Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Focus this Lent (3/6/25)

In answer to my prayers about how to best observe Lent as a family this year, I was given a few ideas after talking and brainstorming with my kids!

1. First, Sunday, we were given a booklet about Christians in difficult situations around the world and prayers we can pray for them. So, one thing we plan to do is to daily read a page from the booklet and pray for that group of Christians.
2. Second, Alexis suggested we stand to read the Bible at night instead of comfortably sitting on the couch while we read.
3. Third, another kid (I think Edmund), suggested we look for an attribute of God from that day’s Bible passage (which we already usually do). However, that led me to think about a way we could further focus on Jesus’s attributes. So, last night I put together a chart of 40 attributes. Each day we will focus on a different attribute of Jesus. As a challenge, we will need to find and read a verse in the New Testament that talks about that attribute, whether directly or indirectly. On Sundays, we will pick a verse from the previous week and memorize it.

Since Lent started yesterday and I put the chart together late last night, I gave everyone a Scripture for the first attribute and asked them to start today to find their own verse.

Yesterday’s attribute – Living

Scripture – Revelation 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

By Easter Sunday, we will have meditated on 40 different attributes of Jesus and memorized 6 of the related verses. Feel free to join in the challenge!

How else are you and I planning to observe Lent?

Jesus is worthy of our focus this Lenten season!!!

Thursday Devotional - Snake Bite Purpose

I wonder what Paul thought when he got the snake bite? Was he afraid? Did he wonder why God allowed yet another challenge and more pain?

After the drama we saw last week around the snake bite, we quickly see it was a way God used to draw attention to Paul and the Holy Spirit’s power and message through him.

Acts 27:7-10 ⁷ There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. ⁸ His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. ¹⁰ They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

The passage doesn’t say Paul preached the gospel and told the people on Malta about Jesus, but I don’t think Paul went anywhere where he didn’t talk about God’s message of Salvation. He must have told them it wasn’t his power (but God’s) that healed them. Paul could see now how God used the snake bite to give him a platform for sharing God’s power and message.  

This reminds me to have a different perspective when a family member or I experience pain or suffering. I can ask God for help AND ask Him to help me see how He is going to use it for His purposes.

That certainly wasn’t my first thought when my son, James, had a gymnastics injury Monday that left his vision blurred and half his face numb. I definitely asked God for help! It was a few hours, though, before I asked Him to show me how He might be using this for His purposes. As God answered prayers for direction and next steps (such as one of our doctors personally talking to us on the phone right as we got to ER and letting us come to his office immediately for an assessment, bypassing ER), we were able to share these answers to prayer with family members, coaches, and doctors!

James is still dealing with several issues, but we’re praising God he didn’t end up with a concussion and the nerve damage shouldn’t be permanent!

The next time you and I face a challenge, let’s remember to not only ask God for help, but to help us use it for His purposes!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Ready for a Challenge?

We recently received news that most of us are to work from home beyond the 4 weeks, until May 15th! When I left work on March 13^th and picked up James from school that afternoon, I thought it was going to be 3 weeks of a different work and school schedule and then we would be back to normal. However, it keeps getting extended. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re to stay home beyond May 15^th!!!

I miss my normal routine, my desk setup and ergonomic chair, the extra steps I get walking halfway across the building for water or the restroom 😊, etc. As challenging as it might be, though, I know I’m thankful we have jobs that are possible to do from home!

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, most of our challenges are small compared to all the challenges and hardships Paul faced. He readily and willingly faced challenges.

Acts 21:10-14                       ¹⁰ After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

¹² When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Are you and I ready and willing to continue to persevere in our new working environment challenges without complaining?

What about work for the name of Jesus? Are you and I ready and willing to take up new challenges for the benefit of His people and His name? What about leading a virtual Bible study, virtual prayer group, calling or writing to fellow church members (to provide a listening ear or to encourage), or collecting prayer requests (from co-workers/friends/family) and spending dedicated time in prayer for them? I think some of you are already doing these!

As Luke said, may “the Lord’s will be done” and may I readily and willingly participate!

Alice