Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Offering Peace in Fear (5/23/24)

 Who do you and I know that lives in constant fear?

I think Thomas was living in constant fear that first week after Jesus’s death, which led to his doubts. He was so confused by Jesus’s death and probably afraid for his own life, too.  

John 20:24-29         ²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus’s resurrection offered peace in fear! Jesus offered peace to doubting and fearful Thomas. Jesus met Thomas where he was, offered for him to do the very thing he requested, and showed he heard Thomas’s words from the previous week.

We can extend that same peace to those around us who are also living with doubts and fears. Many people lack true peace and joy that can only come from a relationship with our all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who rose victorious over death! Because Jesus rose, we can have peace knowing those who believe will also rise from the dead and join Jesus for all eternity.  

How will you and I tap into this blessing of peace today, especially with any fears faced?

Thursday Devotional - Jesus is Truth – Giving Timely Peace (4/25/24)

 After the devastation of Jesus’ death and the confusion over the empty tomb, the disciples were timely visited and comforted by Jesus.  

John 20:19-22         ¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus came and provided peace and joy to His devastated disciples! He not only physically appeared, but did so miraculously! He also graciously showed them the proof of His death. Then, He re-commissioned and empowered them to continue the difficult work He had started.  

Jesus came and gave me peace after devastation and before facing additional difficulties, too. The evening I found out we were going to miscarry (after 13 weeks of pregnancy), I was devastated. When I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions 2 minutes apart, God had me eventually get out of bed and go to the bathroom. My water broke on the toilet and then everything happened. As devastated as I was, I felt like God was holding my hand during the whole thing, starting with the fact that He had my water break not only at home, but on the toilet! I had peace knowing He was there. I felt as if He said “I know this is really hard, but I’m here with you to carry you through.” His peace brought encouragement as I faced the physical and emotional pain in the coming hours, weeks, months and years that followed.

When have you witnessed God bringing peace and joy after devastation? What encouragement and strength did it give you to persevere through the next difficult challenge? 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Merry Christmas from the Reas!

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

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To the Content 9/22/2022

What do you and I think would be the greatest “gain” in this life? What does our culture say is the greatest earthly reward? Wealth, fame, position?

Paul told Timothy that the most beneficial earthly position is godliness with contentment!

I Timothy 6:2b-10     These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The God of Grace is calling us to rejoice in our undeserved position as His child! Our pursuit of being Christ-like is rewarding for this life and the life to come, with or without earthly financial reward. Think how much peace we would have if we were truly content with what we have in Christ! 

Our Peace

Then the Lord said to Moses,  “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:

‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’ 

Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27

We all want a little peace, don’t we?  I realize we have reached the mid-point of what has been a very challenging and trying year.  From learning to stay at home from fears over the Coronavirus to civic unrest, there is a lot to be concerned about.  Yet today, I feel thankful.  Thankful that I am loved and supported by my wife and children.  Thankful that I have a church community that is very supportive.  Thankful for a job and coworkers whom I both admire and respect.  Thankful for a home that I honestly never thought I would have.  Maybe you do not have some of these things or perhaps you have all of it and then some.  Regardless, perhaps now is the time to just take a moment to just get on your knees and pray.  Lord, you are gracious and almighty.  I am thankful for all you have given me.  Grant me your peace.

Jesus Christ is always our peace.  Today’s verses are about Moses and his sharing with Aaron a blessing to the people of Israel.  As we look over this, one must ask a question.  If I am blessed with this, what would it look like?  Amidst all that is going on, I realize that it is now.  I have so much that He has given me.  Even as I miss out on so many things, I consider myself blessed, protected, smiled upon, shown grace, and favored.  But I still struggled.  Why did I not have peace?  I thought of the words of Jesus when He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV)  Then I focused on the words of David “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)  These are prayers and words of reassurance that God is with us.  Then as I read today’s verses, I felt peace.  It occurred to me that whenever I am not focusing on God, worry, fear, and darkness follow.  It blinds us from that which is His doing, and that is why peace is so challenging to find.  But when our focus is on Him, calm and ease soon follow.  We see things clearly, and we respond with love, mercy, and gratefulness. His spirit flows freely both within and around us.  That is the blessing, and that is where peace is found.

