Trust God To Take Care Of You
Trust God To Take Care Of You.
#dailymotivation #dailyinspiration #dailydevotional
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The real meaning of John 3:16
Have you ever wondered about the true meaning behind John 3:16?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
We see this verse everywhere, but do we truly understand its radical nature and what it means for us?
This verse tells us that when we believe in Jesus Christ eternal life has already begun. You are already living it. Nothing can change that. Not ever.
Your eternal life is a gift, a share in God's own eternal love and power.
Dear God, in Jesus you chose to share your very life force with us, the force of eternal love itself. In Jesus you have gifted us with a measure of your own nature and power.
Help us to welcome this gift, to sink into it, and to live out of it. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.
#dailydevotional #dailymotivation #dailyinspiration
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God is Grace and Mercy
Ephesians 2:4-8 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
This soaring passage nearly sings from the page! Remember that when you see long dashes in the text, that indicates that in the oldest manuscripts something has been lost or corrupted so much that it can’t be discerned. It could be a word, a phrase or even a page. We have no way of knowing. What we do know as we read these words is that what remains is all we need! Here the author presents us with a soaring picture of God’s mercy and redeeming grace. The word we translate as ‘mercy’ refers to the outward expression of compassion and pity toward those who are hurting, especially due to their own faults. It is mercy that forgives, binds up wounds, and sets us on a path of life. Mercy is without judgment. It never says, ‘you made your bed, now lie in it.’ It is boundless compassion and understanding at work in the life of the one in need.
‘Grace’ refers to God’s powerful, unmerited, unconditional and eternal love. It is this powerful love that saves us. The word for saved, “sozo,” means to be rescued or to be put back together again whole. ‘Faith,’ which means trust, is the way that we experience the mercy and grace of God as real and true for us. It is not a set of beliefs per se. It is a choice to rely upon the message we have received. It is not about doing everything, or anything right. It is about releasing into the miracle that God is mercy and grace, and has and will dispense mercy and grace to us forever.
Do you sometimes find it difficult to trust that God looks at you with compassion? That God loves you eternally and that God’s love is enough to put you back together again whole? Do you get lost in notions of what you deserve or images you have been taught that God is harsh and angry with you? That God hates you for who you are? Those images are powerful in our culture and, sadly, sometimes in the church as well. They are just not true. God sees you as you are, flaws and beauty. God’s lavish compassion surrounds you all the time. God’s love will never let you go. See if today you can let go and trust that that is your truth.
Prayer: God of Mercy and Grace, I am so grateful for your saving love and bountiful mercy. Help me today to trust in your grace alone and begin to see myself through your eyes of love. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.
#dailymotivation #dailyinspiration #dailydevotional
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God Is Light
Have you ever considered what it means to have God's light in your life?
"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5
In the New Testament, the Greek word "phos" is used to describe light, not just as physical illumination, but as spiritual insight, truth, and enlightenment.
Walking in the Light means seeing the world through God's eyes, gaining divine understanding and perceiving truth in every situation.
And here’s the powerful truth: God is not only the source of light, He is Light itself. In Him, there is no darkness at all.
When we encounter secrets, lack of insight, spiritual blindness, or moral evil, it's crucial to remember that these are not of God. They are the absence of Light and Love.
So, how can we align ourselves with God's Light? It starts by opening the eyes of your heart and seeing truth beyond physical sight.
What does your heart see as true? Is it filled with the love and light of God? Or is it clouded by lies and darkness?
Today, let us embrace the Light of the World, seeking His guidance, insight, and integrity in our daily lives.
"Light of the World, illuminate our path, grant us clarity, and help us serve with integrity. In Jesus' holy name, Amen."
#dailymotivation #dailyinspiration #dailydevotional
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Made In God's Image For A Purpose
God's Image - Reflecting His Beauty and Love
In Genesis 1:26a, God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.
