Gracious God Is Worthy of Glory – 11/4/2026

When the kids were younger, I would read books to them before nap and often play a children’s hymn on the piano while we sang it together. Then, if there was time after our nightly Bible reading and prayer, I’d play another hymn for us to sing before bed. Singing or speaking praises to God at the start and end of our days is one way to keep our focus on worshiping our Creator rather than on lesser priorities.

If we aren’t regularly glorifying and thanking God, we can easily be deceived by the world, and our thoughts can become foolish. We will worship either God or something else. As Paul describes in this next section of Romans, we can trade the glory of God for temporal things.

Romans 1:21-23: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.”

As verse 21 indicates, there is a difference between knowing God and glorifying Him. I know who the true God is, but I don’t always glorify Him.

We glorify God by:

• growing in a personal relationship with Him. 
• adoring Him.
• worshiping and praising Him for who He is.
• giving Him the credit for all of our accomplishments.
• thanking Him for all of our blessings and sufferings.  
• exalting Him above anyone and anything else.

This week, what mortal thing have we placed above our relationship with God (a possession, person, project, plan, player, etc.)? Our relationship with God is eternal and the most important one we have.

One of the hymns we sometimes sing with the kids is “To God Be the Glory.” Let’s give glory to God rather than exchange it for something mortal.

Alice

Completeness of the Promise Keeper’s Love (10/1/26)

During the pre-service prayer time that our family leads, the kids often pray that we would mean what we sing. That’s a great prayer, because we want to be sincere in our worship. However, this past week I was thinking that even that prayer can be rote rather than heartfelt.

As I reviewed the six questions God answered in the book of Malachi, it struck me how many of the questions related to insincere worship. God was faithful in His love for Israel. He didn’t change, but they had moved away from Him. Let’s look at all six together again:

1.    How He loved Israel

Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 

God pointed out that He had chosen to love Jacob (Israel) and to bring about His salvation plan through Jacob’s descendants. God wouldn’t fall out of love with Israel, and He won’t fall out of love with the rest of His followers either.

2.    How they had disrespected Him

Malachi 1:6b-7 “It is you priests who show contempt for my name.

“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

⁷ “By offering defiled food on my altar.

“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. 

Their defiled animal sacrifices and empty rituals were detestable to Him.

3.    Where His justice was

Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

Malachi 3:1 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

God’s plans for justice may seem quite delayed to us, but they are unfolding in His perfect time.

4.    How Israel was to return to God & 5. How they were robbing God

Malachi 3:7-8 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 

They were to return to God by repenting and turning back to obedience to His laws. They had been unfaithful and had robbed Him by withholding the small portion He had asked of them.

6.    How they had spoken arrogantly

Malachi 3:13-14 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

¹⁴ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 

Their service to God seemed futile because it was hollow.

The Israelites were going through the motions of worshipping and serving God, but they weren’t doing it out of true love for Him. They disobeyed His instructions for how to worship and serve Him. They were even blind to their own errors, which is why they kept asking, “How?”

What about you and me? Are we going through the motions, trying to look as if we worship and serve God, while our hearts aren’t in the right place? Are our prayers rote or genuine? Are we worshipping Him the way we want – the way that’s easiest and most comfortable – or the way He desires?

Our love is inconsistent, but God’s love is complete, eternal, and never changing. I pray that we would grow in sincere love and devotion to God as we more fully grasp His love for us and His faithfulness to all His promises.  

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love Discarded (6/25/26)

Have you ever taken someone or something for granted? The Israelites took God for granted and discarded His love. They failed to recognize and honor His greatness. They even viewed their service to Him as a burden.

Malachi 1:11-14     ¹¹ My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

¹² “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’ ¹³ And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the Lord Almighty.

“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. ¹⁴ “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.

The Lord Almighty is great, deserving reverence and fear from all. How have we, like the Israelites, discarded God’s love and failed to recognize His greatness? Do we ever view time spent reading His Word or participating in service as a burden? What about giving our tithe? Do we give generously and regularly, or do we withhold it or give begrudgingly?

One day, all will recognize His greatness.

Romans 14:11         It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

One day everyone will realize God is worth any sacrifice, no matter how big or small. Let's not discard His love. Instead, let's bow before Him now by actively recognizing His love and greatness daily. As we do, we can offer Him praise and share it with others.

Alice

The Promise Keeper’s Love Disrespected (6/18/26)

Have you ever been disrespectful to a parent and then questioned about it? At our house, when a kid talks disrespectfully to me, Joe steps in, asking, “Is that how you need to talk to your mother?” This scenario is similar to the next question and answer section in Malachi, which addresses the lack of respect toward God.  