We must never lose sight of the blessings God has given us.  Even if you face what will be a tough and challenging day, know that God has something special for you in the future.  David said, “This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)  He has so much in store for us if we just rejoice in the many blessings He has already given us.  He’s certainly smiled on us, and even when we didn’t deserve it, He has shown us grace.  We are given His favor in so many ways.  Let us remember those things while looking to Christ to find our peace.  What burdens can you lay before Him today?  Where can you go to find time with God?  My prayer is that we clear our minds of troubles to find time for Jesus Christ, our peace.  Amen.

Thursday Devotional - Christmas Peace?

Did you have a peaceful Christmas yesterday? I don’t think the first Christmas was peaceful. Ours started out peaceful, but it didn’t end peaceful.

James had an asthma attack that started just before bed and lasted many hours before he could finally calm down and sleep. Joe and I tried numerous things (inhaler/nebulizer/motrin/wedge under his mattress/chest massages/vapor rub/hot water to drink/standing on the front porch in the cold, etc.). Some of it would seem to help, but a few minutes later he was gasping for breath and coughing non-stop all over again. I kept praying for wisdom. Many times I told God I didn’t know what else to do and asked if we needed to go to the ER. I felt we had tried all we knew, but then He’d give one of us something else to try. Finally, after 3 different wedges, a final glass of hot water, and scratching his head, James started breathing well enough to fall asleep and stay asleep for several hours.

It was hard not to be afraid, but I knew God was with us and would give us direction. It made me think of the following promises of Jesus:

John 14:27    ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:33    ³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Whether you had what you would define as a peaceful Christmas, we can all claim the peace God offers. Most importantly, He offers eternal spiritual peace. He also offers emotional peace, when we look to Him for direction. He is Immanuel – God with us!

Alice

How Am I With God?

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7

My wife says that I worry about too many things.  When I was young, I was a worrywart.  As I have gotten older, I believe I have learned to worry about the big things instead of the little ones.  I focus on how my daughter’s schooling is, and how I can help her to perform better.  I look at my team and think about how I can help them get better.  I spend time with my wife, and ask how I can love her better.  There are things that I do not have control over that at times will overtake me and become one of those worries as well.  The political environment, a person afar who is struggling with something personal, and ‘are my grandchildren ok’ are all things that can float into my stratosphere of ‘worry,’ and it won’t let me go.  Notice all these things I mentioned, and there was one thing I did not mention; God.  How does that happen?  Shouldn’t my greatest worry be a simple question of, “How am I with God?”

We all need to add a level of intentionality where we can reconnect with God because with Him, we find true peace.  The dangers of worry are these: it takes time away from those things that matter most and prevents us from looking ahead.  In reading these verses, we are reminded of the importance of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  From Paul’s perspective, there are numerous keys to having a worry-free life.  “Being full of joy in the Lord,” speaks of knowing the Spirit of God flows through us.  Then pray.  It does not mean separate those things you control from those you don’t.  He says, “Pray about everything!”  Next, we are to tell God what we need, and be thankful for all He has done.  These must be done together.  If we are focused on just being thankful, we are not truly bringing everything to God, and if we only focus on what we want, we are not embracing all God has done to bring us to this point.  I read these verses over and over, and with each review, I felt closer to Him.  Furthermore, I felt I could earnestly go to God with the right heart and mindset (note the last part of the 7th verse).  Only there did I find my peace and connection with God.

In a world of chaos and mayhem, God is our oasis away from it all.  The prophet Isaiah said, “Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:2-3)  There are so many things that can subtly but certainly distract us from God.  If we focus on those things that worry us, we will be unable to see what God has ahead for us.  Let us untie ourselves from those things that hinder us from connecting with Him and trust our worries through prayer to Him.  What things are most troubling you today?  What is it that you need to let go of and let God?  My prayer is we find serenity and peace through Him so we can answer the question, “How am I with God?”  Amen.

Thursday Devotional - Prayer Struggles

On Sunday night I took my Dad to the ER with chest pain. They ran lots of tests, confirmed he hadn’t had a heart attack (at least not yet) and kept him overnight to run more tests and do a heart catheterization. It was quite scary.

My Mom and one sister were out of the country and it was the middle of the night for them so I didn’t call them right away. I did let my other sister (in CT) know so she could be praying with us. I was struggling in prayer, though. I didn’t want to pray for God’s will but for what I wanted. I knew God was in control and I could trust Him. I knew He was listening. However, I also knew that His plans are different than mine and His ways are higher. What I think is best and what He knows is best can be very different. I did know God would give us what He knew we needed, when we needed it. 

