12
Mar '19
When You’re Not Chosen
12
Mar '19
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias . . . (Acts 1:26)
My friend’s Facebook post announced he had finished a project. Others congratulated him, but his post knifed my heart. That project was supposed to be mine. I had been passed over, and I wasn’t sure why.
Poor Joseph. He was passed over by God, and he knew why. Joseph was one of two men in the running to replace Judas. The disciples prayed, “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen” (Acts 1:24). God chose the other guy. Then He announced His decision to the group, when “the lot fell to Matthias” (v. 26).
As the disciples congratulated Matthias, I wonder about Joseph. How did he handle his rejection? Did he feel jilted, wallow in self-pity, and distance himself from the others? Or did he trust God and cheerfully remain in a supportive role?
I know which option is best. And I know which option I’d want to take. How embarrassing! If you don’t want me, fine. Let’s see how you do without me. That choice might feel better, but only because it’s selfish.
Joseph isn’t mentioned again in Scripture, so we don’t know how he reacted. More relevant is how we respond when we’re not chosen. May we remember that Jesus’s kingdom matters more than our success, and may we joyfully serve in whatever role He selects.
How do you feel when you’re not chosen or are left out? How could your attitude be hindering you from seeing God’s direction for your life?
This devotion blessed me. We have all dealt with some form of rejection at one point or another in our lives but as today’s devotion asks, how could your attitude hinder you from seeing God’s direction for your life. May this be your hearts cry, Father, as long as I can serve in Your kingdom, it doesn’t matter how or where. Sometimes God will bypass what you hope for to give you what you really need, don’t feel rejected but embraced by God.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
11
Mar '19
Songs in the Night
11
Mar '19
They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice. (Psalm 65:8)
As I turn on the barn lights and gather the cows for their early morning milking, a few sparrows begin a soft chatter in the milking-parlor rafters. They remind me of a few choir members gathering on a Sunday morning to warm up their voices. At this early hour, I start out grumpy. I love caring for the animals, but I feel lonely. The night gloom and my mundane tasks feel heavy on my soul. My focus turns to self-pity. I long for daylight. But then I notice a stunning sparrow rhythm unfold. About two hours before dawn, the bird chatter gradually swells to a soft, slow, throat-vibrating song directed heavenward. I feel invited to join. Sometimes I add my feeble songs of praise to the bird choir. Other times I just listen. I feel the icy heaviness melt, and joy and hope awaken in me. Yes, the darkness will end soon. Maybe, when we become keenly aware of our loneliness, our physical or relational wounds, our longing for darkness to turn to light, we can learn from the rhythms of the bird songs. Their songs reach a climax of praise during darkness to usher in the light they are expecting to come.
Dear God, thank you for directing your love toward us by day and causing your song to be with us by night. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was reminded of Psalm 59:17, Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. Even in the darkness, have hope and expectation for what’s to come. All of my life in every season He is still God, we have a reason to sing, we have a reason to worship.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 7:9
08
Mar '19
Compassionate Friends
08
Mar '19
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
My friend Virginia was overwhelmed and exhausted, having to go to work each day and also care for her husband, who was confined at home with terminal cancer. Tearfully, she would leave him each morning with his lunch and water within his reach and walk out the door with an agonizing prayer, “Lord, how am I going to do this?” Hearing of Virginia’s dilemma, several people from our church began helping with meals. Others came to sit with her husband for a few hours each day. They would read the Bible and pray, chat, or watch TV. Virginia told us how comforting it was to know that her husband was being loved and cared for when she could not be there. A bit of compassion goes a long way. God had heard Virginia’s distress call and prompted her community to come to her aid. It was an opportunity for us to show God’s love as we followed the call of Christ, lightening her load. God was with Virginia and her husband during that time — perhaps most powerfully through compassionate friends and family.
