February 17-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Luke 10:36-37, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 139, Week 7, Day 1: Jesus’ portrayal of a Samaritan in a positive light would have come as a shock to Jesus’ audience. Even Jesus identified the man as “despised.” There was no question how Jews felt about the Samaritans. It would have been bad enough if Jesus had called this religious man to love a Samaritan, but Jesus actually goes further. He makes the Samaritan the hero of the story! The Samaritan felt compassion for the Jewish man. Someone he knew would have hated him had he been conscious and aware of the Samaritan’s presence. Regardless, the Samaritan acted on his compassion and went to the man, seemingly without concern for his own well-being, not knowing if those who had robbed and beaten the Jew were still present and would have him as their next victim.
Relate it to your life.
Compassion can lead us to do difficult things.
Do something.
“Father, may Your compassion be within me to be offered freely to those around me. Amen.”
February 18-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Luke 14:12-14, Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted pages 143-143, Week 7, Day 2: We learn that Jesus expects His followers to be concerned about and to care for those less fortunate than themselves, inside and outside the family of believers. As followers of Jesus, we will be held accountable for the ways we treat others, and as we care for the marginalized and oppressed, it is as if we are caring for Jesus Himself. When we consider these words, it changes the way we see those in need. We must go. We must get our hands dirty and walk alongside those who need our help.
Relate it to your life.
In God’s game, there’s no bench or fans in the stands.
Do something.
“Father, You have a place for me in Your wonderful world to shower Your love on others. Amen.”
February 19-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Isaiah 58:10-11, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 146, Week 7, Day 3: It is obvious that compassion is something that God expects of us. Compassion isn’t just an emotion we feel when looking at pictures of starving children. It’s a lifestyle that is demonstrated in practical action. When we engage with the people we are serving, really listen to their stories and get to know them, it doesn’t feel like service anymore. It feels like friends enjoying each other’s company doing life together. This is what Jesus has in mind when He calls us to help those in need. As we do, our heart grows.
Relate it to your life.
Compassionate service isn’t an elective to choose; it’s our core curriculum.
Do something.
“Father, give me the vision and passion to serve as a daily part of who I am and what I do. Amen.”
February 20-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 149, Week 7, Day 4: When we are open to serving God by loving His people in a hands-on way, the Holy Spirit makes us aware of needs around us. If we ask Jesus for eyes like His, we see needs and are put in a position to help. But, know that it may not be convenient. Even so, through the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts, ours can be a lifestyle of service. God’s plan isn’t for us to do a good thing every now and then. It’s for us to adopt the heart of Jesus and ache for those who are in need. It’s for us to use our gifts, talents, and time in big and small ways to help change the lives of others, drawing them closer to a relationship with their Heavenly Father.
Relate it to your life.
There will be a holy ache within my soul to serve a certain need, injustice, or group of people.
Do something.
“Father, I know I can’t do everything, but show me at least one area where I can make a difference. Amen.”
February 21-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
1 John 3:16, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 153, Week 7, Day 5: The very reason God sent His Son to earth was to reconcile us back into a loving relationship with Him, and restore peace-shalom in that relationship and all others. He offers us shalom within ourselves, with those around us, and with creation. We are called to nurture these relationships. We have a responsibility to help bring shalom to our communities and our culture. We can do this by reaching out, moving outside the comfort of our churches, and toward those people who are outside the circle. We move toward the marginalized, the poor, the hopeless, the unlikeable, remembering we experience the same poverty as they do. We bring help, hope, and love. God, through us, brings shalom to our world.
Relate it to your life.
I have been reconciled to God to be used to bring His reconciliation into the world.
Do something.
“Father, help me keep the larger vision of what I’m called to do so I stay inspired in my service. Amen.”
February 22-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 25:40, The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 156: Pastor Daniel Nunez, Ministerios Transformacion, Tijuana, Mexico says three hours south of Los Angeles there’s a small town called Javier Rojo Gomez, Mexico, where 95% of the children go to school without food. Most of the people in this impoverished town live in small shacks without running water or electricity. Most families are held together by working single mothers who earn an average of $80 a week. These families typically eat one meal a day. There is simply not enough money for more food than that. Sensing God’s direction, our church Lo Mejor del Trigo, began an effort to serve breakfast to children before they went to school. The Breakfast Program allows 250-300 children to be fed a warm and nutritious meal allowing them to be more focused in class. Success in school creates the desire to continue their education, which creates opportunities for young adults to impact their community for good. We have seen the improvement in our community with kids staying in school and graduating, which has been rare until now.
Relate it to your life.
As individuals and as the church, we have the opportunity to make a huge impact in our communities.
