Daily Devotion, April 30, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 1:6-9.

Today in our worship services, we will begin a series that guides us to think about what it means to be the people of Christ after what God did at Easter. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God affirmed all that Christ had taught and had claimed about himself. Therefore, God affirms us going out and living those lessons and letting people see Christ alive in us.

Each of the Gospel writers have their way of telling about what Jesus said to the disciples in the days after his resurrection and before his ascension back to heaven. The writer of Luke and Acts tells of one scene at the end of his Gospel account, then includes this scene at the beginning of his follow-up book. Jesus gives his apostles one final reminder of their mission. They (and we) were to witness to what they had experienced with him. They (and we) were to witness to the presence of Christ still with them and working through them.

It’s great to celebrate Easter and to share that message throughout the year. And based on what God did then, we can always look to the future with the anticipatory question “What’s next?”

Personal Worship Option:

Join us for worship today at 9:30 or 11:15, ideally in person on campus. If you cannot be there, be sure to join the livestream or watch sometime later today online. And don’t forget to always be looking for someone to invite to come with you or tell them how they can watch online and get connected. We are “...inviting all to follow him.”

Daily Devotion, April 29, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth in the first century that their focus needed to always be on Jesus Christ and what God had done through him on the cross and at Easter. (Of course, as this letter came to be seen by the Church as containing God’s message for all of God’s people for all time, it became part of our Bible.) When you look back in the first chapter of this letter, it is obvious that the people had become divided, focusing on the person through whom they had come to know Christ in their life. Paul reminds them that there was really nothing special about him, but that what he had accomplished was all due to the power of the Spirit working through him.  

That’s the way it is for all of us. We all have gifts and relationships through which other people will hopefully come to know Jesus Christ. It may be tempting for them to think too highly of us. On the other side of that equation, we can be tempted to think too highly of people who have influenced our walk with Jesus. In both cases, it is important to keep our focus on Christ himself, to give him the glory and honor, the thanks and praise for what he did for all of us through his life of sacrifice, ultimately offered on the cross.  

Our witness for him, both in how we live our life and how we tell about him, should always include his life of sacrifice and servanthood. Life after Easter includes remembering what Jesus did to get us to Easter.

Personal Worship Option:

Here is a suggested prayer for today. God of the cross and of Easter, forgive us when we lose our focus on Jesus and what he did to both show us your way and provide a way for us to be connected to you. Help us always to point people, not to ourselves, but to him. In his name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 28, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 5:27-42.

After Easter, the apostles continued to do what Jesus showed them how to do: share the good news of Christ, even if it brought persecution and suffering. The apostles had been warned many times not to preach in Jesus’ name or about Jesus. But that didn’t stop them. After being arrested, jailed, and miraculously released, the apostles went back to preaching. This was nothing less than God’s power working through them.

When we have experienced the presence and power of his Holy Spirit, we will also have the confidence to speak out for Christ. There may be situations where you cannot obey both God and people. Then you must obey God and trust His Word to encourage you. We may not face beatings or jail time, but we may be ridiculed, ostracized or slandered. Will you count it as joy to suffer injustice for Christ’s name's sake?

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on God’s work in your life. How can you share that with someone today?

Daily Devotion, April 27, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 1:12-26.

It seems to me that these verses are at an unusual place in the first chapter of Acts, but maybe they are there to teach us what to do in cases of waiting. The eleven apostles and the other disciples waited for Jesus' promise to come true about the coming Holy Spirit. While waiting they prayed, they read God's Word and in doing that, God gave them guidance about choosing a twelfth apostle to replace Judas.

We must trust in God even when circumstances seem random or confusing. The betrayal of Judas and the selection of Matthias were not smooth or organized from our perspective, but God was working through these events. We must believe in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The early church made deliberate efforts to document this historical happening so that others who came after them would know.

The early believers spent much time in prayer together. They continued to seek God’s guidance on how to wait and then move forward. Peter was such a leader of the early Christians. How can you help lead?

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help us to follow you. We ask that you give us the guidance we need to carry out our mission of learning to live the way of Jesus Christ and inviting all to follow him. Thank you for your love and sacrifice. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 26, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 9:1-6.

