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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Sunday, March 21, 2004 Magic |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, March 21, 2004, by Don Kress
Text for the Day: Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1-27
Last week I was meeting with a principal, and I asked what she had done to improve the achievement of her students. “I’ve been using magic,” she answered. “Magic?” “Yes,” she said, “we’re getting our students to understand that all they need to do in order to do better is use some MAGIC: Make A Greater Individual Commitment!”
Nehemiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I encourage you to extend beyond today’s text and read the entire book. Spanning 444 to 425 B.C., it’s a story about commitment and restoration. It tells the story of Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king of Persia, who leaves his live of comfort to lead the last return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Granted permission by the king to return to his homeland, Nehemiah challenges his countrymen to arise and rebuild the shattered wall of Jerusalem. Despite opposition from without and within, the monumental task is completed in only fifty-two days. The task of reviving and reforming the people within the rebuilt walls, however, would demand years of Nehemiah’s leadership. Nehemiah never faltered in his faith or his commitment. Today’s text is about the making of a covenant, or commitment, by the people of Judah to keep the Lord’s commandments. The scene must have been one of the most moving in Israel’s history as the leading people stood in line to sign and seal their commitment to the Lord!
Have you ever tried to break a habit or an addiction, lose weight, start exercising, or even develop better study habits? You can do it for a short time just based on your wish to do so, but you can’t maintain your new efforts and reach your new goals if you don’t have a real commitment to make it happen. Throughout Lent, we “Frontline” writers have been focusing on spiritual disciplines. Applying spiritual discipline requires self-discipline, and self-discipline requires commitment.
The story is told of a chicken and a pig who are walking past a castle early one morning when the chicken suggests that they go into the castle and offer the king a fine breakfast of ham and eggs. “That’s easy for you to suggest,” said the pig. “You only have to be involved; I have to make a commitment!” Where are you in your spiritual journey during this Lenten season? Are you just involved, or are you committed? If you are having trouble staying spiritually fresh, maybe all you need to do is try some MAGIC!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your commitment to carrying out Your Father’s plan, despite the suffering and pain You had to endure in doing so. Through Your commitment I have forgiveness and restoration. Help me to make a greater individual commitment to following and serving You. Amen.
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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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