Day 11 - As Far as the East is from the West
April 14, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Micah 7:19, 1 John 1:9—2:1
Do you still feel guilty about it? That thing you did. Maybe it happened yesterday, maybe it happened eight years ago. . No matter what it was, you may be holding on to unnecessary guilt. . Guilt does have a purpose. It leads us to repentance and encourages us not to do evil again... but that purpose can be twisted by Satan. . God wants us to feel sorry for our sins, repent, and ask forgiveness. But, once these sins are forgiven, they’re gone. Poof! In Christ, God has removed them from us. If we put our trust in Him, we carry these old sins no more. The Bible even says that God separates us from our sins “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). . God does not want His people to sit in their guilt and pour over sins already forgiven. Jesus took on our punishment for us. He died and was forsaken for our sins, taking on God’s wrath for us so that we don’t have to feel shame for our wrongdoings. . Besides guilt, another problem Christians face is shame. Shame is similar to guilt, but instead of seeing wrong in your sins, you see wrong in yourself. Shame changes “I did something bad” into “I’m a bad person.” . As Christians, we were once defined by our sins. But, when we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us a new identity. We are now children of God, wrapped in Christ’s righteousness (or sinlessness). God wants us to rejoice in Him and not feel shameful. . If you feel guilt or shame, repent of the sins you’re thinking of and ask forgiveness. If you still feel guilt and shame after that, take some time today to thank Jesus for the grace and forgiveness He has already given you. You are no longer captive to the power of guilt and shame. You are held in the love of Christ. • Naomi Zylstra . • Have you put your trust in Jesus to save you from sin? If not, what questions do you have? To learn more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. . • If you’re a Christian, are you still holding on to guilt for certain sins? Have you confessed them to God? What can you do today to celebrate God’s grace and forgiveness? . As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NIV)
As Far as the East is from the West
April 14, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Micah 7:19, 1 John 1:9—2:1, Psalm 103:12
Do you still feel guilty about it? That thing you did. Maybe it happened yesterday, maybe it happened eight years ago. . No matter what it was, you may be holding on to unnecessary guilt. . Guilt does have a purpose. It leads us to repentance and encourages us not to do evil again... but that purpose can be twisted by Satan. . God wants us to feel sorry for our sins, repent, and ask forgiveness. But, once these sins are forgiven, they’re gone. Poof! In Christ, God has removed them from us. If we put our trust in Him, we carry these old sins no more. The Bible even says that God separates us from our sins “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). . God does not want His people to sit in their guilt and pour over sins already forgiven. Jesus took on our punishment for us. He died and was forsaken for our sins, taking on God’s wrath for us so that we don’t have to feel shame for our wrongdoings. . Besides guilt, another problem Christians face is shame. Shame is similar to guilt, but instead of seeing wrong in your sins, you see wrong in yourself. Shame changes “I did something bad” into “I’m a bad person.” . As Christians, we were once defined by our sins. But, when we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us a new identity. We are now children of God, wrapped in Christ’s righteousness (or sinlessness). God wants us to rejoice in Him and not feel shameful. . If you feel guilt or shame, repent of the sins you’re thinking of and ask forgiveness. If you still feel guilt and shame after that, take some time today to thank Jesus for the grace and forgiveness He has already given you. You are no longer captive to the power of guilt and shame. You are held in the love of Christ. • Naomi Zylstra . • Have you put your trust in Jesus to save you from sin? If not, what questions do you have? To learn more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. . • If you’re a Christian, are you still holding on to guilt for certain sins? Have you confessed them to God? What can you do today to celebrate God’s grace and forgiveness? . As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NIV)
Rejoice and Weep Together
March 24, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • 1 Corinthians 12:25–27, Galatians 6:2, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 12:15
Your friend beat you out for the role you wanted. Maybe it was a spot on the varsity soccer team, the lead in the musical, or the job you applied for. It’s so difficult not to let bitterness fester after receiving a disappointment—especially when a friend receives what you were hoping for. One way to fight against the bitterness? By leaning into the gift of community God gave to us as Christians. . But this is easier said than done. I personally am competitive, so it’s hard for me when I see my friends achieving things I want. But the kingdom of God is not a zero-sum game. What does that mean? Basically, just because my friend got the role I wanted, that doesn’t mean there are no more roles left for me. What is given to her is not taken away from me. . God gave Christians the gift of community so we could strengthen each other through empathy for each other. As the church, we’re called to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). That means we rejoice when our friends rejoice. When a friend accomplishes something, we celebrate with them. At the same time, we’re called to weep with those who are weeping. If a friend is facing disappointment, we mourn with them. Lament and rejoicing are equally important responses for us as