Gracious God Is Worthy of Glory – 11/4/2026

When the kids were younger, I would read books to them before nap and often play a children’s hymn on the piano while we sang it together. Then, if there was time after our nightly Bible reading and prayer, I’d play another hymn for us to sing before bed. Singing or speaking praises to God at the start and end of our days is one way to keep our focus on worshiping our Creator rather than on lesser priorities.

If we aren’t regularly glorifying and thanking God, we can easily be deceived by the world, and our thoughts can become foolish. We will worship either God or something else. As Paul describes in this next section of Romans, we can trade the glory of God for temporal things.

Romans 1:21-23: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.”

As verse 21 indicates, there is a difference between knowing God and glorifying Him. I know who the true God is, but I don’t always glorify Him.

We glorify God by:

• growing in a personal relationship with Him. 
• adoring Him.
• worshiping and praising Him for who He is.
• giving Him the credit for all of our accomplishments.
• thanking Him for all of our blessings and sufferings.  
• exalting Him above anyone and anything else.

This week, what mortal thing have we placed above our relationship with God (a possession, person, project, plan, player, etc.)? Our relationship with God is eternal and the most important one we have.

One of the hymns we sometimes sing with the kids is “To God Be the Glory.” Let’s give glory to God rather than exchange it for something mortal.

Alice

Gracious God Gives Evidence in Creation – 10/29/26

The fall colors are gorgeous right now in Michigan! Last Thursday, on the kids’ day off from school, we packed a picnic and enjoyed a beautiful day at Hidden Lake Gardens. We marveled at all the unique trees and plants God created. Even without the Bible, people can look at creation and know that God created the world. However, many people suppress this truth, as Paul explains in the following passage:

Romans 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” 

God has revealed Himself to all people through creation. Without having or knowing God’s Word, we can still see evidence of His existence, creativity, intelligence, and power.

How has God’s truth been revealed to you this week?

Are you looking for it and sharing it with others?

Let’s look for evidence of God in the creation around us, praise Him for it, and share it with others.

Alice

Gracious God Gives Power to Share 10/23/26

“If God is real, then why did He kill my brother?” That is what a girl said to my daughter, Sarah, during a break at a Detroit Opera Youth Chorus rehearsal the other day. Sarah tried to explain that sin, not God, results in death. She then found her older cousin, Mark, to help her explain the gospel more clearly to a hurting and confused girl.  

Paul always seemed to know exactly how to explain the gospel, and he was eager to share it with anyone. He knew that no one was saved by human strength, but salvation was entirely by God’s power.

Romans 1:14-17  I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Paul is an amazing example of someone who truly loved God, loved other people, understood God’s power, and humbly relied on that power to do what God had called him to do–preach the gospel! By faith, Paul was empowered by God’s gospel. By faith, God’s gospel can empower you and me to speak and share truth with others.

Where do you get the strength to speak truth? Do we rely on our own knowledge or preparation? Or are we afraid because we don’t feel knowledgeable or prepared? It is God’s power and His revelation that brings salvation. Like Paul, let’s rely on God’s power, giving Him the glory. His power is far greater than our abilities!

I’m praying Sarah, Mark, you and I will rely on God’s power to eagerly take opportunities to speak truth lovingly and share His gospel.

Alice

Gracious God Welcomes Thankful Prayers 10/15/26

Through my experience with Bible Study Fellowship leadership training, I’ve come to appreciate the value of starting prayer with praise. Whether it’s a prayer before a meal, a quick prayer in the car on the way to school, a bedtime prayer with the kids, a pre-service prayer at church, or other corporate or private prayer times, I usually start by praising God for who He is and His unchanging attributes. Then, I thank Him for what He has done.

The apostle Paul not only knew how to praise God but also consistently gave thanks. While my thanksgiving is often about how God has worked in my own life or the life of those closest to me, Paul’s thanksgiving extended to fellow believers in Rome, whom he had never even met!

Romans 1:8-13  “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.  God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. ¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.”  

Our prayers reflect the attitudes of our heart, and yet God can use certain disciplines in prayer to transform our heart attitudes. As we spend time praising and thanking God, our perspective on our needs shifts. Similarly, as we thank God for others, our attitude toward them also changes.

