Daily Devotion, April 30, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 15:13.

Hope. It is such a life-giving force. Think about how life-less you feel when you feel hope-less. Those are times when you are not sure how to go on, to move forward. You’re not sure you want to do anything. Life just seems to stop.  

But when you have hope, you have a reason to keep trying, to get out of bed and go about your business for the day. You will give it all you have if there is any hope. That’s the other thing about this gift: you don’t have to have much of it for it to still have much power to keep you going. If just a little bit of hope means you still have “gas in the tank.” 

The Apostle Paul writes about hope in several of his letters to the churches of the first century. At the end of 1 Corinthians 13, he includes it as part of what I call the “big three life-giving forces”: faith, hope and love. Here in Romans, he says it is one of the core attributes of who God is and offers a blessing to his readers, seeking for them to know this hope for themselves in abundance, so that it overflows from them to others. How does that happen? “...by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  

Stay connected to this Spirit of hope and by that Spirit, give hope (and life) to others.

Personal Worship Option:

In our worship services tomorrow, we are starting a new series about the gifts God gives us through the Holy Spirit. Who can you call or go visit today to invite them to go with you to worship?

Daily Devotion, April 29, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Proverbs 23:18; 24:14.

The writer of Proverbs repeats this one in these verses. To know we have a future is to live in constant hope. I am reminded here of the chorus of the Gaither song that says “Because he lives I can face tomorrow….because I know he holds the future…” But sometimes you wonder if you have what it takes to face tomorrow. Max Lucado recounts the following story. See if you can relate to the little boy in the airport terminal.

“The little boy and his family were beach-bound for a week of sand and sun. Everything about the dad’s expression said, “Hurry up!” The concourse was his football field, and he was determined to score a touchdown.

Can the little fellow keep up? I wondered. Mom could. Big brother could. But the little guy? He was five years old, six at most. He tried to match his parent’s pace, but he just couldn’t.

Right in the middle of the mayhem, he gave up. He plopped his bag on the floor, took a seat on top of it, and shouted, “I can’t keep up!”

Can you relate?

Sometimes the challenge is just too much. You want to keep up. You try. Life has a way of taking the life out of us.

When you run out of fight, remember that the promises of God are yours to claim. God’s Word dares you to believe that your best days are ahead of you. God promises you a Promised Land.”

Personal Worship Option:

Stop and rest in the hope that God gives you. Hope for today and hope for tomorrow.

Daily Devotion, April 28, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 119:111-114.

When difficult times come, we can always find true comfort in the Word of God. Today’s verse comes from the longest Psalm in the Bible. Remarkably, Psalm 119 is a complete devotional reading on the Word of God. The psalmist reminds us of God’s wonderful promises and logical directives for life. The Psalmist’s conclusion is that the Word of God is our best refuge in tough times.

When life gets hard and we have difficulty trying to keep going, we need to remember that we can always go to God and He will be our place to recharge and help us feel better about life. No matter how crazy life gets, we can find hope and comfort in God’s word.

Next time you feel stressed, try using the psalmist’s technique. Dive into God’s Word, meditate on its wisdom, rediscover his promises for you in Jesus Christ, and trust those promises with all your heart. Sometimes we get impatient for results and forget the words of the scripture that we know so well. Hold fast to the truths that you know from the Bible.

Personal Worship Option:

Father, thank you for your Word and for the encouragement we find in it. Help us to use your Word to stay focused on Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 27, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 8:24-25; 12:12.

This week we are focusing on the hope we always have because of what God did at Easter. In preparation for this devotional, I decided to pay attention to how often I said the word, “hope” and to ask what was its meaning each time? I was surprised at how often I said “hope” on a given day! Its meaning was usually to speak about an event in the future!

I believe Paul, in all of his letters, is speaking of a different understanding of “hope”. Paul’s hope is IN God and IN who God is. This hope is IN the relationship of God’s great love unto us, and IN the gift of Christ, which makes possible our love unto God. Out of God’s love through Christ we have eternal hope and eternal life.

In Romans 7 and the beginning of Romans 8, Paul is teaching his readers about “the life the law could not give.” (N. Thomas Wright, The New Interpreter’s Bible). We cannot save ourselves. God understood this and sent Christ to accomplish what we could not accomplish for ourselves.

