Daily Devotion, September 30, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 5:1-7.

The Psalmist prays as one who has obviously been in conversation with God on many occasions before. He encourages us to trust in God the one who will provide protection and peace.

I have highlighted the first five verses in this Psalm, and it reminds me that I can put my confidence in God because he listens to me and wants to replace the tension, discouragement, and sadness with joy. The secret of a close relationship with God is found in prayer. When praying each morning, our minds are more free from problems and we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication is necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with him daily.

Personal Worship Option:

Ask God for a new sense of joy and love. When the pressures rise, pause to thank God for his love.

Daily Devotion, September 29, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 22:39-46.

Jesus’ disciples were not spiritually developed. At times they did not have much spiritual insight. Because they didn’t always understand the lessons Jesus taught them, he often had to repeat or explain the concepts.

Perhaps more than anything as recorded in today’s scripture, the disciples were lacking in prayer. When Jesus needed them to keep watch and pray while he searched out the Father’s will that night on the Mount of Olives, he found them asleep. How frustrating this must have been for Jesus when he was in anguish! Don’t you think he felt alone and like the disciples just didn’t get it?

Jesus has shown us how important a life of prayer is for us. In prayer he connected with his Father in heaven, finding energy and courage to keep on with his mission. And on this particular night, as Jesus prayed before his arrest and crucifixion, he needed the Father’s assurance that his death on the cross was the only way to save us from our sins. We needed Jesus to do this for us, and he found the strength and the will to do it by connecting with God through prayer. This should be a lesson for us. Shouldn’t we follow Jesus’ example?

Personal Worship Option:

God, we know that now is the time for us to pay attention, be vigilant and diligent in our prayers. Praying for others and for issues helps keep us connected to you. Guide us as we pray so that we understand your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 28, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 32:22-30.

This week’s focus is on perseverance in prayer. This scene tells of Jacob’s perseverance in a wrestling match with God, which is what prayer feels like sometimes. The word, “rest” is in the middle of the word “wrestle”, but it feels as if there is no rest when one is wrestling with God.

“Wrestle” is a very old Hebrew word, used only this time in scripture. The other old word is Jabbok which also means wrestle. So here is Jacob wrestling with God on the edge of the “Wrestle” River!

It is a time of transition in Jacob’s life. Jacob has always been known as a deceiver. He had deceived his older brother Esau and had run away to live and work for his Uncle Laban in the far country. He lived there for 21 years. Now Jacob is returning home with all of his family to meet and to be reconciled with his brother. But he was afraid! Jacob sent his family and livestock ahead of him to go on across the Jabbok River.

Jacob was alone on what he perceived to be the safe side of the river. As verse 24 says, “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.”

The conversation between Jacob and the one wrestling him is brief and yet powerful. Verse 27 says, “’What is your name?’ ‘Jacob,’ he answered.”

Jacob knew his name meant “deceiver” and that his ways were that of deceiving his family. Bible commentaries have said that this was Jacob’s own moment of realization of the truth about his life. He was ready for a new beginning.

God gave him a new name, Israel, which means “Let God rule your life.” God gave him a blessing and spared his life.

In times of transition and in times of trying to understand God’s direction for our lives, sometimes prayer does feel like a wrestling match. God meets us and is faithful in persevering with us toward transformation and healing.

Personal Worship Option:

In the 8th and 9th stanzas of “Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown,” for this scripture Charles Wesley writes, “Speak to my heart, in blessing speak, be conquered by my instant prayer: speak, or thou never hence shalt move, and tell me if thy name is Love. ‘Tis Love! ‘tis Love! Thou diedst for me, I hear thy whisper in my heart.”

Daily Devotion, September 27, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 6:12-13.

Few events were more important in Jesus' ministry than his selection of apostles. Think about the challenge of selecting twelve from the crowd of people who followed him. He would spend every day with these men, training them, traveling with them, and leading them to change the world when he was gone. How would he begin that process? 

 

Our passage today tells us what he did first. He withdrew to the mountainside to pray. He spent the night praying! He didn’t choose the twelve and then ask God to bless his choice. No, he spent time in prayer and meditation asking God to lead him to the right men.

Then, in the morning, he called together his followers and selected the twelve and gave them a special role as apostles who would teach, and preach, and begin churches after Jesus was no longer with them.

