United Devotional: Day 41

The Set-Up

Earlier this spring, I competed in my first weightlifting competition. One of my friends was also supposed to compete. She wasn’t able to, unfortunately, but she still came to support me and the rest of my team.

To say this friend of mine is a beast is an understatement. She is absolutely jacked. Throughout my training, she had been a huge source of motivation for me. Knowing that she was there to watch me encouraged me, but also kind of terrified me. When we worked together, her nickname with the students was “Drill Sargent,” so hopefully that gives you an idea of her intimidation factor.

Sure enough, when I got out on stage, she was as close as she could get without actually being on the stage. I didn’t do well in my first attempt, and as I walked off to regroup, she was right there, telling me to get myself together and do better. To anyone watching, I’m sure it seemed super intense and aggressive, but I sincerely appreciated it. She knew I could do better and was pushing me to do so.

I like to think that this was Paul’s attitude toward the people of the church in Corinth. He knew they were struggling with a lot of different issues – they lived in a culture that was well known for its partying, drunkenness, and promiscuity. But he also knew they were “called by God to be His own holy people” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

If anyone understood the tension between living by society’s standards and living according to God’s standards, Paul did. He was beaten, arrested, and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. He knew how hard it was to live a life set apart for God instead of following the world. Even though there are times his words to the believers at Corinth seem harsh, it’s because he knows they can do better. He knows they have a higher calling than the one they are living. 

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Reflection Questions

1. What do you think it means to be “called by God to be His own holy people”?

2. It might seem that because of all their issues, the people in the Corinthian church weren’t true believers, but Paul says they were made “by means of Christ Jesus.” What do you think this tells us about Paul’s audience?

3. 1 Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote addressing the issues of the Corinthian church – he basically calls them out for their sins and shortcomings but also points them in the right direction. How can we apply this to our own lives?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for making you holy through Christ Jesus. Confess to Him that you have weaknesses and shortcomings, and you can’t overcome them without His help. Ask God to reveal any specific issues to you that you need to work through.

United Devotional: Day 40

The Set-Up

I’m writing this from a bunk bed, the place I’ve been sleeping the last week as I’ve been counseling the girls from our youth group at church camp. I love getting to spend time with our youth students, and it’s been a joy to see them build friendships that probably wouldn’t happen under different circumstances. These kids come from all kinds of different backgrounds – different states, different schools, different churches, and different home environments. But the one thing they do have in common is their desire to know God better.

When we arrived at camp, each church was placed in one of six different colored teams. Throughout the week, we’ve all been competing against each other to earn more points. From creating war cries and chants to playing rugby with a watermelon to having a mud fight, these kids have gone all out in order to win. But as soon as we walk into the chapel for evening service, their team allegiances are forgotten, and they’re all crowding around each other in front of the stage to worship the same Jesus.

We can learn so much from our kids. It’s totally fine to compete against one another, to challenge one another. It’s okay to have different opinions and interests and skill sets. But when we gather together as a group of believers, we need to set those differences aside and realize how connected we truly are. We are set apart by Jesus as one body to glorify Him together. Our unity is deeper than our opinions and our differences because it’s made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

Reflection Questions

1. What do you think Paul means when he says that we are one body?

2. How can we respect differences, but still be unified? Do you believe that is actually possible? Why or why not?

3. How can you be better unified with those in your church family – even those that seem very different from yourself?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for all the different relationships that are only possible because of our faith in Him. Ask Him to give you patience with those who are different from you or those you have a hard time connecting with. Ask God to reveal someone to you who you have a hard time connecting with, and then ask the Holy Spirit to help you find a common point of interest as a way to help you start building a relationship with that person.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass.

United Devotional: Day 39

The Set-Up

I once read that if you’re reading a book and come across a scene of people eating together, pay close attention – you’re about to learn something very important. Eating is one of the most mundane things people do, so if an author is choosing to use a meal as a setting, something big is coming — maybe a plot twist or a piece of vital information.

This is true with the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples. The disciples didn’t understand that this would be the last meal they shared with Jesus, but Jesus knew. While they ate, Jesus used bread to signify His broken body and wine to symbolize His blood that would be poured out. As typical with the disciples, they missed what Jesus was trying to tell them, and instead started arguing about which one of them was greater (Luke 22:7-38).

