The Chosen Book Four E-Book

Amanda Jenkins

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 150

Beschreibung

You are called to Truth.   Jesus came to fulfill Scripture, to seek and save the lost, and to testify to the truth. But truth can sometimes take a minute to grasp because we contend with it in a variety of ways under a variety of circumstances. Once Jesus collides with our lives—our deepest needs, cultural biases, personal motivations, even prideful objections—the outcome can be infuriating. Or exhilarating. Or anything in between.    In The Chosen – Book Four, explore the angles from which you can better see Jesus and the things He taught. Learn from His followers how to really hear. To repent. To wait on His wisdom and timing. To obey. Written to accompany the hit multi-season series, each of these forty devotions contains a Scripture, a unique look into a Gospel story, suggestions for prayer, and questions that lead you further in your relationship with Christ.   May we welcome His rebuke and testify to the Truth who is ever working within us...the outcome of which will, indeed, be nothing short of exhilarating.  

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

THE CHOSEN Book Four: 40 Days with Jesus

Copyright © 2024 The Chosen, Inc.

9781424563906 (faux leather)

9781424563913 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked nasb are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Represented by Steve Laube with the Steve Laube Agency

Design and typesetting by Garborg Design Works | garborgdesign.com

Editorial services by Michelle Winger | literallyprecise.com

Printed in Malaysia.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

Day 1: Very Great Reward

Day 2: Waiting for All the Things

Days 3: Word Count

Day 4: Haters Gonna Hate

Day 5: Yoked, Part 1

Day 6: Yoked, Part 2

Day 7: Blame Game

The Mark Series

Day 8: All Too Familiar

Day 9: Far Far Away

Day 10: Leaven

Day 11: Set Your Mind

Day 12: Transfixed

Day 13: Thick

Day 14: What Who Has Your Heart?

The Luke Series

Day 15: A Petition Against Presumption, Part 1

Day 16: A Petition Against Presumption, Part 2

Day 17: Curious

Day 18: Count the Cost

Day 19: Multiply

Day 20: What’s in a Name?

Day 21: The Good Samaritan

Day 22: The Good Portion

Day 23: Acknowledge Jesus as Lord

Day 24: All Kinds of Greed

Day 25: Consider the Ravens

Day 26: Trust the Father

Day 27: Be Ready for the Lord

Day 28: The Reward of Humility

Day 29: Gratitude

Day 30: What Your Eyes Can See

Day 31: Binding and Loosing

Day 32: That Which Must Die

Day 33: The In-Between

Day 34: Out of Ashes

Day 35: Offering

Day 36: Schooled by Fish

Day 37: The Value of Humility

Day 38: Heard

Day 39: Preaching What You Practice

Day 40: What Are You Waiting For?

About the Authors

FOREWORD

The first verse actually happened. The second verse mostly happened, and the third verse, of course, is happening now. - Bruce Springsteen, “Greatest Hits” liner notes

Twenty years ago I wrote a song in the midst of a dark season of life. I had been recently diagnosed with Hepatitis C (I was infected through a blood transfusion when I was a child) and had begun a form of immune suppressing therapy. I had lost forty pounds and was anemic. Every Friday (for almost two years) I knew I would be sick.

Starting several years prior, I had been attending a Bible study that basically was going through the narrative story of the Scriptures. We learned about the context in which the events of Scripture happened, namely the culture and history of the people in the Bible as well as the geography of the land. Starting in Genesis, the Bible study leader talked about the way in which the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob revealed Himself. In particular, the story of Jacob—a man, not perfect but having a certain level of tenacity, who was willing to wrestle with God through the night—stood out. As I heard this story, my imagination filled in the setting. But that story made room for mine. After all, it is my humble assertion that great art not only tells the story of the artist, but it somehow (more so) makes room for the person taking it in.

It was in that environment I started writing worship music. Two years later, that song was “Your Grace Is Enough.”

It was the process of seeing the narrative story of the Scriptures come alive in the different dimensions of culture, time, geography, and history—of old promises being foretold in the new—that created space and sparked my imagination as a songwriter. The process of reading the Scriptures and imagining oneself in the story is an old practice known as lectio divina. Not just in the reading of Scripture but in the daily context of a life lived in relationship with God, we are in the story.

You realize over time that history is often repeating itself, and the story of sinners being made into saints by the all-consuming grace and love of Jesus is something that is still unfolding. He is truly reconciling all things to Himself.