Jesus pulled an “all-nighter” in prayer before he made an important decision. He sets the example for us to follow. It’s good to spend an extended time alone with God in prayer before making our own decisions.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Father, fill me with a greater desire to spend time with you. Help me to strengthen my commitment to prayer. Help me to spend more time in conversation with you when I am facing major decisions and opportunities. In the name of Jesus who set the example for me to follow. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 26, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 18:20-33.

Abraham’s nephew Lot had settled in the good grasslands near Sodom, a city in which particularly sinful people lived. God had decided to go there and destroy the city and all the people living in it. Abraham’s initial plea was a reasonable one…if there were fifty righteous people living there, surely they should not be destroyed with the entire city. When God heard this, God agreed and stated that if indeed there were fifty righteous people living in Sodom, God would save the entire city. The negotiation that follows is both scary and a bit funny. It is as if an auctioneer is chanting for lower and lower bids – 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally 10. We might expect God’s patience to run thin and for God to be upset with Abraham, but God is not upset in the least and grants Abraham’s request.

What lessons can we draw from this? Abraham’s prayer on behalf of righteous people, including Lot and his family, was well intended. God was patient as Abraham continued pleading. Abraham did not give up but instead persisted in his negotiation with God. Perhaps we are to learn from this that we are not to stop praying for a good thing when our request is not immediately granted, but instead we are to keep right on praying and believing that our prayers will be heard and answered.

Personal Worship Option:

What have you prayed for that has not yet happened? Does it seem to be consistent with God’s will? God does not get angry when we persist in our prayers. Take heart today and pray with renewed vigor and faith.

Daily Devotion, September 25, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 8:4-8.

This story about a farmer sowing seed invites each person to consider this question: “Which kind of soil are you?” It’s another great parable by Jesus because it is a picture we can all see in our mind. We have seen various kinds of dirt around us. We have walked on a path and know that the dirt there has been flattened and very solid, so that any seed that might fall on it would have little chance of getting under it and the seed would be “easy pickins” for the birds. We’ve seen rocky ground and seen how some plants might grow in it, but not many; and even what does probably won’t grow very long. We’ve seen how thorns, thistles and weeds in a plot of ground make it almost impossible for the plants there to flourish. And we’ve also seen a good plot of ground, especially that which a gardener has prepared for sowing seeds and plants. The rocks and weeds have been removed. The dirt has been plowed so that it is easily penetrated by both the roots that will go down deeper and the plant which will grow higher.  

And with that pictorial reminder placed in our imagination, we are confronted with the question “Which kind of soil are you?” It is obvious which kind we all want to be. The follow-up question then becomes “What are you doing to prepare yourself to be that kind of soil?” 

Personal Worship Option:

One quick option for better preparing yourself to receive God’s Word/message/Spirit is to begin or lengthen your prayer and devotional time. Start with five minutes two or three times a day, then let that gradually expand from there.

Daily Devotion, September 24, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 19:7-8; 32:1-4.

This is the first of many times that the Children of Israel said they would do what God wanted them to do, but then did not follow through with their part of the covenant. When God first inquires about their willingness to be in this covenant relationship, they respond to Moses “We will do everything the Lord has said.” But when Moses is gone longer than they think he should be, they grow impatient and are willing to let go of that covenant. They revert back to some of what they saw in Egypt. I am reminded of children telling their parents that they will be good and do what they are supposed to do, but so quickly misbehave when the opportunity to do so arises.

As I mentioned, this is just the first time this happened. The books of 1 and 2 Kings are full of a recurring cycle where each of the divided kingdoms follow God’s way for awhile, but then regularly turn to other gods and evil practices.

However, let’s not forget that this Bible is to be a mirror for each of us. It is easy to look back at those people long ago and criticize how they acted. But too often, we act in similar ways. We have good intentions. We plan to follow God’s way. We say we will. But then we too quickly find other causes and opportunities to which we give our time, our focus, our allegiance. Other things and ways become our gods, our priorities.

As always, the key to staying true to our covenant with God is to develop habits of relationship each day (devotional time, prayer time, etc.) and habits of our shared ministry as the people of Christ (worship, study, fellowship and serve together). Don’t ever forget that God is willing to renew the covenant with you whenever you are ready and willing to do your part. 

Personal Worship Option:

How might you be a more devoted covenant partner with God? What one thing could you start doing today that would help you be that mission partner?