I love Jesus’ response to His disciples' argument. He kindly rebukes them, reminding them that their job isn’t to be great by the world’s standards; they are to be servants. And then He takes it a step further. The almighty Creator of the universe, bound in a human body, ties a towel around His waist and begins to wash His friends’ feet (John 13:1-17).

The last interaction Jesus had with all of His disciples was a powerful example of what it meant to be a servant to others. This was a vital piece of information Jesus wanted to leave His followers with, and it’s something that should be at the forefront of our minds as well.

The next time you partake in communion, I urge you to remember Jesus’ humility and desire to serve those around Him. He was going to be arrested and unjustly tried in the next few hours. He knew what was coming. But instead of coming up with an escape plan or deciding to take all of Rome down with Him, He knelt on the ground and washed His disciples’ feet. That’s the example we are to follow.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Reflection Questions

1. Why is Jesus washing His disciples’ feet impactful?

2. How can you be a servant to someone today?

3. Communion is meant to help us remember Jesus’ sacrifice, but what is a way you can remember Jesus’ sacrifice today?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for allowing Jesus to pay our debt. Take a few moments to praise Him and thank Him for His sacrifice. Ask God to develop a servant’s heart in you, so you will be more aware of the needs of others.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass. 

United Devotional: Day 38

The Set-Up

When I first decided I was going to go to a Bible college, a man from my childhood church asked, “Are you going to get your MRS degree?” Once he explained to me what that was, I laughed and told him that I was only going to get an education. However, once I arrived on campus, I realized how many people went to college looking for a spouse.

During my time at college, every spring my Facebook page was full of people announcing their engagements. I even did photoshoots for a few! The joke around campus was, “A ring by spring.” Thankfully, many of the couples I knew are still married, but unfortunately, there have been many who have divorced.

Our culture pushes the idea that in order to be complete, you have to find someone special to complete you. Take the classic Disney movies, the Hallmark channel, and just about any song on the radio, and you’ll hear about people on the quest to find true love. It’s as if finding the person to say, “I do,” to is the ultimate goal in our life. Culture teaches this, but the Bible says something different.

Our ultimate goal and purpose in life is to glorify God. This is true no matter what our relationship status is. In today’s reading, Paul thinks that everyone should remain as he is – single. Being a single man allowed Paul to travel and risk his life for the gospel. He didn’t have a family he needed to provide for or protect. He could focus all his time and energy on serving God. 

Paul admits that this is just his personal view, and not a command from God, but there’s a principle we can learn here, whether you’re single or in a relationship – embrace the life you have and live as you are called. No matter where you are in life, it’s a gift from God, meant to help you reach the potential He has for you. 

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 7:1-17

Reflection Questions

1. Are you content in your relationship status now? Why or why not?

2. What are some things you can do with your life situation that might be difficult for others to do in theirs? (For example, because I am single, I don’t have to worry about the needs of a spouse or family when I make financial decisions).

3. What are some of the challenges that you face in your life situation? How can you take those challenges and grow from them?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for the life He has given you. If you are struggling to find things to be grateful for, ask God to help you see His blessings. Ask God for wisdom in how to use your life situation to serve those around you. If you are struggling, ask God to reveal someone to you that you could reach out to and ask for help. By doing this, you give them an opportunity to be used by God and be a blessing, too.

United Devotional: Day 37

The Set-Up

My favorite Bible stories are the ones that tell of King David’s life. The man who would become Israel’s greatest king and a man after God’s own heart started as an easily dismissed shepherd boy. In fact, when God sent a prophet to anoint the next king of Israel, David’s father didn’t even mention that David existed. He paraded his other sons in front of the prophet, but only when God said none of those sons was the right one, did he decide to mention David. At that moment, David was anointed as the next king of Israel. The only problem though was that Israel already had a king – King Saul.

Time and time again, God showed His favor for David. Eventually, this became too much for Saul, and jealousy overtook the king. He threatened David’s life, forcing David to flee into exile. But throughout his exile, David stayed faithful to God and His promises. Most of the psalms are written by David, many written during his time of exile. These psalms overflowed with depression and sorrow as David struggled to understand what God was doing, but, repeatedly, David chooses to praise God and trust that He will right all wrongs.

