Daily Devotion, May 7, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 1:26-45.

Stories about two women who were unlikely to become mothers at the time they did, but who were faithful to God’s will. A young, unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster, ridicule, and humiliation. Still, Mary only knew that God was asking her to serve him, and she willingly obeyed. Elizabeth was also experiencing the impossibilities becoming possible with God. Apparently the Holy Spirit told Elizabeth that Mary’s child was the Messiah because Elizabeth called her “the mother of my LORD” as she greeted her. This greeting must have strengthened Mary’s faith as both women rejoiced in God’s faithfulness.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you willing to serve God unconditionally? Will you step out of your comfort zone if God leads you into the impossible? Be an encouragement in faith to someone today.

Daily Devotion, May 6, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 7:11-15.

Compassion is being concerned for the suffering or struggling of another. It really means to support another. In this scripture story a widow has just lost her only son which would be her only means of future support. Widows in that time period had no means of support without a husband or sons. They would be totally dependent on the generosity of others. Jesus gives us a good example of His compassion in this Bible passage as He raises the widow’s son from the dead. He stopped and looked at the problem the widow had and then helped her. Many times in the Bible we see where Jesus shows caring support for the people that He came into contact with. Jesus had compassion for the multitude of people that he miraculously fed. Jesus also showed compassion and support for the blind and many sick people that he healed. The list goes on and on. Since Jesus showed such great compassion and support for others, shouldn’t we do the same? We should be like Jesus and be known for giving and being there for others. As Christians we want to show up to assist others in their time of need, whatever the circumstance may be.

Personal Worship Option:

Think of the many blessings that you have been given and then take action on how you can share some of them. Supporting one another is a great joy that we can take part in. Reaching out to others can be big or small acts of kindness. Take time today as a Christian to show up for someone else.

Daily Devotion, May 5, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Kings 17:17-24.

Last week we read from I Kings 17 of God’s compassionate work through Elijah, and a widow and her son, to provide food in the midst of a severe drought. This same widow now seeks help from Elijah for her dying son. Verse 17 says, “Some time later.” We don’t know the time frame, but the widow’s son had been ill, grew worse and finally stopped breathing.

The widow’s honest question to Elijah indicates her fear that his presence has brought her sin to the attention of God and she is now being punished. Sometimes in many ways, when tragedies occur, we ask this same question. But Elijah knew that this was not the way of the living God.

I also appreciate Elijah’s honest question to God. Through it all, God continues to be at work in their midst to restore life to the widow’s son. Dr. J.Robert Vannoy writes, “This is the first instance of raising the dead to life recorded in scripture. This non-Israelite widow was granted the supreme covenant blessing, the gift of life rescued from the power of death. A son’s life was the only hope for a widow in ancient society.”

There’s a deeper story here. In Luke 4: 24-27, Jesus says, “‘Truly I tell you,’ he continued, ‘no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.’”

Sometimes we believe that we remain outside God’s circle of grace or we want to contain God’s circle of grace for a small circle of people. But Jesus came to shed new light on God’s work through the prophets of the Old Testament and by the example of his own life. God’s grace is offered to each and all. God’s grace is sufficient for you.

Personal Worship Option:

 “When we dare to host the prophetic word, we are transformed. For we encounter a God who delivers the powerless, a God whose word yields inexhaustible abundance, a God whose compassion is stronger than death. Elijah’s prophetic word points to the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. Host that word, know the truth, and live.” (from Dr. Carolyn J. Sharp)

Daily Devotion, May 4, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Samuel 1:20-28.

Hannah had been unable to conceive children, and in the Old Testament days, a childless woman was considered a failure. Hannah’s barrenness caused her embarrassment and made her the source of ridicule. Hannah had been discouraged to the point of being physically sick and unable to eat. Instead of giving up hope, Hannah prayed. She took her problem honestly before God. Hannah discovered that prayer opens the way for God to work. God “remembered” her and in time she gave birth to a son. Hannah fulfilled her promise to God by taking Samuel to the tabernacle to be trained by Eli. Hannah believed she was returning to God what was God’s. Even so, it must have been an indescribable heartache to turn over a child of three to be brought up by someone else. And Hannah remembered to offer to God a prayer of thanksgiving for his faithfulness. God listens to us when we pray and will always answer our prayers. Often the delay is God’s way of working his will in our life. The answer may not be in ways you had hoped, but in ways that he knows are best. Be thankful today for God’s answered prayers.