Daily Devotion, September 23, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 119:105.

God’s Word can be a light to guide your path. However, you can carry a flashlight with you, but if you don’t turn it on and follow where it is showing you to go, it does you no good. God’s Word lights our path, enlightens our mind with truth, and deepens both our love for God and our understanding of his ways. 

Do you desire to know God more and experience His leading in your life? Engage with the Bible. Meditate on it day and night. Think and rethink about God’s Word. Let it be your guide. Make it your go-to book for questions. Let it be the ultimate authority in your life.  

Don’t chart your course according to opinions of others or suggestions of culture. Let God’s Word illuminate your life. No other book transforms, teaches, and guides like the Bible does.

Personal Worship Option:

Spend time reading Psalm 119. Note all the times the psalmist acknowledges God’s Word and how that affects his thoughts, actions, and emotions. Let God speak to you.

Daily Devotion, September 22, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 21:28-32.

This scripture comes right in the middle of a fairly long confrontation between Jesus and the leaders of Jerusalem – the chief priests and the elders of the people. This is the first of three parables intended to give them a message. The father represents God. The first son represents the tax collectors & prostitutes. They said no to God initially, but when they heard the message of the kingdom, they changed their minds and began to do God’s will. The second son represents the chief priests & elders. They said yes to God, but when they heard the message, they did not do what they said they would. The point of this parable is pretty clear. Those who refuse God but later repent and obey, like the first son, will go into the kingdom.  They will go in before those who say yes, but don’t obey God, like the second son. Jesus was indicating that those religious leaders won’t get in at all unless they repent.

Jesus is really challenging us in this gospel. Many of us have said yes to God by our baptism and membership in the Church, but can we say that we always carry out what God is calling us to do? Do we think that because we are church going Christians that we are in a 1st class position?

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help us to listen and be willing to do your will. Continue to teach us the way to live the life that you intended for us. Open our eyes to see those around us who desperately need you and give us the tools to encourage them. Thank you for all of your blessings. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 21, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read James 1:22-25.

The United Methodist college where I served as Chaplain had a strong tradition of service to the community. It was truly a campus which valued being “doers of the word and not hearers only.” There were many days and scheduled events of service throughout the year! One day a beloved and distinguished History professor who was of the Lutheran denomination said to me with a smile and twinkle in his eye, “You Methodists are always ‘doing’ something, we Lutherans just believe in ‘being’ something.”

Through the years, I have come to realize that faithful discipleship involves both “being” and “doing”. And James sums it up so beautifully in these verses. If we are followers of Christ, then our actions need to give evidence of that proclamation of who we are.

Bible commentaries remind us that James is writing to encourage the whole community of faith to be “doers of the word.” When we make our commitment into the life of our church, we pledge to “faithfully participate in its ministries by our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.”

In his book, “A Disciple’s Path”, James A. Harnish writes, “Every follower of Christ becomes a co-worker with God in God’s transformation of this world when we discover and use our gifts.” Harnish continues, “The people of God---ordinary people like every one of us---must convince the world of the reality of the gospel and be faithful as a witnessing and serving community.”

The Book of James has strong words throughout, to always be mindful and serve the most vulnerable in the community.

In our prayer of confession and pardon during our Service of Word and Table, we pray for God’s forgiveness because “we have not heard the cry of the needy.” And we ask God to “free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Joyful obedience is “hearing and doing acts of service for the most vulnerable among us, in Christ’s name.”

Personal Worship Option:

Let the last stanza from the hymn, “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” by Albert F. Bayly be our prayer today, “Called by worship to your service, forth in your dear name we go to the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show; hope and health, good will and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give, that your servant, Lord, in freedom, may your mercy know, and live.” Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 20, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 25:31-45.

Jesus had been talking with his disciples about his return and the end of this age. He tells them, “Therefore you also must be ready…” (Matthew 24:44) Then he provides three parables about being ready for his return. Our reading today is one of the parables, often called The Sheep and the Goats. Jesus used sheep and goats to show the division between believers and unbelievers. He likens himself to the shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats who are gazing in the same pasture. Representing believers, the sheep receive the place of honor and inherit God’s kingdom.

He goes on to describe the sheep as the ones who fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, showed hospitality, and took care of the sick. Jesus is saying the real evidence of our belief is in the way we act. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus and his words to us.

