Thursday Devotional - Our Christmas Letter and Picture 2023 (12/21/2023)

 

With cries for peace, it’s comforting to know Jesus offers security! Our recent verse in our BSF John study was John 8:12. Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

We rang in the new year with my sister, Mary, and her family in Texas! Then, it was back to our busy school, work, Bible study, music and exercise activities! Not long into the new year, Joe rented a cherry picker to cut down a huge tree in our yard. Thankfully God helped him finish before several big ice-storms!

James and Alexis improved and competed in gymnastics while Sarah transitioned to an excellent new equestrian center doing jumps. Edmund played soccer for the first time and really caught on quickly (scoring most of the goals each game).

James and Sarah excitedly practiced for their first children’s opera at the Detroit Opera House! Less excitedly, they continue piano practice each morning before school, but they do enjoy lessons with aunt Jane much better than with me!

All four kids were asked to sing the National Anthem for some patriotic events in our community and rose to the challenge. They also daily practiced and weekly competed on a swim and dive team this summer. Edmund and Alexis were terrified of the big pool at first, but Sarah reminded them God is always with them! Yes, may you also experience His presence today and always! 

Merry Christmas from the Reas!

(Joe, Alice, James (11), Sarah (9), Edmund (7) and Alexis (7))

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – The Unique Provider (12/14/23)

 

Jesus often did things in unique and unexpected ways. He certainly did with the healing of the blind man! My daughter, Alexis, thought Jesus’s method was quite gross.

John 9:1-7 ¹As he went along, he [Jesus] saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" ³"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. ⁴As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." ⁶Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. ⁷"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Jesus wasn’t even present when the blind man received his sight! Yet, he healed the blind man for God’s glory!

 

As I was giving a lecture on this passage yesterday, numerous technology aspects didn’t work out as planned. First, we couldn’t get the projector to turn on for the PowerPoint slides to display. Second, the music was muted so we ended up singing a cappella. Third, the recording device we normally use was missing. God did eventually provide a way to get the projector to turn on with the help of someone remotely. Then, He had my husband and I brainstorm an alternative recording method that worked. It certainly wasn’t a smooth Bible study, but God gets the glory for being the unique provider once again!!!

 

How about your challenging situations? Will you look for ways God might accomplish His purposes through it? He is aware and has a plan!

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – The Light of the World (12/7/23)

What does “Jesus is the Light of the World” really mean??? We throw around the fact that Jesus is the Light of the World, especially around Christmas time. It is often on many Christmas cards. I was even thinking about putting it on mine this year, since we just studied it in context of all of John 8 this week in Bible study.

John 8:12-18      ¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

Jesus had previously declared that He is the bread of life (John 6), which means He is the only one that can provide true sustenance, satisfaction, contentment and joy for this life and for all eternity! In John 8, Jesus reveals He’s the Light of the World. He’s the only one who offers absolute truth about God, life, sin and eternity. He’s the only one who is God, sent by God. Only He can judge sin perfectly and provide direction for life.

What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Light of the World? How are you and I using His light? Are you and I allowing His light to illuminate sin in our lives so we can walk less in darkness and more in abundance of life?

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – The World Hates (11/30/23)

A girl at school says she hates Sarah. She also does mean and disrespectful things in Sarah’s face. Sarah usually tells her to stop and walks away if she can. However, their desks are right next to each other. On Monday, it got bad enough that Sarah just picked up her stuff and moved to an empty desk in another part of the room.  

Jesus was hated far worse. In fact, they plotted to kill him not long into His public ministry! He stayed away from them, so as not to arouse more of their anger too soon.

John 7:1-7    ¹After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. ²But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, ³Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. ⁴No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." ⁵For even his own brothers did not believe in him. ⁶Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. ⁷The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.