Personal Worship Option:

Hannah received what she requested, but she had made a vow. Remember as you pray today to keep your promises to God and express thanksgiving to him.

Daily Devotion, May 3, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 2:1-9.

This mother was determined to save her baby! Fearing the population explosion among the enslaved Hebrew people, the Egyptian Pharaoh ordered that all Hebrew baby boys were to be thrown into the Nile to drown. With more than a little tongue in cheek, Moses’ mother indeed complied with Pharaoh’s order. When she could no longer hide the baby boy in her home, she placed him among the reeds along the bank of the Nile in a little basket or ark, which she had carefully waterproofed with pitch. She stationed the baby’s sister at a distance to watch over him. And when Pharaoh’s daughter discovered him, took pity, and was trying to decide what to do, the sister made her decision easier. She offered to go and get “one of the Hebrew women” to nurse the baby for her. Pharaoh’s daughter may have suspected this Hebrew nurse was the child’s mother, but she gave no indication. This mother’s plan worked to perfection!!

Moses was the greatest leader the Children of Israel would ever have. He would listen to his father-in-law and learn some key leadership skills. He listened to God from his call to the end of his life. And he was influenced by the mother who gave him life, saved him, and inspired him to lead with the love and creativity like that of a good mother.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank you, Almighty God, for those who have loved us as mothers. Thank you for their love and creativity, their commitment and hard work. Sometimes these women are our birth mothers, but others also love us in this way, and we give you thanks for them. Help us to love as they have loved and as you love us. Amen. 

Daily Devotion, May 2, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 6:1-7.

Throughout his time of teaching and guiding his disciples, Jesus was often focused on caring for the needs of the people they encountered. He healed them of disease and other maladies. He fed them. He made it clear that part of caring for the spiritual needs of people included caring for their physical needs.

When he ascended back to heaven and was no longer physically with them, they had to figure out how to carry on his mission and ministry. The writer of “The Acts Of The Apostles” lets us know that they continued that same focus. Earlier in the book, we read of Peter healing a crippled man at the temple and later we see other instances of healing among them. In our passage today we are told that they continued to feed people. But this wasn’t just some “after-thought” ministry. It was a point of emphasis, such that they made a point of choosing strong leaders to oversee it. This was an important ministry and must be well-done. It is a reminder to us who continue our Lord’s mission today that caring for the daily, physical needs of those around us is important to God. Pray for them, yes, but also do something to provide for them.

Personal Worship Option:

Christ Church is involved with several ministries that provide for those most in need all around us and even around the world. Give thanks for these opportunities and support them any way you can. Contact Lindsey Gallaher in our church office for ways you can get involved in one or more of these ministries.

Daily Devotion, May 1, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22.

After God brought the Children of Israel out of their multi-generational bondage in Egypt, they needed guidance on how to organize themselves. God provided them detailed instructions on how to relate to each other in day to day activities and circumstances. There were also provisions for the poor and the immigrants among them. His people were to be cognizant of the needs of those around them, especially those most vulnerable. Two times here in Leviticus that is emphasized with these commands to leave some of their harvest in the fields for those who had no land or other means to support themselves.

Caring for the needs of others is part of what it means to be the people of God. It is a fundamental, core value of who we are as God’s people. It goes to the very heart of who God is. Many times in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of the prophets, we read of God being upset with the people for not caring for and doing right by those most in need among them. Jesus continued that prophetic emphasis throughout his ministry by focusing on the least, the last and the lost. In order to represent this God, we can do no less.

Personal Worship Option:

What are the ways you have intentionally cared for the poor and most vulnerable in the last month? How might you do so this next week?