Meager Fare

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 9:15-10:1b (NRSV)
The call of Saul

Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: "Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be ruler over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have seen the suffering of my people, because their outcry has come to me." When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, "Here is the man of whom I spoke to you. He it is who shall rule over my people." Then Saul approached Samuel inside the gate, and said, "Tell me, please, where is the house of the seer?" Samuel answered Saul, "I am the seer; go up before me to the shrine, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, give no further thought to them, for they have been found. And on whom is all Israel's desire fixed, if not on you and on all your ancestral house?" Saul answered, "I am only a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel, and my family is the humblest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then have you spoken to me in this way?"

Then Samuel took Saul and his servant-boy and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, of whom there were about thirty. And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion I gave you, the one I asked you to put aside." The cook took up the thigh and what went with it and set them before Saul. Samuel said, "See, what was kept is set before you. Eat; for it is set before you at the appointed time, so that you might eat with the guests."

So Saul ate with Samuel that day. When they came down from the shrine into the town, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul upon the roof, "Get up, so that I may send you on your way." Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

As they were going down to the outskirts of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the boy to go on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God." Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, "The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around.


DEVOTION

Ah! Today I am reminded that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things!
I love the words in 1 Samuel 9 which state, “for I have seen the suffering of my people, because their outcry has come to me."

Aren’t you glad that when we are suffering and crying, God comes to our aid?

God is a good God and sometimes God comes to our aid supernaturally by God’s own hand. But, other times I believe that God comes to our aid through the hands, feet, and mouth of God’s people willing to share time, talent, and treasure with those in need.

In today’s scripture reading Saul is anointed to rule over all of the people of Israel even though he was only a Benjaminite.

Brother Saul’s testimony to us is that when we are willing to give even meager fare, God is able to do great things!

Most recently I have been reminded of this fact as I have watched the tremendous outpouring of support for the people of Haiti.

Although many of us in America may be experiencing economic decline as a result of the global recession, people have still been faithfully and selflessly calling, texting, and typing donations to aid organizations working on the ground to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.

Some of these donations have been as small as five or ten dollars, but combined with the gifts of others, they have amounted to over 450 million dollars which are bringing food, water, clothes, shelter, and health care to a devastated nation.

I love that we are invited to partner with God in building the Kingdom of Love! Although we may feel that we are small and ordinary, God is able to do extraordinary things when we submit to God’s call on--and will for--our lives!

Today, I want to invite all of us to share the good news that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life! I also want to challenge each of us to find a way to give of our time, talent, and treasure to love someone well on this day!

Remember, even the smallest gift of love makes a difference!


Grace and peace to you in Jesus! Please pray with me:

Holy God, thank you that you are able to do extraordinary things with ordinary people. I am glad that you love us so much that you allow us to partner with you as you love the whole world. Please forgive me for living beneath the high calling you have placed on my life. Please fill me up with the Holy Spirit so that I can share your love with others. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

THE TRIUMPHS OF THE LORD!

SCRIPTURE

Judges 5:1-11 (NRSV)

Deborah the judge sings God's praise

Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:
"When locks are long in Israel,
when the people offer themselves willingly --
bless the Lord!

"Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;
to the Lord I will sing,
I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

"Lord, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from the region of Edom,
the earth trembled,
and the heavens poured,
the clouds indeed poured water.
The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,
before the Lord, the God of Israel.

"In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, caravans ceased
and travelers kept to the byways.
The peasantry prospered in Israel,
they grew fat on plunder,
because you arose, Deborah,
arose as a mother in Israel.
When new gods were chosen,
then war was in the gates.
Was shield or spear to be seen
among forty thousand in Israel?
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel
who offered themselves willingly among the people.
Bless the Lord.

"Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys,
you who sit on rich carpets
and you who walk by the way.
To the sound of musicians at the watering places,
there they repeat the triumphs of the Lord,
the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel.

"Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord.

DEVOTION

I love today’s scripture reading because it is a vivid reminder that even if you are the underdog, when you put all of your hope in God, God is able to do amazing things!