Malachi 1:6-10 ⁶ “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.

“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.

“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

⁷ “By offering defiled food on my altar.

“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. ⁸ When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.

⁹ “Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?”—says the Lord Almighty.

¹⁰ “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.

God’s words reveal a harsh reality: He would rather the priests close the temple doors and stop all sacrifices than tolerate their hollow and insincere worship. Their defiled animal sacrifices and empty rituals were detestable to Him.

It’s easy to condemn the priests and Israelites for their actions. However, what about our own worship? Do we sometimes go through the motions when we pray, sing worship songs, give our tithe, or serve? Are our worship services truly filled with sincerity and devotion, or would God prefer that our church doors be closed if our services are vain and self-focused, lacking genuine love, honor and respect for Him? Let’s examine our own acts of worship and participation in church, and discern whether they truly honor and respect God.

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reveal Truth (4/30/26)

Recently, we were talking with the kids about how God doesn’t have to reveal anything to us, but He graciously chooses to reveal certain plans and purposes with us. As the all-knowing God, He has revealed Himself to us through His Word, His creation, and His involvement in history. With numerous promises already fulfilled, we can trust that the remaining promises, such as those in the book of Revelation, will also come true.

Revelation 22:6-11 ⁶ The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

¹⁰ Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. ¹¹ Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

In this passage, John was instructed not to seal up the prophecy, but to share it with the seven churches, as mentioned in Revelation chapters 1-3. The time was near for the specific warnings and promises given to these churches. The churches were called to demonstrate faithful love, purity, and allegiance. They were to also have fearless faith, service, and perseverance. We’re also commanded to heed the instructions and message in this book (vs 7). If we do, we’re promised blessings – eternal security, satisfaction, peace, joy, a heavenly inheritance, and a face-to-face relationship one day with our Creator and Savior! We can worship Jesus because He has revealed trustworthy truth.

How will you respond to these true words of Jesus and eagerly anticipate His second coming? Will you faithfully love Him, fervently serve Him and fearlessly persevere through difficulties? He and His blessings are worth it!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Undistracted Worship (11/20/25)

How would you define worship of Jesus and what does your worship look like?

In our family Bible study time last night, we discussed what worship of God includes and whether all prayers are worship or only those prayers where we are praising God for His attributes. I said God always wants to hear from His children, but some of our prayers are often selfish. Sarah asked if her prayers for help on her school work were selfish. I said partially, because we often want help first for ourselves and then for God’s glory. God wants to help us accomplish the things He has purposed for us to do (such as school and work). So, our prayers for help can be worshipful if we truly desire the help so we can honor God and bring Him glory.

Later last night, Sarah stayed up to finish some math homework, and I sat beside her, reading Kent’s devotional from earlier in the day. I shared some of his devotional with Sarah, as his discussion about the difference between asking God to improve our situation versus asking God to transform our hearts tied right in with our earlier discussion during family Bible study! How often we get distracted, though, and aren’t living life with the purpose of worshipping God.  

If we aren’t living life worshipping God, then we are distracted by the world. However, the world can’t eternally satisfy and will come to an end, as Revelation describes.

Revelation 18:1-8 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. ² With a mighty voice he shouted:

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
³ For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her, my people,’
    so that you will not share in her sins,
    so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
⁵ for her sins are piled up to heaven,
    and God has remembered her crimes.
⁶ Give back to her as she has given;
    pay her back double for what she has done.
    Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
⁷ Give her as much torment and grief
    as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts,
    ‘I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;
    I will never mourn.’
⁸ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
    death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
    for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

The world, Babylon the Great Prostitute (as we saw in Revelation 17), all those opposed to God and His ways will be consumed by fire. God’s judgment will fall.

As verse 4 calls, where do you and I need to come out of Babylon? What is distracting us from true worship of Jesus? I pray you and I will desire to live a life that is worshipful to God and undistracted by the shallow and temporal lures of the world. Jesus is worthy of undistracted worship.  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Marvelous Worship (9/18/25)

Alexis and Edmund’s music teacher ordered kazoos for their class. Edmund’s excitement had been building for weeks. The kazoos finally arrived, and he couldn’t wait to show me!

God has a more extraordinary instrument gift in store – one that far surpasses a simple kazoo. He has prepared a magnificent reward for His class of victorious martyrs: personal harps to accompany their glorious songs in a majestic place.