Like Paul, who will you thank God for today? How can you lift them up in prayer and pray for ways to mutually encourage each other?

I pray that we grow in our thankfulness to God for one another. God welcomes any sincere prayer, but He knows a regular attitude of gratitude transforms us and helps align our prayers with His will and purposes.

Alice

Gracious God Calling to Serve 10/8/26

As a family, when we talk about God’s grace in bringing us to Christ, Sarah often points out that God placed her in our family so that she would hear about and come to know God. She recognizes God’s sovereign plan in how He orchestrated His call on her life.

Paul also had a deep appreciation for God’s grace to him. In response, he faithfully shared this grace with others. As we start the book of Romans, we see Paul’s passionate presentation of the good news about Jesus.

Romans 1:1-7         Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. ⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul didn’t keep his appreciation to himself but shared it with people he hadn’t even met yet—the Romans! We also benefit from his loving explanations about God’s grace through Jesus Christ. His service to Jesus has impacted the whole world!

What about you? How have you seen God’s grace in bringing you to Him? Where has God called you to serve?

As we fully appreciate God’s grace in our own lives, we can passionately share His grace with others, just like Paul. He was so steeped in God’s love that he couldn’t help but talk about it. I pray we grow in our understanding and appreciation of God’s love and grace in our own lives, so that it naturally overflows to those around us.

Alice

Completeness of the Promise Keeper’s Love (10/1/26)

During the pre-service prayer time that our family leads, the kids often pray that we would mean what we sing. That’s a great prayer, because we want to be sincere in our worship. However, this past week I was thinking that even that prayer can be rote rather than heartfelt.

As I reviewed the six questions God answered in the book of Malachi, it struck me how many of the questions related to insincere worship. God was faithful in His love for Israel. He didn’t change, but they had moved away from Him. Let’s look at all six together again:

1.    How He loved Israel

Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 

God pointed out that He had chosen to love Jacob (Israel) and to bring about His salvation plan through Jacob’s descendants. God wouldn’t fall out of love with Israel, and He won’t fall out of love with the rest of His followers either.

2.    How they had disrespected Him

Malachi 1:6b-7 “It is you priests who show contempt for my name.

“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

⁷ “By offering defiled food on my altar.

“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. 

Their defiled animal sacrifices and empty rituals were detestable to Him.

3.    Where His justice was

Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

Malachi 3:1 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

God’s plans for justice may seem quite delayed to us, but they are unfolding in His perfect time.

4.    How Israel was to return to God & 5. How they were robbing God

Malachi 3:7-8 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 

They were to return to God by repenting and turning back to obedience to His laws. They had been unfaithful and had robbed Him by withholding the small portion He had asked of them.

6.    How they had spoken arrogantly

Malachi 3:13-14 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

¹⁴ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 

Their service to God seemed futile because it was hollow.

The Israelites were going through the motions of worshipping and serving God, but they weren’t doing it out of true love for Him. They disobeyed His instructions for how to worship and serve Him. They were even blind to their own errors, which is why they kept asking, “How?”

What about you and me? Are we going through the motions, trying to look as if we worship and serve God, while our hearts aren’t in the right place? Are our prayers rote or genuine? Are we worshipping Him the way we want – the way that’s easiest and most comfortable – or the way He desires?

Our love is inconsistent, but God’s love is complete, eternal, and never changing. I pray that we would grow in sincere love and devotion to God as we more fully grasp His love for us and His faithfulness to all His promises.  

Alice

Readiness of the Promise Keeper’s Love (9/24/26)

 James enjoyed his birthday last Saturday, from his birthday presents to the extended family celebration. He helped us prepare by letting us know ahead of time some items he needed and wanted (such as a new lunch container, a new bike helmet, and Christian t-shirts). He also selected the dinner menu and picked out the cakes.

God helps us prepare ahead of time for the great day of the Lord. He gave us His laws to follow and promised to send “Elijah” beforehand.  

Malachi 4:4-6 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

⁵ “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. ⁶ He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

The people of Israel in Malachi’s day had again abandoned God’s laws. They expected blessings as His chosen people but failed to recognize all the ways they had disobeyed His laws (as we’ve seen in previous weeks). In these final verses of Malachi (and of the entire Old Testament), God called His people to remember and follow His commands. He also promised to send the messenger “Elijah” to help them see, understand, and return to the covenant of their ancestors.