The parable describes acts of love and mercy we can do every day. Needs of the disadvantaged are all around us. Jesus wants us to be personally involved in caring for others’ needs. Each month Christ Church and our small groups offer opportunities to meet needs of the “the least of these” including donating pantry items, Ramen noodles, canned goods, and shoes for orphan soles. We offer opportunities to prepare meals, bake cookies, and deliver food to those in need. These are all opportunities for us to personally be involved in caring for others.

How can we be prepared for the return of Jesus? We can demonstrate actions of love toward others.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you a “sheep” or a “goat?” Goats saw lots of people in need but did nothing for them. However, the sheep saw people the way Jesus did and met their needs through acts of love. When you accept the love that Jesus offers and grow your relationship with him, then you will see people the way he does and demonstrate that love through acts of kindness.

Daily Devotion, September 19, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 7:24-27.

Jesus had just finished what we call his sermon on the mount, a collection of his teachings that span three chapters in Matthew’s gospel. It is important for us to hear Jesus’ admonition to us in today’s passage. He does not tell us to memorize all the verses in his sermon on the mount. He does not tell us to debate these teachings or dissect them, although he would likely have no problem with us discussing his teachings in order to better understand them. But his point in this passage is that we are to put his teachings into practice. It is not enough to know what he taught or even to share with others what he taught. We are to make his teachings part of our lives, guiding our decisions and shaping the way we treat others. 

There is both a promise and a warning in this passage. If we indeed put Jesus’ countercultural teachings into practice, we will be able to withstand the trials of this life. But if we do not and place our trust in other things, those things will fail us when the floods of life come. You may want to do what I did after reading this passage…I went back and read through Matthew 5-7 to get refreshed on Jesus’ teachings that we are to put into practice. He never said it would be easy, did he?

Personal Worship Option:

Pray today for the courage and discipline to honor Jesus’ teachings, putting them into practice in your daily life. These are not laws but rather principles for faithful living. Open your heart for Christ’s leading you to boldly follow his teachings.

Daily Devotion, September 18, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 15:11-32.

I have often wondered why this parable is usually titled “The Prodigal Son.” Maybe it’s because most everyone has their “prodigal” moments in life, when we spend our resources recklessly and run away from our responsibilities. But the real focus of the parable is on this father who loved both of his sons and did all he could to help them both understand that. It is such a great image of our heavenly Father who loves each and every person.

In our worship services today, we will be taking a closer look at this parable, but for now, I invite you to imagine yourself in the shoes of each character in the story. What would it be like to be the son who went away or the one who stayed? What would it be like to be the father of both of them? You might even imagine yourself to be a servant in this household and what it would be like to watch all of this take place in this family you are close to.

There are actually three parables in this one chapter. Take note of the first two verses, which explain why Jesus told all three of them. How does that explanation impact your understanding of the parable?

How reassuring it is to know this God we worship is pictured in this parable of “the father who loved both sons.”

Personal Worship Option:

Offer your own prayer of thanksgiving to this God who loves you, no matter what. And join today at Christ Church as we worship this God together! 

Daily Devotion, September 17, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 136.

The Psalmist is obviously looking back over the history of God’s relationship to the Children of Israel. There are lines of praise for who God is. There are lines related to God as the Creator. Then there is a focus on some of the key moments attributed to God that delivered the Israelites. All of it is bathed in that beautiful refrain “His love endures forever.” 

I invite you to write your own Psalm patterned after this one. Write a line praising God in some way, then write your own wording of “His love endures forever” (repeating this one throughout). Write some lines of what most fascinates you in nature. Write some lines about times that God has carried you through key moments in your life.

As individuals, as families, as a church, we can sing this song. We can write this story. In fact, we could write several Psalms like this one because we have so much for which to praise God and give thanks. So, get to writing.  (You may even want to share it with others, possibly inspiring them to write their own Psalm.) And don’t ever forget “God’s love endures forever!” 

Personal Worship Option:

Tomorrow we will be looking at the parable usually titled “The Prodigal Son” from Luke 15:11-32. If you get a chance today, read that parable in at least two versions of the Bible.

Daily Devotion, September 16, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:16-17.