As the next day progressed, the surgeon found blocked arteries during the heart catheterization and put in two stents. So, we stayed another night in the hospital. God provided peace through it all, especially to my Dad. He wasn’t even scared for the procedure (but I was a little anxious)! We are thankful to God he is recovering well and hasn’t had any complications!

Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.  Romans 11:33-36   

I don’t deserve anything from God. As this passage says, He doesn’t owe me anything. However, He is always faithful to listen to my prayers, offer peace in difficult circumstances, and give wisdom when I ask.

What are you struggling in prayer about? Even if we don’t get the answer we are wanting, God will always provide wisdom, strength and comfort when we genuinely seek it. He has all wisdom and knowledge beyond our comprehension!!!

Alice

Finding Rest

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

The doctor asks, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe is your pain level?” My wife replies, “Seven.”  I thought to myself, “Seven?”  She didn’t tell me that!  And in a moment, my week began not with the plans I had made or the various arrangements to ensure a very productive week.  Now, I had to make do with a new plan.  Focus on Loretta.  Then as the minutes went to hours, my focus went to my daughter.  What do I do about her dinner?  I can’t leave my wife’s side!  And I have so much work to do and things to plan for next weekend’s church service.  How am I going to figure this out?  Lord, I can’t.  I just can’t!  And then, I read words that I had heard numerous times.  “Come onto me.  All ye that labor.  And I will give your rest.” (Matthew 11:28b – KJV)

We should always take a moment to focus on God where we are. Not just as part of a ritual.  We all have various points in life where all of its issues and burdens seemingly come together.  It can be challenging and difficult to put things together, and you may feel out of sorts.  But Jesus Christ understands not just who you are but whose you are.  Furthermore, He is not only our savior at prayer time but also at stormy times.  We must always remain focused on the simple fact that when things are out of control, He is always in control.  We must rely on Him with the perfect peace that only He can provide.

There is nothing too big that our God cannot handle. It is paramount we remember that while we may not know the outcome of our story, we know who ultimately wins; Jesus Christ!  As such, we must remember that while we may struggle in our times of troubles there are a couple of stories that should instill confidence in Him.  First, Peter, when he started to sink while walking, “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”” (Matthew 14:31)  Finally, Jesus reminds us in times of trouble, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Where are you filled with sorrow, grief, and worry today?  What can you do to ensure you find the peace Jesus Christ speaks of?  My prayer is that when we are worn down with the various troubles of the world, we find rest in our savior; Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thursday Devotional - Peace and Perseverance

Last week I mentioned our basement flooded. That day and week was anything but peaceful. The same day our basement flooded, James was very ill and could barely breathe. We didn’t know if we were going to have to take him to the ER. In the midst of trying to care for James is when I found the flood. My first thought was “I can’t handle all this at the same time!!!!” However, God reminded me that He has been there through all my other overwhelming situations. That’s when I was able to stop and praise Him. He also reminded me that the most important thing is to have peace with God and I knew James had peace with God through his faith in Jesus! 

Romans 5:1-5     “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Peace with God doesn’t mean life will be easy here on earth, but it helps us put everything in perspective and lean on Him as we persevere.

How have past sufferings developed perseverance and character in your life?

What current situation can you and I let God use to develop greater perseverance and character? 

Let’s give God the glory through all these circumstances, remembering our peace with Him is the most important!

Alice

P.S. – James isn’t back to normal, but we’re so thankful he’s doing much better.

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.

Perfect Peace

Open the gates to all who are righteous;
    allow the faithful to enter.
You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.  Isaiah 26:2-4

I would like to share something that many of you might be startled by, and I rarely share these stories because it’s hard for me.  Hard because I typically prefer not to touch topics based on race.  Someone decided they would, and would attempt to use God to point this out.  A gentleman told me that I should be thankful that (please forgive the language) white people gave me the gospel, and I should be thankful ‘his’ people had shown my people who God was.  I had a choice right then and there.  I could lash out in bitter anger.  Or, I could choose to respond with God’s heart and wisdom.  I chose the latter responding that even if his claim were true, God is big enough that I am pretty sure He would have gotten the word of Christ to me.  After that response, he said that I clearly have a hatred for white people because I would not acknowledge that fact.  I simply smiled ending the conversation saying, “That’s interesting.  I will make sure to tell my white pastor that.”  You see, it does not bother me that there are people who would hate me just simply because I am a black man.  As long as I find peace with God, I can respond with His love in my heart and wisdom in my mind.