 

When people are mean and evil, they often don’t like kind and godly people around them. It highlights their own sin and shortcomings. We talked about that with Sarah. In fact, we had all studied this passage this week, so it was quite timely! Sarah is kind, but firm. She quietly walks away or does something different. She tries to handle difficult situations on her own without always going to the teacher. She doesn’t quickly tattle, but she does firmly confront wrong behavior. She also stands up for others when they are mistreated.

 

If perfect Jesus was hated, then we can expect to be hated, too. Of course, Jesus always knew exactly how to handle every difficult situation. We can pray for wisdom to know when we need to quietly walk away or firmly (yet lovingly) confront.

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – The Bread of Life (11/16/23)

The day after Jesus fed the 5000 and walked on water, the crowd came looking for Him and asked him for more signs!

John 6:30-35  ³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

The crowd seemed to selfishly want more free food! It’s like they were asking “How about something daily like manna in the wilderness, but better?”! The signs Jesus had given them weren’t enough.

Jesus, full of truth, appropriately declared He is the Bread of Life from God! He gives life eternal and complete satisfaction. He far exceeds daily manna provisions! He provides daily wisdom, comfort, peace, and security!

 

I was convicted this week as I studied this that I don’t always let Jesus, the Bread of Life, fully satisfy my hunger. Sometimes I look elsewhere for satisfaction (like kids being obedient or doing well in school). Also, sometimes I ask for more, instead of claiming and using the truths He’s already given me.

 

How about you? What area of your life do you need to give to Jesus? Where are you looking to another person, possession or position for satisfaction instead of to Jesus? Those people or things may bring temporary satisfaction, but they will regularly disappoint. Jesus, the Bread of Life, gives enduring satisfaction for daily contentment and eternal glory!   

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – With Greater Answers (11/9/23)

Last Wednesday I suddenly had a severe allergic reaction. My throat closed up and I could barely talk. My tongue acted as though it had a mountain to climb each time it tried to move. I’ve never experienced anything like it. If my kids hadn’t been sick and my husband had been home, I would have probably made a trip to the ER. As I prayed for wisdom and tried various home remedies, God helped me breath better and gave me peace about not going to the ER. My mom came over and gave me something that helped the swelling. I was eventually able to safely go to sleep. It was scary and took several days before I was almost back to normal (hence why there wasn’t a Thursday devotional last week).

God was aware of everything going on and knew the best solution. I wasn’t sure what to do, but knew I could rely on Him. His answers didn’t come in the time and way I expected, but eventually brought peace and comfort.

 

The same happened for a royal official, in his time of crisis.

John 4:46-53   ⁴⁶Once more he [Jesus] visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. ⁴⁸"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." ⁴⁹The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." ⁵⁰Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. ⁵²When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." ⁵³Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

This royal official came 20 miles to find Jesus! He didn’t have a car to drive to get him there in 30 minutes, either. Jesus responded to the royal official’s request, but not in the way the man requested. Jesus healed the boy His way, in His time, which brought greater glory! Jesus told the man to go home and trust that He had healed him. The royal official went home in faith. His son was healed the moment Jesus said the words, and then the man’s whole household believed!

Like the royal official, we can tell God what we want Him to do, how we want Him to do it, and when. However, God often works much different than we expect, and with a greater purpose in mind! Jesus physically healed the boy, but more importantly Jesus spiritually healed the boy, his father and their entire household!!!  

Let’s look to Jesus for His greater spiritual purposes as He responds to our temporal needs!

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Attracting Truth Seekers (10/26/23)

How earnestly do you and I seek truth? When we hear an inspiring story, does it stop there? Or do you and I seek to put into practice the lessons learned?

Last week Jesus offered living water for eternal life to a Samaritan woman. She drank it up and ran to offer it to others in her town! Many responded to her inspiring story and dropped what they were doing to seek interactions with Jesus themselves.  

