Today Daily Devotional

“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
— John 10:16

As a keeper of honeybees, I’ve grown a bit narrowminded. I’ve become partial to honeybees even though I know there are lots of others—like bumblebees, sweat bees, and carpenter bees—to name a few. Recently I learned there are also mason bees, which use mud to make nests is small cavities. There are actually over 20,000 species of bees all around the world. Mind-boggling!This could lead us to wonder about people groups too. Estimates for the number of people groups in the world range from about 11,000 to 24,000. Did you know that?Jesus knew about other people groups—"other sheep” besides the people into which he was born. Jesus, the good shepherd, could not and would not be content in rescuing just one people group. He came to bring God’s salvation to all the people groups throughout the world.In my thinking about honeybees, I need to remember that all of the bees in God’s creation are treasured. And when it comes to people, we need to remember that each one is made in the image of God. Jesus came to rescue God’s children from every people group in the whole human race.In what ways can we show others that they are precious in God’s sight?

Jesus, thank you for being the good shepherd. Thank you for rescuing us from the curse of sin and death. Guide us to pray for and work with others whom you have come to rescue as well. In your name, Amen.

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
— Ephesians 6:18

As a child, I was taught to pray a simple bedtime prayer. It was a “repeat-after-me” prayer, and it started like this: “Now I lay me down to sleep . . .” After memorizing it, I was encouraged to add other requests— mostly for sick family members or friends or about other concerns. Learning to pray with a parent was a good start for which I am grateful.Over the years, my prayers have expanded and matured by fits and starts through the examples of others, prayer courses, and readings—and most profoundly by prayers in the Bible. Still, my prayers are often limited. I am still a child learning to pray. It has been a humbling path.Near the close of his life, Paul urged Christ-followers to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” “Keep on praying for all the Lord’s people,” he said, and “pray also for me.” These words came to mind while I was reading a book that included a prayer for the “Keeping of Bees.” Looking back, I realize that I’ve often overlooked this step in my caring for bees. No prayer is too small. Here is another lesson from the Spirit about praying on all occasions.Are you praying in the Spirit? In what ways are your prayers maturing or being expanded? For what and whom are you being led to pray?

“Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.” Continue the good and perfect teaching of your Word in our lives, Lord. In the strong name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
— Romans 8:22

We might think that beekeeping should be easy: get some bees, put them in a hive, and let them do their thing, right? But a seasoned beekeeper will tell you that it’s never easy. Hive beetles, varroa mites, wax moths, and foul brood disease are some of the more common threats to bees and their hives. Pesticides, pollution, habitat loss, and other threats add to the mix. Clearly the beauty and harmony of God’s creation has been blighted. Honeybees are cursed along with the rest of creation. Bees need help and restoration.In one of the most mysterious and tragic chapters of the Bible, a crafty and deceitful enemy slithers into God’s good garden to subvert God’s desires for his creation. Human beings—meant to reflect God’s goodness—are seduced and infected. Sickness and death invade our homes and hearts.The curse saps life from our bodies and souls, unless someone will come to save us.We and the bees are still here, groaning but alive and kicking. This is proof of God’s stubborn and strong love for us and for his whole creation. Christians are being brought from death to life by being united with Christ Jesus in his death and resurrection. And we, “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our . . . redemption. . . .”The curse is being reversed. Thanks be to God!

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to reverse the curse of sin and death. May our hope in you energize us to wait patiently for our and all of creation’s redemption. Amen.

Since you excel in everything . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
— 2 Corinthians 8:7

When we installed two new “nucs” of bees in our hive boxes last spring, both seemed ready to become strong colonies. After a few weeks, one hive seemed to be doing better than the other, but we were not worried. Both were still growing and improving.During summer—when bees build up and increase their honey stores—we kept adding boxes to the stronger hive. By comparison, the weaker hive seemed to languish. A more careful inspection toward the end of summer revealed that the queen of the weaker hive was gone! A hive cannot survive without its queen, since she is the only bee that lays eggs to produce offspring. So our neglect in watching over that hive led to its death.The missionary pastor Paul noticed strengths and weaknesses in the churches he served. Were the Christ-followers in Corinth somewhat stung by the comparison Paul made in today’s passage? They excelled in many things, but Paul had to point out that they could be more gracious in giving. Failing to give generously for the needs of brothers and sisters in Christ was a serious flaw that could lead to their decline.Christians today do well to be concerned about the decline and disbanding of churches. Apathy and stinginess can be destructive. The good news is that when God’s people are stirred to “excel in the grace of giving,” the community of believers can thrive.

Lord Jesus, you became poor for our sake so that we might become rich in your grace. Live in and through us so that we may give graciously, as you have taught us. Amen.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
— Acts 17:26

Our reading from Psalm 104 paints a picture of all God’s provisions for the creatures in his wonderful world. But when we look around us, it’s easy to find hungry people and other creatures without shelter or food. Homelessness—for beleaguered people, habitat-deprived creatures, or even hiveless bees—is not the way it’s supposed to be.Honeybees have lived in a variety of homes over the course of time. A hollow log in a sheltered area can provide a great home for bees. People have also provided homes or hives for them. In earlier times a pot or basket would work well. Beehives for producing honey today are commonly made of stackable boxes with removable frames.Last spring, my son and I installed two small colonies of honeybees in our bee boxes. The process is fairly simple. We transferred frames from a couple of “nucs” (nucleus colonies of bees) into our boxes. The bees quickly settled into their new home.As a family, my wife and children and I have lived in many different places, and God has supplied all that we have needed. We find strength in knowing that God has been with us in all the places where we have been called to live.From the abundance God has given, may we open our hearts and hands to help people who need a home today.

Lord, thank you for providing us with homes and so much more. Fill us with gratitude and generosity, that we may share with people in need. Amen.