Monday, January 12 – “’Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, This is what the Lord says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’” (Jeremiah 18:11) Every medication ad, investment company and cigarette pack warns all of us of the potential risks of using said medications, investment companies or cigarettes. Jeremiah is simply an old school way of God warning Israel of the risks of continuing to do what they were doing.
Tuesday, January 13 – “Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?” (Job 10:9) This is the same question that all of us ask of God. Maybe not with these same words, but the same idea: I know that you’re bigger than me. So, are you going to destroy me? The perspective that this question reveals is the basis for all of our conflicts, wars, power-grabs, mutinies and distrust. For deep down, we all believe that life is simply what we do, while waiting for God to destroy us.
Wednesday, January 14 – “I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay.” (Job 33:6) Once you embrace the sameness of us all, you’ll never see people the same again. The perspective of sameness opens the door to being more gracious, forgiving and compassionate. For you’ll start to see people for who they are. Not simply for who our world has taught you about who they are. Dearly loved, sacred, jars of clay!
Thursday, January 15 – “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’”? (Isaiah 29:16) The answer is of course “Yes”. For the clay (which represents you and me) has been given the gift of free will. So, the question really is this: Is it a good idea for the clay to say to the potter “You did not make me?” or “You know nothing?” Your answer to this question is vital to understanding your perspective of yourself, of God and of life itself.
Friday, January 16 – “No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.” (Isaiah 64:7) This is a perspective that will influence how you see yourself, God and the world around you. Do you believe that God has hidden their face from you and given you over to your sins? Or is it possible that God is simply allowing you to experience the consequences of your own decisions? The former is unfair manipulation. The latter is graceful respect of human will.
Saturday, January 17 – “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) This is a perspective that will influence how you see yourself, God and the world around you. Do you believe that God is the potter and you are the clay? If not, what is your perspective? If so, then how will you live your life in response to God being the potter and you being the clay? No judgment. No condemnation. Just you being real with God; so God can be real to you.
Tuesday, January 13 – “Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?” (Job 10:9) This is the same question that all of us ask of God. Maybe not with these same words, but the same idea: I know that you’re bigger than me. So, are you going to destroy me? The perspective that this question reveals is the basis for all of our conflicts, wars, power-grabs, mutinies and distrust. For deep down, we all believe that life is simply what we do, while waiting for God to destroy us.
Wednesday, January 14 – “I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay.” (Job 33:6) Once you embrace the sameness of us all, you’ll never see people the same again. The perspective of sameness opens the door to being more gracious, forgiving and compassionate. For you’ll start to see people for who they are. Not simply for who our world has taught you about who they are. Dearly loved, sacred, jars of clay!
Thursday, January 15 – “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’”? (Isaiah 29:16) The answer is of course “Yes”. For the clay (which represents you and me) has been given the gift of free will. So, the question really is this: Is it a good idea for the clay to say to the potter “You did not make me?” or “You know nothing?” Your answer to this question is vital to understanding your perspective of yourself, of God and of life itself.
Friday, January 16 – “No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.” (Isaiah 64:7) This is a perspective that will influence how you see yourself, God and the world around you. Do you believe that God has hidden their face from you and given you over to your sins? Or is it possible that God is simply allowing you to experience the consequences of your own decisions? The former is unfair manipulation. The latter is graceful respect of human will.
Saturday, January 17 – “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) This is a perspective that will influence how you see yourself, God and the world around you. Do you believe that God is the potter and you are the clay? If not, what is your perspective? If so, then how will you live your life in response to God being the potter and you being the clay? No judgment. No condemnation. Just you being real with God; so God can be real to you.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
