Daily Devotion for April 30, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Genesis 32:22-31.

What is the significance of Jacob wrestling with an angel? Everyone understands it is significant. For instance, even modern day Jews avoid eating the interior cord and nerve of the hind quarter of animals because this angel touched the hip of Jacob. No law against eating this part of the animal is mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament, but the Jewish Talmud regarded it as sacred law, all because of this event.

But the true significance of this event is not found in dietary habits. What’s truly significant is that Jacob, who spent his whole life fighting for himself and deceiving others, and is even willing to wrestle with God’s messenger, finally comes to a point where he willingly submits to God’s authority.

When God changes Jacob’s name from Jacob (“heel catcher’ or ‘deceiver’) to Israel (‘God’s fighter’ or ‘may God strive [for him]’), Jacob submits to God’s authority over him—not only in the change of his name, but in the new identity that he will forever live out. Jacob is done trying to deceive people to earn his own victory; he will now allow God to fight for him.

Let Jacob serve as an example for you today. God didn’t condemn Jacob for wrestling with His angel. Indeed, God calls for our active engagement with Him. Sometimes this means we will fight and struggle with Him, but God honors us even in the struggle… as long as we don’t let go.

God wants you to come to Him with all of your doubts, with all of your worries and concerns. God wants you to come to Him with all of your questions and disbeliefs. And He wants to go back and forth with you, patiently, lovingly, until you are finally willing to submit to Him—until you are willing to limp away from your wrestling match with God like Jacob did: forever changed for the better.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, many of us struggle with so many things in life, we wrestle, and we fight even with you. Help us to always bring those struggles to you and let you use them to make us into the person you have always intended us to be. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 29, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31.

This is the first creation story, with the second one coming in the next chapter. Don’t you love the repetition that marks the poetry of this awesome story? Each day of creation begins with God saying, “Let there be…” and God’s creating work unfolds. Each day ends with God observing that the new creation of that day is good; and there is evening and morning, as the days are counted off in order. In fact, order is a hallmark of this story. God created things in the order required to enable each succeeding thing to be sustained. There was light and soil and water before plants were created, and those provided food for the animals and finally for the humans.

I enjoy teaching a class on basic Christian beliefs, the kinds of things on which all Christian churches and denominations agree. The first class session is on the nature of God and how Christians view God, a light topic! I ask the class members to share their concepts of God and get answers like love, all-knowing and all-powerful, the Trinity, and so on. Without fail, someone will describe their concept of God as our creator. The belief that God created us is at the root or foundation of our faith.

Personal Worship Option:

Observe the world around you. Spring has come, and fresh leaves fill the trees. The dullness of winter has turned into the green and bright colors of new life. Give thanks today to God for creating such a beautiful world and for creating us to enjoy and care for it.

Daily Devotion for April 28, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Romans 5:6-21.

Today in our worship services, I am offering the last of this three-part sermon series where we are celebrating and reflecting on some “takeaways” from Easter. Because of what God did through Jesus Christ at Easter, we are all offered the gifts of God’s love, hope and grace. Today we are focusing on God’s gift of grace.

The Apostle Paul had a lot to say about that gift in his letters to the early Christians. In this passage from Romans, he is comparing the results of sin that the first human brought into the world with the grace that Jesus brought to the world. When we receive the gift of Christ, his grace wipes out the effect that sin had on our relationship with God. It puts us in a good standing with God and frees us to live life to the fullest.

I like to regularly remind us of a phrase that is in one of the questions we ask of those coming for baptism: “Do you…. put your whole trust in his (Jesus Christ’s) grace….?” In a very real sense, we are betting our eternal life on this gift of grace. I believe it is the surest bet you can ever make! Go “all in” on God’s grace!

Personal Worship Option:

Julia Johnston wrote the words to the hymn “Grace Greater Than Our Sin.” In our UMC Hymnal, Romans 5:20 is referenced. Here is the chorus. Let it be a reminder to you today of just how great grace is.

Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!

Daily Devotion for April 27, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Titus 2:11-14.