Here in these verses for today, Paul writes of the hope we have as the people of Christ. He is calling us to live into the hope which Christ carried with him. Christ’s hope was IN God. Christ lived with confidence that God is continually working on us as individuals and as a whole creation. Romans 8:22 says “That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” And Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in this hope!”

Personal Worship Option:

Jesus’ words in Matthew’s gospel inspired a timeless song, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” by Civilla D. Martin in 1905. Her last stanza encourages us to find our hope again in God’s care. “Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies. I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

Daily Devotion, April 26, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Corinthians 4:14-18.

In this passage, Paul reminds the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians not to lose eternal perspective in the midst of everything they are going through. There was disunity in the church and they were experiencing divisions and quarrels. He says they were pressed on every side with troubles. Paul wants them to know the distresses of life on earth is a short time compared to the blessings of eternity with Christ. Our life on earth is temporary and day by day, our physical bodies are in the process of dying. As Christians, even though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. Paul encourages us not to lose heart because of our troubles. And Paul had more than his fair share of troubles including imprisonment, beatings, a shipwreck, and a snake bite! Paul knew his physical body was beaten and bruised and wasting away, but he didn’t focus on his hardships. Paul tells us to “fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.” Often our perspective is on the “seen” world instead of the “unseen” world. As The Message puts it, “We look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” When we use our eyes of faith, we can look beyond our worldly troubles and get a glimpse of the joys of heaven.

Personal Worship Option:

In what ways do you need to shift your vision to have an eternal perspective?

Daily Devotion, April 25, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 39:6-7.

If we are fortunate, we have people around us in life from whom we learn. My older brother taught me so much, from how to throw and catch a baseball to how to be a good husband and father. Sometimes he taught me with words, but usually it was with quiet actions and setting a good example. I was waiting with his wife and daughters in the waiting room when the surgeon came to tell us the cancer was too advanced for them to complete life-saving surgery. When we spoke with him in the recovery room, he was sad but also so peaceful and calm, smiling to make us feel better. I suspected it was the lingering effects of the anesthesia. But in our conversations in the few months he had left, he spoke with that same touch of sadness about a future that was slipping away; and always, much greater than the sadness, was this beautiful sense of peace and well-being. He had a hope in God through Jesus Christ that was so powerful that it would not be diminished one bit by what faced him. When I think of my brother, his faith and his witness, I am still learning.

This passage reminds us that we can put our hope in lots of things, but many of them are not lasting. God is forever, and our hope in God will never be in vain.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today for those who are good examples in your life, especially for those who have shown you what it means to have hope in God through Christ. Thank God for always being there and for God’s gift to us of Christ, the ultimate reason for our hope.

Daily Devotion, April 24, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 11:28-30.

It’s a phrase of welcome and hospitality: “Take a load off!” You may have had someone welcome you into their home or their office by saying “Come in. Sit down and take a load off.” They could tell you were tired and needed some rest.  

Sometimes you are carrying physical burdens or have just been working really hard and are worn out. Sometimes you are carrying spiritual, emotional or mental burdens and need to unload them. Having that friend or colleague with whom you can unload those burdens is such a wonderful gift.  

Our Scripture focus today in our “Funday Sunday” worship is one of Jesus’ most reassuring and comforting invitations: “Come to me and I will give you rest….my burden is light.” Yes, to follow him and go where he leads us can be very hard and heavy sometimes, but you can carry that burden because he carries it with you. As 1 Peter 5:7 puts it “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I hope you will join us in worship today as we focus on Jesus’ invitation to us all: “Take a load off!” 

Personal Worship Option:

Consider offering this prayer: “Jesus, thank you for your invitation to come and find rest in you. There are certainly times and situations in life that can feel like carrying a huge burden. Help me continue to learn to give anything that weighs me down to you. Help me take a load off and find rest in you. Amen.” 

Daily Devotion, April 23, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 90:1-2.

Over the years, this became a very personal passage for me because I have had to move several times in my life. I’ve called many places “home.” One translation of this passage from the Psalmist says “Lord, you have been our home forever.” It was written out of the life experience of a nomadic people. Their history was full of moving to different places and often not having a place to call home. The Psalmist acknowledges that God is our true home; that wherever we are, we can still have a sense of being home when we have established a personal relationship with God. It is God who gave you life and you will only be complete, whole, “home” when you are connected to your Creator.