Do something
“Father, don’t let me miss out on being used in a significant way for Your kingdom. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
Luke 10:36-37, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 139, Week 7, Day 1: Jesus’ portrayal of a Samaritan in a positive light would have come as a shock to Jesus’ audience. Even Jesus identified the man as “despised.” There was no question how Jews felt about the Samaritans. It would have been bad enough if Jesus had called this religious man to love a Samaritan, but Jesus actually goes further. He makes the Samaritan the hero of the story! The Samaritan felt compassion for the Jewish man. Someone he knew would have hated him had he been conscious and aware of the Samaritan’s presence. Regardless, the Samaritan acted on his compassion and went to the man, seemingly without concern for his own well-being, not knowing if those who had robbed and beaten the Jew were still present and would have him as their next victim.
Relate it to your life.
Compassion can lead us to do difficult things.
Do something.
“Father, may Your compassion be within me to be offered freely to those around me. Amen.”
February 18-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Luke 14:12-14, Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted pages 143-143, Week 7, Day 2: We learn that Jesus expects His followers to be concerned about and to care for those less fortunate than themselves, inside and outside the family of believers. As followers of Jesus, we will be held accountable for the ways we treat others, and as we care for the marginalized and oppressed, it is as if we are caring for Jesus Himself. When we consider these words, it changes the way we see those in need. We must go. We must get our hands dirty and walk alongside those who need our help.
Relate it to your life.
In God’s game, there’s no bench or fans in the stands.
Do something.
“Father, You have a place for me in Your wonderful world to shower Your love on others. Amen.”
February 19-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Isaiah 58:10-11, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 146, Week 7, Day 3: It is obvious that compassion is something that God expects of us. Compassion isn’t just an emotion we feel when looking at pictures of starving children. It’s a lifestyle that is demonstrated in practical action. When we engage with the people we are serving, really listen to their stories and get to know them, it doesn’t feel like service anymore. It feels like friends enjoying each other’s company doing life together. This is what Jesus has in mind when He calls us to help those in need. As we do, our heart grows.
Relate it to your life.
Compassionate service isn’t an elective to choose; it’s our core curriculum.
Do something.
“Father, give me the vision and passion to serve as a daily part of who I am and what I do. Amen.”
February 20-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 149, Week 7, Day 4: When we are open to serving God by loving His people in a hands-on way, the Holy Spirit makes us aware of needs around us. If we ask Jesus for eyes like His, we see needs and are put in a position to help. But, know that it may not be convenient. Even so, through the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts, ours can be a lifestyle of service. God’s plan isn’t for us to do a good thing every now and then. It’s for us to adopt the heart of Jesus and ache for those who are in need. It’s for us to use our gifts, talents, and time in big and small ways to help change the lives of others, drawing them closer to a relationship with their Heavenly Father.
Relate it to your life.
There will be a holy ache within my soul to serve a certain need, injustice, or group of people.
Do something.
“Father, I know I can’t do everything, but show me at least one area where I can make a difference. Amen.”
February 21-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
1 John 3:16, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 153, Week 7, Day 5: The very reason God sent His Son to earth was to reconcile us back into a loving relationship with Him, and restore peace-shalom in that relationship and all others. He offers us shalom within ourselves, with those around us, and with creation. We are called to nurture these relationships. We have a responsibility to help bring shalom to our communities and our culture. We can do this by reaching out, moving outside the comfort of our churches, and toward those people who are outside the circle. We move toward the marginalized, the poor, the hopeless, the unlikeable, remembering we experience the same poverty as they do. We bring help, hope, and love. God, through us, brings shalom to our world.
Relate it to your life.
I have been reconciled to God to be used to bring His reconciliation into the world.
Do something.
“Father, help me keep the larger vision of what I’m called to do so I stay inspired in my service. Amen.”
February 22-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 25:40, The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 156: Pastor Daniel Nunez, Ministerios Transformacion, Tijuana, Mexico says three hours south of Los Angeles there’s a small town called Javier Rojo Gomez, Mexico, where 95% of the children go to school without food. Most of the people in this impoverished town live in small shacks without running water or electricity. Most families are held together by working single mothers who earn an average of $80 a week. These families typically eat one meal a day. There is simply not enough money for more food than that. Sensing God’s direction, our church Lo Mejor del Trigo, began an effort to serve breakfast to children before they went to school. The Breakfast Program allows 250-300 children to be fed a warm and nutritious meal allowing them to be more focused in class. Success in school creates the desire to continue their education, which creates opportunities for young adults to impact their community for good. We have seen the improvement in our community with kids staying in school and graduating, which has been rare until now.
Relate it to your life.
As individuals and as the church, we have the opportunity to make a huge impact in our communities.
Do something
“Father, don’t let me miss out on being used in a significant way for Your kingdom. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals