Gracious God Gives Power to Share 10/23/26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Remove Power (6/19/25)

James decided to bike home early on Tuesday from swim practice without talking to a parent. This decision led to a consequence: we took away the privilege to bike to and from swim practice for the foreseeable future. As his parents, we have the authority to give and take away freedoms.

This giving and taking away freedoms can be seen in our Heavenly Father. Sometimes it is a consequence for a decision we made, like in James’ situation, but other times it is Him sovereignly working His plans in the world. As we have authority over James, our Creator has authority over all of creation!

Last week, we discussed the amazing power given to the two witnesses at the end of the world. They were given power to spit fire and fend off their enemies! For 3½ years, they bore witness purposefully and powerfully under Jesus’ protection. But then…  

Revelation 11:7-10        ⁷ Now when they [the two witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. ⁸ Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹ For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.¹⁰ The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

At first glance, this seems like a devastating conclusion to their ministry, especially after experiencing Jesus’s miraculous power for several years. Jesus will give them physical protection until they complete His work. He will then remove this physical protection for a few days, but it is all part of His sovereign plan.

As we reflect on the events described in Revelation 11, we may think the world is bad now, but it will be far worse at the end. We can find peace in Jesus, knowing He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). As the One with ultimate authority, Jesus may give or remove physical protection as part of His sovereign plan, but He won’t take away our spiritual protection and eternal blessings. What comfort does this give you today?

Let’s continue next week to see how spiritual protection unfolds for the two witnesses and what it means for us!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Give Witnesses Power (6/12/25)

After telling my kids to go and pick up everything in their rooms, I usually tell them what the consequence will be if I come and find anything left out. Often I give them another opportunity to go and make sure they didn’t miss anything. Sometimes I send a sibling or two to go and remind their other siblings before I come and inspect.

Jesus has laid out expectations in the Bible for how to live a life pleasing to Him and how best to be ready for His second coming. He didn’t just tell us once but has given us many opportunities. In fact, before the very end of this world, He will send two witnesses with His power. They will teach and perform miraculous signs for 3½ years.

Revelation 11:1-6   I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. ² But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. ³ And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” ⁴ They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” ⁵ If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. ⁶ They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

John may have been asked to measure the temple, altar, and worshipers as a sign that they were to be evaluated on how well they had followed God’s instructions and standards. The Gentiles in the outer courts were already deemed unacceptable by their persistent rebellion against God. The two witnesses, though, would give one last call (possibly during the last 3½ years of the tribulation and the entire earth as we know it). Verse 4 contains references to earlier prophecies in Zechariah 4 about these two witnesses. Here in Revelation 11, the angel offers additional details about the amazing power given to these witnesses.

You and I may not be given power to spit fire from our mouths, but Jesus will give us the power to do whatever work and witness He has called us to do (Matthew 28:18-20 ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.) Where is Jesus calling you and me to speak His truths? How will you and I rely on His presence and power?  

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Restricted Satan (6/13/24)

Satan is powerful, but his power has no comparison to God’s power. Satan is quite restricted and is always under God’s authority. The book of Job is definitely a clear picture of this.

Job 1:8-12 ⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

⁹ “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. ¹⁰ “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. ¹¹ But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

¹² The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Satan thinks he knows more than God???? I know many of you know what happens next. Satan does touch everything of Job’s except his wife and Job’s body (at least in the first chapter). Amazingly, and as our All-knowing God knew, Job doesn’t curse God.

Job 1:20-22        ²⁰ At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.”

²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Wow! I don’t think worship of God would be my first response. In reading this passage together as a family last night, my kids agreed. However, Job knew God had all power and all authority. I was reminded that God is always worthy of praise as the All-knowing Father in Heaven! Nothing escapes His knowledge or happens outside His ultimate control.

How will you and I take encouragement from the fact that Satan is restricted and only God is all-knowing?

Thursday Devotional - Purposeful Power

Speaking of power, we lost power and internet for over 30 hours last Wednesday evening and all day Thursday, so sorry I couldn’t access or post this devotional!

We often have lots of questions why God allows certain things to happen. He is so powerful and could prevent and stop so many things, but He often doesn’t. We don’t see the big picture.

In Paul’s case, God continued to let him remain in prison unjustly. Yet, it was part of God’s purposes to have Paul preach the gospel to high officials in Caesarea and eventually in Rome (Acts 23:11 the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”)

By the time we get to Acts 26, Paul had already spoken to the Jewish crowd, the Jewish leaders, High Priests, Govenor Felix, Govenor Festus and all the people around them. Now, Paul gets the opportunity to speak to King Agrippa, his wife and high-ranking officers.

Acts 26:1-8    Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

If God is powerful enough to raise Jesus from the dead, then He is powerful enough to do anything. He is watching over us. He will powerfully accomplish His purposes in our lives. It may not go as we planned, but as He planned! Like Paul, you and I can trust His purposeful power. How will you and I do that this week?

