Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Our Blood (10/30/25)

This past Monday, our kids had a day off from school, and we finally had a chance to take them all in for routine blood work. Let’s just say they weren’t thrilled! One of them was especially nervous about the needle and watching the blood flow out. What if someone were to drain not just a little blood but all your blood? Revelation chapter 17 talks about that!

In Revelation chapter 16, John concluded his vision with the seven-sealed scroll, seven angels, seven trumpets and seven bowl judgments. Chapter 17 takes John to a new vision, which seems to layer similar truths from the previous vision – wickedness in the world continues, Satan covers sin in luring appeal to deceive many, God’s people can expect oppression and even death, yet all false detractors will face God’s judgment.

Revelation 17:1-6 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. ² With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴ The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. ⁵ The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

babylon the great

the mother of prostitutes

and of the abominations of the earth.

⁶ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The ancient nation of Babylon took Judah into captivity and destroyed the Jerusalem temple in 586 BC. Since then, “Babylon” has often been used as a term to refer to staunch enemies of God and His people. Babylon will fall, facing not just earthly destruction but eternal punishment.

As we reflect on this passage, we can ponder some important questions: What things in this world lure you and me away from the things of God? What’s your “Babylon,” and what’s mine?

I think most of us don’t want to be matyrs, but I pray we will all be faithful to Jesus to the very end, no matter what. He shed his blood for you and me so we could have eternal life! So, He’s worthy of our total devotion, whether it’s sacrificing a small comfort or giving our earthly blood. Where will you choose faithfulness to Jesus today? We can pray and ask for God’s strength to turn from temptation and remain faithful.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord’s presence.  He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace.

But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.  Genesis 19:27-29

We have dealt with a great deal of tragedy this week.  Whether it be our children in fear of their safety or our way of living being challenged and questioned, there is plenty of stress points that impact us.  There was a time where during these moments I would feel like the world was closing in on me all at once.  Yet today, I feel at peace.  Someone reminded me that God is always in control, and thus, nothing happens without His knowing.  Many of us have worries about tomorrow, and simply do not have answers to tragedies.  But I have faith that He will take care of things.  As I continue my journey of faith, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness, and it is in that I carry forward not only with confidence but also with faith that in the end He will help us to make things right.

We should all have surety in God.  As I was reading the book of Genesis, I got a great deal out of the story of Abraham and Lot.  Abraham was of course one of God’s truly faithful servants such that he could request certain things of God.  One was that He protect the city of Sodom if there were righteous people there.  After further reading, we realize that the ‘righteous people’ there were the people connected to Lot, his nephew who Abraham loved like a son.  This was the covenant God made with him.  When it appeared Sodom and Gomorrah could no longer be saved, angels were sent to save Lot and his family.  There are a couple of things we can draw from this story.  First, through prayer we can actually gain favor with God where He will intercede on our behalf.  Second, God is always true to His word.  His promises are without fail.  He is always faithful, and our goal is to trust in this even as things surrounding us may not quite seem under control.

God is always righteous and always right on time.  A hymnal that always keeps me grounded speaks of God in such a way.  It begins simply:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

As the hymn says, He is never changing, compassionate, and of course faithful.  Let us move with confidence knowing God is always with us for we have asked Jesus Christ in our lives, and for that, we are truly saved.  What can you draw from Abraham’s faith into your own?  What surety can God provide in your life?  My prayer is that we remember who God is in times of uncertainty and indeed how Great is Thy faithfulness.  Amen.

In Remembrance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.  After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.  Hebrews 12:1-4

When we are alone, we are never truly alone.  There was a time that I felt utterly by myself.  No one to understand me and no one to care.  That sounds extreme because I had loving parents and a large family who lavished me with love.  However somehow, I had worked myself into this mental trap where I felt useless to those around me.  This was me at nineteen (Am I the only one hearing ‘Steely Dan’ in my head?).  Lost.  Feelings of failure and hopelessness ran through my mind.  Then a voice said to me in song, “Put the weight on my shoulders.”  This was the first time that I truly knew there was a God.  It was then I knew everything would be alright.  Thirty one years later, He’s still there, and has never left me.  Yes, I’ve grown in my faith by leaps and bounds, but it is good to always remember where God’s presence affected your life because it strengthens you knowing where He can take you if you trust in Him.