the Body of Christ (which includes all Christians around the world and throughout history). . We can do this because Jesus Himself wept with His friends over the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). He also asked His friends to stay awake with Him during the dark moments before His betrayal (Matthew 26:36-46). And, that same night, He celebrated the Passover—and the first ever Communion—with the disciples (Matthew 26:17-29). . Jesus understands our hurts and our joys, and He is with us through both rejoicing and weeping (Hebrews 4:14-16). So, we can bring both our letdowns and our celebrations to God and to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are secure—in disappointments, grief, or joy—because we have Jesus. We are heard by Him and by His people. • Naomi Zylstra . • As Christians, why is it important to share our hurts and joys with other Christians? How does this protect us from bitterness when one friend receives something we wanted? . • How can you mourn and rejoice with people in your life? . Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 (CSB)
Give Generously
March 19, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Proverbs 3:9, 2 Corinthians 9:7–15
The offering plate passes by, and you watch others put in change and envelopes. Your school asks for volunteers to serve as tutors to the younger grades, and nobody raises their hands. A friend comes up to you after class, and you realize they asked you to pray for them two weeks ago, but you forgot. As Christians, what does giving generously look like in our everyday lives? . Giving has always been an important characteristic of God’s people. All the way back in the book of Genesis, Abel gave God “the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock,” and God “accepted Abel and his gift” (Genesis 4:4). Then, later in the Old Testament, God called the Israelites to be generous in many ways, including to set aside one tenth of their agriculture and animal production (Deuteronomy 14:22-23). . For Christians today, it isn’t as cut and dry as a simple 10%. Instead, these Old Testament passages show a general principle of giving our first and best to God—of making Him the center of how we use our money, time, and talents. Giving back to God is a way to show we trust Him to continue to provide. This will look different for everyone, but the principle is the same (2 Corinthians 9:7). . Giving generously serves as a reminder that every blessing we have comes from God (James 1:17). God Himself is generous: He has given us Himself— Jesus (John 3:16; 10:25-30). Without Jesus, we are sinners, so generosity doesn’t come naturally to us (Romans 3:23; 6:23). As Christians, we have the opportunity and power to be generous because we have God’s Holy Spirit working in us (Galatians 2:20). . But what if we feel too young to give? In God’s kingdom, no one is too young, and no gift is too small—whether that gift is money, talent, or time (Luke 21:1-4; 1 Timothy 4:12). Jesus has redeemed all of it. Because of what He has done, as Christians, we are free to glorify Him in everything we do, including in our giving (Colossians 3:17). • Naomi Zylstra . • What questions do you have about giving? Who is a trusted Christian in your life—such as a pastor or a friend—you can bring those questions to? . You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NLT)
God is Good (All the Time)
March 11, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Nahum 1:7, Romans 8:28–39, James 1:17
"God is good. All the time,” Christians say. But what do these words really mean? . God’s goodness means He is both generous and merciful. The ultimate example of God’s goodness to humans is Jesus Christ, who died and rose again so that we might have an opportunity to be made whole again—free from sin. . As Christians, we are covered by Jesus’ goodness; because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, before God, we are declared “righteous” (or sinless), even when we mess up. Then, through the Holy Spirit, we can begin to show God’s goodness in ways we never could before we knew Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22). . But even though Jesus is good, we don’t always feel like He is being good to us. Problem after problem chips away at us until we are exhausted. School, friends, family, jobs—they all demand pieces from us until we feel we have nothing left to give. We live in a broken world, but God is good. All the time. . The amazing thing about God’s goodness? It is unchanging. God, the Almighty Creator and Savior, will always be good. He is with His people through everything we face, even working to one day restore all that is broken. . Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” The whole chapter of Nahum 1 is about God’s anger toward Nineveh, a city steeped in sin and brokenness. But nestled in God’s warnings of just judgment is this verse—a short but powerful reminder of God’s goodness. So, even when we are experiencing the brokenness of this world, God is good and remains good indefinitely. • Naomi Zylstra . • In your life, has God ever seemed not good? Why? . • We live in a world broken by sin, but God is not aloof to our suffering. He came down as a human, Jesus, to be with us and to destroy sin, death, and brokenness (John 1:14; 3:16-18). Jesus knows what our suffering is like, so, as His people through faith, we can come to Him with anything we’re facing (Hebrews 4:14-16). What struggles from your life can you bring to Him? . • Read Revelation 21:15. How does Jesus’ promise to make all things new show His goodness? . The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7 (NLT)
Patience
March 10, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Ephesians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, James 5:7–8, Romans 12:12