Finding peace with God can lift you up beyond your situation or circumstance.  There are many who say God sees us all the same.  I agree with that idea with the understanding that while He sees us all the same, He made us different so that we would not see Him the same.  I’m sure there is that ‘What’s Kent talking about now’ thought in your mind.  Here’s the thing.  There are differences in races.  In fact, I would say that God intended us to be different culturally because He is too big to see from just one perspective.  He is peace to two people but for two different reasons.  One may be because He provides peace from an unjust world.  Another may be because He provides peace when the world doesn’t make sense.  Two different views, but yet, the same awesome and amazing God.  Remember our stories of how we came close to God are rarely the same, but yet, we all ended up under the same umbrella.  Perfect peace does not explain our journey.  It is our destination.

God is our perfect peace.  Whether it is due to our falling short in one area or suffering duress in another, God is always there to pick up, comfort, strengthen, and reinforce us.  Our difference does not make one more or less perfect than the other.  It makes us all perfect under Christ for He is the perfecter of our faith.  Let us all choose to embrace each other’s difference realizing this is what God truly intended.  How can one’s different story of faith be of encouragement to you?  How can you be more embracing culturally of another’s view of the same loving God?  My prayer is that no matter who we are, we embrace God’s perfect peace.  Amen. 

Thursday Devotional - Merry Christmas from the Reas

For today’s devotional, I thought I would include our Christmas picture and letter. I wanted to send a Christmas letter out last year after our adoption was final, but life was too crazy! So, this year’s letter covered a little more than a year. :) 

Merry Christmas! God blessed us with two wonderful children (James and Sarah) a little over a year ago! We got them in June of 2016 and adopted them in October last year, so the past year and a half has been full of changes, new things, and firsts!

James (5.25) is outgoing, loving, friendly, excited, active and generous. He started a music class and swim lessons this Fall. Most importantly, he accepted Jesus into his heart as his Savior this past February, and the Holy Spirit’s work in his heart is evident!

(Romans 10:9-13               ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”)

Sarah (3.75) is reserved, strong, diligent, content, cuddly and petite. She enjoys library time with James each week, singing (even if she doesn’t know the words), and animals (especially horses). James and Sarah both enjoy playing anything and everything with each other and their cousins.

I’m still working at Thomson Reuters and keep an active CPA license. I work an early shift, switch places with Joe, and then he counsels clients afternoons and evenings most days. We both continue to enjoy leadership in Bible Study Fellowship (studying Romans this year).

Love,

Alice

Romans 5:1-3      Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Have a great Christmas!

A Place Called Joy

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”  Nehemiah 8:9-10 

So I’m watching a special about two athletes that I admired when I was younger.  They had been best of friends, but because of competition and miscommunication, they had separated for years; nearly twenty years.  However, when they got back together, it was like they had never been apart.  The closest thing I can recall like it was when I saw my oldest brother after a decade of him living in Florida.  It was like watching me ten years later, and I cherished that time we spent. 

When I think of my relationship with God, I know He is Lord over my life.  I am His humble servant, but yet, He calls me a friend.  I struggle understanding that, but my best guess on how that works is simply this.  I don’t expect anything from Him, but when I do something well, I can feel He is happy with me.  The commonality in all three stories is this place in my heart positively responds to them.  The response is called joy. 

Joy is an everlasting connection with God.  In today’s verses, the people of Jerusalem were at an assembly hearing the law of God read them.  As I read of them weeping, I can only feel that they wept reflecting on their own standing with God.  Then Nehemiah, understanding the greater purpose God had in their lives, spoke, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  He wished to emphasize that God was with them, and with it, they had reassurance and peace.  They had happiness that was both unshakable and everlasting.  This was joy.  When we gave our life to Christ, we too were given a new life filled with an opportunity to serve the one true living God.  It is not something that can be neither taken from us nor reversed.  We are to embrace it for what it is; a chance to live a better life beyond ourselves.  To do be able to do things in the name of God that many might not even understand, and then celebrate because we have the very strength that Nehemiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem of. 

There is no situation that our God cannot handle.  While we at times find ourselves too tired to carry on, He carries us forward, but only if we just are willing to hand our worries, fears, and anxieties to Him.  A song by Bebe and Cece Winans has a closing chorus saying to Jesus Christ, “You are my love and my prize possession.  Because of you I’ve got pride and joy.  Tell the world it’s love everlasting, hope everlasting, joy everlasting. I’ve got joy!”  Do not let the weight of the world tear you down.  Remember your strength in Christ.  Where is the joy you have with Christ?  How can you focus on His strength when you feel weak?  My prayer is that we look deep inside ourselves where God is connected to us, and find that place called joy.  Amen, and I pray for you and your family a most joyous and Merry Christmas! 

