Love

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Brothers and sisters, I am deeply sadden this week by what I am seeing throughout the country.  It’s all over the news, it’s all over social media.  It’s just plan sickening!  Since the election results, I have seen family’s divided, I’ve seen friendships lost.  Why?  All because you didn’t agree with the other person on who should take office? 

I want to make it very clear that I did not feel either of the candidates were great choices.  That being said, someone was going to win.  If we go back eight years, many people didn’t like Obama either.  Some thought he would ruin the country.  Now I’m not saying that he’s been good or bad, all I’m saying is that here we are eight years later and we have elected someone again that not everyone agrees with.  Some feel Trump is going to ruin the country.  He’s not even in office yet and the country is being divided.  This cannot be blamed on him.  Rather those who choose to attack one another simply because they don’t see eye to eye on something.

We are told that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  If we are doing this, then the second commandment should come easily: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Today, I ask you to be in prayer for our country.  Pray that we can come together once again, be healed and figure out a way to make this world better, regardless of who is elected as the President.  LOVE, it’s that simple.

Thurs Devo: Adoption - God's Favor

I’m back! We are now officially and legally a family of four! It’s been a long process and a whirlwind the past few months, but we’ve seen God’s hand in the whole thing (including Erin writing wonderful devotionals each Thursday!). This summer, God kept showing me His favor over and over again, in just the things I could see!

We ended up getting the kids a day early (back in June). Then, in August, the Judge agreed to continue our case even though she didn’t have to do it. That same day the Judge also agreed to waive the 6 month requirement!! So, once all sorts of paperwork was completed and approved, we were scheduled for a final adoption hearing on October 24^th, well before the 6 month time frame.

We didn’t deserve God’s favor, but He graciously extended His favor, just like He did for the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 6:10-13  When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you – a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slaver.

Everything is from God. If we really stop and look around, we can see His favor all over. Will you stop right now and think about how you’ve seen God’s favor in your life and praise Him for it?

We didn’t pick James and Sarah to be our children. We didn’t convince the Judge to continue our case. We didn’t convince the Judge to waive the 6 month time period. God did it! To Him be the glory!!! 

Alice

Lost

So Jesus told them this story:  “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.  When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’”  Luke 15:3-6

We are a divided nation.  I know this as I have talked with family and friend whose views while seemingly similar are vastly different.  If you are a person of color, you may be worried and scared today, and yet, others have no idea why anyone would feel that way.  In these times, there is only one place I can turn to.  As I prayed with my wife last night, I prayed for healing.  Healing from politics that have been far too hate driven and sides too unwilling to hear each other.  I have lost a friend because while we could come to respectfully disagree, we could no longer be respectful toward each other.  Many of you have been on the opposite side with others for so long that you do not recognize the person on the other side.  In spite of all this, I believe in a God that can heal all wounds.  He can bring us to common ground, and while we may disagree often on the exact same things we read, He is always faithful and true.  People ask how I can maintain such balance even at a time where most would be fractured.  I do not honestly know, but my guess is maybe I trust God enough to direct me when I myself feel lost.

We can always trust God to guide us when we ourselves feel lost.  In reading these verses, I previously focused on what Jesus did as He would for His lost people.  However today, it was helpful because it reminded me that even a well-grounded Christian can occasionally get lost.  God may have looked out for us before we knew Him to bring us home as He had been watching us for years.  Other times, He watched us wander away only to bring us back from the brink of destruction.  Regardless of the circumstance, we are blessed by a savior who does not just protect us.  He sees where we are, and will come rescue us even when we may not believe we are in need of being rescued.  Whether we are in Harm’s way or simply going the wrong way, God comes for us, and will bring us back as long as we trust in Him.

God’s grace is truly amazing.  It not only saves lost souls, but it protects the found ones as well.  When you are not sure what direction you are going or are unsure of the path ahead, call on Him.  Trust in His word, and rely on those things that He instilled in you; love, wisdom, faith, humility.  Let those things lead the way toward being found again.  How can you tap into God’s spirit when you are lost?  Will you be able to call out to Him when you are unsure?  My prayer is that we understand God is always looking out for us particularly when we might feel . . . lost.  Amen.