David eventually did become king, decades after he was first anointed. Under his rule, Israel flourished, both financially and spiritually. 

There are so many things wrong in this world. We see evil every day. We witness unspeakable violence, wars, and unjust politicians. There are times when life is so incredibly hard and seems unfair, times when we question what God is doing. Is He even aware of what is happening? Does He even care?

Like the believers in Corinth, we need to trust that one day Jesus will claim victory over all things. Paul tells us that there will come a day when Jesus will humble all His enemies, defeating them – even death. Everything will be brought under His authority. 

God does care about us, so much so that He allowed Christ to die for us. He cares about what happens to us. Throughout Scripture, God shows Himself as a God who is passionate about the treatment of His people. Every wrong we’ve endured, every unfair decision made against us, will be brought to His judgment. Until then, we can follow King David’s example and find comfort in knowing that God will fulfill all His promises.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 15:21-28

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever questioned whether or not God sees you and your struggles? What did that feel like? How did you work through that experience?

2. How can trusting that one day Jesus will bring all things under His authority help you today?

3. Paul says that Jesus will humble all His enemies. What reaction do you have to that? Does it encourage you, scare you, shock you, etc.?

Prayer Idea

Praise God for His righteousness and goodness. Because He is righteous, we can trust Him to make just judgments, and because He is good, we can trust that He cares for us and does not seek to harm us. If you are struggling today, ask God to help you see an example of His goodness and help you trust in His plan.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass

United Devotional: Day 36

The Set-Up

One of the greatest deterrents to our faith is believing the lie that this life is all there is. We would probably never admit that out loud, but our actions show differently. How often do we live in fear of death? How often do we let what is happening in the here and now define our lives?

The lives were are living now are just a sliver of our existence. As James tells us in the New Testament, our life is just a puff of smoke. It’s there for a moment and then gone (James 4:14). The vast majority of our existence will be after we’ve lived our lives on earth – either eternity with God or eternity separated from Him.

Because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection, there is something better than our wildest dreams waiting for us on the other side of this life. We can’t allow ourselves to get too wrapped up in the things of this world, because it’s simply not going to last. It’s only temporary. 

In no way am I disregarding the struggles of our lives. There are terribly hard seasons we all must walk through, but through it all, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God has something better planned for us. He loved us so much that Jesus died to open that way for us.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Reflection Questions

1. What are your thoughts about what happens after death? Do you believe that we will live on through eternity? Why or why not?

2. Through Jesus, God has given us victory. What victories has Jesus helped you achieve in your own life?

3. How does believing that there is more waiting for us after this life help us live out the instructions Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 15:58?

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass

United Devotional: Day 35

The Set-Up

One of the best things about being an adult is being able to eat cookie dough or cake batter whenever I want. I made a cake a couple of weeks ago for my mini-bff (what I call my small child friends), and I was able to eat as much of the batter as I wanted without my mom stopping me. It was great!

But with great freedom comes great responsibility. 

Part of being an adult is having the freedom to make my own choices (i.e., eat a bowlful of cake batter), but part of being a mature adult is knowing that my choices have consequences (i.e., an entire bowlful of cake batter in my stomach will not feel great later on). When I was younger, my mom helped me make those decisions by giving me clear instructions and boundaries, but now that I’m older and live on my own, I have to figure out those boundaries for myself.

This was something the early church struggled with. Many of the first converts to Christianity were Jewish and lived according to the Jewish laws and traditions. Since Jesus Himself was Jewish as well as His twelve disciples, one of the first decisions the early church leaders made was whether or not someone had to become Jewish in order to become a follower of Christ. You can read about the debate in Acts 15:1-11, but essentially, the leaders decided that since salvation was a gift of grace, it wasn’t right to expect people to uphold their old laws. 

This is where the passage for today comes into play. The believers in Corinth understood that they didn’t have to follow the boundaries of the Jewish laws and traditions. Because they were covered by grace, they could do whatever they wanted, and they were golden! But Paul writes to instruct them that just because they are free to do something, doesn’t mean it is a wise decision. 