Revelation 15:1-4    I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. ² And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God ³ and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
⁴ Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

As John was about to witness the release of the seven last plagues by the seven angels, God interjected a glimpse of glorious events in heaven. This contrast serves as a reminder that we don’t need to fear plagues or death, for the blessings in heaven will be truly marvelous. The greatest joy we’ve experienced on earth celebrating a team victory or achievement will pale in comparison to the joy celebrating Jesus’s victory over Satan, the beast, and all sin in the world. One day, ALL nations will worship Jesus. Why not begin our worship today?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Unleash the 7 Trumpets (4/24/25)

 I was on a short trip part of this week, so sorry this is a day late. Normally I write the devotional Wednesday night and post it Thursday morning, but this week I didn’t get to write it until yesterday.

Remember the complete silence in Heaven when the 7^th Seal was opened by the Lamb a couple weeks ago? Well, that 7^th seal ushered in 7 more judgments via 7 angels with 7 trumpets.

Revelation 8:6-12    ⁶ Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

⁷ The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

⁸ The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, ⁹ a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

¹⁰ The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— ¹¹ the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

¹² The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

Jesus unleashes numerous catastrophic judgments on the earth in these first 4 “trumpet judgments.” A third of the ground, water and sky will all be affected. However, intentionally 2/3 will not be affected. Jesus’s judgments aren’t rash or impulsive. They are intentional and gracious. It isn’t random or coincidental. The orderliness in the judgment shows WHO is in charge. Jesus continues to give people a stark warning and additional opportunities to repent and turn to Him before it is too late.

As the Creator of all, His judgments point back to Him as the One in charge of all Creation. He is the One worthy of all worship. I have an easy reminder of that as I look outside. In Michigan this week, the spring colors suddenly popped. The daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, Magnolia trees, and Dogwood trees are all in bloom with yellow, red, purple, pink, and white scattered all over. Let’s praise Jesus as the Creator and sustainer of all! He is worthy of our worship as both Creator and Judge.  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Complete Worship (2/6/25)

After the 24 elders and 4 living creatures sang a new song in praise of Jesus, the rest of heaven and earth joined in the praise! They praise Jesus as the worthy One to open the scroll of God. The angels mention 7 things in their praise (power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise). Seven is the number of completeness so it seems to indicate they are giving Jesus full and complete praise!  

Revelation 5:11-14   ¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

How is your and my praise? Is it full and complete, like the angels? Or is it often partially distracted and insincere lip service? I can get easily distracted in prayer and in singing worship music. I pray regularly for the ability to focus and think about what I’m singing. However, sometimes I focus on the behavior of the kid next to me. 😊

Of course, worship isn’t just singing or praying. It includes our whole body and every area of our life. None of us gives complete worship with all of ourselves, but we will someday! We can look forward to that day and practice now!  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy and So is God the Father (1/16/25)

As a kid, it was hard to fathom continual worship in heaven. I couldn’t imagine a worship service that never ended! “Praise” nights at church were fun, but I got tired of standing after a while.

After studying the book of John last year and then Revelation this year, I think I understand continual worship a little bit better. In the book of John, he painted a satisfying picture for those who follow Jesus. Jesus offers the greatest imaginable thirst and hunger quencher as the living water and bread of life. Jesus also says He came to give abundant life as our Light, Shepherd, Vine and Savior. He’s the most rewarding relationship we could ever have! He offers perfect, complete and eternal love. That’s who we will be by our side for all eternity! It will be the most satisfying experience to be in God’s presence and worship Him, just as it is for the 4 living creatures and 24 elders.  

Revelation 4:6b-11 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

This is a picture of a holy, perfect, and completely satisfying experience worshiping our Creator God! If sharing the tastiest meal with the most enjoyable person is pleasurable in this life and something we never want to end, then being in the presence of God will be far more spectacular, amazing and delightful! We won’t run out of things to taste, hear, see, feel, smell, say or experience! How does that excite you for Heaven? We’ll get to celebrate the worthiest Almighty God each and everyday! 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of All Beauty (1/9/25)

What’s the most spectacular scene you’ve ever seen?

In 2005, I got to go with some Bible study friends to ski in Lake Tahoe. We arrived just after a historic 20 feet of snow had accumulated! Not only was it the best skiing I’ve ever experienced, but the views from the tops of the mountains were spectacular! The sun glistened on the snow for miles on end in all directions!!! I had never seen anything like it and knew it was a once in a lifetime experience! Throughout the week, I couldn’t help but worship God the Creator! I know my words can’t begin to describe it and even pictures don’t do it justice.

I wonder if that’s how John felt as he tried to describe the scene in Heaven that he saw!

Revelation 4:1-6      After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. ⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

Wow, I can’t begin to image how spectacular Heaven will be and how glorious God is!

Is there anyone else’s presence you and I would rather be in?

How does God’s brilliance and power compel you and me to worship Him?

Let’s remember John’s description as we think about and worship the Beautiful and Almighty God this New Year!