I’m going to be honest; I’m terrible at being patient. I get frustrated with long lines, slow computers, and people who walk at a snail’s pace on the sidewalk but also take up the whole sidewalk so there’s no way to pass them. . I also get impatient when I feel like God isn’t listening to my prayers. Doesn’t He know how much I need the thing I’m asking for? Doesn’t He care about my hurts and all that is wrong in the world? (The answer to both of these, turns out, is a resounding yes.) . Although practicing patience is a battle, God has demonstrated it for us. Jesus, who is God, had to be patient with people during His ministry. Even though He told people who He was and what He came here to do, many people—even His closest friends—still got confused about His purposes. They wanted someone who was going to come in and overthrow Rome, but that wasn’t the kind of king Jesus set out to be. . In the same way, God is patient with us as He waits for our repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God continues to love us and wait for us, even if we’re ignoring Him. . When we’re struggling to wait, we can go to Jesus, the true source of patience. The Holy Spirit enables us to have patience as we set our minds on God’s desires instead of giving into the temptation to be impatient (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:22-24). We wait on the Lord, who will fulfill His promises to destroy sin and death and restore all that is broken. • Naomi Zylstra . • What’s something you do that requires patience? . • How does God’s patience with us affect your view of waiting? How does His promise to one day destroy brokenness help you wait? . Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
The Lost Archives
March 2, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • 2 Kings 22:8–11, 2 Kings 23:1–3, Luke 11:28
The following is an allegory based on 2 Kings 22-23, which tells the story of King Josiah and the rediscovery of the book of the law. . The lieutenant of the Fourth Galactic League rushed into General Lazlo’s office: “General, my platoon was searching old Lymerian archives. We found something you should see.” . The lieutenant pulled up a document on his hologram pad and passed it over. The general gasped. “Is that Earthen religious law? Weren’t all Earthen religious laws catalogued already?” . Tears began to form in the general’s eyes. How could we have lost something so precious? She began to read the text, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” She paused. “Lieutenant, I need you to contact the Old Earth Religious Order. I must speak to a representative at once.” . As the lieutenant made contact with the Order, the general paged through the document. She saw messages proclaiming love and salvation—and over and over, the name “Jesus.” Hadn’t she once heard an old story of a Jesus who had risen from the grave? . “General,” said the lieutenant, “I have a leader of the Old Earth Religious Order.” . The general spoke with the leader, who said the rediscovered book was Christian Scripture—a text thought to have been lost over four hundred years ago. . When the leader hung up, the general was left staring at a blank screen. She reflected on her own life. She was a hard worker and good at her job, but she often felt unfulfilled, even in success. She wondered if this rediscovered book had the answers. She also thought of the chaos in her colony and wondered if the book contained the path to true peace. . General Lazlo pressed the emergency broadcast button and began to address the entire colony: “Dear citizens, something vital was rediscovered today, and I have the privilege of reading it to you.” • Naomi Zylstra . • The Bible is about Jesus, who offers us freedom from sin (Acts 10:43). That’s why it’s such an important book. How does this affect the way we study and understand it? . But he [Jesus] said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28 (WEB)
Burnout
February 23, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Matthew 11:28—12:8, Genesis 2:2–3, Exodus 20:8–11
Life’s busy—we all know that. Between school, friends, and extracurriculars, by the end of the day, we’re burned out. And then we have to start homework. . God knows our lives are busy. That’s why He created Sabbath. God invented all kinds of rhythms in nature. Night and day, the different seasons, and the tides of the ocean all show patterns in creation. The cycle of work and rest is another one of those patterns. . In the beginning, God showed us how to schedule rest into our hectic lives. In Genesis 2, it says God not only rested on the seventh day of creation but also “blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Genesis 2:3). God even takes it one step further: rest gets its own commandment in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). . Jesus did not save us so we could work until we burn out. Instead, He died and rose again to save us so that we could live joy-filled lives in the rhythm of God’s grace—because of what *He* did. We are made to live in a rhythm of rest and work, acknowledging that, as created humans, we are dependent on God the Creator and Jesus our Savior. . So, how do we practice Sabbath? The simple answer: plan ahead. It sounds difficult to think a whole week ahead, but it makes finding time to sabbath much easier. . Next, find something that is restful to you. That might mean taking a nap or going for a hike, but it should be rooted in restfulness. . Finally, seek God in your rest. The Sabbath is a great day to recenter yourself on Jesus, trusting in Him enough to take a break. This is why Christians typically gather together on their Sabbath day—to remember together that Jesus is the One who gives them rest. • Naomi Zylstra . • What things do you find restful? What would a Sabbath look like for you? . • Different Christian churches get together on different days of the week, and your Sabbath day might fall on a different day than the day you go to church. Read Colossians 2:13-17. Why are we free in Christ to rest and gather on different days? . Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Misfits