In the theology that John Wesley taught his people and pastors, he emphasized an understanding of grace as being God’s activity and guidance in our life that is available to us throughout our life. Prevenient grace is God at work in our life before we even know our need for God. (Think about family, teachers and pastors who taught you about God.) Justifying grace is that free gift of God’s forgiveness and reconciling love that puts us in a right relationship with God. Sanctifying grace is the continuing guidance the Spirit gives us in how to live as God’s people, moving constantly toward “perfection in love.”

This passage from the letter of Titus speaks to me of this sanctifying grace. As we are open to the leading of God’s Spirit, we can be sure that we are being guided and challenged to grow and mature in the way Jesus taught us to live and relate to people. Verse 14 puts it well: “Jesus Christ…. gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” May we all do our part to learn to be his people.

Personal Worship Option:

Here is the last verse of a Charles Wesley (John’s brother) prayer hymn titled “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.”

Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

Daily Devotion for April 26, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 15:11-32.

It has been said that “justice is getting what we deserve; mercy is not getting what we deserve; grace is getting more than we deserve.” This parable is a great illustration of grace. Just like you, the younger son was given an inheritance. He was a member of the family. Perhaps just like you, he squandered it on wild living and bad choices. He lost everything. One day something within him awoke. What am I doing? Then he made a decision that changed his life forever. He went back to his father.

You can do that too! Maybe you can’t solve all your problems or disentangle all your knots. You can’t undo all the damage you’ve done. But you can go to your Father. The Father stands with open arms ready to receive you regardless of your past. The Father extends grace, love, and peace to you - all you need to do is run into his arms.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on your relationship with God. Trust God with your life and rejoice in the grace that fills your soul.

Daily Devotion for April 25, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Luke 23:32-43.

The last-minute conversion of the criminal on the cross is probably the most splendid, recorded example of repentance, faith, and salvation by grace alone. The man was not baptized, never received communion, did no good works, or show the world that his life had changed. He only had time to repent, confess that he deserved his punishment, and ask to be saved into the Lord's kingdom. What grace was given to him by Jesus’ demonstration of God’s love and amazing forgiveness.

The account of this last-minute conversion teaches us a couple of things. No one should give up hope for the salvation of others before they die. Genuine death-bed conversions do occur, displaying God's power and unmerited grace. The best part is that anyone may come to Jesus, regardless of sins and circumstances. Jesus will not turn away any sinner who repents. God’s grace is endless. There is hope for all of us. Belonging to Jesus allows us the true way to grow our faith.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord Jesus, you know how often we have done wrong. We continue to repent of our sins and plead for your mercy and grace. Thank you for letting us into your Kingdom. We give you praise and glory. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 24, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 2 Timothy 1:9-10.

There’s a whole lot of good news in these two brief verses! It is the Apostle Paul’s testimony of God’s grace through Christ Jesus which Paul has received! And now, Paul is encouraging young Timothy to not be ashamed to proclaim the gospel—for the Lord’s sake or for Paul’s sake. At the time of his writing, Paul was a prisoner in chains for the sake of the gospel. It’s understandable that Timothy would need this encouragement from Paul.

Verse 8 leads us into verse 9: “...by the power of God, who has saved us…” Paul is helping Timothy and us today realize that God is the giver of all GRACE. Grace proceeds out of God’s own heart and is given through Christ Jesus even before time began. And now this grace “has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” And God’s power through Christ “has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God….and an important phrase in these verses is, “not because of anything we have done, but because of God's own purpose and grace.” The NRSV translates it, “not according to our works but according to God’s own purpose and grace.”

Grace is a gift which God offers to us to receive. Grace is offered and freely given to all without exception. It is up to each individual to receive this gift from God through Christ. This grace is freely given, but it is not cheap grace. It is God’s gift of sacrificial grace which God initiated through the gift of Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, we are called as Timothy was called to be witnesses of this blessing of grace through repentance and faithful discipleship. We can let our lives be living testimonies of God’s saving work of grace through Christ, by offering, through words and actions, God's grace to others.

Personal Worship Option:

John Newton, once the captain of a slave ship, realized the depth of his sins and when he realized the depths of God’s grace, wrote the song, “Amazing Grace”. The words of the last stanza are: “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”

Daily Devotion for April 23, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Genesis 45:3-15.

