods. But unlike the Israelites as a whole, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, helping us to repent and softening our hard hearts. If we ask the Lord to turn our minds, hearts and actions to him as we bring him glory, I believe that’s a prayer he delights to answer.

    Prayer: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I feel I fail you often. And yet you run toward me with open arms. Help me to love and serve you this day. Amen.

     

  • Weekly Devotional: Sabbath Delight (7 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    “If you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable … then you will find your joy in the Lord.” Isaiah 58 (NIV)

    So let’s get this right when we think about fasts and feasts – the Lord doesn’t want the too-holy-by-half fast, but rather the full-on-celebratory-party feast. Is this the picture many in the culture have of God and his followers? Is this how we in the church see it?

    Too often as Christians we don’t do celebrating well. I love how the writer Dallas Willard lauds this often overlooked discipline in his book The Spirit of the Disciplines, saying that although we will face many troubles in our lives, “Holy delight and joy is the great antidote to despair and is a wellspring of genuine gratitude” (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988, p. 179). As we learn to celebrate – mindfully putting aside any disappointments and troubles – the Lord turns our mourning into dancing. We begin to be able to thank God for his many blessings.

    Why not read through Isaiah 58 again, this time with the lens of the Lord as the giver of abundance and not as a miserly holder of scarcity. How do you then view the too-pious fast of his people, and how do you think God felt in response? How does this reading influence your views about keeping the Sabbath? Can you now see it as a means of finding “your joy in the Lord,” or riding “on the heights,” or feasting on your inheritance?

    Those who fast and feast with pure hearts find their satisfaction in the Lord, and as we see, he makes them into a well-watered garden. As you picture such a garden, ask God through his Holy Spirit to show you your heart as a garden, and where you and Jesus may need to pull a few weeds together, or where you can delight in some shade as you take in the sight and sound of the gurgling water feature.

    Prayer: Father God, we don’t always stop to give thanks or spend time in wonder. Help us this summer to slow down and enjoy your goodness and gifts. Amen.

  • Weekly Devotional: True Strength (6 in Sabbath and Rest series)

    Female mallard duck resting. Photo: Alain Carpentier.

    “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:1–18 (NIV)

    In the passage from Isaiah that we’re looking at this week, the Israelites, rather than seeking the protection and help of God, the Creator, look to the created as they seek help from the Egyptians. But the prophet Isaiah speaks God’s word to them, naming this travesty. Whereas the shade of the Lord would provide relief from the burning Middle-Eastern sun, the Egyptians’ shade will be fleeting.

    I love the imagery in verses 13–14, how Isaiah tells them that the consequences of their sin will be as a shattering collapse, like a leaning wall whose center of gravity shifts in a moment and comes crashing down, leaving dust. This will be all that remains if they do not turn back to the Lord. For as they repent and rest, they will find salvation. Turning to him in quietness and trust, they will gain strength.

    Several decades ago, I chose this verse as my special verse of the year. I was prone to overworking and overdoing, relying on my own strength, not on God, and not making time to rest in him. I needed the regular reminder of the Isaiah’s words that as I turned from my self-sufficient ways and trusted in the Lord, I would find the way forward. That as I quelled my need for activity, with the underlying drive that I could make a difference if I achieved, I would find strength that was not rooted in self, but in God.

    These many years later, I can see how God has changed me, although the propensity to take on too much is one I’m currently struggling with as I finish off my MA studies. I certainly don’t always exist in a perfect state of rest, but God’s peace defines me more than the restless activity of the past, when I couldn’t listen to a sermon without jostling my foot back and forth throughout.

    Repentance, rest, quietness and trust. Let’s embrace them today.

    Reflection: Why not write out this verse and carry it around this week, meditating on it when you are feeling stressed or when you wait for the kettle to boil?