Dallas Willard Daily Devotional- December 20, 2020

Manifesting Shalom A very small percentage of those in the church stand behind a pulpit or sport certain kinds of identifiable clothing. The actual leadership roster of the church includes disciples ministering in every arena of life, in business, law, medicine, education, the arts, sciences, government, and religion. The objective of Jesus's church-growth strategy was not to build a single, behemoth social institution with a limited set of ordained authorities. Instead, his Spirit was to be poured out on all flesh to effect a widening, deepening base of influence within every nation, worldview, and social institution. Today, we as disciples of Christ have the same opportunity and responsibility to abide in, and then manifest, shalom as a blessing for others as well as for ourselves. This is a significant aspect of what being a "light" to the world entails (Matt. 5:14). In everything we do and say, in word and deed, in worship and work, in politics and play, truly in all things—not just religious things—we are blessed to be a blessing to others around us, leading them toward shalom. And until this occurs, our world surely groans as it waits for just such a reality to be revealed (Rom. 8:18-23). It is these leaders, representing and maintaining the wonderfully rich and robust examples of integrity of character in fulfilling honorable duties, who exemplify and testify to the truth and goodness of God in a way that promotes, establishes, and maintains shalom for the benefit of all. If there is to be a next stage to the so-called spiritual formation movement, this must be it. From The Divine Conspiracy Continued: Fulfilling God's Kingdom on Earth. Copyright © 2014 by Dallas Willard amd Gary Black Jr. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

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Dallas Willard Daily Devotional- December 21, 2020

It Takes Work and Preparation Those exquisite responses we see, the amazing timing and strength such an athlete displays, aren't produced and maintained by the short hours of the game itself. They are available to the athlete for those short and all-important hours because of a daily regimen no one sees. For example, the proper diet and rest and the exercises for specific muscles are not a part of the game itself, but without them the athlete certainly would not perform outstandingly. Some of these daily habits may even seem silly to us, but the successful athlete knows that his disciplines must be undertaken, and undertaken rightly, or all his natural talents and best efforts will go down in defeat to others who have disciplined themselves in preparation for game time. What we find here is true of any human endeavor capable of giving significance to our lives. We are touching upon a general principle of human life. It's true for the public speaker or the musician, the teacher or the surgeon. A successful performance at a moment of crisis rests largely and essentially upon the depths of a self wisely and rigorously prepared in the totality of its being – mind and body. From The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. Copyright © 1988 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

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The Essence of Christianity - Greg Laurie Daily Devotion - December 21, 2020

 

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Monday, December 21, 2020 The Essence of Christianity "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'" (Matthew 1:23 nlt). Joseph was heartbroken. He thought Mary had betrayed him. In those days, betrothals were different from modern-day engagements. A betrothal was almost like being married. And betrothed couples were treated as though they were husband and wife. So when Mary revealed to Joseph that she supernaturally had the Messiah in her womb, Joseph didn't know what to do. He didn't buy it. He loved her, but he didn't want to go ahead with the marriage. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. He wanted to do the right thing, but he basically had only two options: (1) publicly tell everyone, which meant that Mary could have been executed, or (2) put Mary away privately and terminate their relationship.   CONTINUE READING →

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