In this context, Paul is discussing whether or not a follower of Christ should eat meat that had been sacrificed to other gods. However, instead of giving a straightforward, “yes or no” answer, Paul basically tells his audience that they need to look out for those around them, not just themselves. They could eat the meat if they wanted to, but they still needed to be aware of and consider the experiences of those they spent time with. They had complete freedom to eat the meat sacrificed to idols, but was it worth doing if it hurt another person?

Despite our independent culture, this life is not about us. Our choices affect those around us, whether we realize it or not. Yes, we have massive amounts of freedom in Christ, but we also have a huge responsibility to care for other people. Our most important job is to love God and love others.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Reflection Questions

1. Think about how you interact on social media. We are free to have our own views and opinions, but do you interact in a way that could be offensive or hurtful to those who see what you post?

2. There are many different views about certain biblical topics. Do you find it easy or difficult to respect someone else’s view that differs from yours? Why or why not?

3. Is there something that you are okay with but other believers might struggle with? How can you emphasize with them while still living out what you believe is okay?

4. Have you ever made a decision without thinking about how it would affect those around you? What was the outcome?

Prayer Idea

Thank God for the freedom we have in Christ, and praise Him that our salvation is through grace, not through keeping a list of rules and traditions. Ask that God would help you know how to live at peace with those around you, despite different opinions. If you’re feeling especially courageous, ask God to reveal anyone you may have hurt (even unintentionally) by how you interacted with them or by a choice you made that affected them. If He does reveal someone to you, reach out and have a conversation with them about the issue.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass

United Devotional: Day 34

The Set-Up

Reading is my first love. I was joking with my mom the other day about how when I was little, I would read everything – if it had words on it, I would read it. My summers were spent reading book after book so I could earn a prize from my local library as part of their summer reading program. But one day, the unthinkable happened: I found a book I couldn’t read.

The book? Les Misérables. 

I can’t remember my exact age, but I was definitely in elementary school when this happened. I was so confident in my reading abilities that I wanted to find the biggest book in my library and read it. 

I made it about five pages and gave up. Sure, I could read most of the words, but I didn’t have enough understanding to comprehend the context or what was actually going on in the book. I just wasn’t ready to read something at that level.

Just like I needed to learn and grow more before I could read Les Misérables, the Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians that they needed to grow more before he could give them harder concepts. He had taught them in a simple way because they weren’t ready to take in more. They just weren’t spiritually there yet.

In today’s passage, Paul tells the believers in Corinth that he wanted to teach them differently, but he couldn’t. He basically tells them that he couldn’t talk to them as mature Christians because they weren’t. They were infant Christians and metaphorically needed milk because they couldn’t handle solid food.

I think the frustrating part for Paul was that these believers should have been past the “milk stage.” It had been around 3-5 years since he helped establish the church in Corinth, but the Christians there will still immature believers. They were too focused on the things of the world to be focused on God. In fact, in this passage, the Corinthians were too busy arguing about which teacher was the best one to notice that it was really God who was behind everything.

Growing spiritually isn’t an option. God expects us to grow and become more like Christ. It’s time to put down our bottles and get to work.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Reflection Questions

1. One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to confess your sins. Is there a sin in your life you’re ignoring or something in your life you’re not wanting to change?

2. To grow spiritually, we also have to be more focused on God than the things around us. What is something that often draws your attention away from God?

3. Engaging with Scripture is a great way to learn about God, but spiritual growth is more than just knowledge - it’s learning how to apply it to your life, too. What is one thing you can do today to focus more on God than the world around you?

Prayer Idea

Thank God that He has given us everything we need to grow through His Word. Ask Him for guidance and help in revealing any areas of your life that need to be changed in order to grow spiritually. Ask Him for the desire to not just read the Bible, but to let it transform you.

United Devotional: Day 33

The Set-Up:

Technology has revolutionized the world, invaded our daily lives, and changed the way we do things. Even church things. As the world continues to change according to technology — the internet, media, etc. — one thing that will never change is the Word of God.