We must always look past our current circumstances by remembering how faithful God has always been.  Paul spoke to the Hebrews about God’s righteous discipline of His children and how we are to embrace it with enduring strength by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Think of how tough a sale that was!  Even though my dad past away years ago, I remember that last whipping from him like it was yesterday.  Not sure unconquerable strength was one of the virtues I got out of that one!  However, Paul was trying to prepare them for what was to come instead of remind them what had happened.  He wanted them to keep fighting for their journey of faith would not be an easy one, and God and others would test them as they struggled with the weight of their sinful ways.  Thus, his words were incredibly insightful not only for them but also us.  It is for us to remember that when things get rough, we have a savior who endured far worse circumstances.  He will be with us through our trials, and when no one cares or understands, He does!  Just hang on for as you keep your eyes fixed upon Him, strength to endure will come, and you will be victorious in the end.

Joy always comes in the morning if you can withstand the tests in the darkness.  I listened to a song that reminded me that I will eventually overcome my struggles because I serve a God who with Him I cannot lose.  But until then, I will keep loving Him.  That is what our journey of faith is about.  It’s seeing victory beyond our current circumstances, and in the meantime, keep loving God with our whole heart.  What is shackling you from focusing on Christ?  How can God’s past promises reassure you of a brighter tomorrow?  My prayer is that when faced with challenges we look to Jesus and His past faithfulness in remembrance.  Amen.

Unfailing Love and Faithfulness

But you, O Lord,
    are a God of compassion and mercy,
slow to get angry
    and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
Look down and have mercy on me.
    Give your strength to your servant;
    save me, the son of your servant.  Psalm 86:15-16

This weekend, we were reminded that the world we live in can be a sad and cruel place.  Some might look at the tragedy over the weekend and have a sense of fear or uncertainty.  Others may be filled with anger, and look to lash out against others who do not share our faith.  A select few may look at words of God, and say this is God’s judgment against those whose lifestyle is sinful.  In thinking of all of these, I asked myself, “Is this what God would want from me?”  My answer is that God would want me to look from what He has put within my heart, and respond outwardly.  As such, my focus is not on condemning or pushing for God’s righteous judgment of others.  It is instead to remind myself that we all are in need of God’s compassion and mercy, and it is me who is underserving of God’s love and mercy.  Yet, I am humbly grateful that He has been merciful on me.  Thus, I need to be an example of this; His example of this.  Not look to blame or spew hatred toward others who may have a different religion or lifestyle than mine.  Instead, it is to be slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness toward the victims and others no matter their affiliation or beliefs.

We serve a God that protects us in spite of our flaws and wrongful choices in life.  He encourages us not to be filled with hatred but to share his son’s message, which is one of salvation.  As we look at the tragedy yesterday, we should ask ourselves if the words we speak represent our beliefs or God’s.  Yes, God would want us to speak strongly against the type of violence that befell us, but He would also ask that we both act and speak lovingly with compassion and mercy as examples of Christ himself!  Furthermore, we are not to be fearful for what is to come or worry about things we have no control of.  We are to be reassured of God’s mercy on us and ask for courage and strength to serve Him faithfully in spite of all we see in front of us.

God will take care of us all.  Ours is not to worry, be fearful, lash out, or condemn.  Ours is to be merciful and compassionate filled with a seemingly limitless amount of love.  Lin-Manuel Miranda may have captured the spirit of this best at The Tony Awards ceremony last night saying,

We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger
We rise and fall and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love last longer
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
Cannot be killed or swept aside.

What do you chose to do today?  Would God be pleased with your response?  My prayer is that we do not question.  Instead we respond as God responds to us . . . with compassion and mercy filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.  Amen.

Thurs Devo: Call for Wisdom

Last week’s passage ended with a call for patient endurance and faithfulness. This week’s passage ends with a call for wisdom.