At our Funday Sunday worship service tomorrow morning, the message for the day is “Take A Load Off.” Home is the place we most naturally and regularly do that. It’s the place where we can relax, put our “comfy clothes” on and get some rest. It’s the place where we can get the sleep we need. We rest and sleep where we feel safe. Ultimately and most fully, the only “place” to do that is with God. No matter where you are, with God, you are home.

Personal Worship Option:

Here are two verses of an old prayer hymn by Isaac Watts that are based on this Psalm:

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, 

our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come;

be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

Daily Devotion, April 22, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 19:13-15.

Jesus teaches the disciples that to be part of his kingdom is to have a child-like quality about us. We are to live life with a spirit of freedom that says we totally trust God. We do not have to understand the mysteries of the universe; it should be enough to know that God loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin.

The disciples must have forgotten what Jesus had previously said about children. Jesus wanted little children to come because he loves them and because they have the kind of attitude needed to approach God.  The receptiveness of the children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders who let pride and religious superiority stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus.

Personal Worship Option:

When did God open your eyes to accept him? Thank Him for his grace in your daily activities. Look for a way to share your story.

Daily Devotion, April 21, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 4:4-9.

The book of Philippians is one of my very favorite books in the Bible. It is so encouraging and talks of the joy in Christ. To me this book that Paul wrote is just one long thank you note. Verse 4:4 says “rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.” This is the way to live no matter what is going on in our lives. Christ’s coming to bring salvation allows for exuberant joy in the world. The Holy Spirit in us makes the joy of God personal. We no longer need to search for joy, we have it! Paul explains that when we have the joy of the Lord, we have the peace of God as well.

The joy that Paul shares with his readers is based on the truth that the Lord is near. God is never far away from his children and wants us to feel his presence. He is our spiritual parent. He knows what we are going through, how we are suffering, and he is always ready to guide and comfort us. Nothing can separate us from his wonderful love. That, my friends, is pure joy for all of us to have.

Personal Worship Option:

God we are living in a world that is missing deep joy because of disease, disaster, world fighting, and emotional distress. We desperately need your joy. Holy Spirit, fill us with the joy of the Lord, we pray. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 20, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

Yesterday, we read Psalm 23 which reminded us that God provides and will always show goodness and unfailing love. Today, Jesus echoes the Psalmist’s understanding of what it means to completely trust God to supply all of our needs, so that we can live free of being worried about physical matters.

Max Lucado, in his book “Traveling Light”, weaves Psalm 23 and today’s scripture together in the chapter titled, “Whaddifs and Howells”. He writes, “Worry is the burlap bag of burdens. It’s overflowing with ‘waddifs’ and ‘howells’. ‘Waddif’ it rains at the wedding? And ‘howell’ we pay for college?” 

Lucado adds, “The biblical word for worry (merimnao) is a compound of two Greek words, merizo (to divide) and nous (the mind). Worrying splits our energy between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems”.

Prior to these instructions about “not worrying”, Jesus reminds his listeners that “No one can serve two masters….You cannot serve both God and Money.” Too often, his listeners then and now have divided minds of worry trying to serve both.

Thankfully, Jesus reminds us how much God loves and cares for human beings and will always be seeking and providing ways for life to be lived in the fullness of God’s care. Our response is to be seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first.

“Seeking first” has a different meaning than God’s being first on our list. It is that God is to be our full focus, the complete center of our lives, or like the analogy of an archer focused on the center of the target.

Jesus reminds his listeners then and now to remember who they belong to. We belong to God, and God will take care of us. Remembering this allows us to be free of worrying, to be free from a life striving for acquiring many things, a life free to be generous because God provides, and free to invest in making a difference in the lives of others.

Personal Worship Option:

What are you worried about today? Psalm 23:2 says, “He leads me beside the still waters.” Ponder this place of peace. Imagine the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. They are cared for and beautiful and yet you are worth so much more. Trust God with today’s worries and live in God’s care and freedom.

Daily Devotion, April 19, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 23.