Until Luke 5, Jesus had been teaching and healing without being accompanied by disciples. Beginning with Luke 5:1-6:16, Jesus begins to call others to leave everything and join him in the work of the kingdom. In Luke 5: 10b, Jesus says to Simon and the fishermen “Don’t be afraid; from now on, you will be catching people.” Then in Luke 6:12-16, the twelve disciples are chosen and named.

Here in Luke 9, even before Easter, Jesus commissions and empowers his disciples. Jesus is sending his disciples out to begin to learn how to put his “fishing lessons into practice.”  “Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.”  

Yes, their work as fishermen was great work! But here, Jesus has called them together to give them power and authority! These disciples who had had very little power and authority before meeting Jesus, now had these gifts! Jesus would spend a great deal of time teaching his disciples not to misuse their power and authority.

The word, “disciple” means to be a “learner”. In particular to this scripture passage, it meant to be a learner of Jesus, the Messiah, or translated in the NIV, the Christ. Jesus then teaches his disciples in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” 

Dr. R. Alan Culpepper writes in the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, “Jesus’ instructions for the mission are still important today. First, commitment to the redemptive mission is inseparable from the commitment to being a follower of Jesus. Being sent out is the natural result of being with Jesus. In other words, missions and inviting others to follow Christ are the natural result of worship, Bible study and prayer.”

Dr. Culpepper adds, “The Christian calling to be a faithful learner and follower of Christ… is a calling to extend God’s grace and care to others.”

Personal Worship Option:

Our church’s mission is “Learning to live the way of Jesus Christ and inviting all to follow him.” Sometimes we are led to learn and sometimes we are led to invite. Which direction is God leading you today?

Daily Devotion, April 25, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 4:18-22.

Our passage today describes Jesus calling four fishermen to follow him. We see Jesus is walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent much of his ministry. It was to the residents of the towns and villages bordering the lake that Jesus first preached, and he called his disciples from among the lake’s fishermen. It is in this tranquil setting we find Jesus walking along the shore. He sees two fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew, who had already traveled with Jesus on a previous journey. Jesus calls out for them to join him as “fishers of men.” Scripture tells us they immediately follow Jesus. These two men knew the work of Jesus and were willing to follow him, but imagine the sacrifice of leaving their fishing work, the work they knew so well, to become fishers of men. 

The three continue walking along the shore, when Jesus sees two brothers also at work. James and John are sitting in the boat with their father mending their nets. Jesus calls them to leave behind their livelihood, their father, their routine, the beauty of the Sea of Galilee, and their friends to follow him. And they too immediately follow Jesus. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John are the first of twelve Jesus chooses to be his closest associates. Each one will leave his former occupation, income, and relationships in order to travel with Jesus. 

The disciples realized the call to follow Jesus meant sacrifice. They realized the journey they were on was not about them. Becoming a follower of Jesus meant turning control of their life over to him. And Jesus promised to teach them how to be a follower. This is a reminder of what Jesus told the disciples he would teach them when he first called them. He spent three years giving those lessons. After Easter, he sent them out to live those lessons.

In order to follow Jesus today, we may not be required to give up our job, our home, or our family, but we may need to make other kinds of sacrifices. God wants us to offer all of ourselves - our time, ambitions, finances, mind, emotions, attitudes - to him. Romans 12:1 (The Message) tells us, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” 

Personal Worship Option:

What is God calling you to do this week in order to whole-heartedly follow him?

Following Jesus means we, like the disciples, will need to give up some things we love, but following Jesus is worth the cost.

Daily Devotion, April 24, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Isaiah 49:5-6.

When God called Abram and gave him the special blessing, God told Abram that, through him, all people would be blessed. God formed a special relationship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their offspring. They were “blessed to be a blessing.” As we read our passage for today, we realize that a lot had happened from those early days of the covenant with the Children of Israel to the time of Isaiah. The nation of Israel had split into the northern and southern kingdoms, and each had been taken into exile. Now, through Isaiah, God was promising to bring the southern kingdom back home from their exile in Babylon. But they are not simply to return home and re-establish their fractured nation. They are to be a light to the Gentiles, implementing God’s plan to reach all people.