Joseph’s story contains all the drama of reality television. In a shocking revelation, he exposed the truth about what had become of him. The misfit whom his brothers had sold into slavery was now a powerful ruler in Egypt! What would happen now that the tables had turned, and Joseph was in control? His brothers, who had plotted his death, were now at his mercy! The brothers were terrified, unable even to answer Joseph. They had lived their lives in guilt and shame, and now came the moment of truth.

Fortunately for the brothers, Joseph was focused not on revenge but on how God had been at work in his life all along. Joseph had had some time to consider his situation, and his conclusion was this: God put me here, and he has a plan for my life. Joseph could see how the difficulties in his life prepared him for the leadership position he now had. He could see how God had protected and guided him through all his experiences.

How has God been at work in your life, even in devastating times? As we mentor ­others, we share glimpses we have seen of God’s faithfulness in our lives, equipping us for the challenges we have faced. God uses both the good and the bad for the greater good and for his glory. Tell someone today how God is working in your life!

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, thank you for giving us glimpses into your work in and through our lives. Thanks for using even difficult challenges for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 22, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Ephesians 2:1-8.

This classic passage contains some of the most beautiful and powerful teachings on grace – God’s love poured out on us and made complete at Easter. It tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, and our salvation is a gift from God.

Reverend Paul Smith had retired after 50 years as an Elder in the United Methodist Church, and then he came to serve at Christ UMC as our Minister of Evangelism. I vividly recall being in a Bible study he was teaching on this passage one night. To illustrate the passage, he held up his Bible and said, “Let’s say this Bible is God’s love that God wants to give someone, but it is not a gift until something happens.” Paul walked over to me and held the Bible out to me. I smiled blankly at him. Paul thrust the Bible a bit more emphatically toward me, and I took it. “Now it is a gift!” Paul exclaimed. He went on to say that we are saved by God’s love for us that is grace…free, undeserved, and unmerited…a gift. But we have a part to play. Through our faith, we simply accept the gift of God’s love and are pardoned.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me: Gracious God, you love me, and you offered this gift of salvation to me. Thank you that, even with my incomplete faith, I accepted your gift of love and pardon. Now point me to others who need to know that this gift is being offered to them too. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 21, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Peter 1:3-5.

We continue in the Easter season today, celebrating what God did through Jesus Christ on that glorious day. As Peter begins his first letter to “...exiles scattered throughout…” he uses Easter language in his greeting: “...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” In Peter’s mind (and experience), Easter had changed everything for all time for the whole world. Through Easter, God had given us “new birth into a living hope…” Easter is all about new life, in this case a whole new way of seeing and experiencing our relationship with God. What God did through Jesus showed us just how much God loved us and the extent to which God would go to show that love.

With this knowledge of God’s love, we have access to the kind of hope that can motivate us each day and carry through all of life. Even in the tough circumstances we encounter, this hope reminds us that God can see us through and beyond them. And as I mentioned yesterday, Peter assures us here that this hope is not just for this world but is an inheritance we have for life after this world. We get to spend eternity with God and all who love our Lord in heaven! Praise be to God for this never-ending “living hope!”

Because of what God did through Jesus at Easter, we have been offered hope that is life-giving and lasts forever.

Personal Worship Option:

Join us at Christ Church today for worship services of inspirational music and message! Who could you invite to come with you?

Daily Devotion for April 20, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Jeremiah 29:10-13.

Judah had been defeated. The armies of Babylon had overthrown Jerusalem and carried off many of the leaders and people to their land. Jeremiah was a primary prophet during that time. At this point, he sends a letter to those exiles to let them know what God wanted them to do. They were to “build houses and settle down…” (v. 5) in that place. They were going to be there for seventy years. But at that point, God would bring them out of captivity and return them to their land. He also cautions them about listening to others who were prophesying something different. Jeremiah’s message may not have been what they wanted to hear, but it was what God was sending them. They needed to think “long term” and know that God was promising them “hope and a future.” And God delivered on that promise.

The message in verse 11 still resonates with anyone who seeks to worship and serve this same God. No matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves, if we will remain faithful in serving God’s mission and follow our Lord’s guidance, we can always have “hope and a future.” Ultimately, that future includes life with God in the world to come for eternity. There is no better hope and there is no better future! Praise God!

Personal Worship Option:

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the “blessed assurance” this “hope and a future” provides.

Daily Devotion for April 19, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3.