  

Alice

Thursday Devotional (for 11/14/19) - Prayer for Boldness and Power

After Peter and John were released from prison, do you think they stopped talking about Jesus, as the religious leaders commanded them to do? And what do you think they prayed about?

Acts 4:23-24 and 29-31 ²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them… ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

I found it interesting that Peter and John didn’t pray for protection. Rather, they prayed for boldness and power for the sake of God’s reputation!!!

A couple weeks ago I was nervous for an outside meeting. I prayed for boldness to lovingly speak the truth, even if other people didn’t agree. I anticipated differences of opinions. It was hard not to think about my own reputation and what other people thought of me.

Where else do you and I need to focus on God and His reputation rather than our own? Let’s pray for boldness and power so His name is praised!!!  

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Sun Stands Still

God created the sun, moon, earth and everything in the universe. He created it all, so He has the power to have things happen that don’t fit the natural laws. Did you know the sun stood still for an entire day?

Joshua 10:12-15      ¹² On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
    and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
¹³ So the sun stood still,
    and the moon stopped,
    till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. ¹⁴ There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!

¹⁵ Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.

Last week God helped by throwing the Amorites into confusion and raining down large hailstones that killed more than the Israelites killed. I’m encouraged by so many details:

First, our forgiving and compassionate God helped Joshua (who didn’t even inquire of Him before making the treaty) help the deceptive Gibeonites!

Second, Joshua could have asked God to do lots of things besides stopping the sun. That meant he and his men had to keep fighting with no sleep after already marching all night the night before (Joshua 10:9). However, they got the blessing for participating!   

Third, I think the Holy Spirit (knowing it would bring the most glory to God in the situation) prompted Joshua to pray for the sun to stand still. As crazy as it seemed, Joshua did confidently pray it for all Israel to hear! They then witnessed God’s answer!

Fourth, not only did this show the Israelites, Gibeonites and Amorites that God was all-powerful, but the rest of the world would have experienced the phenomenon, too!

The more I think about it all, the more I’m in awe of God, His love, grace, forgiveness, compassion, personal involvement, power, might, and creativity! I’m challenged to boldly pray for things that will bring Him glory and ways I can participate in the solution.

How are you encouraged and challenged by this?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - The Reason for Miracles

Have you ever seen God do an amazing miracle? At another time, did you pray for a miracle and then were disappointed that He didn’t step in and perform in an amazing way like in the past?

God displays His power to accomplish His purposes. We aren’t God and we don’t see the big picture. When God parted the Red Sea, He did so to show the Israelites and the Egyptians He was fighting for Israel (Exodus 14). When God parted the Jordan, He did it to display His power to the new generation of Israelites and to all the Canaanites living along the Jordan.    

Joshua 3:14-17        ¹⁴ So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. ¹⁵ Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ¹⁶ the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ¹⁷ The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground…

Joshua 4:24     He [the Lord] did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.

The town of Adam is a long way from Jericho. I didn’t realize until recently how many people (besides all the Israelites) would have witnessed God’s power to stop the Jordan River!!! He usually has numerous reasons for displaying His power through miracles.

In looking back over the miracles you have witnessed, think about all the different reasons God may have chosen to work in a might way. Let’s remember those times so we will continue to fear the Lord and trust in His power, even when He doesn’t work when and how we would like in a current situation. He’s God and we are not! His power is displayed to accomplish His purposes, not my whims and wishes.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Control and Outcomes

After James’ first and second day at school, his teacher sent me a couple great email reports! I was thrilled! I know it won’t always be smooth sailing, but this helped me relax some. I will continue to encourage him in the right direction, give him regular (if not daily 😊) reminders, and appropriately discipline, but I’m not the one in control. God is ultimately in control of everything and everyone.

Paul lovingly and carefully instructed the Romans, and then ended his letter acknowledging they were in God’s hands.

Romans 16:25-27        ²⁵ Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— ²⁷ to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

God has given Joe and me the responsibility to lead James and Sarah well, as their parents. As we seek to be godly parents in our interactions, instructions, example, and choices, we can trust the outcome to God. He’s the One in control, with all power, all wisdom and all authority for all eternity!

What relationship, situation, person, or potential problem do you and I need to leave in God’s care? We’re called to follow God, do our part, and lead well, but the outcome is in God’s hands. Let’s trust Him with it!

Alice

Infinite Power

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

The other day, I was in a situation that bothered me.  Deeply.  I tried to put my feelings into words at the time, and they seemed to escape me.  Taking more time to pause and reflect, I was able to articulate what was happening.  In my mind, I had gotten comfortable in my faith believing that everything was happening because it was God’s will … until I didn’t agree with it.  Then I had begun to question whether God was with me or better yet was I with God.  When God makes us uncomfortable, He is trying to make something change from within.  A pastor once called it a ‘Holy Discontent.’  It means something within our spirit is so disruptive we cannot shake it and it will not let us go.  It was scary, and it made me want to run away and hide.  So, I began to just pray about it, and was reminded of one important aspect in my faith journey.