We realize in these days after Easter that by dying on a cruel cross, then overcoming death, and rising again, Jesus Christ was continuing God’s plan. We believe this was not only a continuation of God’s plan to reach all people, but that it was the ultimate action of God to accomplish this. Now it is up to us, the followers of Jesus Christ, to bring God’s plan to fruition by sharing the Good News of Christ. With God’s help, this is the mission of Easter people!

Personal Worship Option:

Who do you know who is not a Christian? Pray for the opportunity to share with them how important your faith in Christ is to you. Pray also that God will take what you say to them and bless it.

Daily Devotion, April 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 21:1-13.

It is a beautiful story of restoration and renewal. The disciples are back at what they had known for much of their life. Maybe fishing was a method of restoration for them, as well as a way to feed their families. Jesus had already appeared to them a couple of times, but now meets them again where they are. It is a good reminder to us that he still comes to us where we are. He meets us in the everyday, real world of life.

Jesus feeds them both physically and spiritually. He’s got fish and bread ready to eat. If you read further in this scene, you hear him feeding them spiritually as well, especially Peter. He restores this leader of the disciples, assuring him of forgiveness and that Jesus is still calling him to continue the mission he and the others had been given.

Be reminded today that if you will pay attention each day, the Lord will meet you in unexpected places and ways. You will be inspired. You will be challenged. You will be restored. You will be forgiven. You will be renewed. You will be reminded of what you have received. And you will be reminded that, if you love him, he still has a mission for you.

Personal Worship Option:

Be sure to participate in worship today, ideally in person, but if not, join in on the livestream. Rev. Charles Maynard will be preaching and you will be blessed!

Daily Devotion, April 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 23:3.

I invite you to just focus on one statement from this one verse in this much-loved Psalm: “The Lord restores my soul.” Think about the many times, places and circumstances when that has happened in your life. I have regularly had it happen to me in worship services. Singing songs together with the people or listening to the musical offerings of gifted singers and musicians are often renewing to me. Praying together and hearing the message for the day have often done so as well.

Music itself is a deeply moving resource that God often uses to restore me. I like various styles of music and, depending on my mood or situation I am dealing with, those different styles bring healing, inspiration, comfort, hope and joy.

Relationships with people I am close to are another avenue for God’s power to restore. Spending time with family and friends is so enriching and life-giving. Time with other Christians in various settings can serve this same purpose. Of course, spending time in prayer and meditation with the Holy Spirit who is God is my primary source for restoration. It is in those times that I am reminded of God’s presence with me at all times.

I could go on with other ways and situations in which the Lord has and continues to restore my soul. How about you? How do you experience the Lord restoring your soul? Give thanks to God for all those experiences. Continue to make yourself available to be in the Lord’s presence in order to receive this restoration more regularly. And look for opportunities to allow the Lord to use you to restore someone else.

Personal Worship Option:

Find fifteen minutes today to just sit and meditate on that statement: “The Lord restores my soul.”

Daily Devotion, April 21, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Amos 9:11-14.

Through the prophet, God offers a promise to restore his people to their land. Consequences of sin had decimated the house of David, but God’s covenant with David stated that one of David’s descendants would always sit on his throne. It appears that this would be impossible. However, this promise was fulfilled in Christ. It would not be fulfilled by an earthly, political ruler but by the Messiah who would renew the spiritual Kingdom and rule forever.

The people in Amos’ day had lost sight of God’s love for them. They took it for granted and lived for themselves. We also have the same struggles. We must not assume that going to church, doing good things, and trying to be good are enough. God expects our belief in him to affect all areas of our life and extend to all circumstances and relationships. God’s purpose in everything is to restore people into a blessed love relationship once again.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on the goodness of God. Thank him for his restorative work in your life.

Daily Devotion, April 20, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 8:22-25.

Friends of a blind man in Bethsaida brought him to Jesus. Jesus restored the man’s sight, but the unusual thing about this story is that Jesus did not restore the man’s sight all at once. After Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes for the first time, the man said he could see people that looked like trees walking around. I think that meant things looked blurry. Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes a second time, and then the man saw everything clearly.