Don't be concerned about God saying 'Let us.' In the Hebrew scriptures, it's a royal we, hinting at the heavenly court and angels created alongside God.
But what's truly important is this: God created us to reflect His beauty, creative bounty, and love back to the world.
You have a purpose! Maybe it's through music, lifting spirits. Or gardening, nurturing life. Or sewing, creating beautiful garments. Or understanding scripture, guiding others towards light.
Maybe it's in your ability to offer empathy and healing. Every positive quality you possess is a window into a part of God.
Take a moment today to think about your unique gifts and qualities. Make a list and see how they reflect the image of God.
Remember, you have the power to show others a glimpse of who God is through your actions and interactions.
Let's pray together. Heavenly Father, you are beyond our understanding, yet you reveal yourself through Scripture, creation, and each human being. Help us recognize our own value and the value of others, as creatures made in your image. May we rejoice in the wonder that is You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
#dailydevotional #dailymotivation #dailyinspiration
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This Is The Day
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Today is the day!
When you look at the night sky the moon and the stars, they're an amazing creation of God, big and awe inspiring.
Yet, in all of this He thinks about us, each and every one of us! It's something to think about isn't it?
With all the universe out there we might feel tiny, but to god we matter.
He looks after us loves us and keeps an eye on us.
You're important to him not for what you've done, but simply because you are His.
No matter what you're going through remember you're special in his eyes. You're never missed or forgotten.
Feel this love and attention from God and let it motivate you to show love and care to others too.
After all, in God's big plan, we're all stars shining with his love.
#dailymotivation #dailydevotional #dailyinspiration
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Our Creator Revealed
📅 6.8.23 - Discovering the Creator's Love ❤️
Hey everyone, it's time to pause and appreciate the incredible world around us! Today, we're diving into Genesis, the book that unveils the origins of our existence. 🌍✨
Did you know that the Hebrew Scriptures give us not one, but two beautiful accounts of how Earth came to be? It's not about debating literal interpretations; it's about uncovering the profound message hidden within. 📜✨
In our fast-paced world, we often overlook a core message: God creates! From the very beginning, God's love overflowed, shaping everything with just a word, just a thought. 😇🌱
Creation didn't end at the dawn of time; it continues today, in every blooming flower, in every gushing stream, and in the tender touch of a parent holding their newborn child. God's creativity knows no bounds! 🌺💦
But creation isn't just about nature; it's about relationships. We are all interconnected, woven from the same cosmic fabric. God's desire is for us to experience oneness, to nurture loving relationships with each other and with our Creator. ❤️🌍
Take a moment today. Look around you and truly see the wonders of God's creation. Notice the beauty of nature, the artistry in everyday objects, and the priceless moments shared with loved ones. Let gratitude fill your heart as you join God in calling it all good. 🙏✨
Creator God, we thank you for the gift of life, for the capacity to love, and for the beauty that surrounds us. Help us care for creation and foster meaningful relationships with creativity, imagination, and love. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen. 🌟🙏
#dailydevotional #dailymotivation
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The Shema Prayer Of Israel
🔔 Attention, believers! 🙏🌟
Get ready for a transformative prayer experience that has shaped the faith of Israel for centuries. It's time to unlock the power of the Shema, the sacred words that ignite our devotion to the Holy one of Israel. 📜✨
In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, we discover the heart of our faith: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your hearts, and with all your soul, and with all your might."