My goal is to try understanding what God wants me to do, and then draw on His strength to act.  He asks me to tune out the noise and trust Him.  That way, I move forward without worry or concern.  There is an inner determination and infinite strength telling me that where I am going is beyond my current condition, and if I focus on Him, I will get there.  This is what spiritual growth sounds like.

When you allow God to lead you, spiritual growth is attainable.  I love what Paul says in today’s verses.  First, there are the words that talk of the greatness of God.  Words such as ‘glorious, unlimited resources’ and ‘wide, long, high, deep’ describing Christ’s love for us.  Next, it expands on what God will give us.  ‘Empower, inner strength, experience, and strong’ are all words further underlining God’s gifts that we should expect for our trust given to Him.  Finally, the end result from all of this are the words, “Made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”  While these are simply words of prayer from Paul, they should be music to our ears when we are going through something difficult or challenging.  They remind us that when we cannot see a way out of circumstances, God always has a way for us.  Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”  This is what Paul understood as he prayed over the Ephesians for bigger things beyond what they could see.  Through Christ, we have strength where there is seemingly none left, and love for us when we feel alone.  We can be neither defeated nor denied for there is something better ahead for us.  We only need to claim victory in His name.

There is nothing you cannot overcome with the Lord’s help.  Our spiritual growth is not about our current circumstance.  It is about learning to see beyond our current circumstance to a future God intends for us.  Therefore, let us connect to that inner strength Paul spoke of looking beyond today and seeing our bright and glorious future.  What circumstances are affecting your view of God today?  How can you allow God’s vision for your future dictate the decisions of your current situation?  My prayer is that we remember to draw upon the infinite power of God.  Amen!

Thursday Devotional - Empowering Power

Romans 1:11-17  ¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

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

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:11-17

Paul is an amazing example of one who truly loved God, loved other people, understood God’s power, and humbly relied on God’s power to do what God had called him to do – preach the gospel! By faith, God’s gospel empowered Paul to serve! By faith, God’s gospel can empower you and me to serve where called.

This past week I got to prepare and give a 30 minute talk on Romans 3 to a group of over 200 women in our Bible study. Being one of the leaders is a job God’s specifically called me to do for over a decade, but it still doesn’t come easy! God has always provided what was needed, though.

I like to be ready by the night before, but last week I wasn’t. Some of my illustrations didn’t fit well, but God gave me a couple different illustrations the day of that helped me (and hopefully others) better understand what Paul was teaching. Yet again, God empowered me to do what He called me to do (in His time)!

      

Where do you get the strength to serve? Do you and I rely on our own self-discipline and self-righteousness? Or, like Paul, do you and I rely on God’s power through His righteousness, giving Him the glory? His power is far greater than my abilities!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - "Just Because" Miracles

Last Tuesday night we had 52 new women come and register for the Bible study I help lead! It was a good problem to have, but meant several of us stayed late that night to prayerfully figure out in which of our 16 groups to place each woman. So, I didn’t get home until late that night and then forgot to set my alarm for the next morning. However, God woke me up at 5:50 am!

I rarely wake up before my alarm, so I kept thanking God for waking me up! He didn’t need to do that. I didn’t have an early morning meeting. I think my boss would have understood, as I’m not a tardy employee and I’m conscientious about my work. God waking me up seemed like a “just because” miracle simply to remind me who He is, He’s always there, He loves me and He even cares about the little details in my life!

I think this next miracle in the book of John might have been one of those “just because” miracles for the disciples, too.

John 21:1-6  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. ⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. ⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. ⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

It doesn’t sound like the disciples “needed” to catch fish, but Jesus miraculously gave them more than they could even haul just to remind them who He is! He is the all-powerful, all-knowing Son of God that rose from the dead to offer us freedom from sin! Yet, He’s also personal, compassionate and caring in our day-to-day activities.

What “just because” miracles has God done in your life to remind you of His power and presence?

Alice 

Thursday Devotional - Who Has Power and Control?

Last year Sarah enjoyed “riding” a tricycle at my parents’ house that had a long pole out the back. At 2, she felt independent steering and pedaling, all the while someone was giving her power from behind.

Like Sarah, Pilate thought he had power and control, but the only power and control he had was given to him by God.

John 19:5-11 ⁵ When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

⁶ As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”

⁷ The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”

⁸ When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, ⁹ and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

No one has power or control unless God allows it. Like Pilate, you and I might think we are in control, but God is the only Almighty One who has absolute and unlimited power over all.

And when things seem out of control, we can remember that God’s purposes will prevail in spite of the chaos and evil. What comfort does that give to you and me today?    

Alice