Revelation 13:11-18  ¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³ And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.¹⁴ Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

¹⁸ This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

Where do we get this wisdom? Perfect wisdom comes straight from God Himself! Reading His Word, talking with Him in prayer, and listening for His answers will help us gain wisdom.


Knowing God’s prophecy, like this passage in Revelation, will help us be prepared when these events happen. We will then be able to discern the deception of Satan and remain faithful to God.

Alice 

Thurs Devo: The Dragon's War, Part II

Last week we talked about how we are to expect war from Satan (the dragon), but use the full armor God has provided to fight against him! From studying the book of Revelation this year, God seems to warn us that these difficulties and battles will intensify as the end of this world nears. The dragon, Satan, will have the power to wage war against God’s people, but he won’t deceive them. He will deceive the whole rest of the world, though.

Revelation 13:1-10    The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ² The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. ³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. ⁷ It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.⁸ All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

¹⁰ “If anyone is to go into captivity,
    into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

What’s the difference between Satan, through the beast, conquering and waging war against God’ people versus deceiving them? I think it has to do with physical versus spiritual life and death. Satan is allowed to physically harm and even kill God’s people, but he can’t deceive them into worshiping him over worshiping God. If we truly belong to God, then we won’t be deceived by Satan and won’t give in to his deception. We will patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even to the point of death. We can do that through the strength of the Holy Spirit living in us, knowing we will gain eternal life!

How will you and I prepare now to patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even through the dragon’s war against us?

Alice

Unbreakable Faithfulness

We look at faithfulness, and when times are good, it is relatively easy.   However when darkness comes and the storm batters and beats us, we begin to waver.  We question if God is with us.  We wonder if He hears our cry, and if things do not go our way soon, some will even begin to wonder whether He exists.  It’s hard.  I know what it is like when you feel like there is no hope in sight, and you feel like there is nothing you can do.  I’ve been there when a bill was due and the checking account was empty.  Then you fall on your knees crying to God, “I can’t do this!”  And then when the check from comes out of nowhere, you realize He was there all along. It is then you are assured that God is most faithful.  When you are distraught and there seems to be no end, He is a comforter.  But to find this, you have to be willing to look to God with utter and complete vulnerability and say I cannot do this on my own.

God is faithful whether at your best or your most vulnerable worst.  The verse of today is not of divine wisdom.  It is of simple truth, and it is often said that the simplest things are the most powerful ones.  For example gravity is simply stated as what goes up must come down.  As children of God we are assured that God is always faithful. It does not say that life is always filled with rose pedals and sunshine.  In fact throughout the Bible there are stories of heartache and tragedy. However, God always restored and often provided in abundance for those who believed in and were faithful to Him despite their obstacles.  We often find ourselves in situations where there seems to be nowhere to turn to, and even when we pray, we feel like there is no answer.  However instead of question or doubt, be assured in the knowledge that God is with you, and He is will provide for you in ways you may not have even imagined.

We are called realizing that we are not perfect, but through Jesus Christ, we are enough.  His faithfulness reassures us that we can make it through anything.  The apostle Paul speaking of God’s power once said, “My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)  Let us throw down our pride and whatever barriers that may separate us from God in our hearts and minds.  Vulnerability is an opportunity to let God’s strength shine.  Will you admit to God your weakness and vulnerabilities?  How will His faithfulness reassure you in your times of struggle?  My prayer is that we remember the faithfulness and love God has for us for will never be broken.  Amen.

The Prompting of Discomfort

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:8-9

No one likes to feel uncomfortable. There are words and phrases such as ‘Pro-Life,’ ‘Gay Marriage,’ ‘Black Lives Matter,’ or ‘Homeless’ that would immediately evoke feelings or emotions that would make many of us uncomfortable. These are parts of the social war that we as Christians encounter each and every day. However, many of us will choose to live with this discomfort by doing what God would not charge us to do; ignore it. The arguments would range from the reality of it being incredibly difficult to navigate to the very callous ‘it is not my problem’ approach. If you are navigating through these very difficult waters, the answer to this discomfort is quite simple. You need to start dealing with it.