A lot of people who read this story question why Jesus would heal the man in two stages and not just all at once like most of the healing miracles. Some theologians guess that by restoring the man’s sight in two stages, Jesus was illustrating how his disciples would first comprehend that he was the Messiah, and then they would understand clearly later that the Messiah had to die on the cross. Jesus wanted to heal people who believed, and God is always willing to redeem us. We need to have the faith that God can save us.

Personal Worship Option:

God, we trust in your power to heal in the name of Jesus. Whether that happens quickly or over our lifetime, give us grace and the assurance that you are with us forever. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 19, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Chronicles 7:14.

God is seeking to restore and renew the covenant which the people had broken. They had stopped worshiping God and had begun building altars and worshiping false gods.

Solomon rebuilds the temple and offers unto God a prayer of dedication in 2 Chronicles 6:12-42. His prayer is followed by God’s response here in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This is God’s beautiful calling of love, grace, and mercy unto the people for renewal of the covenant which God had initiated with the previous generations.

“If my people, who are called by my name”…this is a tender calling to not just one individual, but to a people group who in the past realized they were called by God and whose identification was with God’s name. God is reminding the people, “We are in covenant together.” There is a strong sense of “belonging” here which they had forgotten when they began worshiping other false gods.

How is the covenant restored? God calls for the people to “humble themselves”. This is recognition that they are not God and to realize that everything they have received are gifts from God.

God calls for the people to “pray and to seek God’s face”. Ponder this moment of reconciliation of the relationship being restored for conversations and worship again, to seek God’s will, to seek God’s ways, and for the people to allow God to lead them again! There is hope and new life!

God calls for the people to “turn from their wicked ways”. Humility is the attitude, and then this phrase creates the action of turning to seek God’s face. The people have forgotten who they belong to! Their wicked ways have served their own selfish desires and they have sinned against God, their neighbors and the land.

Out of God’s love for the people, the natural response is God’s offering of forgiveness and the blessing given to the land. The land will flourish again as it receives the rains needed to be healed. And the people will have the blessing of being reconciled with the living God whose love and mercy endures forever.

Personal Worship Option:

God’s tender call continues. “If you, my people, who are called by my name, will humble yourselves and pray and seek my face and turn from your wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive your sin and will heal your land.” How will we respond?

Daily Devotion, April 18, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Peter 5:10-11.

Peter is writing to Christians who have been undergoing a great deal of persecution. He encourages them by explaining that none of their suffering is in vain but is meant to produce spiritual fruit as a “refining fire” for the Christian as we read in verses 6 and 7. 

When we are suffering, we often feel as though our pain will never end. Peter encourages faithful Christians by telling them their suffering would last only “a little while.” Some of Peter’s readers would be strengthened and delivered from their sufferings in their own lifetimes. Others would be released from their suffering through death. But all of God’s faithful followers are assured of an eternal life with Christ, where there will be no suffering. 

Let’s remember the promises in our passage today. Even though we will suffer for a time, God will restore us and keep us strong through his generous grace and kindness.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank you, Father, for your grace in my life. When I grow weary, help me to remember that you have prepared a place for me in eternity to be in your presence forever. Fill me with your courage and your strength to walk out my faith even when I am afraid. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 17, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Job 42:10-11.

Without a doubt, Chapter 42 is the best part of the entire book of Job! The story begins with Job thriving as a well-respected leader in his community, the head of a large family, and blessed in every way. He tragically loses his children, his possessions, and even his health. His friends assume that he has sinned to bring this tragic and dramatic turn of events upon himself, and they urge him to confess. I find it interesting that we use the phrase “the patience of Job.” Job was actually anything but patient! He became very impatient with his less-than-helpful friends, and he was not particularly patient with God. But Job was absolutely faithful to God, and he persevered. The character Job is the poster child of bad things happening to a good person, and we can identify with him in our struggles, especially when we cannot understand why bad things have happened to us.

After humbling Job by reminding him that he is human and not God, God restores Job to his abundant life. He is given more children, good health, and double the livestock than before in his previous life. This book teaches us that God loves us and seeks to restore us when bad things happen in life.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you struggling with an illness or another difficult circumstance in your life? It is easy to question ourselves, wondering what we have done to bring this on. Trust that God is with you and that God is looking forward to the time when you will be restored and renewed.