One reason the Bible is so relevant is because its authors wrote from personal experience. David wrote Psalm 23 from his perspective as a shepherd. He had fed his father's sheep in the mountains near Bethlehem. He loved the sheep so much that he even struggled with a lion and bear to protect them. David says in this Psalm the Shepherd provides for all of his needs, giving him rest in beautiful meadows and streams. We see God as a caring shepherd who leads his sheep in paths of safety and will always show goodness and unfailing love. From his experience, David chose the word shepherd to describe God. What word would you choose to describe God based on your experience?

Personal Worship Option:

Think of a time when you walked through a "dark valley" and felt God close beside you? Spend time thanking God for his goodness and unfailing love. Then claim his promise to never leave you or forsake you when you face troubling times in the future.

Daily Devotion, April 18, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 1:24-31.

This passage is part of a beautiful poetic writing about God’s work of creation. I could not help but go back and read the first part starting with verse 1, as well. As I did that, I noticed something again – repetition. Phrases like “Let there be…” “And it was so,” and “there was evening, and there was morning – the first (and so on) day.” Instead of rhyme, Hebrew poetry uses such repetition, one of its strongest characteristics. Poetry always has deeper meaning beyond the words.

I also notice a sense of order in the way God created. Starting with the most basic of essentials of life, God created light, separated dry land and water, and moved on to living creatures. By the time God created human beings, everything was in place for them to live and to thrive on the earth. Plants, sea creatures, birds, livestock, and wild animals were created to reproduce and sustain life. It is in this state of balance and provision that God created humans in God’s own image. And it was after the addition of humans that God declared it all very good. God planned, created, and intends for us to experience life at its best, living in accordance with the image in which God created us.

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, our Creator, thank you for the way you have provided for us. Help me to see better how I fit into your awesome plan of creation and to live in ways that will sustain the earth and its inhabitants. Help me to live in the image in which you created me. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 17, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read John 20:19-22.

One of the words I most associate with Easter is “power.” On this day, we remember and celebrate that God overcame the powerful enemy of death. We are reminded of what the angel told Mary before Jesus was even born: “Nothing is impossible with God!” God gives us life and can give us new life. No matter what obstacle or struggle you face in life, God can give you the power to overcome it!

“The Gospel According To John” tells us that on the evening of Easter, Jesus appeared to his disciples and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. A few days before, he had promised to send this Spirit to guide, comfort and empower them for their work of continuing his mission in the world.  

This same Spirit is still promised to you and me as we seek to continue that same mission. Just like those first disciples experienced, there will be times when it seems like we have failed our Lord; when the forces of evil are winning the battle; when all seems hopeless and lost. But as long as you stay connected to this Spirit, you will be given all you need to overcome any challenge. Hallelujah! Christ is alive! And God is still in the resurrection business!

Personal Worship Option:

Join us in worship today as we celebrate Easter! We start at 7:00 with a Sunrise Service. We will continue at 9:30 and 11:15 with much celebration! If at all possible, join us in person. And if that is not possible, join us online. Let’s worship together on Easter!

Daily Devotion, April 16, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 27:62-66.

Other than one sentence in “The Gospel According To Luke,” this is the only reference we have in the Gospels about Saturday, the day between when Jesus was crucified and when he was resurrected. It was the Sabbath and so Jesus followers could not make the walk out to the tomb on that day. It was a day of rest. It had to also be a day of deep sadness, shock and despair. All those emotions and more accompany any death, but the death of this particular man must have left his followers with a sense of hopelessness. They believed he was the Messiah. Now they must have been wondering if they were wrong. Their whole world was in shambles.

The scene that is shared in these verses also reminds us that the world does its best to try to thwart the ways and plans of God. It is ludicrous for people to think they have that kind of power, but we so easily deceive ourselves. Here, both religious and political leaders think they have more power than they do. The forces of evil often still convince those same leaders of that lie.

 

So we have at least two lessons to ponder from our passage for today. When the rulers and ways of this world seem to be in charge, remember that is only temporary. And when your whole world seems to be in shambles, remember that is also only temporary.

Personal Worship Option:

Consider offering this prayer today (or one similar to it in your own words): “Almighty God, when I am facing a time of despair and hopelessness, help me remember that it is only temporary. When it looks like the forces of evil are ruling our world, help me remember that you are still in charge. And help me be there for others when they experience these same forces. In Jesus name, Amen.” 

Daily Devotion, April 15, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 27:27-44.