Thursday Devotional - Timely Peace

After the devastation of Jesus’ death and the confusion over the empty tomb, the disciples were timely visited and comforted by Jesus.  

John 20:19-22         ¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus came and provided peace and joy to His devastated disciples! He not only physically appeared, but did so miraculously! He also graciously showed them the proof of His death. Then, He commissioned and empowered them to continue the difficult work He had started.  

Jesus came and gave me peace after devastation and before facing additional difficulties, too. The evening I found out I was going to miscarry (after 13 weeks of pregnancy) I was devastated. When I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions 2 minutes apart, God had me eventually get out of bed and go to the bathroom. My water broke on the toilet and then everything happened. As devastated as I was, I felt like God was holding my hand during the whole thing, starting with the fact that He had my water break not only at home, but on the toilet! I had peace knowing He was there. His peace brought encouragement as I faced the physically and emotionally painful hours, weeks, months and years that followed.

How have you witnessed God bringing peace and joy after devastation? What encouragement and strength did it give you to persevere through the next difficult challenge?

Alice

A Time For Prayer

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.  Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.  James 1:16-18

I struggled for words today.  Inspired by someone sending me verses, I was led to the first chapter of James, which evolved into this prayer, and I hope it lifts your spirits as God and His word did mine.

Father, I come to you for there is none greater than you.  You are the Alpha and the Omega, the all-knowing, the all-seeing, and the all-present.  You are the great I Am.  I am unworthy of the love and grace you have shown me, and I praise you because you are worthy of praise.  I do all I can not to your grace but in the hope that it is a shining example of the heart I have for you.

God, I come to you this morning because frankly, I am at a loss for words and wisdom. I am tired and disheartened by a world that has become comfortable with what is wrong and leaders who will say anything to appease us.  There are people who have turned a blind eye to the suffering of others, and others who lash out violently because they have lost their way.  If they can't be violent, they speak with such ill will that I find myself defending those who I may not even agree with.  How could this be?  I am not sure Lord, but I lean on you now more than ever.  I trust in your word and its ability to give strength at times that I am weak.  To give me courage when I am fearful, and to love when all that may come at me is bitterness and hate.  Help me to love you more such that it not only is a shining example of the love you have shown me but also inspires those to be thankful for your gift of grace.

Heal us Lord.  Heal our sharp words and replace them with Psalms of encouragement.  Take our anger and replace it with an abundance of love and kindness.  Remove our sense of isolation, and push us to engagement and togetherness.  When I cannot see a way out, give me your vision and wisdom for where I cannot make a way, you can.  Father, I am so humbled to be your servant.  Let my words be of comfort to others who are hurting.  Let them know that you are always there.  Always listening.  Always loving!  See through my faults, and use them as encouragement to others that through it all, we all can indeed be conquerors.

Finally, Father, I thank you.  I thank you because you have thought of me even before I knew a thought.  You nurtured me all this time with wonderful parents and brothers.  You placed me in the care of an amazing family that taught me who you were, and then watched me as I wandered in the wilderness until I found you again.  You gave me the perfect wife, three wonderful children, and seven grandchildren.  You gave me this incredible job with amazing people that inspire me every day to do better.  All this love, Father.  I did not deserve it, and yet you somehow loved me enough to give them to me anyway!  I am forever grateful.  I pray that my words are encouragement to others to embrace what they have, and to be courageous to be the people You want them to be.  Thank you for your love.  Thank you for your grace.  Thank you for your blessings.  And thank you for the blood you shed on the cross; a price that I could never repay but I humbly try to each and every day.  In the glorious name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

Thursday Devotional - Alone?

John 16:27-33        No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. ³⁰ Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Where do you feel alone? Or when have you felt alone? Jesus has felt your pain. Being a child of God, though, we don’t ever have to be alone!

James was explaining to both sets of grandparents (and aunts and cousins) about accepting Jesus as His Savior and having Jesus in his heart. (Of course, I had already told them, but we were all together for Sarah’s 3^rd birthday and James was talking about it). As James was explaining it in his own words, he declared “Jesus is there to stay and won’t ever leave!” Yes, as a believer, God will never leave us nor forsake us!

Joshua 1:5    No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Where do you and I need to cling to that truth today? What peace can you and I experience now, knowing Jesus has already overcome the world and it’s prince and all our pain?

Alice