John 4:39-42       ³⁹Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹And because of his words many more became believers. ⁴²They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

At first glance, the phrase “they urged him to stay with them” may seem insignificant. However, it is a HUGE deal!  It showed the true desire of the Samaritans to know and understand who Jesus was. They didn’t just believe the Samaritan woman and then go on with their life. They stopped everything! Unlike many of the Jews who followed Jesus around because of the healing miracles He performed, these Samaritans weren’t responding to something Jesus did to make their life better. They were responding to words of truth! In fact, the Samaritan woman told them Jesus knew everything she ever did. So, they could have been afraid Jesus would publicly point out all their sins. Apparently, though, spending time getting to know Jesus was more important than their own schedule, pride, or reputation. 

How about you and me? Do we hear a great sermon or read an encouraging devotional and stop there? Or, do you and I desire to spend time in God’s Word alone each day so we can get to know Jesus personally? Are you and I, like the Samaritans, willing to drop everything to hear from Him? If we do, Jesus will stay and spend time with us in answer to our sincere desire to know, understand, and love Him!!! What a personal God!!!

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Living Water (10/19/23)

Have you ever gone in the grocery store for one item, but came home with dozens more? The outcast Samaritan woman went to the well to get water for the day, but Jesus offered her living, spiritual, and eternal water!

John 4:10-14   ¹⁰Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." ¹¹"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹²Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" ¹³Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jesus’s offer of living water wasn’t a list of rules but a way of life that would bring true satisfaction, joy, peace, and life with Him for all eternity! Just knowing and accepting Jesus’s truths won’t bring full satisfaction. We must know, accept, and then daily choose to live His way. 

It is kind of like taking piano lessons. I learned the names of the notes and the note values when I was very young. I then took piano lessons starting in 2^nd grade. Knowing the notes and accepting what the teacher taught me wasn’t enough for me to enjoy playing the piano. Just going to lessons each week wouldn’t get me very far. I had to daily spend time on the piano for years. It wasn’t always easy or convenient and required sacrificing free time (often at the coaxing of my Mom!). However, I’ve never regretted it and thank my parents for their financial sacrifice and regular accountability to practice. 

Similarly, if we just know some of the Bible stories, accept Jesus as the Christ, and go to church for an hour each week we won’t experience the life Jesus intended us to enjoy. We won’t be living as fully satisfied. We need to continually spend time getting to know and love Jesus and allow His Spirit to transform our desires and priorities. We won’t regret it!      

Do you know the truth? Have you received and accepted the truth? Are you and I still chasing after temporal things? Or are you and I living as fully satisfied with the “living water” Jesus offers? Only Jesus can truly and fully satisfy!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Salvation to All Who Believe (10/12/23)

This week God helped me prepare a lecture on John 3. Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions about who Jesus was, but Jesus turned the conversation around to be about who Nicodemus was in the family of God. He needed to be born again to see, enter and enjoy the kingdom of God! Jesus also highlighted that anyone who believed could have eternal life.

John 3:1-7, 9-10, 14-15   ¹Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." ³In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  ⁴"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"  ⁵Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' ⁹"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.  ¹⁰"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? …¹⁴Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

In studying this passage, I was reminded of the day my son, James, was born again. It was a Monday night at dinner - Sarah looked outside at the darkness and said she was scared. I asked what she could do about being scared and she said “go to church.” James then interjected and told her she could talk to God and Jesus. I confirmed “Yes!”

 

Then, James stopped eating and said he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. Unprompted, he said “Jesus, will you come into my heart?” [pause] “Jesus said yes!” We then talked through what having Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) in our hearts means - He forgives our sins and helps us love and obey Him. James was able to tell me what some of his recent sins were. At some point in the conversation I asked James what he wanted Jesus to do for him (to test the genuineness of his faith) and he said “forgive my sins!” So, I said he could also pray and ask Jesus to forgive his sins and help him love and obey God. He immediately and voluntarily prayed on his own in his own words about all that!!!