Both soldiers and religious leaders make fun of Jesus because it was so ridiculous to them that he could be a king or the Messiah. Representing God in this world is done in ways that do not make sense to the ways of the world. People often make fun of Christians for their faith, but believers can take courage from the fact that Jesus was mocked as greatly as anyone. Taunting may hurt our feelings, but we should never let it change our faith.

  

One young elementary boy had been immersed in the football season and was very interested in how the defense tried to defend the ball. When one day a classmate made fun of his belief in God. The little boy promptly tackled the other child. Of course he got in trouble at school and when his father asked why he had done that, the child replied, “I was just defending my faith like the guys on the football field defending the ball.”  When we encounter taunts and attack because of our faith, we may want to tackle the other person too. But that is not the example Christ gave us. Grace, mercy, and kindness are tools to employ as we put our faith into action in the face of opposition.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on your faith - let the cost of this gift permeate your heart. Give thanks to God.

Daily Devotion, April 14, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 26:17-30.

Before Jesus died, God’s people sacrificed a lamb each year during the Feast of Passover to remind them that God brought them out of slavery in Egypt. Jesus’ death took place at the beginning of Passover. This would show that Jesus’ death is the one time sacrifice of God to save his people from their sin. Today we remember Jesus’ sacrifice by celebrating the Lord’s Supper, taught by Jesus the night before he died.

We call this Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or Eucharist (which means thanksgiving). It is a celebration, but it is also a confession that we need to be forgiven. In this passage, the point is made as Jesus says that his blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

When we take the bread and the juice, we remember together that we are sinners who needed Jesus to die for us. With the Lord’s Supper our guilt is taken care of by the saving grace of God. A thanksgiving prayer was a tradition in the ritual meal of the Jewish Passover. The ritual of Communion should remind us to have great gratitude to God for his love for us.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Jesus, we are sorry for our sins and mistakes. Thank you for dying in our place so that we could be forgiven. Your love is unquestionable. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 13, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 25:31-46.

According to Matthew’s Gospel, this is the last thing Jesus shared with the public before some private time with his disciples prior to his arrest. It is a powerful story of the essence of God’s kingdom.

The ones who kept the stories of Jesus in their hearts and minds must have understood how important these words of Jesus were.

At first glance, this could simply be a list of ways to serve others. But it goes much deeper than this. It calls us to honesty about how we “see” others. If we knew the Queen of England was arriving in our neighborhood soon, how would we prepare for her visit?

“Undercover Boss” is a popular television program. Often the employees are surprised to find that the person, who has been working beside them, is the CEO of the company! And the CEO is often surprised by the compassion demonstrated by the employees! 

In this parable, Jesus has reversed the “class system” of his day and surprised his hearers with the memorable words in verse 40, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

The essence of God’s kingdom is seeing, hearing and serving others as Christ sees them. The essence of God’s kingdom is a willingness to sacrifice and to share with others. The essence of God’s kingdom is to do this, not for any reward, but for the joy of walking in the footsteps of Christ.

Jesus knew what was facing him in the days ahead. He wanted his followers to open their eyes to his ways of service and mercy unto all people. Christ’s call to serve others is not to serve in a condescending way. We are called to serve others as if we are serving Christ!

Personal Worship Option:

Forgive us, O God, because we fall short in serving others. Sometimes we fail to see you in others. Sometimes we forget that you have called us to share what we have. Open our eyes and our ears to see and hear the cries of the needy. Help us to trust you as we share and care. Help us to live into the joy of Christ’s calling. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 12, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 22:15-22.

Many of you remember the Looney Tunes characters Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote Wile E. Coyote was always trying to trick and capture Road Runner. However, as you know he always failed. Well, the Jewish establishment was constantly trying to trick and trap Jesus. However, they failed time and time again. Spoiler alert: they will fail in today’s passage as well.

They’re trying to set-up a situation where Jesus offends someone and entraps himself no matter which side he takes. If Jesus said people should pay tax, they could accuse Jesus for giving offerings to Caesar not to God. If Jesus said not to pay taxes, they would say he was guilty of not obeying the Roman Laws. But Jesus was wise in saying, “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Jesus was showing we have dual citizenship. Our citizenship in a country means we are to pay for services and benefits we receive. Our citizenship in God’s Kingdom means we pledge our ultimate obedience and commitment to him. God has designed us to be loyal in multiple human relationships and institutions. However, none of these are to take the place of our loyalty to God. Notice the Pharisees were speechless and went away. Jesus was always wise in his relationships with others, even when they disagreed. He models how to respond when we get tripped up sometimes by religious debates.

