Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Service to Him 4/7/22

My niece, Maria, and I discussed Matthew 25 the other day and she said she didn’t think she was “serving” enough. She referenced the verses in Matthew 25 where Jesus told His disciples what God the Father and King would do when Jesus returns in all His glory.

Matthew 25:34-40 ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

As I talked to Maria about this, I pointed out several ways she was serving, whether it was through the food distribution at church or feeding pumped milk to her newborn sister at home! She’s helping at home without being asked, while her sick brother is in the NICU.

Pondering our conversation later, I was reminded that she also “visited” and “preached” to those in prison unintentionally. She recently wrote a letter of encouragement to our former Pastor, and he was inspired by it for his next sermon and his next prison visit!   

Like Maria, maybe you wonder if you are “doing” enough to serve God. However, if you and I are truly soaking up God’s Word and letting it change our hearts and lives, then we will naturally live it out in everyday acts of service. We won’t have to “try” harder. It will be second nature. The Holy Spirit living in us will help us stop and recognize the needs around us and prompt us in how best to help.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Uncertain and Scary Moments 3/31/22

My new nephew, Michael, is still in the NICU. There have been several uncertain and scary moments this past week. As I’ve cried out to God for healing and help, He’s reminded me that He loves and cares for Michael the most. He has Michael in His hands, has a plan for his life, and will fulfill His plans. He is with Michael through all of this, each step of the way. God is Michael’s Creator and sustainer!

Psalm 139:13-17   For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!

As I’ve prayed for Michael, God reminded me of several of these truths from Psalms. God already knows all his needs. God has a plan for Michael and will complete it. God knows what is wrong and how best to help his body function as intended.  

God created you, too, and has a plan for your life! Let’s remember He’s our Creator and Sustainer, especially when we face uncertain and scary moments. He is with us!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Labor and the End Times 3/24/22

God helped my sister, Jane, give birth to twins (Michael and Margaret) on Monday night! There were several different days Jane thought she was going into labor, but it wasn’t quite time. However, when it was finally time, it happened quickly and was obvious!

Jesus said it will be similar for His second coming and the end times.

Matthew 24:3-8, 26-27   ³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains…

²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

We might think it is close, but it won’t be quite time. Then, when Jesus returns and it is time, it will be evident to all!!!

There will be tough times before Jesus returns, but God will be with us through it. We can be certain of that and certain of Jesus’s return!

P.S. – please pray for Michael, as he has been in the NICU. We know God is with him and we’re trusting God will help his body regulate all he needs to function properly.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! 3/17/22

What do you know about St. Patrick?

He supposedly died on March 17, 460 AD. Hundreds of years later it was designated as a Christian Feast Day, which is now celebrated around the world in various forms.

St. Patrick was known for being a humble and creative missionary to Ireland. Ironically, he wasn’t Irish, but was born into an extremely wealthy family in Britain. Captured by pirates at 16, he served as a shepherd during his captivity. Instead of abandoning his faith, he exploded in devotion to God through prayer during his captivity!!! He later was ordained and eagerly journeyed back to Ireland to spread the gospel to the pagan country.

St. Patrick was truly humbled and continued the rest of his life as a humble missionary. He lived out Jesus’s teachings on humility.  

Matthew 23:1-3, 5a, 11-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach…⁵Everything they do is done for people to see…

¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Now that I know a bit more about St. Patrick, I want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day quite differently! How will you celebrate differently today?

St. Patrick was a humble man of prayer, so mirroring that is one way…

We can’t just decide to be humble, but we can ask God to help us grow in humility, devotion and a heart of prayer.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us to Produce Fruit 3/10/22

Are you quick to say “yes” or quick to say “no?” How about when it comes to doing God’s work? 

Matthew 21:28-31 & 43   ²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you…

⁴³ “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

We can’t produce fruit in our own strength by trying harder. We can submit to God and willingly let Him change us and work through us to produce fruit (to do the good works He has planned for us).

The Pharisees appeared to follow God, but it was all in their own way and strength. The tax collectors and prostitutes humbly followed and surrendered to Jesus and then He enabled them to influence others for His kingdom in mighty ways!

Let’s be quick to say “yes” to Jesus’s work and obediently follow through with what He asks of us. He will be with us each step of the way!   

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us When We’re Last 3/3/22

 Most of us don’t like to be last, whether it’s waiting in line, a grade on a test, or competing in a race or game. Edmund (5) especially doesn’t like to be last, whether it’s getting out of the car, taking his shower, getting his teeth brushed, playing a game, or picking a book. In fact, yesterday afternoon we went for a run and he led the pack for the entire first mile. Then, he started crying on the second mile, because he wasn’t in front!

Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Servanthood doesn’t come naturally. God can help us grow in humility and a willing attitude of sacrifice for others.

Where are you and I wanting to be first? What might it look like if we asked God to help us be “last” or a true servant to others in that situation?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us to do the Impossible 2/24/22

I love knowing God can do the impossible!!! The “greatest” impossible feat He has accomplished is that of our salvation.

Matthew 19:23-30       “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’”            Matthew 19:23-30

Beyond the impossible feat of saving us, God has also done the impossible to elevate the lowly, reward the sacrificial, and give an inheritance of eternal life to His followers. All of that is seen in these few verses. Maybe you even saw more!

Let’s remember that we know the true God of the impossible who has already provided the best “impossible” blessings!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us to Forgive Others 2/17/22

 It’s difficult to forgive others, especially when they do the same sin over and over again (like a kid that keeps lying to try to get out of trouble).

Matthew 18:21-35 ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Sadly, I can relate to the wicked servant, especially when it comes to certain sins or repeated sins that my kids commit. However, if I’m honest with myself, I’ve committed sin(s) over and over against God and He’s forgiven me!!! I need to remember that everyday so I’m quicker to forgive my kids. It doesn’t mean I will naively trust them going forward, but I can genuinely forgive and not hold a grudge. I can rely on God to be with me and help me when it isn’t natural. Where do you need to do the same?

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 

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Confusion

Sarah got a positive COVID test result yesterday and James was beside himself. He questioned  why God allowed it and why I wasn’t upset. (I think he’s also scared about getting it himself, since he has asthma).

I told James I didn’t know why God allowed it, but I know He’s in control, has a plan and will be with us through it.

Similarly, Peter was confused and angry about Jesus’s upcoming suffering.

Matthew 16:21-23      From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

As much as it didn’t make sense to Peter in his limited human understanding, God had a much bigger and better plan.

God was with Peter through his confusion and anger. God is available to be with you and me through our confusion. We can take our questions to Him. Then, let’s look beyond our “merely human concerns” and look for God’s plan.

Alice