This promise of “Elijah” appears to have been partially fulfilled when God sent John the Baptist.

Matthew 11:13-14 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

The angel told Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, that “John…

Luke 1:16-17 …will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’s first coming, just as God promised through Malachi. Then, in the future, the two witnesses described in Revelation 11 will prepare the way for Jesus’s second coming.

In His great love, God readies us not only for this life, but for the life to come! How are you taking advantage of His preparations for living life? What about His promises for our future in Heaven? Which of those do you need to remember regularly?

Alice

Renewal of the Promise Keeper’s Love (9/17/26)

James turns 14 on Saturday and is looking forward to his birthday—a day of fun filled with family celebrations, presents, and words of encouragement. Children often count down the days until their birthday, looking forward with excitement to a day of pleasure. We can have even greater anticipation for Jesus’s return, when we will be fully healed, provided for, satisfied, and free from all worries. However, the wicked will experience the opposite—pain and destruction.   

Malachi 4:1-3          “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. ² But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. ³ Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

This prophecy sounds very similar to several we studied in our journey through Revelation. A fiery torment will come for Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and all those who don’t follow Jesus.

Revelation 20:15    Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

In contrast, a glorious dwelling with God will come for those whose names are written in the book of life.

Revelation 21:2-4   I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

All physical, emotional, and psychological pain will be completely healed on that day! What a glorious day that will be when all things are renewed!

As you and I yearn for renewal in this life, we can take encouragement in knowing one day we will experience complete and total renewal.  In addition, as we anticipate and look forward to small pleasures in this life, we can think about all the marvelous pleasures awaiting us in heaven. They will be far greater than any birthday joy! 

Alice

Remembrance of the Promise Keeper’s Love (9/10/26)

My sister, Jane, has journaled regularly since she was young. I rarely journaled as a kid, but I started journaling after becoming a parent. I wanted to capture memorable moments in the children’s lives so we could all look back and remember.

God doesn’t need to journal so He can look back and remember, but He does write things down for our benefit. Last week, in Malachi 3:13-15, we heard the Israelites arrogantly question God about rewarding the wicked and not blessing the faithful. However, they failed to see that they weren’t faithful. So, this week, we will see how God wrote down promises for His true followers so they would be assured of His blessings to come.

Malachi 3:16-18     Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

¹⁷ “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. ¹⁸ And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

God promises eternal life to His followers! He won’t mistakenly bless the wicked and curse the righteous, as the Israelites accused Him of doing. He wrote a scroll of remembrance so those who live for Him can be confident in His promises. It may seem like the wicked get away with evil in this life, but “on the day when [God] acts,” He will dwell with His people in a New Heaven and New Earth and send the wicked to a Lake of Fire.

Revelation 21:5-8   He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

On that day, will God call you His child and treasured possession? If so, we can be assured of a marvelous eternity with Him, no matter how horrible things may seem or become in this life. We have His written Word to help us remember His past faithfulness and His promises for the future. Which promises will you cling to today?

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love to bring Humility (9/3/26)

I thought a cookie was missing from our freezer stash the other day and I looked at the kids. One responded with “Why are you looking at me?” Another said “I didn’t eat it.” Another said “I didn’t even know those were there.” These “Who me?” “What did I do?” questions are like the last question in Malachi.

As we’ve traveled through Malachi, with his unique question and answer format, we’ve discovered numerous foolish questions the Israelites had. Last time we looked at the fourth and fifth questions and today we see the last question. This final question is like a kid that tries to act innocent when questioned about their disobedience.

Malachi 3:13-15 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

¹⁴ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? ¹⁵ But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

The Israelites felt like God had rewarded the wicked and were not blessing the faithful. However, they failed to see that they weren’t faithful, which we’ve covered in previous weeks. Their service to God seemed futile, but it was because it was hollow. They went through the motions of “worshiping” God, but it wasn’t sincere. God had already confronted their unfaithfulness – sacrificing defiled animals, leading fellow Israelites away from God through their wrong teaching, committing adultery, intermarrying with ungodly foreigners, and failing to tithe. They wanted the benefits of covenant faithfulness without being faithful.

