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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Thursday, January 15, 2004 Stretching |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, January 15, 2004, by Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
Bible text:
Acts 1: 1-26
I grew up playing sports - primarily soccer and baseball. One of the things that
was drilled into my head, by coach after coach, was to stretch before practice
or play. Stretch yourself out so that you are fully engaged when you get out on
the field. Stretching yourself limbers you up, loosens you up, and makes one
ready to play at 100 percent level. Without it, you are at risk for injury and
that certainly keeps one from playing their best.
In my adult years, I am encountered with stretching every time I go to the gym.
I walk up the stairs of my gym, turn to the right, and I encounter dozens of
people stretching before they go at their exercise routine. Without stretching, we can get hurt.
Stretch. It loosens you up and helps get you ready to play. Stretching
prepares you for the “field. Spiritual stretching prepares us for the “mission
fields of daily life.”
Jesus called those early disciples to stretch way beyond what they dreamed
possible. I imagine that in Jesus’ face to face encounters with the disciples
after being raised from the dead, he reinforced the message of his ministry. I
bet that he reminded them that if they kept stretching, kept faithful, kept
welcoming people into the fellowship, and always kept open to new opportunities
to share the good news then they would make a radical difference in this world. Jesus makes it point blank. He told them they would witness in Jerusalem
(their home turf), in all of Judea (a little further out), in Samaria (to a
place and people they refused to associate with), and to the ends of the earth. That mission charge was one that required their full efforts, their full
creativity, and their 100 percent effort. It required them to move way beyond
the status quo.
You and I need to recognize that we are missionaries in this world- plain and
simple. Our job is to make Christ known in this world and to help bring people
into relationship with him. I find the act of daily devotions to be like a good
morning stretch - that prepares me for full engagement in daily life. Devotions
begins with the word of God - reaching out to us with a message and a call. The
call I hear this day from God is to be a Missionary, to stretch beyond my
comfort zone, so that some others may come to know Christ.
Will you be a missionary? Will you challenge and stretch so that you embrace
that role of daily missionary in your community?
If you can. Help me out. Share with me what you think it means for you to be a
daily missionary in your setting.
Lord God, you bless us. You call us to stretch and grow so that we are fully
engaged on the mission field of daily life. Help us always to stretch beyond
our comfort zone, beyond what we think is possible, and to trust in your ability
to use us as instruments of hope and healing in this world. Amen
For the next 4 weeks, Frontline Devotions will be based on the book of Acts. Read along with us each day.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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