Even our imaginations. Even in our art.

Devoting picture, sound, and light toward spending tens of hours to see the New Testament in such a specific way through The Chosen™ gives dimension to cultural, historical, and spiritual context. That is something we as the Body of Christ have never had in this scope. We also now have the capacity to watch it simultaneously; it is truly an amazing gift.

Who knows where inspiration will strike as we go on this journey together. What other people will be inspired by this show? I know my imagination and my faith have been encouraged by it. But you know what still holds immeasurable value? Do you know what it doesn’t replace? An actual relationship with Jesus! Which means, we commit to a journey of faith with Scripture, prayer, and resources that help us with that journey, such as this devotional.

Like the story of Emmaus in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus often shows up “on the way,” while we are walking, while we are living, even in our disappointment and grieving, as Day 34 tells us, for example. There’s a process in which our eyes are opened as the Scriptures are unpacked. Sometimes a pilgrimage of faith can be a season; for some it can be years. But the practice of embracing a defined period of time to pursue God and to be receptive to His pursuit of us is something that every follower of Jesus has to keep entering into as we dive deeper and deeper into this story of all stories.

That’s the heart behind this book. It’s an opportunity to enter into forty days of walking with Jesus intentionally. If you can commit to the journey, He commits to showing up and revealing Himself. God willing, we too shall say, “Were our hearts not burning within us?” Your heart, after all, is what the Lord wants. I pray this devotional helps you in your surrender of it.

INTRODUCTION

Jesus came to fulfill Scripture (Luke 4:21). That’s what He said after reading from the scroll of Isaiah in His hometown synagogue. Everyone was impressed until He rebuked them for their unbelief. Then they were furious and tried to throw Him off a cliff.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:9). That’s what He said after instructing Zacchaeus to climb down from the tree so they could hang out at his house. The elated tax-collector swiftly repented and vowed to change his crooked ways.

Jesus came to testify to the truth (John 18:37). That’s what He said after being questioned by Pilate about His identity and alleged crimes. Moments before handing Him over to be crucified, Pilate rhetorically asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

The literal answer? Jesus is truth. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Which begs the question:

What is our response to truth? Which side of it are we on? As it happens, Jesus said, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37).

Here’s the thing about truth though: We contend with it in a variety of ways under a variety of circumstances (as evidenced by these three examples). Once Jesus collides with our deepest needs, cultural biases, personal motivations, and prideful objections, the outcome can be infuriating. Or exhilarating. Or anything in between.

Here’s another thing about truth: it can take a minute to grasp. Zaccheaus had already heard about Jesus before climbing the tree for a better look. Mercifully, Jesus repeated Himself often and illustrated Kingdom principles again and again. Which means if anyone missed it the first time, they had plenty more opportunities to understand.

If they were listening.

We’re far enough in our journey together that many of the stories we discuss will be familiar and may even seem repetitive—because some of them are. And as you read through this book, you might find yourself wondering, Didn’t they already do a devotional (or three) on this verse…or person, or miracle, or principle, or promise? Maybe we have. And that’s ok since—as Jesus and the four gospel accounts make pretty clear—we learn through repetition, and truth sometimes takes a minute to grasp.

To that end, we invite you to climb up and continue to explore all the angles from which we can better see Jesus. Let’s spend the next forty days listening harder as we contend with the answers given by our Scripture-fulfilling, lost-seeking-and-saving, truth-testifying Messiah.

May we welcome His rebuke.

May we repent of our crooked ways.

Then may we testify to the Truth who is ever working within us…the outcome of which should be nothing short of exhilarating.

Amanda, Kristen, and Dallas

DAY 1

VERY GREAT REWARD

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

MATTHEW 6:1

Jesus warned the sermon-on-the-mount folks not to practice their righteousness before others in order to be seen. Moments later He said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

The being seen part wasn’t the issue because recognition is not inherently bad. Stealing God’s glory instead of shining for Him is where it gets dark, and the consequences are real.

Nonetheless, most of us have a difficult time staying focused on God’s rewards because they’re just not as immediate and tangible as we’d like them to be. So, even though “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9), we tend to prefer what we can imagine. And curate. And edit.

We know what eyes like to see and what ears like to hear, so we prepare all kinds of stuff for those who might love us. Then we post it and wait to hear the words: “Well done, you cool and awesome person.”