It is good to remember and meditate on these verses every so often. God’s love for the whole world was shown most fully through the gift of Jesus Christ. As a father, the gift of his one and only son, was a sacrifice of all that He is. It was given out of love and grace. No hoops to jump through or list to check off - just accept the love that is offered. This was a mind-blowing concept for Nicodemus and for us as well. Nicodemus thought the person did the work - Jesus says God does the work.

These two views reflect all views of all religions. Is salvation achieved through what we do or by what God has done? The power and provision of salvation is God’s part. Our part is faith. The work of everyday faith is drawing near to the presence of God, with complete certainty that He will accept you. Not because you have ever been good enough. Not because you ever will. But because of Jesus.

Personal Worship Option:

Open your hands and turn your palms upward. Simply receive God’s grace through faith. Tell God how grateful you are for His gift of grace.

Daily Devotion, September 15, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 8:38-39.

We are all children of God. This scripture is so assuring and affirming in telling us that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. The fact that we have unconditional love through Jesus should create joy in our hearts and confidence for our future.

Let’s be honest. At times there are family members that we get frustrated with and for a time don’t even like them. But we always love them, no matter what. That is the way I think God feels. God knows our sins, our thoughts, and what we hide from others. He also knows our tendency to disobey and stray from him again and again. Still, because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, God always welcomes us back into his presence. God the Father has lavished his love and grace on us. He wants us to have the security of love for a full life forever. God made us, saves us, and instructs us. He will guide our paths daily if we will allow him and promises to lead us to his eternal home.

Do you ever wonder if you are good enough for God? Well, we’re not. But that’s the point. We are simply invited to love Him who first loved us, and to look forward to the time when he will call us to him! What an incredible future.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help us lean into your infinite love and have the faith that we cannot be separated from you. Thank you for this unbelievable gift. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 14, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 2:4-7.

This Sunday’s parable is the familiar story of “The Prodigal Son” from Luke 15. I was surprised when I looked up the definition of “prodigal”! Throughout my life, I thought “prodigal” was about the “journey” which takes one away from home! But its original meaning is “spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.” It can be both a positive and negative adjective! And it’s a word which didn’t come into being until the 1500’s!

So, with new eyes, I read the story which we know as “The Prodigal Son”. It wasn’t so much his “journey” which caused him to be “prodigal”, but it is what he did with all the riches his father had freely and generously given to him. He spent it all for all the wrong reasons!

With this new understanding, I realized the older brother had also misunderstood the generous ways of his father. The father responded to the older brother’s jealousy, “…everything that is mine is yours.” 

In today’s scripture, Paul is describing the Heavenly Father’s gracious love and generosity similarly to the gracious generosity of the father of the two sons in the parable.

Twice the father’s words in the parable declared, “…he was dead and now he is alive again, he was lost and has been found.” And Paul uses a similar phrase here in Ephesians, “…even when we were dead through our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ.”

In the Message, Ephesians 2:2 says, “You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live.”

In Ephesians 2:4, Paul turns it all around! “But God, who is rich in mercy…” It’s all God’s gift to us! God’s mercy and love through Christ saves us for new life, to live according to the ways of Christ!

The two sons in the parable both had different perspectives on their father. The younger son knew the forgiving nature of his father, but the older son missed it by measuring his own efforts to earn his father’s love. But the father’s love was there from the beginning.

Personal Worship Option:

Paul had experienced the loving and forgiving nature of God and writes clearly, that the immeasurable riches of God’s grace offers new life to be lived in the ways of Christ. The deeper question is “What are we doing with God’s ‘immeasurable riches of grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus?’” 

Daily Devotion, September 13, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 1 John 4:7-10.

John’s message in our reading today is an important biblical truth: God is love. The Christ Church nursery has Basic Truths we teach our young ones. The very first truth we teach is “God is Love.” We want our littlest ones to know that God is love and he loves them. A child learns about God’s love through caring actions and words of believers.

God’s love is the source from which all real love flows. John tells us in our passage today, “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” God loved us enough to sacrifice his son for us.

John also tells us how to know who has God’s love and who doesn’t. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” The inability to show and express love to others tells us much about a person. Jesus came to earth to demonstrate love. He came to show how to show true love in our actions and in our words. Having a personal relationship with Jesus transforms our lives, gives us true love, and a desire to show love to others.

John calls us to “love one another.” It is good to attend worship services, sing songs of praise, serve others, be in a small group, but if we aren’t actively loving people, then something is wrong with our belief and practice. We’re missing love in action.

