Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Offer His Gift (5/21/26)

We have nearly completed the book of Revelation! Do you remember how John began the book, declaring its recipients and sender? John noted that it was from God, to Jesus, to the angel, to John, to the churches, and ultimately to us and others. Jesus is described as “…the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Revelation 1:5) Now, as John concludes the book, he quotes Jesus, reaffirming that Jesus existed before David and will reign eternally after David, victorious over sin.

Revelation 22:16-17 ¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

In his conclusion, John extends an invitation to us. We are invited to come, hear Jesus’s words, drink in His promises, and receive His gracious gift of eternal life.

Are you thirsty for Jesus? If so, how do you daily come to Him for satisfaction?

As the bride of Christ, where are we proclaiming “Come!” to those around us, so they too can hear the invitation to receive His eternal gift? Unlike my kids, who don’t offer their birthday gifts to others, we can share our free gift with others without diminishing our own blessing.  

May we respond to Jesus' invitation and share His gift of eternal life with others, that they too may experience the joy and satisfaction of knowing Him.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy and Values You (1/30/25)

What’s the most expensive gift you have ever purchased for someone? Have you ever spent all you had for a gift?

My Dad sold his car in order to buy an engagement ring for my Mom. It was just about all he had. He valued her that much.

Well, Jesus gave all He had, including His own life, to purchase you and me as a valuable gift for God.

Revelation 5:7-10    ⁷ He [the Lamb] went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰ You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth.”

 

Knowing how valuable you, your prayers and your service are to God, what priorities and goals will you set for the rest of this year? Jesus valued me enough to give up everything, so why wouldn’t I sacrifice time and money for Him?

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Giving Perfect Love Gift (2/15/24)

 

I didn’t realize when I took this picture that it looked like a heart! The kids spent hours one snow day last year building a huge igloo! I thought it was an appropriate Valentine picture.

With Valentine’s Day yesterday, what’s the best love gift you’ve ever received?

 

I think the Holy Spirit is the best love gift we could ever receive here on earth! He’s permanent, never wears out, never stops working, can’t be stolen, can’t be damaged, is always in perfect condition, is always ready and has full power!

 

John 14:15-21         ¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

 

Jesus commands us to love him and keep his commands. He also gives us the means to do that through the gift of the Holy Spirit! The indwelling Holy Spirit enables believers to lovingly obey.

What is your and my relationship with the Holy Spirit? Does He live within you? What evidence is there that the Holy Spirit lives in you and me?

Thursday Devotional - The Gift of Joy and Contentment

How many of us are truly joyfully content? Are you content with your job, your income, your family situation, your home, your car, and even your vacation options???

Over the years, God has helped me to grow in joy and contentment in certain areas. I could celebrate with many of my friends as they got married and started families years before me. Then, after Joe and I married and prayerfully pursued fertility and adoption options for almost a decade, we were still able to enjoy life. It didn’t mean we didn’t have disappointments along the way, but God helped us be more focused on what He had given than on what we didn’t have and wanted.

Solomon describes this joy in life and contentment as a gift from God!

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20     ¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Finding contentment and joy in the positions, possessions and people God has given to us is a satisfying gift of God.

Would others say we are a person of discontent or “occupied with gladness of heart?” Where do you and I need to ask God to help us better enjoy what He has given to us?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - A Christmas Focus

James is still struggling with asthma and had a terrible virus this past week. He apparently shared it with Sarah, too, so now she is down with it. They were to be in a Christmas program Monday night, but as much as they wanted to be in it (and I wanted to see them in it), I knew it wasn’t best for everyone involved. Sarah’s teacher even called to see just how sick Sarah was, because she had a special part she had learned!

As frustrating as it is to miss out on activities and let people down, Lord willing, there will be many more years of Christmas programs. Plus, often we get too busy with Christmas programs, parties, gifts and activities, that we forget the whole reason for the season! I think it would most honor God if we took more time to quietly reflect on His gift, praise Him for it and share it with others.

Although the kids missed several programs, classes, activities and parties this week, we did get extra time together to sing Christmas hymns around the piano, dance to Christmas music, read the Bible together unrushed, read Christmas books focused on God’s gift, and pray for the people that sent us Christmas cards.

As I continue in this Christmas season, I pray God would help Psalm 57:7-11 to be true in my life:

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

Will you pray with me that our hearts would be steadfastly focused on Him, honoring Him, praising Him and exalting Him this Christmas season? God is loving, faithful, and glorious! What better Christmas focus?!

Alice

How Can I Win Today?

I hear the tumult of the raging seas
    as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
    and through each night I sing his songs,
    praying to God who gives me life.  Psalm 42:7-8

I have little notes at my desk.  Some are flip cards that I read every day.  Others are notes that I have made to keep me focused on the important things.  One of those notes simply reads, “How can I win today?”  It is a reminder that regardless of how the prior day went, it is over, and I must rise up to meet the challenges of a new day.  This made me think about my relationship with God.  Yes, I am saved, and I know I will spend eternal life with Him.  But have I made a difference in the world?  Have I stayed comfortable or do I continue to challenge my own faith to do better?  What have I done to win for God?

We should be asking questions on how we can better be God’s light in the world each and every day.  I came across today’s verses thinking how David loved God through good times and bad.  In the 42^nd Psalm, he seemed to be dealing with some rough times, but yet, he went to bed singing praises of God.  We should be going into each day thanking God for it.  Along those lines, day offers an opportunity to serve Him and reach newer heights in our faith.  It could be we read a bit more of God’s word, or perhaps we show love for someone who does not know God.  No matter what the we decide to do, we should remember as David did that God “pours His unfailing love upon” us each and every day.  Unfailing is important to note meaning it is a constant that never changes.  As such, we should focus on serving God in new and inspiring ways each and every day.  I say ‘new‘ because if we just do the same old things, we may never grow.

Each day is a gift from God.  Whether we feel great or not, we have an obligation to serve Him as best as we can today for while we are certain in our destination, we are uncertain as to our arrival date.  Thus, we must make a difference in our life and the lives of others each and every day God has gifted us with.  So let us be bold and determined to show the awesomeness of God just as He shows His unfailing love to us.  What plan do you have to make each day the Lord’s Day?  What can you change to grow in Christ? My prayer is that we look to God each and every day asking Him the question, “How do we win today?”  Amen.

Thurs Devo - Valuable Gift

What was the most valuable gift you received this year? What’s the most valuable gift you’ve ever given or received?

Nine years ago on Christmas Eve, Joe surprised me with an engagement ring! Besides being the most valuable material Christmas gift I’ve ever received, I gained Joe as a partner for life!!! The latter is priceless.

Did you know God considers you and me precious and valuable? Jesus purchased us back as a valuable gift for God.

Revelation 5:7-10     ⁷ He [the Lamb] went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰ You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth.”

Knowing how valuable you, your prayers and your service are to God, what priorities and goals will you set for this New Year?

Happy New Year!
Alice