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Job’s Humble Response (9/26/24)

 This week, Joe and I spent hours working through a school situation with one of our kids. There have been differing stories. As we’ve prayed for wisdom and truth to be revealed, it still hasn’t been clear exactly what happened. I want all the people involved to be able to know and believe the truth! I realize that might not happen. In acknowledging God’s sovereignty over the situation, I want to trust God with the outcome.

When Job finally hears from God, he doesn’t get all his questions answered, either. Instead, throughout Job chapters 38-41, the All-knowing and Almighty God details out various aspects of Creation that only He understands and controls. I imagine He spoke with a majestic and thunderous voice through the storm!

In response, Job spoke briefly in the middle and at the end of God’s discourse.

Job 40:1-10 The Lord said to Job:

² “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
    Let him who accuses God answer him!”

³ Then Job answered the Lord:

⁴ “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
    I put my hand over my mouth.
⁵ I spoke once, but I have no answer—
    twice, but I will say no more.”

⁶ Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:

⁷ “Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

⁸ “Would you discredit my justice?
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
⁹ Do you have an arm like God’s,
    and can your voice thunder like his?
¹⁰ Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
    and clothe yourself in honor and majesty…

Job 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the Lord:

² “I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.

⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.’
⁵ My ears had heard of you
    but now my eyes have seen you.
⁶ Therefore I despise myself
    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job rightly and humbly acknowledged God’s might, sovereignty, and wisdom! His only response was that of worship and repentance. He asked no further questions. He knew God was real, active, powerful, and in control.

In Joe’s and my situation with our kid, we can humbly acknowledge our rightful place before God, too. He’s aware of the situation, in control and can be trusted with the outcome. Instead of focusing on the resolution we want, we can ask God to help us and our kids humbly learn, grow and move forward for His purposes.

With what situation in your life will you humbly surrender to our All-knowing God? 

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 - Jesus is Truth – Deserving Unlimited Honor (1/25/24)

This week is spirit week at school and the kids have enjoyed dressing up as different characters. They’ve also enjoyed winning best costume! I don’t know if there is a written rule about a kid only winning once, but that seems how it’s been handled. One kid hasn’t won everything all week. I assume they want to spread the honor instead of giving it to just one kid.

Jesus deserves all the honor everyday! He’s always the best dressed! He’s dressed in holiness, righteousness and selflessness. Mary recognized His worthiness and value.

John 12:1-8  Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. ³ Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ⁶ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

⁷ “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

I’ve read this passage numerous times and often thought of Mary as impulsively lavish with Jesus. However, this time, knowing that the dinner was planned ahead of time for Jesus’s honor, I wondered if Mary planned out her act of worship in advance. To me, that makes it even more significant! If she calculated the cost and still went ahead with her plan, she put aside her security, comfort, and reputation.

 

How about you and me? What sacrificial honor and worship will you and I intentionally give to Jesus today and this week?

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, In Our Fear of the Unknown 6/23/22

 Are you afraid of anything or anyone right now? Is something worrying you?

Several years ago Joe and I were worried and sick to our stomachs over an attorney letter we received from a former renter’s lawyer. They were threatening a lawsuit because we hadn’t returned their deposit money (but, they had left several damages and hadn’t cleaned the place).

Joe and I prayed for help and direction and that we would learn what God might be teaching us through this experience. We knew God was already aware of the situation and would be with us, but it was still hard not to worry about the outcome.

The women that visited Jesus’ tomb had a similar combination of faith and fear. Previously, they experienced a violent earthquake, watched a brilliantly shining angel roll the stone away, and witnessed the guards become like dead men in response! Who wouldn’t have been afraid! Yet, they heeded the angel’s direction to go quickly to tell Jesus’ disciples.

Matthew 28:8-10          ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

In response to Jesus’s reassurance, the women didn’t say a quick “thank you Lord,” but stopped, bowed down and worshiped!

In Joe’s and my situation, God gave Joe an opportunity four days later to meet with the renter and resolve the whole thing! Like the women, I couldn’t help but immediately praise God!!! He was with us before, during and after the fearful situation!

How will you take your fears to God and then look for His presence?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Desire to Worship 2/10/22

Yesterday James was talking about Valentine’s Day and how he wanted to buy flowers for various people, including me. Later in the day, I mentioned that I would rather he show his love through action, by listening and obeying, rather than buying flowers.  

Similarly with God, we often want to worship Him and show our love how we want. However, have we confirmed with Him how He wants to receive love and worship? 

At the Transfiguration, Peter had his own idea for worship and honor, but God cut him off.  

Matthew 17:3-9 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 

God wants our worship and has clear ways He wants to receive it from us. Let’s listen to Him on how we can best love and honor Him! 

Alice