Bible Readings and Devotion for July 31, 2020
Here are the references for the readings. Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:
Devotion for July 31, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
Life with Jesus is a long and winding road. It is not just one event. It is a journey with many stops and turns, all while traveling toward the core goal, life with Jesus, now and forever and every day in between.
In our reading today from Acts chapter 18, we have an account of the first connections with Apollos. Our reading notes that, “He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord…” Apollos knew that the life of a follower of Jesus was a journey. This journey is a way of life, a manner of being, and an ongoing relationship with Jesus. Our reading indicates that he knew much, but needed more instruction in the faith, but he was already on the right track.
The early Church spoke of the teachings and life with Jesus being, “the Way.” From the beginning our life with Jesus has always been such a thing. St. Paul refers to the life of a Christian being like a race. We read this in 2 Timothy 4:7, where he writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Finishing is important. With God’s help we remain faithful day after day, all through the end of our earthly life.
As I noted earlier, there are many stops and turns along the way. There are also power boosts (to use an image from video gaming) and times of rest. There can be deeply spiritual moments in life. There can be events, retreats, moments at worship, moments of devotion, moments during service to others, and more, which give us a boost. There are times when we simply rest in the mercy of God. There are times when we have changes in life which give us pause. These stops make us reflect on what is truly important. These stops can help us reset our direction toward Jesus, for sometimes we go astray of the way.
Life with Jesus is a long and winding road. It is not just one event. It is a journey with many stops and turns, all while traveling toward the core goal, life with Jesus, now and forever and every day in between.
Prayer
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
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