Tues Devo: The real election

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’ (NASB)

Hello,

(*note, this was typed prior to any idea of election results….)

As our country faces “an intriguing choice” on this day, it got me thinking about the real election. The real choice we have as to who is our leader, who we will follow. No matter which political leaders are placed in front of us we need to examine our followership of the real Leader, Jesus.

No matter who has earthly control, if we allow Him to be in control of what we say and do – we will end up seeing the best results possible. Do we always understand the path? Is it easy? Nope – The verses in Matthew talk about taking up our cross, knowing that we are dying to our own desired to do what He wants us to do.

I challenge all of us to look at our Leader, and follow well.

Will Hill

Are you ready to finish your race?

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Lately it seems that a number of people I knew from my younger years have been finishing their earthly race.  While this is certainly sad for those of us that remain, I can’t help but continue to be reminded of the crown that they are receiving. 

When you really think about it, this is what our purpose in life is all about.  We are here to fight a good fight and keep the faith. 

This weekend, my family will surround my sister in law with our love as she says her final goodbye’s to her dad.  Her dad was a pastor, even until he was diagnosed with cancer just 2 short months ago.  He was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. 

As I spoke with her this morning, she had a peace about her and a joyfulness about her that you wouldn’t expect to hear or see coming from someone who just lost their dad.  Some of her family doesn’t understand it, doesn’t understand how she can be so happy through such a sad time.  She is sad, for her loss, yet so excited and happy for she knows without a shadow of a doubt that he is now pain free and about to be united with our Lord and Savior. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I said it just a couple of weeks ago but it continues to be on my heart so I will say it again today, this world is not our home, we are simply passing through.  I pray today that each of you are ready to finish your earthly race whenever it is that the Lord calls us home.

Seasons

“To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under heaven.”

     Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love autumn--the falling leaves, beautiful colors, crisp air--but it always seems to pass too quickly and then winter is upon us.  During the long winter, it often feels as if the cold and darkness will never end, but eventually, spring comes.  God ordains the seasons here on earth and in our lives too.  Remembering this truth helps me keep an eternal perspective while going through the various seasons in my life.

When in seasons of abundance, promise and accomplishment, it’s good to rejoice and give thanks with a grateful heart, but not cling too tightly to the good things. We can loosen our grip and let our good Lord lead us into the next season, trusting that He will be with us.  Although the sunshine doesn’t always last, memories of its warmth and light can sustain us during the wintry times.

During seasons of adversity, waiting or dryness, we can know that God has a good purpose for our discomfort.  It may be dark and cold but God can use the time to grow our faith and mold our character.  We can make it through the winter with a hopeful heart knowing that spring will come again.  We can experience God’s blessings even during the wintry season by yielding our hearts and lives to His work in us.

Seasons change but God’s faithfulness remains constant.

Tues Devo: Interests

Matthew 16:21-23 “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”” (NASB)

Philippians 2:3-5 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” (NASB)

Hello,

This past week had me thinking a lot about stuff that interests me, compared to things that don’t really interest me. Most of that thought has come in the context of friendships and relationships. As we look to improve or deepen our relationships with others, we may have to step outside of our normal interests. Our relationships can only go as far as we are willing to invest into that person and their interests. This does not just apply to human relationships, but also to our relationship with Christ. As we look to grow that relationship, we have to look to what His interests are and pursue those. You see, the more we dig into the interests and passions of someone – the more we know them, and what drives them. As time passes we take those interests on, for the other and then for us as well.

My challenge for us is to dig into what interests Christ, and pursue those items as we pursue Him.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Be Still

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Be still.  For me, this is hard.  It is hard to not over analyze everything and want to jump in to try to resolve issues or figure out a plan for what is next or whatever needs to be done.  God says, “Be still.” 

This week, as some friends had to figure out details for a funeral, I felt helpless.  I wanted to help heal their hurt, comfort them during this time.  However, I couldn’t do much but pray.  While prayer is certainly enough, sometimes it just doesn’t feel like it.  I wasn’t doing so well at being still.