Personal Worship Option:

“Lord, help me to give back to you my time, energy, resources, talents, thoughts, and all things that you have blessed me with in my body, soul, and spirit. Amen.”

Daily Devotion, April 11, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 21:12-17.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day, he was greeted, not as a rabbi or prophet, but as the new King. His riding into the city on a donkey perfectly fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy of how Israel’s new king would come to the people. This was a very deliberate, thoughtful, and reasoned entrance by Jesus. No more would he ask people to keep quiet about a miracle or to not reveal his being the Christ. His time had come, and the crowd followed him right to the temple.

The idea of having money changers and people selling animals at the temple started out for a good and practical reason – to serve the pilgrims traveling there to worship, but now they were cheating people and were focused on making profit at the hands of those who came to worship. Imagine the clamor of animals and the voices of the sellers and currency changers, hawking their booths. Part of the profits were going to the religious leaders at the temple. Jesus' actions of clearing the temple hurt them economically, and that stirred their hatred even more than their political and spiritual opposition to him. The resulting tension would rise to a fever pitch during the week and lead to his crucifixion.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on our motives for going to worship and being part of the church. Is there any intent to network or make contacts or advance our careers or to enhance our earning power? If so, let Christ cleanse that and then refocus on being in church to worship, learn, and serve.

Daily Devotion, April 10, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 22:14-19.

One of the core lessons of the Bible is an encouragement to remember. As God was bringing the Children of Israel out of Egypt, they were encouraged to remember that event for the rest of their lives and throughout all of their generations. They were instructed to eat an annual meal to remember the Exodus. Later, as they were about to enter the promised land, God cautioned them about forgetting who brought them there and gave them this land.  

As Jesus was sharing the annual Passover meal with his disciples, he took elements of the meal and invited them to regularly share a new meal by which they were to remember him. As his people today, we still remember him and experience him again in that meal, hearing him say “This my body and this is my blood, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Keeping connected to God’s power means keeping certain things in mind. Remember who you are and who gave you the life you have. Remember who continues to give you a path to life with God forever. Remember and give thanks.

Personal Worship Option:

In your relationship with God, what are some of the most important things you seek to remember? Meditate on those today.

Daily Devotion, April 9, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 42:4-6.

As I look back over my life, there have been times of joy and times of struggle. There were so many good times with my family in my childhood and teenage years. I also have many good memories with my wife and children. Times of struggle have included helping care for my father as Alzheimer’s Disease took over his mind and watching the toll that took on my mother, along with watching my wife go through a major surgery and chemo treatments for cancer. Through all of those times, both the joys and the struggles, I sensed the presence of God. And even when I didn’t feel God’s presence in the moment, on the other side of the struggle, I knew that God had brought me through it.  Maybe you have similar memories in your own life.  

In those times when we face crisis moments or periods of struggle, remembering those earlier times that God brought us through can be a source of hope and courage. That’s what I see and hear in these verses from the Psalmist. The verse just before these speak of a time of struggle, yet this writer is encouraged by experiences with God in the past. May these verses and your own memories also encourage you.

Personal Worship Option:

Take some time to remember and reflect on life experiences that God has brought you through. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

Daily Devotion, April 8, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 16:5-12.

The disciples were worried because they had forgotten to bring bread, forgetting that Jesus had twice produced plenty of bread. It is a reminder of how easily we tend to forget what God has done when we face moments of crisis. Have you been there? A moment of crisis when your world comes to a screeching halt and everything seems to fall apart? And out of your mouth come the words, “Where is God?” Well, Friend, He is right where He said He would be - He is with you! He is working on your behalf. The words from the song “Waymaker” express this truth:  

Even when I don't see it, You're working, 

Even when I don't feel it, You're working,

You never stop, You never stop working. 

God is faithful and will continue to provide, protect, and bless His children.

Personal Worship Option:

Recount all the ways that God has blessed your life. Remember His faithfulness and be encouraged that what God has done in the past will be done today and in the future.