Daily Devotion, April 16, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 5:6-8.

These verses are a great summary of the gospel (“good news”) message. They remind us that our relationship with God is because of God’s initiative. On our own, we had no way of being in good standing with God. Through Jesus, God offers this right relationship as a gift, as grace. When we think we can do something to earn it, we are always wondering if we have done enough. That is like carrying around a huge weight on our shoulders.

But when we simply receive God’s gift of love and forgiveness through Christ, that weight or burden is lifted. We no longer have to worry about whether God loves us or accepts us. It is a given. It is a gift. We can live with a sense of gratitude and joy. We can laugh at ourselves and laugh with others.

Yes, there is still much to be concerned about in this world. Sin is still in us and all around us. But it will not have the final say in our life or in the world. Through Christ, God has overcome the world and can empower us to overcome any sin within us or any sin that happens to us. We can know life at its best and fullest, even in the midst of our most trying circumstances. In the end, we have an assurance of God’s love and presence with us, in this life and in the life to come. Hallelujah!

Personal Worship Option:

Join us today for “Funday Sunday” as we continue to celebrate Easter and the joy of Jesus’ gospel message! Gather with us at 10:00 and bring a carload with you!

Daily Devotion, April 15, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 103:1-14.

Over the years, this has become my favorite passage of the Psalms. It offers a wonderful assurance of God’s love and forgiveness. It begins in praise, which is what worship is all about. Several reasons are offered for why we praise God: forgiveness, redemption, healing, provision and strength. Verse six reminds me that God seeks for all people to receive these benefits, not just me. God seeks justice for all. And because we as humans practice injustice toward others, God has many reasons to be angry with us, yet that anger will not last.  

Verse seven is the one that most grabs my attention: God “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” What God did through Jesus Christ at Easter proves that verse most fully! “God so loved the world” that did not love God; not giving us what we deserved, but what God’s love desires: for every person to be restored to a right relationship with God. So, God gives Jesus; Jesus gives himself, that all may know of this love.  

The joy and laughter with which we can live life is found in these verses. I commend them to you as a good passage to review every so often. “Praise the Lord, my soul!”

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer as is or in your own words: “Lord of love and life, I praise you today for both. Thank you for life. Thank you for your love. Help me show my gratitude to you by offering your life and love to others. Through Christ, Amen.” 

Daily Devotion, April 14, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

Don’t worry; God will provide. Or another way to say it: Hakuna Matata (From 'The Lion King'). Hakuna Matata is Swahili for no worries for the rest of your days. The only way to experience this is through a relationship with God. What matters to you, matters to God. Of course, we know the big stuff matters; major difficulties like death, disease, sin, and disaster. But what about the smaller things? What about grumpy bosses, or flat tires, or lost dogs? What about broken dishes, late flights, toothaches, or a crashed hard disk? Do these matter to God?

Bottom line: Yes, it all matters to God. Do you remember who you are? You are God’s child. The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God and we really are his children. (1 John 3:1)

We really are his children! So go ahead and talk to Him. He won’t think it’s silly. If it matters to you, it matters to him. Here is a key. Those we love, we put their interest before our own. So, if we love God, we put him first. God loves us so much that He will provide all we need.

Personal Worship Option:

Do you find yourself worrying about your everyday needs? Think of all the times God fulfilled your needs. Thank him for taking care of you.

Daily Devotion, April 13, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 139:1-10.

This Psalm is comforting because it assures us that God knows all about us and is always there with us. No matter where we find ourselves, God is there. God knows our thoughts, and he knows our words before we speak them. In the words of the psalmist, God is familiar with all our ways because he is where we are. We are a mystery to each other and can hide things we don’t want others to know, but God knows all. We want him at our side when there are problems, but we think we’re okay without him the rest of the time. King David, who wrote Psalm 139, knew that we need the Lord watching over us all the time. He knew that the Lord’s intentions are all good.