The God of love has a full supply of love. He is the source of our love. There is much talk today about the supply and cost of gas to fill our cars. Fortunately, God’s supply is unlimited and free of charge. We just need to be willing to draw near to him and rely on him.

When we grow in our personal relationship with God, we will feel his boundless love and have a desire to genuinely love one another.

Personal Worship Option:

Meditate today on the Apostle’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth:

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

Daily Devotion, September 12, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Lamentations 3:21-24.

When a passage begins as this one does with a word like “yet,” we should back up and read some of the verses that come before it, because the writer is making a transition. Lamentations is a book of sadness on the part of Israel for being punished for turning away from God and having been taken into exile. In the preceding verses of this chapter, the writer puts himself in the role of Israel and describes the terrible punishment to which God has subjected him. After describing this terrible punishment, the writer comes to verse 21 and begins today’s passage with “yet,” and rejoices that God continues to love him. Don’t you love the part in verse 23 where the writer rejoices that God’s compassions are new every morning? This assures us that God continues to love us in the present, day in and day out.

I recently met and talked with someone who is thinking of professing her faith in Christ and being baptized. She shared with me that she is amazed to realize that God loves her after some of the things she has done. Each of us should be amazed that God can love us and forgive us of our failures. We serve a God who loves us, always, no matter what we may do!

Personal Worship Option:

Remind yourself of something you probably already know well – God loves you. God loves you without reservation or condition. Let that sink in today and give thanks for that love.

Daily Devotion, September 11, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 92:1-8.

Two words stick out to me in this passage, both found in verse two: love and faithfulness. God’s love and faithfulness are what causes us to want to sing our praises as we worship our Lord. Though God’s people so often have proven not to be faithful to the covenant God established with Abraham, God has continued to be faithful. Of course, that was shown most fully through the work of Jesus Christ among us. In Jesus, we see the depth of the love and faithfulness of God.

Therefore, as the people who seek to represent this God, we are called to show love and faithfulness to those around us. We are to allow these attributes to grow and deepen in us, so that we can lead others to experience and know our Lord. Our faithfulness in worshiping God together as the Church and worshiping God through how we live our lives reveals that we belong to this God of faithfulness. Our love for God and for other people reveals that we belong to this God of love.

 

Tell everyone you can, in all the ways you can, about the God of love and faithfulness. And live your life so that they can see that this God has had an effect on you.

Personal Worship Option:

Join us in worship at Christ Church today as we welcome Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett to preach in our services.

Daily Devotion, September 10, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 84.

The temple must have been a magnificent site in the days of this writer. Not only did the building itself impress; it was the place where it was believed God dwelled. This Psalmist marvels at its beauty, even noting that the birds find a place to shelter there. He is surely reminded that God cares for all of creation, even to the tiniest creature.

I especially take note of verse five: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” Our strength for this journey of faith does not come from ourselves; it comes from God. As we maintain our relationship with Christ, we are given all we need, no matter the obstacles we face. And while this Psalmist probably had a literal pilgrimage to Jerusalem in mind, that second part of the verse reminds us that life in Christ really is a journey. We are traveling through life. We are in a different place than we used to be. We are moving on toward a deeper and fuller relationship with our Lord.

 

The last verse is a good prayer verse for us to take with us today: “Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” Keep trusting as you travel!

Personal Worship Option:

Please be in prayer today for our Bishop, Debra Wallace-Padgett as she prepares to share with us in worship tomorrow. And if at all possible, plan to join us in person. I hope to see you there and bring a carload!

Daily Devotion, September 9, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 62:1-8.

The Psalmist emphasizes that only in God do we find rest, security and salvation. Life is difficult and it is when we pray and praise God that our tension, fear and anxiety can be released. Trusting God to be our rock, salvation, and fortress will change our entire outlook on life. No longer will we be held captive by negative influences which strive to overwhelm us. Placing all our hope in God and knowing that God is in control allows us to wait patiently for him to rescue us. True relief does not come when the problem is resolved because there are always more problems on the horizon. True relief comes from an enduring hope and relationship with God. It is in that relationship with God one finds joy and fulfillment in life. Where do you seek fulfillment and security? Love? Work? Money? Entertainment? Education? Refreshment and contentment can only be found in God.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on your level of joy and contentment. Memorize Psalm 62:1-2 and share that with a friend.