God asks us to stand firm in our faith to deal with the many issues that come up in our lives.  In the beginning reign of Joshua as the leader of Israel, the Lord spoke directly to him as encouragement for the many trials he would soon face.  God knew of the discomfort that would come from his leading the Israelites across Jordan River to ‘The Promised Land.’  There would be many battles to be fought, and many a betrayals to be addressed.  But Joshua stayed faithful dealing with each challenge trusting in God.  As a result, Joshua was favored in all of those situations because he remembered to keep following God’s law and His commanding of him to ‘be strong and courageous.’  Many times, we feel discomfort in situations because they are messy or challenge us to deal with feeling and emotions we struggle with.  However if we direct our struggles and challenges of the situation to God and trust in His word, we will find clarity and direction.  In other words, are feelings of discomfort are signs that we need to reach out to God, and then trust in the direction He sets forth for us because His word is true and we ‘will be prosperous and successful’ should we follow His instruction.

God wants us to be active participants in the world but not of this world. The intro to Romans 12 says we are to offer ourselves as a sacrifice to God transformed to being born again to test and approve what God’s will is for us. Thus, our discomfort is an opportunity to understand God’s will for our lives. It may not feel good to start, but to embrace it brings us closer to God. Ultimately, isn’t that where we want to be? What issues of discomfort are you challenged with today? What is God prompting you to get involved in something you are not comfortable with? How can you respond prayerfully to them? My prayer is that we are responsive to God’s prompting through discomfort. Amen. 

Always and Forever

Lord, give me your unfailing love,
    the salvation that you promised me.
Then I can answer those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
    for your regulations are my only hope.
I will keep on obeying your instructions
    forever and ever.
I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
I will speak to kings about your laws,
    and I will not be ashamed.
How I delight in your commands!
    How I love them!
I honor and love your commands.
    I meditate on your decrees.  Psalm 119:41-48

Sometimes, life is just tiring!  This past week, our family has been dealing with the failing health of my father in law, and at times, you are weary from the experience.  There are the emotions of sadness, anguish, frustration, and disappointment.  You just want to give up.  However, there comes a point where you realize it is not really about you.  It’s giving thanks to someone who has given you so much.  I understand that now seeing my wife who continually cares for him and loves him.  Seeing her inspires me to push on being there for her.  The twilight of his life has thus become an inspiration for both of us going forward.  Each day, we love each other a little more, and we care for others a little better.  More importantly, we grow closer to God through the experience knowing that He knows exactly where we are and is with us always.

The struggles life puts us through should remind us of God’s unfailing love for us.  The 119^th Psalm of David is long but reassuring of how the relationship between  God and us should always be.  It’s speaks of His unfailing love and our love for Him through our commitments to Him.  In today’s verses, they are tidbits that highlight what we gain in this relationship.  Words include unfailing love, promised, trust, truth, instruction, forever, freedom, devoted, and delight.  These are words of reassurance, and should serve as our inspiration when heavily inundated with the troubles and sorrows in the world.  Some of us might feel like we have not heard from God in a while.  For others, it might be a situation that is hanging over their head.  Maybe you are saddened like our family over the possible loss of someone, or perhaps you might not have ever gotten over the loss of a loved one.  No matter where you are today, know that God is with you.  You may not see, hear, or feel Him, but as today’s verses point out, His love is unfailing.  It never leaves.  It is always the same.  It is always enough, and He is always with you.

It is so reassuring to know we have a God who never fails!  There is a song a group of us sang to our wives at our respective weddings called ‘Always and Forever.’  It talked about us sharing our love for each other today, tomorrow, and forever.  We as Christians may fall out of line with or lose sight of God, but we can always call on Him.  And He will be there for us.  Where do you need reassurance from God today?  How will you move forward knowing He is with you always?  My prayer is that no matter what is going on, we remember God is with us, always and forever.  Amen.

Thurs Devo: Why??? Why???

Toddlers can ask lots of “why” questions. After a while, it can become frustrating, especially if you’ve answered the same question time and time again! Well, the Israelites were far worse than the annoying toddler.