Imagine, in a world filled with countless gods and goddesses. Israel had the incredible privilege of worshiping the one true divine reality. 🌍🙌
Join me on this spiritual journey as we embrace the Shema morning and evening, just as our Jewish brothers and sisters have done for generations. Let's experience the life-changing impact of directing our whole hearts, our ethical choices, and our innermost thoughts toward our Heavenly Father. 💓💭
But it doesn't stop there! The Shema calls us to love God with every ounce of our physical and spiritual strength. Today, let us commit ourselves to using our power and abilities to serve the Holy One with passion and devotion. 💪🔥
Try speaking the Shema in your own words, or use the prayer I've shared below, and witness the amazing work the Holy One will do in response to your faithful devotion. 🙏❤️
"Father God, you are my one and only. I love you today with all of my choices, my ethical and moral decisions. I love you with my inmost thoughts and offer my whole personality to you for refining. I love you with every bit of my physical and spiritual strength. Any power I have, I commit, from my deep love, to use for you. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen." 🙏🕊️
Together, let's embark on this beautiful journey of faith and experience the transformative power of the Shema. Share this post and tag a friend who needs to hear this powerful message of devotion and love. Let's ignite a movement of worship and service! 🔥✨
#Shema #Devotion #LoveAndWorship #FaithJourney #Transformation #OneTrueGod #HeavenlyFather #Prayer #SpiritualStrength #DivineReality #BlessedByTheHolyOne #TagAFriend #IgniteYourFaith
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Freedom In Christ
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
Paul is concerned about legalism killing people’s souls and faith. Here he reminds us that the Spirit in us is always about setting us free from all that is death-dealing, things that diminish us and leave us feeling lost and shamed.
Are there areas of your life right now where you feel bound in unhealthy ways?
Are you sometimes overcome with trying to do everything and do it all with excellence?
If you were to close your eyes and imagine true freedom for your life, what would that include? Write about that, if you choose. Now look at what you wrote. Is your dream consistent with what you know to be true about God and the values of God’s ways? If yes, then ask for Spirit’s aid to lead you into freedom. If you are not sure, ask Spirit to be your teacher and help you sort it all out.
Today, try to notice moments when you feel truly and expansively free. Ask God to create a durable, free and open space in your heart for Spirit to tend, heal and inspire.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit and create a free and open space in my heart! In Jesus’ Holy name I pray. Amen.
#dailymotivation #dailydevotional
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Filled with the Spirit to Forgive
John 20:22 “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
In this resurrection appearance, Jesus breathes Spirit into his disciples and connects the work of the Spirit within them specifically to forgiveness. Spirit-infused people forgive. If we don’t the consequences are dire. Forgiveness does not mean that we say that what happened didn’t matter, or even that if someone who has hurt us says they are sorry that makes it ok. If it had been ok, there would be no need for forgiveness. Forgiveness simply means that we choose not to allow what happened to rule us any longer. It means that we release the other from the obligation to somehow make right what cannot be made right. Just like God does for us. It doesn’t necessarily mean we forget. It just means that we stop giving away our energy and power. It means that we choose not to let the ones who have hurt us set the terms and times of our healing. Are there any persons that you know you need to forgive? Why is that hard? Write about this if you choose. Think about the consequences of not forgiving. Are you the one who loses the benefit, or are they? Ask Spirit to help you see where forgiveness is needed and to strengthen you to begin. Don’t be unforgiving of yourself if you can’t do it right now! Sometimes forgiveness takes many, many, breaths of the Spirit.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit and set me free from hurts that linger. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.
#dailydevotional #dailymotivation
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God has given us everything we need through His Spirit
2 Timothy 1:7 "And the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline."
A sound mind is not one full of fear or confusion or irrationality. But, a sound mind is is one of wisdom and so I think that what Paul is encouraging Timothy with is the same encouragement for us today.
Remember where you've come from. Remember that you are meant to be exactly where you're at because God has a purpose for you in that space. And remember that that God says if I'm going to call you to do it I'm going to give you everything you need to do it through the power and the presence of my Holy Spirit.
So, whatever you're up against today, my prayer is that we'll remember that as children of God our inheritance is not one of fear and timidity, but one of love, and power, and self discipline.