February 18, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Ephesians 1:3–6, Titus 3:3–7, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Moses, David, and Paul. When you read these names, do you think of them as great biblical leaders? How about as misfits? The amazing truth is, they were both. While they accomplished incredible things, they were not the kind of people you would expect to lead. . Moses did not speak well and hesitated to lead the people of Israel. He also killed an Egyptian man for beating up a Hebrew slave. . David was the youngest of his brothers, and he had blood on his hands too: David intentionally sent Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to the front lines of battle to be killed so he could have Bathsheba. . Paul persecuted and killed Christians before he came to know Jesus. . Yet God chose these misfit, broken, and sinful people to transform into redeemed leaders for His kingdom. He worked through them, transforming them the same way Jesus transforms His people today (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:8-10). . When God handpicks broken people to carry out His work, He shows us His power and sovereignty (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). God is perfect, but He can and does empower imperfect people to fulfill His plans through the Holy Spirit. . That’s great news for us. It means we don’t have to be perfect to be a part of God’s kingdom. If you know Jesus, He lives in you and He works in and through you to accomplish God’s plan, just like He worked through Moses, David, and Paul. Despite our flaws and shortcomings, God loves us and chooses to include us in carrying out His plans. • Naomi Zylstra . • In Christ, we find true worth, love, security, and forgiveness, despite our shortcomings. When have you felt unworthy of leadership? How does knowing your worth doesn’t come from what you do affect your view of yourself? . • How might God be calling you to serve in His kingdom? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk with about this—such as a pastor, camp counselor, or friend? . Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?... And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Roll on Like a River
January 20, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Amos 5:24, Revelation 21:4, Luke 18:7–8
Mass shootings, racism, sexual assault, displacement—our world is riddled with injustices, and they sting. We live in a world broken by sin. . But there is hope in the midst of these injustices. The book of Amos says God’s justice will “roll on like a river” (Amos 5:24). Then, in Revelation 21, God promises to one day remove death, suffering, and pain, wiping away our tears as He does. In short, God hears us when we cry out against injustice. . But even though we know part of God’s plan is to bring His justice, we wonder, How will He bring justice to all of the hurts in our world? . First, Jesus showed us God’s justice carried out. When He died on the cross, He took on the sins of the world and God’s just punishment for them. Anyone who puts their trust in Jesus has their sins nailed to the cross. Second, those who have rejected Jesus’ work on the cross will face Him at the Judgment Day, and He promises to punish and bring justice for every outstanding injustice then. So, ultimately, whether through the cross or at the Judgment Day, all injustice will be made right (2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Peter 3:9-13). . In the meantime, God calls His people to act justly here and now as we wait for His upcoming justice. Jesus Himself acted against injustice in His everyday life when He flipped over tables in the temple, stopping the money changers who were taking advantage of people (Mark 11:15-17). . That means that one way we can show Jesus to others is through seeking after justice. While we wait for our Savior to return and bring ultimate justice, we, as Christians, can speak out against any injustice we encounter. • Naomi Zylstra . • Did anything surprise you from today’s reading? If so, what? . • Where do you see injustice in the world today? How can you help, showing Jesus’ love and justice to those involved? . And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man [Jesus] comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7-8 (NIV)
Peace Beyond Understanding
January 2, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Colossians 3:1–17, Philippians 4:7
Relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath and let out the tension you’ve been holding. Feel any better? . God calls Himself “the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). And one way He provides comfort is by giving His peace to His children through Christ. His peace goes beyond our understanding—showing up even when we face less-than-peaceful situations. . Have you ever encountered someone who has lost a loved one yet still speaks about feeling Jesus’ peace? This doesn’t mean they aren’t grieving or they feel no emotions. Rather, God’s peace is a way God meets His children in the midst of their grief. . In the book of Matthew, Jesus calls all people to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30). His rest goes beyond a simple power nap. God’s rest is for your whole self—rest from the guilt, shame, and slavery of sin’s power. It’s a rest rooted in truth: you are saved if your is faith in Jesus Christ. He promises to be with you through anything you face, and He will one day make all things new, free from the suffering caused by sin and death (Revelation 21:1-5). . Take a moment and realize that, if you know Jesus, you have rest and peace in Him. He loves you and will give you comfort in His presence and promises, no matter what you’re facing. • Naomi Zylstra . • What is causing you stress or worry? . • How have you seen peace beyond understanding in your life? In someone else’s life? . And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (CSB)