Numbers 20:2-5      ² Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. ³ They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! ⁴ Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? ⁵ Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

Why are the Israelites asking “why?” If they stopped to think for a moment, then they could answer their own questions. First, God had provided water in the desert multiple times in the past, so they could trust Him to provide this time, too. Second, God brought them into the wilderness to free them from the oppressive Egyptians AND to give them a bountiful country-land of their very own. Third, traveling through the wilderness was the means by which God would prepare them and bring them to the promised land. Fourth, the fact that they were still in the wilderness was not Moses’ fault, but a result of their own rebellion and distrust of God (see Numbers 14).

If the Israelites had stopped focusing on and dramatizing their immediate circumstances and focused instead on who God is and His faithfulness in the past, then I think their attitude would have been quite different. Instead of complaining, passing the blame, and asking “why” questions, they could have asked how and what questions. How would God address their situation? What did God want them to do to participate in the solution?

Are you and I more like the Israelites and annoying toddlers, asking “why” questions when we already know (or should know) the answer?

Or, do you and I truly know God’s character and trust His faithfulness? If so, our attitude and prayers will reflect this.

Alice

Love Above Our Mistakes

For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   Galatians 2:19-20

Do you ever feel as if you can do nothing right?  There was a time at work where I felt everything I did was wrong.  Even the things I did right I would question.  I would double and triple check to ensure that even the things I normally did well were correct.  It got to a point that it became difficult to function.  Then after making yet another mistake, I asked myself, “What am I doing?”  Here I was focusing more on trying not to make mistakes than trying to learn more about doing things better.  It reminded me of when I first gave myself to Christ to become born again.  When I made the choice, it did not matter how wrong I was living.  It mattered that I was forgiven of past (and future for that matter) sins, and I would focus on how to live a life that God had both intended for me and honored Him.

God’s intention for our lives is to look forward to serving Him better and not focusing on our mistakes.  In reading the verses today, it should serve as a relief to all of us.  We all should aspire to live for God and to follow His laws and commandments.  The verses above are not meant to make us feel good when we sin.  Instead, it is to unburden us when we realize the gravity that we have sinned.  We all fail to meet God’s perfect example, and if we are truly followers of Christ, there should be a certain level of self-disappointment.  However rather than dwell on that which we have faltered, Jesus died on the cross both to say that we are forgiven and to grow spiritually from those failures.  We should fully understand that the gospel of Christ is one of continual growth and an ever closer walk with Him.  Paul’s statement confirms as much for he aspires for His will (life) less and Christ instead to dwell within him more.

The laws of God is what we aspire to live by, but it is not the purpose of our relationship with God.  Jesus said, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40).  Thus, we are to above all love God and His people, and if we continually grow learning His word with those two loves in mind, we are indeed living ‘trusting in the Son of God.’  Where do you struggle with God’s laws?  How can you focus on Godly love instead of Godly judgment?  My prayer is that we focus on God’s love for us above our mistakes.  Amen.

Full Confidence

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.  2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Lately, I feel like my mind is in a maze from which there is no escape.  There are worries about family and work.  Then there has been the massive uproar on spiritual topics ranging from same sex marriages to The Ten Commandments being removed from a courthouse.  All of this comes in the aftermath of a church shooting, and many have said that with all of this happening the end of days is near.  It has left my mind and soul tired and fatigued.  However as I was feeling those things, I was reminded of the words of Isaiah 40:30-31, which says, “Even youths grow tired and wear, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  And as I read those words, my strength and resolve to move forward grew, and the wisdom to find a way through the maze returned.

In times of struggle and turmoil, we must always have full confidence in the Lord because He is without fail.  There are numerous quotes of scripture that we should remember when overcome with fear and anxiety of the happenings in the world.  We need to focus on confidence.  Confidence not in what we see, but rather confidence in what we know.  We know that God is control.  Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)  Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”  Finally, the Psalms of David remind us that “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Psalm 18:2)

God is in always in control.  While much of what happens in the world may bring us grief and disappointment, we must continue to have surety in God to do all things.  So as many will worry about the laws of the land changing, we must remember the words of Jeremiah 31:33b, which says, “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.”  Let the laws of the Lord we live by be forever in our hearts.  How confident are you in God’s righteousness?  What can you do to gain assurance in God’s all-knowing authority?  My prayer is that we, like Paul, have full confidence in God beyond our present circumstances.  Amen.