 

I hugged James and told him he was a child of God! After dinner was over, James got down and hopped to the bathroom to wash his hands, chanting “I’m a child of God! I’m a child of God!” Yes, he was born again and adopted into God’s family! 

Have you responded to Jesus’s offer of salvation? Have you believed in Him, His testimony, His words, His work and His authority? If so, are you and I enjoying abundant eternal life now? Who else might God be leading us to share these truths with today and this week? 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Knowing All Motives (10/5/23)

Sometimes it’s easy to figure out why one of my kids disobeyed, but other times it’s baffling. I think I know my kids well - what their interests are, what upsets them, and what their natural personality tendencies are. However, there are aspects of them I don’t know and understand.

Jesus knows everything about everyone! There isn’t anything that baffles Him! In fact, right after His first few miracles, He did not reveal more of Himself to many of the people because He knew their motives for believing in Him.  

John 2:23-25  ²³ Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. ²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. ²⁵ He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

As I pray for wisdom on how to lead my kids, I acknowledge that Jesus knows them far better than I know them and He knows exactly what each one needs! I ask for a bit of His Omniscience!

Certainly, there are others in our lives where we need some of Jesus’ all-knowing insight as to how best to interact with them. Since Jesus can read everyone’s heart, He can also help us know whether we need to even interact with them at all! Let’s take these people and questions to Jesus for His all-knowing insight. 

Alice 

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – He’s Why I’m Different (9/28/23)

Have you ever been asked why you’re different from other people?

John the Baptist was questioned about why he was different. He was doing very strange and unexpected things, even for his day.  When questioned about who he was and why he was doing what he was doing, he made sure others knew he wasn’t (and didn’t claim to be) the Messiah. 

John 1:19-28 ¹⁹Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." ²¹They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"He said, "I am not."  "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." ²²Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" ²³John [the Baptist] replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' " ²⁴Now some Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" ²⁶"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." ²⁸This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John also took the focus off himself and pointed to Christ. As I thought about that, I wondered how well I do the same.  In a conversation in the lunchroom (pre-pandemic), I was asked something about why I always seem positive and happy. I responded, saying I pray about having a good attitude. However, that response focused more on myself and what I was doing than on Christ. I could have been more specific and said it was because of my relationship with Jesus Christ and His influence in my life.

What about you?  How do you respond when asked why you’re different, happy, pleasant, friendly, positive, etc.?  Do you blow it off, point out how you try to be positive, or point to Jesus?

Let’s conscientiously point others to Jesus, the true source of all joy!

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Illumination (9/21/23)

A new lady tried out our John Bible study last week and this week. Her neighbor brought her. The new lady shared yesterday she was excited to do another activity, in addition to golf, with her neighbor. However, she wasn’t excited about doing “homework!” I laughingly said we call it “heart work,” but it can be challenging. She shared several things about her past experiences and how she had been mad at God. She said she is fine with her relationship with Him now, though. She did have several questions for Him still.

After shooting up several arrow prayers for what to say, I encouraged the new lady to at least read that week’s passage so she can be familiar with it when she comes to next week’s small group discussion. I said I knew God loved her and had a plan for her. As we study the book of John, we’ll see John the Baptist struggle with similar questions for Jesus and how Jesus answers them. 

I’m praying she will see Jesus’ illumination of the truth as she reads the Bible! I can’t convince her. Her neighbor can’t convince her. Jesus, the light, can!

John 1:6-9       ⁶There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 

I pray the new lady’s neighbor and the rest of us at Bible study can help witness and testify to Jesus as the Truth. We aren’t the light and don’t do the illuminating, but we can point her to the true light that’s offered her abundant life now and for eternity! 

How does this help take pressure off you, realizing you aren’t the light or the illuminator? We are called to witness and testify to Jesus. He’s the Truth. He’s the Light. He’s the One who illuminates and convinces!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – from the Beginning (9/14/23)

 A “pronouns” discussion started with some other mothers last night at one of my kid’s activities. I had chatted with these moms about some other topics and then this one came up. I shot up several arrow prayers to God about how to respond!

