Weekly Devotion from Jesse

Tuesday, February 2     This Week
Week of:    Feb 7, 2010, Jan 31, 2010, Jan 24, 2010, Jan 17, 2010
Topics: GROWING IN YOUR FAITH, FINDING GOD'S TRUTH, PRAYER, DISCOVERING GOD'S WILL

SAYING GOODBYE

Passage Of the Day:

When he said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him on the ship.

Acts 20:36-38 (New King James Version)

Insight - Application & Encouragement

Insight:
The apostle Paul had a very close relationship with the people in Ephesus. After spending a couple of years in the city of Ephesus with them, it came time to say goodbye. It would be the final time they would see Paul this side of heaven. Tears were shed and prayers were prayed in this emotional departure. It is very difficult when a relationship changes or when you have to say goodbye to someone you love. They found comfort in God in the middle of the pain.


A Story:
The author C.S. Lewis was married to Joy, but she developed cancer and had to watch her slowly die. The movie Shadowlands is about their story. C.S. Lewis was a realist, and as he reflected on love- he knew that when you love, there is risk involved. But overall, it was much better to love his wife including the painful parts than to be locked up alone in his own private world.
C.S. Lewis said it like this: “To love is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one. Wrap it up carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket-safe, dark, motionless, airless it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”


Application:
As Proverbs 4:23 says, it is wise to guard your heart. Don’t give it away easily. Choose your friends carefully. Be very prayerful about if and who you would date. Poor decisions in these areas can lead to a lot of headache and heartache. But even in healthy relationships, there can be seasons of change or even goodbye. It is okay to grieve the loss. But know too that your relationship with Jesus can give you strength to continue to walk forward.


A Quote:
Thomas Akempis wrote in his book the imitation of Christ: “Love Jesus and keep Him for your friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake you , nor suffer you to perish in the end. Sometime or other you must be separated from all, whether you will or not. Keep close to Jesus both in life and in death, and commit yourself unto His faithfulness, who, when all else fail, can alone help you.”


Questions:
Have you experienced a major change or loss in a relationship?
How did you handle or try to cope with the pain?
How can you really turn to God in times of loneliness?
If two people both are Christians, will their relationship ever end?
When is goodbye a good thing?


Prayer:
God, I want to commit all of my relationships to You today. Lead me and guide me in all of them I pray. Show me who I need to forgive, who I need to apologize to, who I need to say goodbye to, and who I need to pray for now. I ask for Your presence and your healing comfort in my loss and loneliness. Help me to love people as You love them. And I pray this in Your name Jesus. Amen.

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