Devotional | Paula Wiseman

Subtle Samson

How long has it been since you've read the story of Samson? You remember, long hair – super strong. Haircut- instant wimp. That Samson. With my Sunday school boys, it's a fresh challenge each week to grab their attention and give them a new angle on stories they've heard since preschool. Samson got their attention. He got mine, too. You can read his story in Judges 13-16.

In the most familiar part of his story, Delilah whines until he tells her the source of his supernatural strength. He says, "No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man."

Did you catch that? My boys did. His answer was wrong. And that was his problem. Samson's hair didn't make him strong. God did.

It's very subtle, but Samson put more stock in the vow, and the sign of the vow, than the God the vow supposedly honored.

Here's where things get tricky. And personal.

Have I, do I, put more faith in the act of prayer than the God who hears?
Have I, do I, get more comfort from the words of Scripture than the God who speaks them?
Have I, do I, find more contentment in my position as a child of God than from the Father who put me there?

Maybe I'm picking nits (or splitting hairs, even) but I think it's all too easy to put our confidence in all the things ABOUT God and miss true sustaining intimacy with Him.

Filed Under: Devotional Tagged With: challenge, comfort, intimacy, Judges, prayer, Samson, strength

Beginning Running

By Paula

The last Saturday this month, my son and I are running 2 mile race and then right after, my husband is running a 10 mile race. My son's 11 and has never run a race, but I told him if he wanted to run, I'd run with him. So we are officially registered. He's mostly in it for the shirt. Oh, and lunch at Wendy's afterwards.

Analogies aren't perfect, but here are some things about our upcoming race that got me thinking…

It would be unfair and even a little cruel to expect Alan run the 10 mile race his first time out. Two miles is much better suited to his abilities (and mine). However, many times we expect new believers to behave the way veteran Christians do. Rather than saddle them with more than they're ready for, let's come alongside and run with them. Help them maintain their pace. Point out their progress and encourage them to keep going.

If I don't prepare adequately I can't help my son at all. It means getting up when the alarm goes off. Some days that means shifting my running time a little later in the day (when it's warmer) to ensure that I get it in. More running means more laundry. But he's counting on me. I can't let him down. I'm not sure we grasp how much newer believers depend on us. We have to shift our routines around for their sakes. If they see us giving up, laying down or sleeping in, they will too.

Having both races the same day, it will be tempting to look at the 10-milers and feel completely inadequate, especially since a number of them will run the 2-mile as a warm-up for their race. Sheesh. Thing is, the 2-milers get the same refreshments and the same shirt as the 10-milers. God lays a different race before each of us, and it's the one suited to our abilities and preparation. We shouldn't feel inferior to believers who have appear to have more faith, or more knowledge or some incredible ministry. At the end, we all get the same shirt- the righteousness of Christ.

How do you encourage folks who haven't been believers as long as you have?

Filed Under: Running Lessons Tagged With: Alan, believers, Christ, faith, ministry, progress, Running

Grace and the T-shirt

By Paula

The other day Jon brought me a t-shirt. The Red Cross had been to the refinery and he gave his latest pint on his way to five gallons. Along with the usual juice and cookies, they offered him a nice long-sleeved shirt, and he picked one in my size.

See that?

I got something free, because someone who loved me shed his blood to secure it.

Ephesians 2:7 says God saved us, so "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

It is beyond my comprehension to imagine what God has for us, all obtained by the blood of Christ.

And now I have a t-shirt as a gentle reminder.

Filed Under: Devotional Tagged With: Christ, Ephesians, grace, Jesus, Jesus Christ

Merry Christmas!

By Paula

May you and yours

know the joy

of the shepherds,

the worship of

the wise men

and the wonder of

Immanuel this Christmas!

I'll see you after the first of the year.

Filed Under: Devotional Tagged With: Christmas

GP: Joseph by Jon Wiseman

By Paula

I usually reserve Friday from guest posts, but we're headed out of town for an early Christmas with our family. So enjoy this guest post from Jon Wiseman. An amateur theologian, and deep thinker, he's taught the Bible in one setting or another for at least twenty years. I think you'll like his stuff.

Very little is said of Joseph in the Bible. He is possibly one of the least discussed men of Scripture. If we examine the few Scriptures concerning him, we find an exemplary man and father. Briefly and succinctly here is what Matthew 1:18-25 says.

Joseph, being a just man — Few people are given this description. Mary had “obviously” been unfaithful, and Joseph was going to see that the situation was dealt with as the law allowed.

Not willing — He could make a decision. He knew what he did NOT want to do although he hadn't fully decided on what TO do. This apparent indecisiveness was actually the manifesting of another character trait we'll discuss later.

To make her (Mary) a public example — Joseph was merciful. He could have done anything up to and including stoning, but he loved Mary too much for her to receive the justice she apparently deserved.

While — This single word that we may often over-read, simply and clearly relates that Joseph was not brash, but patient. He didn't want to make a hasty decision that he would regret later.

He thought on these things — Joseph was wise. This is closely related to his patience, but time is sometimes necessary for the mind to weigh out all of the options and (as many people forget) the consequences of his decisions.

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said — He was a spiritual man. Some do not believe in angels because they have not seen them. Joseph did not seem to be too disturbed by the angel, so he already assumed they existed.

"Joseph, Son of David — You are of the kingly line, Joseph. You could rightly be heir to the kingship of Israel.

"… the child is conceived by the Holy Ghost — “Really!? Pregnant by the Holy Ghost. That’s rich.” No, that was not his response. He received it by faith as fact. His previously mentioned spirituality is accented by the faith he exhibited here.

Did as the angel said — Obedience. Spirituality and faith are not complete if they are not put into action. Joseph, in addition to the other traits discussed was obedient.

Joseph was a confident man. This is not directly stated, but certainly inferred. By not punishing Mary for infidelity, Joseph appeared to admit that he was the father, and therefore unable to control himself. He bore the blame and shame for the "early" pregnancy. Joseph knew what he had done… and what he hadn't… and lived the rest of his life shadowed by the notions of the community.

I wish to follow Joseph’s example and encourage other men (and boys) to do the same.

This is Jon's debut post . Why not encourage him with some comment love. Thanks!

Filed Under: Devotional Tagged With: Joseph, Mary, Matthew, Nativity of Jesus