Earlier this week, at my John Bible study, I was reminded that Jesus is and has all truth. I was challenged to not be afraid to share the TRUTH I know! I was also convicted that if I truly believe Jesus is the only source of abundant life, then my life will reflect that.

So, at an appropriate point in the “pronouns” conversation, I chimed in that God created us male and female. He created us as either a boy or a girl and that’s how it works. No one commented. They just changed the subject.

Whether the other mothers believe it or not, Jesus was with God in the beginning and created them, their kids and everything around them!

John 1:1-5       ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John even started his book with the exact phrase used in the first verse of the first book of the Bible! 

Genesis 1:1     In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus, the Truth, from the beginning? How will you prayerfully share truth with them, even if it’s just short phrases, as opportunities arise? Will you also pray for me for any future conversations with these mothers? Please pray I can boldly take even small opportunities to speak truth, in love and grace.  

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Independence (9/7/23)

We often desire independence – whether it’s a kid wanting to get dressed by themselves or a young adult wanting to live on their own. We want to be able to take care of ourselves, support ourselves, and help our children and grandchildren to do the same. Some of the desire for independence is a great motivator for working hard. However, we can think we are so self-sufficient that we forget who truly provided our skills and abilities.

It’s easy to think we accomplished our successes. It can be disheartening when those successes are fleeting and don’t end up meaning as much as we thought they would. Solomon wisely encourages us to remember God, our Creator, before we get too caught up in our independence. We are to remember Him before we “need” Him. We may think we don’t need Him when we are young and that we have everything under control, but we aren’t in control. Circumstances can change in an instant.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7     

Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
² before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
³ when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
⁴ when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
⁵ when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.

⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

In the end, all our earthly successes shrivel up (“return to the ground”). However, our soul lives forever and can have eternity with God! The troubles of this life may be overwhelming, and the fleeting successes may be disheartening, but His ways will never disappoint!

Isaiah 49:23b         Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18   For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Instead of focusing on meaningless independence, we can focus on meaningful dependence on God our Creator and Sustainer! His ways and His work bring lasting purpose and reward whether we are young or old!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After Leisure before Labor (8/31/23)

Who doesn’t like a fun party or leisure activity?! Especially if it’s with people we like and enjoy. However, we can’t have a party or vacation every day. In fact, if we started every day with a party, how much work would get done? However, if we get all our work done first, then we can truly relax and enjoy a celebration.

Over the summer, the kids complained about having to get their reading, flashcards, exercise and piano practice all done first before they could watch part of a movie. In fact, sometimes they asked if they could go ahead and watch something for a little bit and then finish their tasks later. However, I knew that wouldn’t work well and they would be less motivated to complete their work after their leisure time. 

Solomon highlighted the danger of leisure before labor.  

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17  Woe to the land whose king was a servant
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.

I think Solomon is talking about pleasureful feasting and celebration BEFORE the work is done. The person who became a king young or after formerly being a servant might not understand their responsibility and abuse their privilege. However, someone who learned from an early age to take their responsibility seriously, understands not every meal is a luxury. Most meals are for nourishment and not parties every day. They diligently work hard and celebrate at appropriate times.    

What about you and me? What labor project do we need to be diligent to complete, and save our leisure time until after it’s done?

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Tomorrow 8/24/23

 My kids want to hurry and grow up! I remember thinking the same thing as a kid – wishing I was older.

Getting ready for school to start next week, James doesn’t want anything that looks childish (backpack, lunch box, or bike helmet). He’s going into 5^th grade and thinks his backpack from kindergarten is too kid-like. 😊

Sarah said she’s never ready for school and how nice it must be that Dad and I don’t have to go to school anymore. No, but we get to go to work everyday and still learn new things! We also use much of what we learned in elementary school on a daily basis (reading, counting, telling time, writing, etc.).