#dailydevotion #dailymotivation
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Finding Peace In Chaos
Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”
The word translated ‘wind’ here is ruach. The Bible begins with the ruach of God sweeping over watery chaos and deep nothingness. We can certainly feel that that describes our own lives and world sometimes. Everywhere we look people and the planet seem to be in chaos. Many of our friends and neighbors see no meaning in anything, not even their own lives. That lack of felt meaning is powerful fuel for anger, desperation and depression. Even those of us who believe that God is, and is with us and at work on our behalf, have moments when we need spiritual help to clear chaotic thinking or a deepening sense of helplessness and discouragement. The mercy is that even when we feel like we are sinking, Spirit stands ready to do for us just what was done in the beginning: separate the teeming waters so that we can find sure footing. What are the areas of chaos, darkness or nothingness in your life, family or world where you long to feel the Spirit sweeping, sorting and bringing perfect light? How do you experience Spirit in those areas of your life? Take a moment today to stop and feel the wind on your face. Face into it, if you can, and welcome Spirit to sweep over your life.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, and fill this day with light, love and meaning. Help me to see you at work around me and give me a solid place to stand. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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Memorial Day 2023
A Memorial Day Prayer
O God, our help in ages past,
We commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be.
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty.
You have commanded us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us. Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before your throne.
We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them, we pray, every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Adapted from the Book Of Common Prayer
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Receive The Joy Of Waiting
I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:1
Well, you might feel like you're stuck in a dead end job and you're waiting for God to answer
your prayer for something different or you're stuck in the same old negative thought pattern or you're stuck maybe with the same physical problem and whatever it is you're praying and you're believing God and you're waiting.
While you're waiting, God is still working! While David was waiting, God was still working, and just because you don't see anything right now doesn't mean that God's not doing anything.
Someone said that God's delays are not necessarily God's denials.
God hears the cries of your heart. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep waiting. Keep waiting. God will hear your cry.
If it's not God's time, you can't force it.
When it is God's time, When it is God's time, you can't stop it!
Please leave your prayer requests in the comments or email us at sh@shpres.org.
#dailydevotional #devotional #dailymotivation
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What About Him?
Receiving the Joy of Things Not Being Any of Your Business
John 21:20-21 – Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
After all of this, Peter, surely wondering what is going on, loses his battle with his ego one more time. He turns and sees the beloved disciple following along behind them. He asks Jesus what is to become of him. Behind that question is the age old desire to be number one. This is so natural in the world of philios. We want to be the most loved, special, and unique. That kind of competition is absent from agape. In this case, apparently, Peter wants to know if he will outlive the beloved disciple. Jesus appears to lose a bit of patience here. (You can always tell that in scripture when something Jesus says is punctuated with an exclamation mark.) Jesus shuts Peter down quickly, telling him that how Jesus relates to others is none of Peter’s business. Sometimes I think we have forgotten this lesson. We sometimes question how Jesus will relate to others who are not like us, don’t think like us, or with whom we feel a competitive spirit. We wonder what Jesus will do with them. What about them, Lord, we ask of those who claim the faith but do not seem, to us, to be claimed by it. What about them, Lord, we ask of those who call God by another name and read a different sacred book. Sometimes we need to be proven right so badly that we don’t care what God does with the ones we have decided are not right.
Jesus has little patience with this. I would submit that he answers those questions of ours with an exclamation point too. Today, breathe deeply and relax your shoulders. Remember that it is your job to love and proclaim Christ. It is not your job to decide who is in and who is out. That resides in the unfathomable grace of God. Jesus, agape in skin, can be trusted to sort it all out.
Prayer: God of Joy: We thank you that some things are just none of our business! Help us today to relax and trust you to rule your world and love your children in exactly the right ways. Alleluia! Amen.