Service to God is never futile. As we understand, recognize and experience God’s love, it naturally humbles us before Him. We won’t wrongly speak arrogantly against Him because we will have a right view of the Lord Almighty. Then we will be able to live out Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Where does our view of God and His love need an adjustment? Do we ever quietly resent that "evildoers prosper" while we've tried to be faithful — and does that resentment reveal a flawed view of God's love? Or, do we go through religious "motions" while harboring a transactional view of God (serving in order to get something, rather than in response to what we've already received)?

What will we do so God can grow our humility that leads to more sincere worship? What would it look like this week to offer worship (Romans 12:1) that isn't "hollow" but is a genuine "living sacrifice" in gratitude for God’s love?

Alice

Reliability of the Promise Keeper’s Love (8/20/26)

Have you ever told someone you would do something, but then later forgot or didn’t follow through? Joe and I forgot to play a game with Sarah a couple of Sundays ago. We have a tradition where both parents play a game together with one child each Sunday. We rotate each week, so in four weeks each child has gotten to pick a game they want to play with just their parents.

God doesn’t ever forget something He’s promised. He’s fully reliable and never changes. The Israelites, however, weren’t faithful. When God asked them to return to Him, they even questioned how they had turned away and how they were robbing Him, not realizing their negligence in giving.    

Malachi 3:6-12  “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. ⁷ Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

God reiterated to the Israelites that He doesn’t change, but they had changed. They had been unfaithful and robbed Him by not giving the small number of contributions He had asked from them. Many of the tithes and offerings were to support those doing God’s work at the temple (priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, etc.). So, they were not only robbing Him, but also fellow Jews. God brought the curses He promised in Deuteronomy 27–28 because they failed to obey the commands from Deuteronomy 26. However, He promised to bring abundant blessings if they repented of their rebellion, turned back to Him, and followed His ways.

Would God say you and I have turned away from Him? Where would He say we are robbing Him–in our speech, time, or donations? We don’t have the same specific promises for financial and national blessings, like the Israelites, but God always blesses obedience. Sometimes it is in the form of financial and physical blessings. When we turn back to Him in sincere love, worship, and devotion, we will always experience the blessing of closeness to Him. The peace and security He gives are reliable.

Alice

Righteousness from the Promise Keeper’s Love (8/13/26)

Edmund was upset that I didn’t make pancakes for lunch after church on Sunday. We had leftovers instead. However, for dinner, we did have pancakes. I provided the instructions and the ingredients, and Edmund helped mix the batter. I came behind him to fully mix the batter and prepare the pan. Edmund was pleased to help and even flipped all the pancakes. He got what he had desired (and more), but much later than he originally wanted.

Similarly, the justice the Israelites desired would come later than they expected, but with much greater blessings for those who patiently waited. Last week, Malachi 2 ended with the Israelites questioning God’s justice. God answered by not only promising to bring justice, but also promising to send a messenger before sending the purifying Messiah!

Malachi 3:1-5 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

² But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, ⁴ and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

⁵ “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.

God’s plans for justice may seem quite delayed to us, but they are unfolding in His perfect time. In verse 1, God promised to send a messenger (John the Baptist) before sending Jesus the Messiah for His first coming. Jesus’s first coming didn’t bring the victory the Jews were expecting, but it provided a way for any follower of Jesus to be guaranteed greater blessings at His second coming. Malachi 3:2-5 talks about this, when Jesus will fully cleanse and transform His followers so they can perfectly worship Him in complete righteousness. His followers will also witness Jesus’s complete judgment of the wicked.

At Jesus’s second coming, which side will you be on: those purified and given Jesus’s righteousness, or those on trial for not fearing God? I pray that each of you will fear God and receive Jesus’s righteousness. Then, we will be made into perfect jewels, completely able to enjoy and please our loving Father!

Distrusting the Promise Keeper’s Love (8/6/26)

Most of us may think we want things to be fair. I even count grapes before putting them on plates for the family. 😊 We also often want justice for others to come quickly, but grace for ourselves. The Israelites were no different. They failed to see their own unfaithfulness and lack of love for God and others. However, they were quick to question God’s wisdom and justice in addressing the evil around them.

Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

When we look around our communities, we may be tempted to ask the same thing. However, as is evident throughout the Bible, God is always present and actively working. We may not see or recognize it, but His justice will prevail.