Dear Father, thank you for your care, and for the hands of those who share it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today’s devotion blessed me. I pray this devotion encourages you today to find a way you can be God’s hands extended. There is always someone in need and my prayer is that we are willing and ready to heed to His calling, that God may use us to be an answer to someone else’s prayers. Just being there for someone can sometimes bring hope when when all seems hopeless.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
07
Mar '19
Look Forward
07
Mar '19
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
My husband, Jim, and I enjoy a well-cared-for vegetable garden. We like nothing better than fresh vegetables, and looking at those straight rows of plants gives us a sense of accomplishment. Jim was a truck driver and away from home several days at a time. Thinking that I would help him by cultivating the radishes, I got on the tractor, started it, put it in gear, and headed down the row. Jim had instructed me: “When you cultivate, you must never look back. If you turn to look behind, you throw an ‘S’ in the row.” Forgetting his advice, I looked over my shoulder one time. That’s all it took. When I got to the end of the row, I turned to survey my work. To my dismay, a large section of the radishes was upside down with the roots exposed. No amount of replanting helped. That whole section died. As believers, we may be tempted to look back. But when we focus too much on past failures, we can forget that Jesus has forgiven our sins. Paul gives us a better way: to press forward to the prize that awaits those who follow Jesus Christ and learn from his example. Rather than harming our future path of life by looking back, we can keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2, KJV).
Dear God, help us not to look back at past failures. May we keep our eyes on Jesus and walk the path that he desires for all believers. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. What an analogy, I’ve never looked at in such a way. What truth, if you don’t keep your focus forward and continually look back you start to drift. Life is not meant to be traveled looking back, look forward and be grateful for the past. Allow Him to be the author and finisher of your faith by fixing your eyes on Jesus and look forward.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 139:23-24
05
Mar '19
Friends?
05
Mar '19
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands . . . (Isaiah 49:16)
While waiting with my sick children to see a pediatrician, I noticed a face that looked familiar. As she came closer with her two kids in tow, I was pleasantly surprised that I remembered her name and that she was a classmate from back in my secondary-school days. However, what could have been an exciting reunion turned slightly embarrassing when I went over to say hello and she didn’t recognize me or recall my name — even after I introduced myself! I was even more perplexed by this encounter since she is a Facebook “friend” of mine. However, it dawned on me how easily the roles could have been reversed, that I could have been the one who had forgotten her name. This experience reminded me how grateful I am that I have a God who not only calls me friend but whose palms are inscribed with my name. I marvel that while I struggle to recall the name of a few hundred acquaintances and former colleagues, God invites all 7.6 billion people on this earth to be his close friends! My prayer is that I will cultivate a meaningful, personal relationship with God so that I can recognize God’s voice and follow God’s will every day.
Dear God, thank you for loving us and calling us each by name. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was instantly reminded of Luke 12:7, But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. No matter what difficulty your facing today be encouraged, you are more than a friend to God, your name is inscribed in the palm of his hand. Wow! God loves you far more than you can even imagine, what love. Remember today, you are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 6:6-7
04
Mar '19
More than Knowledge
04
Mar '19
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
When I was in divinity school, I took classes about God, church history, the Bible, Hebrew, and Greek. Seminarians take these classes for three or four years to gain knowledge that will form us and help us be effective ministers when we leave school. People who are seminary-trained are supposed to be prepared when asked to preach or confronted with a difficult question. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians flies in the face of any efforts we make to know God on our own. He prays that they may be strengthened by the Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, not by attaining a special kind of knowledge. Then he prays they may “know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (3:19) The strength of the Spirit, Christ dwelling in our hearts, and the love of Christ are gifts that a pastor cannot give. These gifts come only from God through faith, not by our own efforts to achieve a special level of knowledge. God’s love and presence are gifts given freely by God. That’s something worth knowing.
Thank You, God, for the gift of Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge. Amen.
I pray you are not offended by such a devotion. There is nothing wrong with going to school to learn more about God and the scripture and to further your knowledge of God. It’s when we try to know God on our own, as the devotion explains. When I read this devotion it blessed me. I was reminded of Luke 12:12, The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them. What you put in will come out, if you put God’s word in, when you need it, The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say in the time of need, it’s The Holy Spirit in you that reaches those who are lost not the amount of knowledge you have attained. Remember to keep Him first, then your knowledge will become useful in winning souls to further His kingdom. It’s about more than just knowledge.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 15:4
01
Mar '19
No Comparison
01
Mar '19
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)
One of these days I’m going to put it all on Facebook—not just the good stuff!”