The Word (Bible) is God’s breath — His Spirit, which is useful for teaching and learning to build up and equip God’s people. The church needs to wake up and get back to the Word of God, to allow His Word to daily change and transform us. The Church must not compete with the world; she must grow and advance by ways o the Word, to teach and talk about spiritual things and gifts of the Spirit, especially gifts of prophecy. Gifts of prophecy is much needed in the church, especially in today’s troubling world, because prophecy is meant to comfort and edify people.

When the church is excited about things of God, eager to know Him more, seek Him more, and when the church can’t get enough of God and are hungry and thirsty for more of Him, to tasted His goodness and power, to pursue Him instead of the world, then and only then can the church find what “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The key to discover God’s spiritual gifts is to love Him and to follow Him. His gifts will come to edify, exhort, comfort, and unify the church.

Passage to Read:

1 Corinthians 14:1

This devotional was written by Dara Rasavanh

United Devotional: Day 32

The Set-Up:

Unity and diversity in the Body of Christ is a two-edged sword. While we want unity, we recognize that not everybody is like us. The challenge for each individual then is learning to value those who see life in the church different than I might while remaining unified.

We tend to want diversity until somebody doesn’t agree with us. For example, if you were to set a basketball in the middle of a round table surrounded by people, each person would describe what they see from their view. None of them are wrong, but each person sees something different from their view. The temptation is to tell them their view is wrong or get irritated, but actually each individual is correct.

Jesus helps us listen to each other and find great value in each other’s insights. Diversity produces a healthy church body while division destroys. Unity and diversity are the ingredients to a healthy and thriving church body. Let’s learn to celebrate each person in our church. 

Passage to Read:

I Corinthians 12:12-30

Reflection Questions:

1. What challenges do you face in hearing other people’s insights? 

2. What value do you find in diversity? What has created division?

3. What strengths do you see in your current church? What weaknesses have you experienced?

Prayer Idea:

Join together with others in your circle (or just one person) and discuss how to value each other. Encourage each other by sharing what strengths you see in them. Then, pray that each one of you would continue to grow in how to use their strengths to share the message of Christ.

This devotional was written by Tom Sipling.

United Devotional: Day 31

The Set-Up:

We often ask ourselves, “Why am I here? What is my purpose?”

The story we are living in is of our Father’s making, and as part of the Body of Christ, we have a purpose in it. How do we find it? Where do I look?

In Hebrews 8, God says that under His new covenant He will write everything we need on our hearts. How do we find our purpose, our reason, our calling? Read your heart. Your purpose lies at the intersection of your passions, your abilities, and others’ needs. I will suggest six questions today to help you read what God has written and is still writing.

Wonder what’s next? Is it time to repurpose? Ask God, and then follow your heart.

Passage to read: I Corinthians 12:12-31

Reflection Questions:

Passions:

1. What type of work is most satisfying?

2. What experiences, positive and negative, have shaped my understanding of the world and what I care about?

Abilities:

1. What things do I do well?

2. What recognizable characteristics would I use to describe myself?

Others’ Needs:

1. What needs in the world draw my attention?

2. What experiences in my past give me empathy for others in the same situation?

Prayer Idea:

Does what you do reflect these things? First, pray for God’s direction, then live the life your heart is begging you to live.

This devotional was written by Randy Brock.

United Devotional: Day 30

The Set-Up

We have so many ideas about what the church is and what its mission is. The lack of consensus causes disunity.  Paul gives us a few ideas of what the church is about in 1 Corinthians 3. Let’s take a look at one.  Paul says that the church is a family and the goal of those in the family is to become mature.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Hebrews 5:11-6:3

Reflection Questions

1. If the church is a family where one of its primary responsibility is to help produce maturity, who would be the parents, and who would be the kids in this analogy? What would be the role and responsibility of each?

2. Based on your response to the question above what do you think are the implications of 2 Timothy 2:1-2 for you?

3. What would you say are some of the signs of maturity in a child of God? (see Galatians 5:19-24, especially verse 22)

Prayer Idea

Find a quiet place today and get comfortable.  Once you are comfortable ask God the following question: “God, based on what I have explored today in your Word, what are you saying to me?”  

Now sit in silence and listen to what He says.  Write it down and then ask yourself the question, “What am I going to do about this?”

This devotional was written by Gary Khan.

