Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To Preachers? 8/11/2022

Do you and I have higher expectations for preachers than for the rest of society?

If they make a mistake, are they beyond God’s grace? No, but the consequences may have a farther reach.  

Paul highlighted to Timothy excellent high standards for pastors, church leaders and elders.

I Timothy 3:1-5        Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

These standards are excellent for all people! However, they are impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. We need God’s grace when we fail and His help to progress in holiness. How are you and I motivated to pray for our pastors and ourselves in light of these characteristics?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To Politicians? 8/4/2022

Do you fume when you hear or read what certain politicians think and advocate that is clearly contrary to God and His best? With primaries here this week in Michigan, there were (and still are) lots of different views flying around. I can get worked up about it, but it usually helps if I stop and pray for the various politicians.

In fact, Paul gave that advise to Timothy.

I Timothy 2:1-8          I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 

We are to pray for everyone, including politicians! Not only that, but I think Paul emphasized that the most important prayer is for their salvation. Paul highlighted that God has offered and wants to give grace to all people. Through Jesus Christ, everyone has access to salvation.

How does this motivate you and me to pray, especially the next time we start to boil after hearing a politician?

Alice

Thursday Devotional: God of Grace – To the Enemy? 7/28/2022

Who do you think is the most vicious human enemy of Christians today? I don’t know that I can narrow it down to one person, but maybe several individuals who are quite vocal today.

Have you ever thought about what might happen if God graciously turned their entire worldview around?

God graciously changed Paul, one of the most vicious and zealous persecutors of Christians in his day.

I Timothy 1:14-17 ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

You and I can pray for God to graciously convert those who are persecuting (directly or indirectly) His followers. Even our enemies aren’t beyond God’s grace!

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, Always! 7/21/22

As we finish up the Book of Matthew, Jesus gives us an amazing promise.

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.”

Jesus promises He will be with us always! He will be with us as we courageously obey His command to go and teach others to follow God. This isn’t a new promise, but one God had already given to the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 31:6   ⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Plus, Matthew started his book telling us God is with us by quoting from Isaiah.

Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means, “God with us.”

If you love God and are a follower of Jesus, are you encouraged knowing God is with you and will never leave you? My prayer this year has been that each week’s devotional added another layer of assurance that God is with you - Always!

Alice

 

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, to Dispel Doubts 7/14/22

 Have you ever doubted if something would work, but you tried it anyway?

Some of Jesus' disciples doubted Jesus' resurrection, but went to meet Him anyway.

Matthew 27:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

We know Thomas was as least one of the disciples that doubted at one point (John 20:24-31). I think there may have been more than just Thomas, though, because it says "some doubted." From the other Gospels it is clear that some of them doubted the report by the women (Mark 16:9-11), doubted the witness of those who had seen Jesus (Mark 16:12-14), and even doubted Jesus himself when he appeared to them personally (Luke 24:36-43).

We know they didn't stay "doubters!" Mark 16:19-20 says "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up in to heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."

Even though some disciples doubted, they still did as Jesus commanded and went to meet Him in Galilee. They took their doubts to Jesus and then He was able to give them the confirmation they needed. What if they hadn't obediently gone to Galilee? Some of them may have remained doubters.  

We can do the same today with our doubts. We can go to God in prayer and ask our questions. We can then study and search the Bible for answers. If we have doubts, but don't go to God and His Word, then we can't expect to receive answers. 

What doubts do you have? What doubts do those around you have?

How will you and I take those doubts and questions to God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help us know the truth as we study the Bible? Then, we can proclaim the truth with confidence, as God dispels doubts!

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us, While Others Spread Lies 7/7/22

Lies are prevalent all around us - in the news, in the media, on social networks, etc. Twisting the truth and facts isn’t new. It happened all around Jesus’ life, death and resurrection!

Matthew 28:11-15      While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³ telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Jewish people were told a lie, and many believed it. However, they could have stopped to think about whether it made sense instead of accepting it at face value. First, they could have sent out search parties to look for the “stolen” body, questioned the disciples, and searched their homes. If the body was stolen and hidden somewhere, someone could have found it. Someone would have “leaked” the secret. Plus, if the disciples were such cowards to flee at Jesus’ arrest and not speak up at his trial, then why would they suddenly have courage enough to steal his body from a sealed and guarded tomb? 

Also, if the guards had really fallen asleep, the chief priests would have certainly had them killed. At a minimum, the guards would have been fired! Guards are trained to watch without sleeping. So, it wouldn’t make sense that ALL of the guards fell asleep! Plus, it says "some" of the guards went to the chief priests, so maybe the others weren't bribed and actually circulated the truth.

Some of these details may have taken weeks to flesh out, but the truth could have been uncovered and known. Hundreds of people saw the resurrected Jesus and lived to tell about it. The people had to want to know the truth, ask questions, and stop and think.

God was with the women and disciples, and made sure they knew the truth. As we stay close to God, He can help us know the truth, too.

What lies might you and I have accepted at face value?

What truth about God have others tried to discount or twist?

How will you and I stop and think, go to God with our questions, and study His truths in His Word so we aren’t deceived? He is with us to help us discern truth from lies!

Thursday Devotional - God is with Us, Pursuing Goals 6/30/22

Can you believe we are halfway through 2022??? So, how are you and I doing on our 2022 goals? For those who set goals, did you and I ask God what His plans and purposes were for us this year?

Proverbs 19:20-21       Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Now is a good time to revisit our goals and have a mid-year check-in with God! How does He think we are doing in relation to His purposes and goals for us?

Alice 

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 When Satan Attacks 6/16/22

Spiritual battles aren’t always easy to recognize. Peter certainly had no idea Satan was using him to distract, tempt and stumble Jesus. Jesus knew it, though, and was with Peter through it!

Matthew 16:21-24 ²¹ 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. 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.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Jesus told Peter and all the disciples that in order to truly follow Him we must give up control of our lives (which we don’t have anyway). Then, we can submit to God and His plans. The result will be true spiritual victory through Christ and not ourselves.

God was with my niece the other night to bring spiritual victory in the midst of Satanic attacks.

My sister told her husband a few days ago that she felt a spiritual battle going on with their middle child. She thought Heidi was close to accepting Christ as her Lord and Savior, but Satan was attacking her. Then, Tuesday night, after their family Bible reading, Heidi looked at my sister and said “I want to be a Christian!” They talked about what that meant, prayed, and then rejoiced! Afterwards, Heidi was more giddy and excited than she had ever been and began singing “I am a C... I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N!”

Are you feeling attacked by Satan? If so, will you cling to God, denying your selfish and earthly desires and submitting to His plans? He has the victory already!   

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in our Stand for Him 6/9/22

Last night we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and how they bravely faced death for standing up for the truths of God (from Daniel 3). As we were talking about it, Sarah (8) said if someone threatened her, she wouldn’t be afraid because she knew she would go to heaven, where it is perfect. (I pray the Holy Spirit never lets her lose the confidence she has in God and His eternal plans!)

Our Bible reading and devotional time last night tied right in with the passage of Scripture we had started memorizing the day before from Matthew!

Matthew 10:28-33 ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Where are you and I afraid to take a stand for God? Let’s remember He is with us and won’t let anything happen outside of His plan and care.