Needless to say, that’s about as eternal-reward forfeiting as it gets, and why every person with a social media account—or pulse—ought to heed Jesus’ warning. On a fairly regular basis we need to ask ourselves: for whom do I strive to shine?

Abraham’s answer earned him the moniker “father of faith.” That’s how shiny he was. Even after God promised to make him into a great nation (which catapulted “being seen” way beyond what any heart could imagine), Abraham’s righteousness-practicing was for the sake of glorifying God. He wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but he knew for whom he strove to shine. When he was promised the heir that would launch his great nation status, God said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1 NIV).

Compare that to the glory-stealers whom Jesus told the sermon-on-the-mount folks not to emulate. They didn’t get squat. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:2-4 NIV).

Thank goodness God’s reward is not man’s fleeting and meaningless admiration. It’s His love and power being displayed in and through our lives for others to see. As we shine for Him, our Father who is in heaven will forever be our shield. His very great reward will carry us into eternity where He has prepared the unimaginable. And we’ll finally hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

How cool and awesome that will be!

PRAYER FOCUS

Thank God that He loves us enough to warn us and instruct us. Ask Him to reveal the ways in which you steal His glory. Praise Him for the very great reward of His love and power working in and through your life.

MOVING FORWARD

oDo you have a difficult time staying focused on God’s rewards? What immediate and tangible things tend to get in the way?

oFor whom do you strive to shine most of the time? As in, are your good works for God’s glory or for your own recognition?

oDescribe a time when others saw your good works and gave glory to God?

DAY 2

WAITING FOR ALL THE THINGS

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

MATTHEW 6:33

If you read through Lamentations—which is an entire book dedicated to the crushing grief brought on by Israel’s rebellion and Jerusalem’s consequent fall—you’ll notice a shift in the middle of the third chapter. It’s quite dramatic. Shortly after penning tragic prose such as, “Like a lion in hiding, [God] dragged me from the path and mangled me” (Lamentations 3:10-11 NIV), the prophet Jeremiah remembered: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (vv. 25-26 NIV).

Yes, it is good to wait on God. And it’s often extremely difficult, as the grieving mangled prophet testified. Moses was another prophet who was no stranger to waiting. In his one-and-only psalm, he made an interesting comment about the Lord’s timing. “A thousand years in [God’s] sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4 NIV).

It’s doubtful Moses could relate. Many of his days must’ve felt like a thousand years as he wandered around the wilderness with a bunch of whiny idolatrous ingrates. In the same psalm, he pleaded with God to expedite the process. “Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (vv. 13-14 NIV).

Smack dab in the middle of affliction, while dealing with ridiculously selfish people, both prophets knew to wait on the Lord. He was their only hope. Nearly a thousand years apart from each other, they sought the God who orchestrates millenniums and individual days simultaneously. And as promised, He was good to them. Despite their harrowing circumstances, Jeremiah and Moses were satisfied by the Lord’s unfailing love.

Many centuries later when the early church was being mocked by a different group of rebellious ingrates, Peter told the believers to recall the holy prophets. He quoted Moses then extolled the Lord’s goodness and compassionate timing.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV).

Which means we’re not the only ones waiting. Nor have we been the only ones seeking. Jesus said to the repentant, tree-climbing, tax collector Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10 NIV).

That is what He’s been doing for millennia. Jesus is the salvation of the Lord for whom Jeremiah quietly waited. He is the lost-seeking, patient, promise-keeping Savior who invites each person to seek Him back and experience His kingdom and righteousness. And since we tend to hear His voice more clearly when we’re smack dab in the middle of a tragic chapter, that’s often when the dramatic shift occurs. And the reason why God doesn’t expedite the process. He’s compassionate that way. Because He is our only hope.

Therefore, even when we feel mangled by crushing grief, or weary from wandering around with ridiculously selfish people (including ourselves), we can sing for joy and be glad all our days. In His perfect timing—like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night—He will relent and add all of the things for which we’ve been waiting.

PRAYER FOCUS

Praise the God of compassion for His perfect timing as you wait for Him to move. Ask Him to satisfy you in the morning with His unfailing love while you continue to seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Thank Jesus for being the lost-seeking, patient, promise-keeping Savior who came to seek and save the lost.

MOVING FORWARD

oHave you ever cried out to the Lord in grief or frustration then felt a dramatic shift in your spirit? Describe the circumstances and what happened.

o