Tues Devo: Checkup

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NASB)

Hello,

Have you ever stepped back and evaluated your thought process leading up to a decision of where to spend your time, or how much effort you are about to (or about not to) put into prayer or reading your Bible? While I am not advocating talking to yourself ( J ) I would recommend slowing down some and forcing yourself to think on a step-by-step level as you approach your walk with God when you have big personal moments coming in the near future, and evaluate your decision making process.

Are you letting the big personal moment impact how you approach God and your choices through the day?

Now, I am all for letting things have a positive impact on our walk with God – but we need to be aware of how we view our relationship with God. If we get caught up in changing our behavior based on something big coming up – how are we really treating God? Do we still view Him as our Savior – deserving of our unconditional love and commitment as He has secured our eternal future? Or, are we looking to superficially and temporarily look good while we have something on the line that is visible and temporary?

Again, I am all for improving our walk with God and doing better on a daily basis – I just think it is worth an introspective look by all of us as to our motives for decision making. When we catch the motive starting to slide, just pause for a moment and adjust. Thank God for who He is and what He has done for you, reminding yourself of what your true motivation should be.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Tues Devo: Be encouraged

Psalm 27:1-3 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” (NASB)

Hello,

This past week had me thinking about times of turmoil. Times in our lives where it feels that we are being pressed by different things at the same time. Times where we feel there is little breathing room. But when we feel like there is no breathing room, we need to look at our source of oxygen. Sure, earthly things and our enemies may be pressing in – but that should not be where we draw our life breaths. We need to remember that we are getting our life from Christ all along – in the good times and the challenging times. Just because challenges come does not mean that we need to change where we are drawing our life from and where our hope truly resides.

I hope that if you are facing some challenges right now, these section from Psalms is an encouragement to you.

Will Hill

Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I feel lead today to dovetail off of what Alice wrote the other day.  She talked about God closing doors, sometimes very literally.  I personally can relate to this very well.  You see, I am a planner.  I often try to map out where my life is going.  What new opportunities I have and to feel in control of my life. 

God however often has different plans for me.  Plans I may not understand at a given time.  That door shutting on you when you really want something, really hurts in the moment.  This however is a time when we need to trust in the Lord with ALL of our hearts and trust that he is making our path straight. 

I know that I for one am living this right now.  I pray that in your life, you can also feel the challenge to trust in the Lord to lead you.  We might feel like we know what is best for ourselves, however the Lord truly does.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part I

For a while, we thought it wasn’t God’s timing for us to have children. Then, in 2009, we were studying the book of Isaiah and I was challenged by God’s command to take care of widows and orphans.

Isaiah 1:17   Learn to do right; seek justice.

   Defend the oppressed.

Take up the cause of the fatherless;

   plead the case of the widow.

James 1:27         Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

As we researched “orphans” in the United States, we realized there are very few orphanages anymore and few of them actually adopt out the children. However, there are thousands of children in the foster system. So, we prayed about whether God was directing us to take care of orphans by pursuing foster-to-adopt.

In God’s timing, several months later there was an “Orphan” conference in Grand Rapids. It was all about fostering-to-adopt. We attended the conference and then signed up for an official orientation class in our area through the Department of Human Services. However, we had bad traffic, were 2 minutes late and the doors were locked when we arrived. We knocked on doors and called numbers we had, but to no avail. We took that as literally a closed door, at least for a time.

God knew we didn’t need to be licensed yet. James wasn’t going to be born for over 2 years. I think God planted the idea early so He could prepare our hearts and test our willingness.

Has God planted a desire or goal or purpose in your heart that hasn’t gone anywhere or worked out, at least not yet? Will you seek and then trust His perfect timing?  

Alice

Getting Off The Sidelines

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.  If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?  James 2:1-4

Like many of you, I have watched the past election with a lot of emotions.  My wife has watched the toll it took on me, and some of the frustration and anger that at times has overcome me.  We’ve been praying about it, and she has been truly my better half through it.  I once told a friend years ago that peaceful times in my life meant that God was ready to rock my world.  Well, consider that prophecy fulfilled, and I am glad He is still active in my life.  It was helpful that I focused on what was at the heart of my frustration.  It was more than an election and who won and lost.  It was my friends who were at times ‘proud’ of what had happened.  It was as if one major part of the equation had totally been missed out.  There is a reason a choice is called ‘the lesser of two evils.’  The point is it is still ‘evil.’  It was then God made my call clear.  That I could not stand on the sidelines. I needed to voice those feelings and emotions constructively, and articulate what many are now seeing unfold first hand.

As a Christian, we can never accept discrimination of any kind.  Period.  Many have focused on words and rhetoric saying those things do not matter, and those offended need to toughen up.  I have a picture in my head of Jesus hearing that, and saying, “Really?”  There is no debating the events of last week, and for us to continue that discussion is unproductive.   What God would want is for us to focus on Him, and respond forward and accordingly.  This is where I am today.  If you are one of those saying people need to deal with it, I challenge you to ask yourselves are you dealing with it the right way?  Do you ask the question why, and as a friend of God, are you being empathetic toward that person?  And if the result was not to your liking, are you asking yourself what God wants from you?  Do you pray how you can respond both Godly and yet firmly?  Do you trust He is in control?  And no matter who you chose, how can we love our brothers and sisters while encouraging them toward holy reconciliation?  I know there are a lot of questions, but if we ask God the right questions and our hearts are truly His, surely He will guide us toward the right answer!

All because the world won a battle providing us two unacceptable choices does not mean we have lost a war.  To be clear, the overwhelming majority of us understand discrimination is unacceptable, and that is something we should be proud of.  However, we must make this crystal clear as well.  Discrimination is never acceptable.  Not in words.  Not in deeds.  Not ever!  Let’s say to each other, “No.  This will not happen again.”  My prayer is that as God’s children, we stand up to discrimination and get off the sidelines!  Amen.

Tues Devo: Piles of shells

Hello,

Thanks for allowing a late night version this week! I just arrived home with my family from a 1 week vacation. It was great to be away and to focus on family. One of the days we were going to a couple beaches and someone suggested a particular spot for looking for sea shells. When we arrived there it was like nothing I had ever seen. Giant rows of shells that had washed in with the tides and been left behind. Inches deep, and what looked to be miles long. My wife put the following on facebook after that day, and gave me permission to use it here:

“Sea shells...piles of sea shells - tossed around by the ocean and landing with many others. Some broken and tattered and others whole and unscathed from the outside. Each one rummaged through by hands looking for the perfect one to keep.

Same with life...some are visibly broken, cracked and scared; while others are not but hold their scars deep inside where they are less visible. But God, takes all of those broken and tattered pieces and turns them into something more then we could imagine even when others and ourselves see broken, tattered, messed up, not worth it- God sees His children as worth it.”

When I read this it made me think of two things: 1) God created each individual and 2) no matter what we go through, we are loved deeply by the One who gave His only Son for us.

Psalm 139:14 “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (NASB)

Romans 5:7-8 “For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (NASB)

Will Hill

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