God can handle any question we might have, but are we wearying Him with questions that He has already answered, or are we trusting His perfect timing to accomplish His plans? We can look to His Word for His promises – both for the here and now, and for the future. How will you seek His promises today rather than complaining or questioning God?  

Alice

Divorcing the Promise Keeper’s Love (7/30/26)

If a kid has disobeyed, they usually avoid eye contact, especially after being confronted. They may feel unloved in the moment, but really, they pushed themselves away.

In the previous passage, Malachi confronted intermarriage. Not only were the Israelites marrying foreign idol worshipers, but it appears they did so after divorcing their Israelite wives! Then, they wondered why God seemed distant and displeased with them.

Malachi 2:13-16 ¹³ Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. ¹⁴ You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

¹⁵ Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

¹⁶ “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

Not only did the Israelites divorce their wives, but they divorced themselves from God’s love. He created them and loved them. They belonged to Him, but they were unfaithful to Him. They disobeyed His commands about marriage, and it negatively affected their wives, their offspring, the rest of their community, themselves, and their relationship with God.

When have you and I separated ourselves from God’s love by disobeying one of His commands – whether it was related to marriage, sexual purity, honesty, hospitality, or treatment of others? What was the result? The usual result is distance from God – or at least a perceived distance. We may think He stepped away, but we pushed Him away.  

On the flip side, when we know and lovingly obey God’s commands, then we will experience closeness. We will please Him and protect those around us. He is never far away, but we will recognize and feel His presence and love when we walk in step with Him.

Alice 

Dumping the Promise Keeper’s Love (7/16/26)

As a family, we’ve been studying 1 and 2 Kings, and it is shocking how quickly the kings became wicked right after Solomon. One of the repeated themes that stuck out to me this time is how the foreign wives of the Israelite kings negatively influenced their husbands and sons to follow foreign gods rather than the One True God. This was the very reason God commanded the Israelites not to intermarry. He knew the idolatry of foreign spouses would lead them into a wicked, downward spiral. Eventually, God sent Israel and Judah into exile.

However, once they returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, they fell right back into old sins of unfaithfulness, dumping God’s love, as the prophet Malachi confronts in this next section.

Malachi 2:10-12 ¹⁰ Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?

¹¹ Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god. ¹² As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove him from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings an offering to the Lord Almighty.

God created us, loves us, made a covenant with us, and is always faithful to us. However, like the Israelites, we aren’t always loving and faithful to Him. We can dump God in favor of someone or something far inferior.

What pulls you and me away from recognizing and experiencing God’s perfect Fatherly love as our Creator? How will you and I faithfully love Him in return today?  

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love Defamed (7/9/26)

Have you ever had someone tell a story about you that simply wasn’t true? Maybe others who heard it knew you well enough not to believe it. If not, it could be humiliating. We had a situation where a child told a story that simply wasn’t true. Thankfully, when the principal got wind of it, he didn’t believe it but certainly let us know about it! We had a serious conversation with that child to understand what precipitated such a story and to point out the seriousness of defaming someone. That child had a steep consequence to further reiterate the point.

The priests of Malachi’s day defamed God’s name and His law, condoning sin and leading people into sin.

Malachi 2:7-9 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. ⁸ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁹ “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

The priests had failed at their job as messengers of God Almighty. They were not preserving the knowledge of God for themselves or for those they led. They had turned away from God and had also led others to turn away. The consequence for breaking God’s covenant was that they were despised and humiliated. They defamed God and He exposed them.

God wasn’t smiting them. He had warned them repeatedly about what would happen to those who were disobedient. Yet, He had also promised abundant blessings to the obedient. He was long-suffering and gave them numerous opportunities to repent and return.

I want to be a parent, friend, and leader who’s a reliable messenger of God, preserving knowledge of our promise-keeping, loving God! How will you be a reliable messenger this week?

Alice 

The Promise Keeper’s Love Dishonored (7/2/26)

Warning! Make sure you aren’t eating while you read today’s devotional. As we tell our kids – certain discussions aren’t appropriate table talk. Yes, we will be covering some bathroom topics straight from God Himself.

In Malachi, God uses a jarring image to convey His displeasure. He tells the priest that He will smear their faces with poop and then they would be carried away in it! Quite humiliating punishment.  