#devotional #dailydevotional
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Receive The Joy Of Gentleness
Receive the Joy of Gentleness
Phil 4:5 - Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
The word for gentleness in Greek is “fascinating.” It refers to something that is fitting, equitable, fair, moderate, forbearing, not insistent on the letter of the law. Something or someone who expresses this characteristic shows even handed considerateness. A version of this word was often used to characterize a nurse with trying children or a teacher with difficult students. Some translate the word ‘sweet reasonableness.’ In today’s verse, Paul is writing to special friends in Philippi. These members of the church pray for and support him in trying times. He is in prison as he writes. His circumstances are truly awful and yet he urges his friends to let their sweet reasonableness, their forbearance and moderation be obvious in how they live and how they are seen in the community. In the dominant expressions of our faith in the United States these days, gentleness is not the first word that often leaps to mind. We sometimes associate this quality with being wishy washy or weak. As anyone who has ever sought to practice this type of gentleness knows, it is anything but. Being equitable in a word of inequality is hard work. Being moderate in a world of extremes is hard work. Finding the most fitting response in difficult circumstances is hard work. Refusing legalism is hard work when our precious values seem threatened. Pursuing sweet reasonableness in a violent and fractured time is hard, hard, hard work. It is counter-cultural and it cannot be counterfeit. Still, this quality, which Paul in Galatians calls a fruit of the Spirit, may just be the most needed in our day. To open ourselves to gentleness requires that we learn to watch our reactions to things and people. It requires that we stretch our capacity to choose responses rather than react with first emotions. That is not easy but it is something that can be learned. So today, if you notice yourself reacting fiercely or negatively to anything, take a breath. Ask God to express sweet reasonableness through you. Then respond.
God of Joy, we thank you for the gift of sweet reasonableness and your Spirit’s power to flow through us in all gentleness, moderation and forbearance. Alleluia! Amen.
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Receive The Joy Of Unstoppable Love!
Is there a kind of love that goes beyond anything you can imagine?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Apostle Paul
Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God!
No matter what you've done, where you've been, or what you're going through,
His love remains unshakable!
If you're feeling lost, broken, or unsure of yourself, remember this:
God's love is constant, unwavering, and it covers you completely.
Tag someone who needs to hear this incredible news and let's encourage each other.
Receive the joy of unstoppable love!
#unstoppablelove #unshakeablelove #nothingcanseparateusfromtheloveofgod
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Receive the Joy of the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit
There was a women I knew who had a beautiful jar for storing pennies.
Thousands of them, just sitting there, not doing or accomplishing anything.
Christ's church was never meant to be like that penny jar.
After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, He gave us something incredible—the fruit and spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Every believer in Christ receives this so that we can each do our part in advancing God's kingdom.
When we discover our gifts and bear the fruit of the Spirit, something amazing happens.
God uses us to bless others and further His kingdom. And you know what? It blesses and encourages us too!
Don't let your gifts be like those pennies in that beautiful jar. Let's unleash them and make a difference!
Lord God, thank you for the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.
Thank you for equipping us to carry out your will in our lives, in our homes and churches, and in the world. Amen.
#GiftedToServe #UnleashYourPotential
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Receive The Joy Of Forgiving Others
"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?" - Simon Peter.
Jesus tells a story about a man who is forgiven a large debt, but refused to forgive a much smaller debt owed him.
We may become angry with how greedy and unkind he is, but Jesus is challenging us with this story.
We ask for God's forgiveness, yet still carry grudges. We remember and resent what's been said or done against us.
If we accept God's forgiveness and fail to forgive others, we're no different from that ungrateful man in the story.
Jesus teaches us to forgive and keep forgiving, so much so that we can't even remember how many times we've forgiven.
It's a transformation that happens when we walk in His Spirit.
Father, thank you for forgiving my sins. Help me to forgive others, showing them the same grace you've shown to me.
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Receive The Joy Of Obedience
Receive the Joy of Teaching Obedience
Matthew 28:18-20 - “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.”
Earlier in our Easter journey, I noted that the word ‘teaching’ here means something like to cause someone to be a learner. Jesus tells us that his desire for us is that we will cause others to learn obedience. What is obedience in the Bible? Does Jesus mean that we teach people all of the rules and make sure that we police them? Well, not exactly. The word in Greek means to attend, to willingly stand under, to order or sort something or to hear something with such power that it causes one to act on what is heard.