Finding Mercy

Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.  Matthew 18:33-35

Patience truly is a virtue. I say this thinking over the events in Charleston, SC this past week. You see, I grew up in a historic and traditional AME church much like the church in Charleston. In a world that I continually am color blind to, I was given a sad reminder that many others still see color differently, and would want to do harm to me simply because I am different. I wanted to say something more about it, but I did not have the words nor felt a feeling that perfectly described my sense of innocence lost. In the midst of waiting, God’s glory was revealed. As the killer was being arraigned, each of the victims’ families did not cry for vengeance nor utter a word of hatred. Instead, they prayed for mercy and spoke of forgiveness. It was the perfect response because it forced others to ask two questions. First, it started the discussion on God as others asked the question, "How can someone have love and mercy for one who murdered their loved one?" Second, others had to ask, "What do these people have that is missing from my life?" It was a Godly and right response.

Forgiveness is mandatory for us as Christians. There is a reason that God put love and mercy above many other things. When we were given grace through Jesus Christ, we gained so much by having a true authentic relationship with God. Thus through forgiveness, we stand to gain and not lose. That is why Jesus felt strongly about mercy through the parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In listening to each family member of the Charleston church ask for mercy and forgiveness on the person who had done such an evil act, my spirits were uplifted, and others who questioned whether God truly makes a difference in one’s life could not deny His power then. Furthermore, the ripples of what one might call the ‘Devil’s work’ turned into another moment where God’s light shined brightly. Through mercy, we become a light for as Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b)

We serve a loving and merciful God. While our natural instinct may call us to rush to judge and seek punishment when personally wronged, we must trust God to handle it. Romans 12:19b says, “For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” Let us focus on the power of forgiveness for that is a sure way God’s glory is revealed to others. Who must you forgive today? How can you be more merciful in your walk of faith? My prayer is that we find mercy for those who do not deserve as much for we too were first given mercy. Amen.

Follow the Path

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.  And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.  Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).  Acts 6:2-5

Over the past couple of months, I have felt challenged in different ways.  In those challenges, it feels that another path is being opened, and I have begun to pray what that might mean for me in the future.  That makes me nervous as no one truly knows what the future has in store.  When dealing with such uncertainty, there are two things I have come to rely on.  First comes from Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  The second, Philippians 4:13, says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  These are powerful reminders for me that while I do not know what the future has in store, I should trust God fully for there is nothing that I cannot handle through Christ. 

We must always walk faithfully the  path that God has set before us.  Today’s verses focus on the story of Stephen, who was about to take on a far different path than what was supposedly set for him.  He was one of five given the task to run a food program.  That would seem uninspiring.  However, Stephen's path would lead him to perform miracles, be falsely arrested, be an unyielding testifier for Christ, and see God and Jesus in the heavens before being killed.  Now sure, we might look at it as, “Hey!  He got stoned to death, and that’s not good, right?”  But through simply choosing to follow his path, he did things that even most of the Apostles did not do and saw God and Jesus prior to going up to Heaven.  How many of you would make that trade (live an incredible God inspired life and seeing both God and Jesus near the end)?  Had he not been faithful and followed what was asked of Him, none of this would have happened.  The Book of Acts is full of stories where people made the choice to follow the path God had laid out for them, and from Peter to Paul to Cornelius and others, their lives were changed and blessed along with furthering God’s Kingdom. 

God has laid out our path to a greater understanding of His will for our lives.  We may not fully understand it and we may be hesitant to pursue it.  However if we fully trust in Him and faithfully walk it, we, like Stephen, will have a fully blessed life.  What path is God presenting you with?  How can you trust in Christ to courageously overcome your fear of pursuing it?  My prayer is that we trust in God and Jesus Christ, and then simply follow the path.  Amen.