As adults, sometimes we want to hurry to the next phase of life, too. We can chase after the wind of tomorrow and miss the blessings and joys of today. I think that’s what Solomon wanted to highlight in this next passage.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10    Light is sweet,
    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
⁸ However many years anyone may live,
    let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
    for there will be many.
    Everything to come is meaningless.

⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young,
    and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
    and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
    God will bring you into judgment.
¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart
    and cast off the troubles of your body,
    for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Where are you and I missing the blessings and joys of today by chasing after tomorrow? Maybe it’s the next promotion, the next “perfect” job, retirement, the next phase with kids, more time for a new hobby, that next trip and the list goes on. Let’s enjoy what God’s given us to do today!

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Strength (8/17/23)

This summer my kids took turns walking my sister’s dog with my Dad. My sister’s dog, Patty, probably weighs more than most of them! However, my Dad helped them learn how to control her, even if they aren’t stronger than her. I guess you could say they learned how to outsmart rather than overpower.

Solomon was impressed by wisdom’s power over strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18    I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: ¹⁴ There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. ¹⁵ Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

¹⁷ The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

Strength isn’t everything. We can desire strength in order to gain power or fame, but it can crumble in an instant. Man’s wisdom can outsmart the strong, but as Solomon points out, even that can be fleeting. Seeking God’s wisdom has eternal significance, though!

James 3:17-18             But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Are you and I chasing after strength or wisdom? For what purpose and by what means? Let’s seek God’s wisdom for an eternal harvest of righteousness.

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God despite our Foolish Frenzy (8/10/23)

I was convicted by this passage when I read it this past Sunday! 

At church earlier in the day, Joe and I read some Scripture passages as part of an interactive church service. Ahead of time and during the service, I was a bit distracted in several ways: nerves, making sure the kids were sitting properly, and concerned Joe wasn’t going to remember all that he was supposed to say before and after his reading!

Then, when I read the following passage during my own quiet time later in the day, I realized I didn’t guard my steps well while going to God’s house. I wasn’t prepared to listen to Him and was more concerned about how my family and I sounded.  

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7        ^]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

I want to prepare better the next few weekends so I am ready to listen to God at church and not distracted by my own thoughts or nerves. What about you? How will you prepare to listen to God, whether it’s at church, Bible study, personal prayer time or other times of worship?  

Our Faithful God has so much to say to us, if we will just listen! He was faithful to gently tap me on the shoulder and point out my foolish frenzy from earlier in the day.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God Through Quiet Work (8/3/23)

Last week I mentioned one of my prayers for the summer was that we would be witnesses in our interactions. Sarah’s coach noticed her positive attitude, but I wondered if she knew it was God’s joy in her. So, I prayed more specifically for natural opportunities to mention God, Bible study, prayer, etc. In answer to that prayer, God provided a couple different opportunities later in the week to naturally mention Bible study and prayer as I talked with a couple parents!

Then, I got an unexpected email from one of Alexis’ coaches. It said “I just wanted to tell you how much I love having Alexis in my group. She’s not only very talented, but she works very hard as well. I’m very impressed with her behavior. It’s a nice break from some of her teammates!”  

While the coach didn’t say “I can see Jesus in Alexis,” maybe she will eventually realize He is behind the difference she sees in Alexis versus her teammates. I realized I needed to be thankful for the small and quiet opportunities to reflect Christ, even if others don’t recognize Christ in us right away. Our Faithful God is powerful enough to work through one quiet moment or combine thousands of quiet work opportunities to accomplish His purposes in the lives of those around us!

Psalm 106:1-3 Praise the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
    or fully declare his praise?
³ Blessed are those who act justly,
    who always do what is right.

We can’t fully give God the praise and honor He deserves. However, He chooses to give us blessings through our meager obedient work. What a Faithful, Generous and Mighty God we serve!

Alice