So I hope you can see from these nuances that obedience is not simply about accepting the rules and doggedly keeping them, or else. Rather, obedience is about radical transformation of life and priorities such that one hears God’s word, agrees to stand beneath the comfort of it, and attend to it constantly. Sometimes we associate obedience more with our failures than our protection. We look at the many times we haven’t lived up to even our own standards, much less God’s. When we think like that, we can see the word obedience as a sword hanging over our heads. While there are certainly consequences for our failures, the New Testament image of obedience is one of attention and comfort.
We can think of God’s values as a great oak tree with branches that, if we stand beneath, close to the trunk, we will receive protection from rain and sun. Under those branches we can take a nap and then awaken, look up and attend to the beauty of each leaf. We can listen to the wind rustle through the leaves and recognize what is good and powerful and true. If we choose to leave from beneath the tree we have little protection from the elements and, I would submit, no rest at all. This is the winsome truth that Jesus asks us to teach the world. So today, I invite you to receive the Joy of obedience and the call to share it with others.
Prayer: God of Joy, we thank you for the protection and rest we find in following your ways. Alleluia! Amen.
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Receive the Joy of Waiting for the Right Moment
Acts 1:3-4b – After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
The Acts of the Apostles is part two of Luke’s Gospel. Here we follow the early disciples, primarily Peter and Paul, as they moved out in witness after Jesus’ ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today’s verse precedes all of that. The disciples, upon the instruction from the risen Christ, have stayed in Jerusalem. Jesus has appeared to them in many ways. Still, Jesus knows that it is time for him to ascend. He also knows that there is more that the Father has to give them. They, unfortunately are still stuck in their old mindsets of winning and restoration of power as the hallmarks of kingdoms. It will take the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help them finally see what is real and durable. For now, Jesus asks them to wait on God’s timing for the fullness of God’s gifts to them. God still waits for the right moment in each of our lives in order to give us new gifts, insights, blessings and purpose. We may think we are ready and want all of it all at once. We want bounty today. We want filled sanctuaries today. We want complete understanding today.
What we often forget is that waiting too has a spiritual purpose. As we wait for what God will bring, we become more attuned to both God’s wisdom and also to what we have already been given. We have to have a little time to incorporate and appreciate before a new gift can be good for us and for the world. So today, open your heart. Take a look at the spaces that you want to be filled with more love, bounty, success, or joy. Look at that space and thank God that you are ready to receive when the time is right.
Prayer: God of Joy, we thank you for the gifts of waiting for your perfect timing of the blessings that you have for us. Help us to be ready and not to waste anything. Alleluia! Amen.
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Maundy Thursday
Today begins the four most intense days of Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and shares the feast of Passover with them in the upper room.
After the Passover feast, they leave for the garden of Gethsemane. It is there Jesus prays for them and strength to face his crucifixion.
While he is praying, Judas brings the temple guard to arrest him. Judas shows the guard who Jesus is by greeting him with a kiss.
Jesus is taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against him.
Gracious God, Jesus suffered such great injustice and hatred. I thank you I am saved by what he has done and because of his love for us. Help me to share this love with others. Amen!
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church
safeharborcambria.org
The story continues…
God's Light In Us
God’s Light In Us
God’s light is everywhere in our world. Maybe you’ve seen it in a special friend or family member who always knows the right thing to do or say.
Maybe you’ve noticed God’s light sparkling on the ocean or in the burbling of a stream.
Maybe you’ve even seen it in yourself during times of intense prayer. Each time you notice you create more inner space to welcome Christ this Advent.
“Gracious God, your shimmering presence fills the world and even our small lives. Help us today to notice you more and more. Help us to clear away the clutter of the unimportant so that we will have new room for you when you come at Christmas. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.”
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