Verse three is a beautiful description of what it means to be the people of God. Our focus this week points us specifically to the last phrase: “...your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith, love, and hope are the hallmarks of the people of God. When Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica it was enduring many persecutions and hardships, yet they continued to place their hope in Christ and to grow in their faith and to love one another and those around them. They made a difference in their community. Will you?

Embrace the twenty-four hours before you. Time is a precious gift. Refuse to allow what little time you have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. Face this day with the joy and hope of a child and the courage of a giant. Use this day for loving and giving. Make a difference. May hope and love and faith be your guide.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on the blessings God has given you. Look for small or big ways to share your hope with others today.

Daily Devotion for April 18, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Romans 15:4-7, 12-13.

One of the greatest obstacles in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ today is divisiveness in the church. This problem is not new, but that doesn’t make it any less serious. Paul indicates that the division between Jew and Gentile followers of Jesus was problematic in the early church just as we have many areas of dispute today.

Though we don’t need to agree about everything, the Bible emphasizes that followers of Jesus Christ should demonstrate unity. We can achieve this by following the example of Jesus as we serve and form relationships with one another. We should pray that God will give us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus Christ had. We should also praise God and bring glory to God. Paul instructs his readers to praise, rejoice, and sing hymns to express their unity and to glorify God for his mercies. Shouldn’t we who have received God’s love and salvation lift our voices to praise him in unity?

I have had the pleasure to worship God with sisters and brothers in many different countries. Often, I cannot understand the words being sung, but I know we are one in the Spirit. It thrills my heart to sing to God with other believers because I know the power of the Holy Spirit is there with us as we worship our Savior, Jesus, together.

Personal Worship Option:

God, make us one. Unite us so that the world may know they have hope in you. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 17, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Hebrews 10:19-23.

This week we are focusing on the hope we have been given because of what God did through Jesus Christ at Easter. In these verses of encouragement, verse 23 in particular leads us into this hope. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  Another way to say this is, “Because of God’s faithfulness, we can ‘hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.’”

Eugene Peterson in The Message writes it this way. “So let’s do it—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into ‘the Holy Place.’ Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God.”

Today’s verses are traditionally read sometime in the day or evening on Good Friday. Considering the word, “hope” on Good Friday when for the disciples all hope was gone and the word “hope” after Christ’s resurrection might offer us two different perspectives. We being “Easter people” are experiencing God’s fulfillment of the promise of redemption through Christ’s life, death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, in our lives, when all hope is gone, we can trust God’s faithfulness and let God restore our hope. We can trust God each step of the way.

Hebrews 6:19-20a tells us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.”

One writer describes it this way, “Christ is going ahead of us, and we can continue to follow in his footsteps.” We can walk forward in God’s faithfulness through Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

The verse which follows today’s verses says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Is there someone you can encourage with the gift of hope today?

Daily Devotion for April 16, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Isaiah 40:28-31.

This 40th chapter of Isaiah is a wonderful song of praise to the God of creation. To a God who is above all, who knows all, and has no equal. A God who is not just the glorious creator and sustainer of the creation. But a God who also cares about his people.

This portion of Isaiah’s song is in response to a complaint that God didn’t know what his people were going through. That he was distant and uncaring. And it echoes the cry of many people today. Where is God when I am hurting?

God’s response to their complaint starts with a pair of rhetorical questions. “Do you not know? Have you not heard?” Have you forgotten all you have been taught? Remember who I am!

God is above all. He is not like us. He does not grow weary as we do. And his understanding of his creation and his purpose in it is beyond our ability to comprehend. We may feel abandoned and left to our own devices. But God has not forgotten us. We may not understand what he is doing. But we can rest assured that he is in control.

People grow weary. But God does not. And those who hope in him will find their strength renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and walk without growing weary. If we trust in God, and the strength he provides, then nothing will be able to stop us. I may grow weary. But God never does. Trust and hope in him, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in. He is sufficient.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Lord, even in the times that I feel most weary, help me to rely on your strength. Help me today to soar in your strength. Amen.

Daily Devotion for April 15, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read 1 John 3:1-3.

The NIV says in Verse 1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us...” To lavish something is to pour it on with great generosity, even with extravagance. We might sit down to a meager meal that barely sustains us, but if someone lavishes food on us, we are guests at a great banquet. Picture tables loaded with all kinds of food and delicacies, with more than enough for all of us. This is the image John is painting with God’s extravagant love for us. Because of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are now God’s children, loved with great generosity and extravagance.