United Devotional: Day 29

The Set-Up

I earned my undergraduate degree from a Baptist Bible college in Iowa. During my time there, one of the required freshman courses was Personal Evangelism. Through the class, we were taught the right way to “lead someone to Christ.” We had highlighted Bibles, specific passages meant to lead someone through understanding their sin and need a Savior. After going through the verses, we were supposed to ask the person if they would like to pray, confessing their sins and accepting Christ as their Savior.

As part of the requirements for this course, I was supposed to “witness” to a certain amount of people. I didn’t have any friends outside of my “Baptist bubble,” so there I was, a nineteen-year-old woman, armed with a freshly highlighted Bible and a stack of pamphlets describing God’s judgement of hell, walking around downtown Des Moines, Iowa, hoping to run into someone who needed Jesus.

It was the most awkward, uncomfortable moment of my life. I didn’t have one conversation. Don’t tell my professor, but I ended up stuffing the pamphlets into one of those free newspaper things and went back to my dorm.

Since the class was literally about how to share my faith with another person, I thought that opening my Bible and sharing a lot of verses was the correct way to tell someone about Christ. However, as I’ve grown and matured spiritually, I’ve learned that there isn’t a right or wrong way to tell others about Jesus. To quote Nike, the important thing is that I “just do it.”

I think that’s what Paul is teaching his readers in today’s passage. Paul reminds the people of Corinth that when he shared the gospel with them, it wasn’t in flowery language. He didn’t go into vast theological arguments; he just shared the truth of Jesus and His crucifixion.

You don’t have to have all the answers or know every Bible verse to introduce someone to Jesus. Your responsibility is to just tell them what you know, what you’ve experienced in your life because of Christ. Honestly, some of my best conversations about Jesus have come from chatting over chips and queso or my personal favorite, the time when I flat out asked my boss, “How do you feel about Jesus?” The point is that we don’t have to have the perfect words to share the gospel. God is big enough to work through our willingness.

Passage to Read

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever shared your faith with someone? Describe that experience.

2. Are there times you’ve been scared or nervous about sharing your faith? Why do you think that is?

3. In verse 4, Paul talks about relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. How can you do that in regards to sharing your faith?

Prayer Idea

Think about the people you know who don’t know Jesus yet. Ask God that He would give you opportunities to share your faith with them. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say and calm any nervousness you might have in regards to sharing your faith.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass.

United Devotional: Day 28

The Set-Up:

It is a very human thing to look at the people around us and evaluate them.  We consider some to be valuable, wise, influential, and others…well, not so much. In general, we tend to admire people who we see as better than us in some way or who have qualities we see as beneficial or inspiring.

God sees people from an entirely different perspective. Any admirable qualities someone may have are gifts that God has given them. He is not in need of a person’s talents or abilities, but He sees each of us as valuable simply because every person on this earth is a unique expression of His creativity and character.

Passage to Read:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Reflection Questions:

1. What criteria do you use to “size up” people and determine their value? How does it affect the way that you see them and treat them?

2. What do you think it means that God chose the foolish and weak to “shame” the wise and strong?

3. What things can you do to retrain your thinking to see people and value them the way that God does?

Prayer Idea:

As you go through your day today, focus your attention on the people you encounter who would not be considered wise, influential, wealthy, or otherwise notable by human standards.  Pray for them as you see them, and pray also for yourself to see and feel the value that God puts on them.

This devotional was written by John Hoffman.

United Devotional: Day 27

The Set-Up:

This past spring, my mom took my sisters and me to a Holocaust exhibit. The exhibit was entitled Auschwitz: Not Long Ago, Not Far Away, and its focus was on the rise of Nazi power, the development of concentration camps, and the creation of Auschwitz, the most tragic death camp to exist during Hiter’s reign. As someone who craves research, I instantly bought a few nonfiction books that told accounts of those who suffered through Auschwitz and its terrors.

Winston Churchill once famously wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Learning about the horrors of the Holocaust doesn’t guarantee that something of that magnitude might not happen again, but it does help me understand how humanity got to that point and gives me empathy for those who have had to endure a type of suffering I can never imagine. When we learn from history, we are given valuable insight into our current reality, and hopefully, use that knowledge to create a better future.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encouraged his readers to do the same – to learn from their history so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes as their ancestors. 