In another situation this week, I struggled to be still and trust that the Lord was at work.  This was an instance that impacts my future and I just wanted to be as in control as I could be.  Yet, it wasn’t a situation that I could control.  I needed to simply be still and wait on the Lord to direct me. 

In some ways, this makes me wonder if God looks down on us, as I do my son, simply thinking, let me be the parent.  I’ll take care of you. 

Today, I want to encourage you to simply be still.  Be still and know that He is God and he will be exalted amount the nations and in the earth.   

Including You

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

You ever had a day where you just were not feeling the spirit?  I have had some days where writing a devotion was work and not inspiring.  The words were not there and the spirit was not in me.  I focused on God’s words, and tried to make sense of it.  However, something just was missing.  Nonetheless, I willed myself to figure out what to say, and then put it all together.  As I hit the ‘send’ button, I prayed, “God, I am not sure if what I wrote was your intent, but I pray that it is your words that can help someone.”  Low and behold, a person wrote me back saying, “Thank you, Kent!  That is just what I needed to hear.”  At that moment, I felt the spirit in me come alive, and this feeling of humility came over as the encouragement motivated me throughout the day.  None of this would have happened if that one person had not said to me a simple ‘Thank you’ note. 

We should never underestimate the power of our words to positively impact others. The words of Paul in today’s verses is a simple but powerful reminder.  First, it reminds us that there was a choice.  God, who is ever righteous, could have chosen to write us off for our sinful ways.  However, He chose to send His son instead so that we can be saved.  Second, it gives us hope saying even should tomorrow be our last day that we will have our day with Christ, and we will live with Him not for a day or a year but forever.  Thus, we should be already be filled with joy knowing this will happen.  Understanding this, Paul says we being already encouraged are to remind others so as to encourage and build them up.  It does not say to question, reject, or criticize.  We tend to fall to the latter because that is always the most noticeable and easiest to point out.  We can always find fault in something.  However, Paul says to look toward the positive for as I have found, just one positive mention can awaken the Spirit that dwells within us and can make someone whose lost hope inspired and make a person who is empty whole again.

We are not made to live this life alone.  While people may fail us, God never fails, and in Paul’s words, encouraging and building each other up can strengthen us for as David said:

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. (Psalm 40:30)

So if you are not feeling encourage, encourage others because in it, you yourself may find encouragement.  How can you look to build someone up today?  Who can you partner with that can be a source of encouragement when you are lost?  My prayer is that we fight through our circumstances to encourage others with the hope that they are not only encouraged but also be a source of encouragement for others . . .  including you.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Can I reboot?

Hello,

I remember a long time ago when I started working for this company in product support. The dream call was where a simple reboot of the machine fixed the issue. I was thinking the other day about some things in my walk with God that I was trying to “reboot”. These are things that I have either fallen out of the habit of doing, or am not doing with the right energy or focus. I didn’t feel like I was getting the results I wanted. Then the obvious hit me (sorry if this feels basic) – the reboot is not about pushing a button, it is about what happens behind the button.

You see, behind the scenes when you push that reboot button there are many things that happen.

• ·         Things stop
• ·         Things start – but in sequence
• ·         Unwanted things do not start again

So – if you are looking for a reboot in any area of your walk with Christ, I encourage you to look at this pattern:

• ·         Take a breath
• ·         Kick-start what you want to put an emphasis on
• ·         Put a guard in place to watch out for things that have gotten in the way before, leading to needing this reboot.

Perfect? No – no formula is with God, because this is about love, effort and focus….but hopefully it can help put your mindset in a good spot.

Some encouragement for you if you feel things are not quite going the way they should in your walk with Christ, and you need some areas of reboot:

Galatians 6:9-10 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (NASB)

2 Thessalonians 3:13 “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.” (NASB)

Hebrews 3:12-13 “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ” (NASB)

Psalm 141:3-4 “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies.” (NASB)

Will Hill