Malachi 2:1-6 “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ² If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

³ “Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. ⁴ And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁵ “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. ⁶ True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

The priests’ dishonor of God was deserving of severe consequences, far worse than smeared poop in the face. As spiritual leaders, the priests were expected to honor God and lead all their fellow Israelites to honor God just as their Levite forefathers had done in the days of Moses. God had previously blessed their faithfulness with a life of peace, provision, and protection.

How about you and me? Are we dishonoring God through our words or actions? Or are we honoring God by speaking truth, leading people toward God, lovingly confronting sin, and humbly revering Him as the only Almighty One?

This weekend, as we in the US celebrate our country’s 250^th anniversary, we have an opportunity to honor God in our celebrations, conversations, and prayers for our leaders. We can also all take time to recognize and appreciate the blessings He has given to us, honoring God’s promise-keeping love.

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love Discarded (6/25/26)

Have you ever taken someone or something for granted? The Israelites took God for granted and discarded His love. They failed to recognize and honor His greatness. They even viewed their service to Him as a burden.

Malachi 1:11-14     ¹¹ My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

¹² “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’ ¹³ And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the Lord Almighty.

“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. ¹⁴ “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.

The Lord Almighty is great, deserving reverence and fear from all. How have we, like the Israelites, discarded God’s love and failed to recognize His greatness? Do we ever view time spent reading His Word or participating in service as a burden? What about giving our tithe? Do we give generously and regularly, or do we withhold it or give begrudgingly?

One day, all will recognize His greatness.

Romans 14:11         It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

One day everyone will realize God is worth any sacrifice, no matter how big or small. Let's not discard His love. Instead, let's bow before Him now by actively recognizing His love and greatness daily. As we do, we can offer Him praise and share it with others.

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love Disrespected (6/18/26)

Have you ever been disrespectful to a parent and then questioned about it? At our house, when a kid talks disrespectfully to me, Joe steps in, asking, “Is that how you need to talk to your mother?” This scenario is similar to the next question and answer section in Malachi, which addresses the lack of respect toward God.  

Malachi 1:6-10 ⁶ “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.

“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.

“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

⁷ “By offering defiled food on my altar.

“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. ⁸ When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.

⁹ “Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?”—says the Lord Almighty.

¹⁰ “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.

God’s words reveal a harsh reality: He would rather the priests close the temple doors and stop all sacrifices than tolerate their hollow and insincere worship. Their defiled animal sacrifices and empty rituals were detestable to Him.

It’s easy to condemn the priests and Israelites for their actions. However, what about our own worship? Do we sometimes go through the motions when we pray, sing worship songs, give our tithe, or serve? Are our worship services truly filled with sincerity and devotion, or would God prefer that our church doors be closed if our services are vain and self-focused, lacking genuine love, honor and respect for Him? Let’s examine our own acts of worship and participation in church, and discern whether they truly honor and respect God.

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love Doubted (6/11/26)

With the completion of Revelation last week, I was praying about what book to go through for the next devotional series. Why not explore the last book in the Old Testament since we covered the last book in the New Testament? The book of Malachi shows how God was and will continue to be faithful to His covenant promises, even when His children are and continue to be unfaithful.

God starts out his message with a declaration of love. However, the Israelites question God’s love, despite seeing God’s faithful, patient, and gracious love for them throughout the Bible.

Malachi 1:1-5 A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.

² “I have loved you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, ³ but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”

⁴ Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.”

But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. ⁵ You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’

Malachi used the question-and-answer format, which was different from other prophets. He first declares God’s love for Israel, but they doubted His love. God pointed out that He chose to love Jacob (Israel) and bring about His salvation plan through Jacob’s descendants. God wouldn’t fall out of love for Israel and He won’t fall out of love for the rest of His followers either.

God would fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He would send Jesus to live a perfect life, die for sinners and rise again, granting eternal life to all who believe. They were to be amazed at God’s faithfulness then, and we are today too. We can declare “Great is the Lord” as we witness God’s amazing work in and through those around us and ourselves.

God and His love are always great, but we don’t always recognize it or feel it. Like the Israelites, have you ever questioned God’s love for you? Will you journal or write down ways you know God loves you? On a day when you might doubt God’s love, you can go back to your list and be encouraged. Our promise-keeping God never stops loving His children!