A large part of the Old Testament teaches about the dangers of idolatry and disobeying God. In today’s passage, Paul is referring to accounts found in the book of Exodus. Exodus was written by Moses, the man who freed the Hebrew people from Egypt and led them to the Promised Land. Unfortunately, many of the original freed Hebrews were unable to enter the Promised Land because of their disobedience and lack of faith that God would keep His promises.

What Paul is essentially telling his readers in today’s passage is that God ensured those past accounts were included so that others could learn from them. Through the Bible, God has given us a vast assortment of accounts about people who followed Him faithfully and those who chose not to. May we strive to learn about our history as God’s people so we don’t make the same mistakes they did.

Passage to Read:

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you spend more time reading the Old Testament or the New Testament? Why do you think that is?

2. How can learning about history and different historical events be beneficial to you at this moment in time?

3. Has there ever been a time when you learned from the mistakes of someone else? Describe that experience.

Prayer Idea:

Thank God for giving us the Bible as a way to learn about Him and His expectations for His followers. Ask Him to help you learn from the accounts found in Scripture, and ask for the wisdom to know how to apply what you have learned to your life.

This devotional was written by Tonya Snodgrass.

United Devotional: Day 26

The Set-Up:  

If there is one thing that unites all of humanity, it is the reality of death.

Everyone eventually has their life touched by death at one level or another. Some will have death’s experience forced upon them in a sudden, cataclysmic way, impacting them in deeply profound ways.  Others may encounter it as a slow-moving train blowing its horn on the edge of town foreboding an inevitable arrival. But make no mistake about it, whether it shows up suddenly or gradually,  death unites humanity in its tragedy. For the Christian though, death unites believers in another way. In Christ, we are united to the greater reality of hope and glory which lies beyond the grave.  

Passages to Read:  

1 Corinthians 15:51-58  

Reflection Questions:  

1. Why do you suppose Scripture often refers to Christian death as “sleep”? 

2. Paul describes the resurrection of Christians as an instantaneous moment marked by profound change. Specifically, what are the details of change Paul points to in these verses? 

3. Because of our victory over death, which will be fully realized at the resurrection, how does vs. 58 encourage us to live now?  

Prayer Idea:  

As you pray, ask the Lord to overcome any debilitating fear or anxiety that death may be producing in your life. In its place, ask the Lord to fill you with confidence regarding the biblical truth about Christian death; that it will be concluded by a resurrection whereby God changes us to be immortal, imperishable, incorruptible, and eternal.

This devotional was written by Chad Cummings.

United Devotional: Day 25

The Set-Up:

Pride can be an awful trap, especially when that pride is wrapped up in religion. Pride is when we think we know, act, or are better than those around us. Sadly, it can even take shape in how we express our convictions.

When we judge other Christian brothers and sisters because they do not act in the same manner as us, or share the same convictions or expressions of faith, that is pride. The Corinthian church fell into this trap over and over; from arguing over what leader they followed, what gifts were better, and even over what food they ate! We need to be Christians who are seasoned with grace and humility in our relationships, especially in how we handle our convictions in those relationships. 

Passage:

1 Corinthians 8:9-13; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Questions: 

1. Are there areas in my life that are ruled by pride instead of my God’s grace?

2. What convictions do you have that promote unity in the body of Christ?

3. Are my convictions based on scripture? Or are they based on traditions and preference? 

4. Where are some areas or opportunities to show grace and humility to another brother or sister? 

Prayer Thoughts:

Ask God to examine your heart for any areas of pride or selfishness. Ask God to reveal any areas or people in the Body that you have hurt or alienated. Pray for God to bless those brothers and sisters, even if you do not agree with them. Ask God to show you new ways of grace and humility. 

This devotional was written by Trevor Seeburger.

United Devotional: Day 24

The Set-Up: 

How well do you get along with people? 

Do you ever struggle with getting along with fellow believers, or fellow members of your church fellowship? 