The Psalms are so encouraging to us. They tell us the Lord is our shepherd, He is our refuge, and God is our King. He knows what we are doing at this moment. We need to do at least four things to stay close to God. We must stay focused on God, we have to confess our sins, we have to communicate through prayer, and we have to commit our lives to God. Only then will we be able to celebrate the fact that God is where we are! Let's note carefully over the next several days on how we can stay close to our God.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, our God, thank you for your closeness to us. Please help us to draw near to you and live faithfully for you. Keep your guiding hand on us, we pray. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 12, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Peter 5:6-7.

First Peter is written to encourage the new Christ-followers who are living in exile in an area which was then known as Asia Minor. Even in the midst of suffering and persecution, this letter was calling them to live faithfully following in the ways of Christ.

Eugene Peterson’s interpretation in The Message writes of this new life in Christ. “Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future.” 1 Peter 1:3-5.

The letter is addressed to those who are experiencing suffering. They can be encouraged because they can trust God completely and “continue to do good.” 1 Peter 4:19.

Then chapter 5 is written particularly to the first-century Elders of the church and the younger ones who are learning from them. The suffering the author is addressing goes beyond our daily worries. It was a word of strength and encouragement to new converts to Christianity whose very lives were in danger of persecution and death!

The type of suffering these early Christians understood was the Christ-like suffering which Dr. Edward F. Marquart defines as different from our personal suffering. “To suffer as a Christian is to enter into the suffering of those around you. The Greek word, “pasco” is this type of suffering.”

1 Peter encourages these new converts to be humble before God and gives them words of assurance, strength and encouragement. And he wants to assure them that God, who is strong enough to save and to raise Christ from the dead, is the one CARING for them! It is difficult to adequately translate from the Greek the word for “care”. The NIV and NRSV translate this verse with the words “anxiety” and “care”.  In another way, it could be translated, “Cast ‘all of the situations that you are caring about’ on God, because God cares for you.” Or said more simply, “Give all your cares to God because God cares for you.”

Personal Worship Option:

God is strong enough and God does CARE about you. Bring the situations you are caring about today before the Lord. In the still moments in God’s presence, receive God’s strength, gentleness, encouragement, comfort, peace, love and guidance for the situations ahead of you. Amen.

Daily Devotion, April 11, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:16-17.

There’s an old saying that goes, “actions speak louder than words.” God’s words can be trusted because his words always match his actions. God doesn’t just say he loves us; his actions demonstrate his love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16 & 17

God loves us! That is the triumphant message of the Bible. That is the greatest message we will ever receive. Thankfully, however, this message is not just words. God wanted us to know his love for us, so he demonstrated that love at great personal cost. He sent his only son to sacrifice his life for us so that we can have eternal life.

We want to make sure our words of promise are followed by our actions. We might ask ourselves, “What are my actions saying?” Let’s commit to follow Jesus and then make sure our actions reflect that commitment.

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your son to die for me and make it possible for me to have eternal life. I ask your forgiveness for my sins and yield my life to you. I seek to please you in all my thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. Thank you for loving me and guiding me in all the circumstances of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Daily Devotion, April 10, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Revelation 21:1-6.

Revelation is not my favorite book of the Bible to teach, so I usually select it for a Bible study only when it is requested by the participants. It is a valuable book of the New Testament, and it, like all Scripture, is inspired, so we indeed should study it. Revelation is apocalyptic writing, with lots of symbolism and imagery. I understand it best when I go beyond the literal scenes and images and seek the deeper meaning. When I teach it that way, a few are disappointed because they want to find current events in every image, but many others appreciate this deeper and less literal way of viewing Revelation in order to see the timeless truth and beauty.

Today’s passage is part of the beautiful ending of the Revelation, which can be summed up as this, “God wins!” After chapters depicting hunger, war, disease, violence, and punishment, we come to this passage in Chapter 21; and we read that all things are being renewed. Perhaps the very best part is that, in the end, God will come from heaven to dwell among us. All things will be made new, and we will drink from the spring of the water of life. We Christians should lift our heads and live with a sense of peace and joy, because we know how the story ends. God wins, and we will be with God!!

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today that we do not need to live with a sense of gloom and foreboding. Through Jesus Christ, God has given us the gift of salvation. Embrace that gift and live life fully, abundantly, and joyfully. Praise God!