Let’s not miss the point that the world does not know us, because the world does not know God. There is reassurance in that, but there is also a challenge in it. We are not to conform to the standards of the world in order to be accepted and “known” by it. Rather, we are to purify ourselves for the time when we get to see Christ face-to-face. This awesome hope is made possible, not by anything we have done or will do, but rather by God’s gift to us of Jesus Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today for the gift of Jesus Christ, who draws us near to God the Father. As followers of Christ, we are Easter people. Let the joy of Easter remain in you and rejoice in the hope that brings us.

Daily Devotion for April 14, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Romans 8:31-39.

For some Christians, these verses are the highest of the teaching in this letter, maybe even the whole Bible. I mentioned it yesterday and I’ll say it again today (in case you missed it yesterday): “God loves you and there is nothing you can do to change that!” Can there be anything more reassuring and affirming than that? To know that we are loved allows us to live life at its fullest and best. We can take risks in trying to help others. It gives us an assurance that even when we mess up, God still loves us. Even when we hurt our self or someone else, we can be forgiven because of God’s love.

There are way too many people in this world who do not know they are loved. They have not been shown love for much (if any) of their life, or they have messed up their life in one or many ways, so that those who had once loved them love them no more. You and I have been given this great good news that God loves us, no matter what. But that news is not just for us to celebrate and keep for ourselves. We are invited to share it with as many people as we can, both by what we say and what we do. Receive and share the love of God!

Personal Worship Option:

We have had three consecutive Sundays of great attendance in our worship services! Let’s keep that going today! Join us for worship at Christ Church!

Daily Devotion for April 13, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Romans 5:6-11.

Tomorrow in our worship services, we will focus on a climactic passage about God’s love for us in chapter eight of this letter. Today, we stop off in chapter five, where another key verse tells us about this divine love. Verse 8 is our focus today: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Paul is emphasizing in this part of the letter that we as humans did not do anything to earn God’s favor. Before Jesus came, humanity (that’s you and me and everybody else) was still in a broken relationship with God. The laws and commandments of the Old Testament had done much to help with that relationship, but we were always coming up short in following them. We could not restore the relationship on our own. Only God could do that.

And God did. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been given forgiveness and new life - eternal life, that starts now and goes forever. And it all comes to us as a gift from this God who loves each and every one of us, just because that is what God does.

I see in this truth about God both great news and a great challenge. I have already covered the great news: God loves you and there is nothing you can do to change that. The great challenge? Growing in this love so that we can, in some small measure, represent this God. Any of us can love those who love us. And most of us learn how to love our family and friends (and maybe a few others) who act in ways that we do not like. But to represent this God by learning to love anybody and everybody? I am not there yet. I just know that is the direction in which I am going because I know that is where Jesus Christ is leading me. Please pray for me and I will pray for you, as we seek to follow Jesus.

Personal Worship Option:

One of my favorite hymns is “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service,” written by Albert Bayly in 1961. Here is one verse of it that fits for our focus today:

As we worship, grant us vision, till your love’s revealing light

in its height and depth and greatness dawns upon our quickened sight,

making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear,

stirring us to tireless striving your abundant life to share. 

Daily Devotion for April 12, 2024

 

Devotion:

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Read Psalm 136.

As the Psalmist reflects on the history of God’s people in relationship with God, he offers a wonderful refrain: “His love endures forever.” Children learn best through repetition, and so it’s true with the children of God. One of the best ways to remember God’s work in our lives is to recount who He is and how the God of the universe cares for us.

This Psalm showcases the many aspects of God’s love including kindness, mercy, and faithfulness. We never have to worry that God will run out of love because it flows from a well that will never run dry. We cannot put a limit on God’s care or love. The entire universe is a testimony to the vastness of God and his power. The next time you see the sunset or sunrise or look for the rainbow in an afternoon rain shower or experience a beautiful natural wonder remember the God of creation loves YOU no matter what. God painstakingly created every detail of the universe and patiently provides for and loves his people.

Personal Worship Option:

Take some time to review the many ways God has demonstrated his love for you. Take time to thank God for ten blessings today.