My friend Sue’s comment—made casually over lunch with her husband—caused me to laugh out loud and also to think. Social media can be a good thing, helping us stay in touch with and pray for friends across the years and miles. But if we’re not careful, it can also create an unrealistic outlook on life. When much of what we see posted is a “highlight reel” of “the good stuff,” we can be misled into thinking others’ lives are without trouble, and wonder where our own went wrong.
Comparing ourselves with others is a sure recipe for unhappiness. When the disciples compared themselves to each other (see Luke 9:46; 22:24), Jesus quickly discouraged it. Soon after His resurrection, Jesus told Peter how he would suffer for his faith. Peter then turned to John and asked, “Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:21–22).
Jesus pointed Peter to the best remedy for unhealthy comparisons. When our minds are focused on God and all He’s done for us, self-focused thoughts fall gently away and we long to follow Him. In place of the world’s competitive strain and stress, He gives us His loving presence and peace. Nothing can compare with Him.
How can you use social media in a God-honoring way? How can a real relationship with God keep you from making unhealthy comparisons?
When I read this devotion I felt it was one that needed to be shared many times over. I’m sure we have all had a moment of reflection with regards to comparing someone else’s life with our own and as today’s devotion reminds us, it’s a recipe for unhappiness. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Don’t compare, choose to be a better version of yourself. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 30:16
28
Feb '19
Following God’s Lead
28
Feb '19
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it . . . (Psalm 127:1)
For months, we on the board of campus ministry were focused on our fundraising auction. As chair of the board, I met frequently with a young woman who had offered to lead our efforts. Then, a month before the event, she said she just couldn’t handle the responsibility and bowed out. After that, the volunteer we had depended upon to manage the decorations had a family emergency and was not able to help after all. My mother went into hospice care, and I became distracted. The week of the event, the auctioneer backed out. As I began to panic, I recalled the story of Gideon. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army in order to show the Israelites that God was delivering the people. Gideon followed God’s instruction and overcame the Midianites. At the board meeting, we realized that God was speaking through our situation. We did not need an army; we needed to refocus on the purpose of the event and depend on God. So we prayed for God to take control. Even though our reservation numbers were bleak, we remained certain that God would provide. Our attendance was much lower than the previous year, yet our income more than doubled. When we listen in prayer and follow God’s lead, God will sustain us.
Remind us, O God, that our plans mean nothing if you are not in them. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was reminded of a powerful saying, little is much when God is in it. No matter what you may be facing, even when things may look bleak, as today’s devotion mentions, remember, God will provide. He will sustain us. Listen in prayer and follow God’s lead. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25). Follow His lead, you will not regret it.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Timothy 1:7
27
Feb '19
Quiet Service
27
Feb '19
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matthew 23:11)
When my mom entered a nursing home, I got the chance to observe the many people who care for those who reside there. I remember the first time that I saw Manny. He looked like a tough guy but proved to be quite the opposite. Each day, Manny helps his mother with lunch. He gently and carefully feeds her, one tiny spoonful at a time. I believe that his patience and compassion sustains her more than anything on the lunch plate. Also, I observe aides who work for little money yet show love and concern to patients who are too weak to care for themselves. Some residents cannot even acknowledge their help. The local news sometimes features heroes who perform great service and deserve to be recognized. However, many other people quietly serve those around them day after day in obscurity. They will never make the evening news. I’m sure that they would hardly consider themselves great; yet in their actions, I see people serving as Christ taught us to serve. Their faithful and steadfast service truly makes them what Jesus called “the greatest among you.”
Open our eyes, Lord, to those who serve with patience and grace. Help us to learn from their example so that we may humbly serve those we meet. Amen.
When I first read this devotion I was reminded of the many people in my life who serve with such patience and grace. Just as today’s devotion said, they may never make the evening news and they would hardly consider themselves great but the example and impact they have made in my life has left footprints and I will never be the same because of who they are as the example they set in my life. Take a moment today and think of those in your life who set such an example, call them, send them a txt and let them know you see them, express your gratitude for there love, patience, faithfullness, steadfastness and quiet service or say a prayer for them. It’s those people that make the world even more beautiful.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is James 1:19