In today’s passage, the apostle Paul seems to prioritize healthy relationships in the Body of Christ as a clear sign of mature discipleship in our lives.  He gives us a concrete example of an obstacle to reaching that goal of maturity — we could call it “clickiness,” (f that’s a word), but another word might be tribalism.  Tribalism is when we overly cling to our little friendship groups, to the exclusion of others.  That could result from our focus on politics, our age group, our cultural preferences, or our favorite interpretations of controversial Bible doctrines.  Whatever the root of it is, our passage challenges us to get out of our comfort zones and make it a point to connect regularly with fellow believers who don’t look, act, or think exactly like us.

Passage to Read: 

I Corinthians 1:10-17

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you have any pet peeves?  If so, do they ever cause you to be rude or unloving towards others?  Write down a list of them and invite God to give you a softer heart towards people who easily annoy you.

2. In our passage, how many different “groups” can you identify?  What kinds of disagreements do you think they may have had with each other?

3. Choose a “hot-button issue” that gets people worked up these days.  Have one meaningful conversation with those around you this week, and try to listen to others’ views more than you declare your own.

Prayer Idea: 

Who are the (even slightly) annoying people in your life?  Regardless of the reasons why they frustrate you, put them on your prayer list for a week, asking God to bless them and show them His love.

United Devotional: Day 23

The Set-Up: 

“I wish...”

“I wish I was like them.”

“I wish I could make this amount of money.”

“I wish God would do this in my life so I could make an impact.”

I just watched a movie in which the main actor had a license to drive pretty much anything and everything. Wow! Lord, if you could make that happen in my life think of what I could do for you. Often times I play the “what if” game and disguise it as dreaming. But what if it wasn’t dreaming? Instead the “what if” games are just running from the exact purpose God created me for in the body of Christ.

Paul writes from a place of experience — not age or maturity, but from life lessons. He is essentially saying, “I wish you could, but that is not a current reality; that is not necessarily your gift to the body of Christ.”

Unity is something we must hold close even in our growth as individuals. Will my growth in this position benefit those around me? Paul says he wishes we could all speak in tongues but understands not everyone will. He also says he wishes we could all prophecy, but, again, he understands not everyone will. In fact, I believe he understands that some will not have either gift.

Paul’s point is that we need to recognize our unique gifts and talents and use them to enhance the kingdom of God and be a contributor of unity in the body of Christ. We were never meant to run this race alone or run in someone else’s lane. God designed a specific lane for each of us and as we all work together, stewarding our specific gifts well, we can accomplish the unimaginable. 

Passage to Read:

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Reflection Questions:

1. What are you passionate about, talented in, and gifted at that can be used for the body of Christ?

2. What is something you could do to enhance the body of Christ using one of your gifts, talents or passions? (Do not let anything hold your answer back — dream big!)

3. How could others help fan into flame the gift of God in you and help you walk in your destiny?

Prayer Idea:

Take some time to pray and ask the Lord to help you discover your unique gifts and talents.  Then ask Him to give you vision in how to implement them to bring unity to the body of Christ and enhance His kingdom on earth.

United Devotional: Day 22

The Set-Up:

After Paul started the church in Corinth, he went on to preach the gospel in other places. However, Paul recognized the importance of continuing to teach the church in Corinth, so he wrote letters to them and encouraged them about what it means to be a follower of Christ. 

In today’s passage, Paul compares the Christian journey to a race. He says we should run so as to win the prize.

Recently there was a viral video featuring a runner who lost her shoe just a few feet into the race. While everyone was speeding toward the finish line, she was actually running back toward the start line to retrieve her shoe. At this point, as you can imagine, she was well behind the pack, but instead of giving up, she decided to run so as to win the prize.  She came from behind and ended up finishing the race in first place! She won the prize. 

As Christians, we run the race so as to win the prize - eternity with our heavenly Father. And thankfully, we can all win the prize. As long as we run the race of faith with discipline and endurance, we can rest assured that we will spend eternity in heaven and receive our heavenly crown. 

Passage to Read:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-3

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some challenges you face as a Christian? 

2. How do you handle the challenges you face?

3. How can you encourage someone else who may be struggling in their Christian journey?

Prayer Idea:

Take some time to talk to God about the challenges you face. Ask God to help you to get back up and continue running the race, even when you face obstacles. Pray for your friends and family members who may be facing challenges, that they would increase in faith.