Judges 5 says, “When the people offer themselves willingly…to the Lord I will sing…Bless the Lord…there they repeat the triumphs of the Lord, the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel.”

Wow!

There seems to be some connection between submitting to the will of God, praising and worshipping God, and then enjoying the triumph of God in your life!

I will admit that there have been many times in my life when I have been down and out, or that other people wrote me off, or when I attempted an impossible task. At each juncture people expected my failure, said I couldn’t do it, or rooted for the opposing team.

But, the Bible says that when we are weak, God is strong!

It is when we know we can’t do something that we lean wholeheartedly on God and it is when we know that we don’t have the strength to lift our burdens that we remember to ask God for help!

God loves to aid the underdog, for when the underdog wins, only God can get the glory! The win is not because I was so strong, so smart, so talented, or so rich. No, the win is only because God stepped in right on time!

God always steps in right on time and the cross is a wonderful example of this spiritual truth.

My friends, God gave Jesus to die on an old rugged cross. It was a terrible, heinous, and painful death. The forces of darkness rejoiced when Jesus took his last breathe for they knew that they had won and it looked like all hope was lost…

But, early Sunday morning, before the break of day—GOD TURNED IT AROUND!

Jesus got up with all power in his hands. He was triumphant over sin, death, and the grave. All of the naysayers and doubters were proven wrong. God proved that God is always ultimately victorious in all things!

To this I say, “HALLELUJAH!”

So let me ask you, what kind of impossible task are you facing today? Give it to God!

Submit your life and your circumstance to God. Begin to praise and worship God in advance for the victory. And then wait on God to move! God is going to do above and beyond what you would think, ask, or imagine—in Jesus Name!

Please pray with me:

Great and Gracious God, how I love your name! Thank you that in Christ, I am always more than a conqueror. Thank you for loving me and making me victorious in all things! I trust your will and your plan for my life. Please help me to submit to your will wholeheartedly as I praise and worship you in advance for my victory. I love you and I promise to share our love with others. Thank you for giving Jesus to die on the cross, and to rise again on the third day, to forgive me of my sin and gift me with eternal life. Now, that’s real VICTORY and I praise you! Hallelujah and Amen!

SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

God is Wonder-FULL!

SCRIPTURE

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Jesus calls the disciples to fish for people

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.


SERMON

Today’s story reinforces for me something that I think all of us must realize by now--Jesus was quite a charismatic fellow. Charisma is defined in the dictionary as, “a divinely conferred gift or power, or a spiritual power of personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people. Does that describe Jesus perfectly or what?

In today’s story, Jesus is doing what grown up Jesus does—he’s preaching and teaching to the people around him about being in relationship with God and with each other. We can assume that whatever Jesus is saying is not just, “business as usual” because wherever he goes, people literally throng around him to listen to his words and to learn from his teachings. There’s just something about Jesus---it’s charisma! It’s energy! It’s that Spirit---that makes people want to get into his presence, and then get into his presence again, and then bring all their friends and family into his presence as well.

On this particular day, Jesus is standing on the side of the lake and the people, with all their friends and family become such a large crowd that the multitude seems to almost press Jesus into the water. Now, Jesus, never at a loss for a very creative solution to life’s problems looks around for an alternate pulpit, as his sandy beach thing is about to become obsolete. As he looks, he notices that the town’s fishermen are up on the beach washing their nets and that their boats are—at least for the moment—quite empty.

Jesus, realizing that he has found his pulpit, says to one of the fisherman something I imagine goes something like this, “Hey man, can I borrow your boat?” Now remember, Jesus has got charisma…And he must have had it in abundance, because Simon Peter, otherwise known as plain old Peter, who has already been on the water all night with nothing to show for it and who must have been tired, discouraged, disappointed and ready for a hot meal and his bed, says to Jesus, “Sure!”

Now, Peter was no punk, so he didn’t send a carpenter’s boy out in a fisherman’s craft and go home. Oh no! The Bible says, Peter and Jesus got into the boat, pushed out a bit, and then Jesus continued to teach the throngs of people. Now, this was no small favor that Jesus asked of Peter, because we all know that Jesus loved to talk. We don’t know how long he talked on this occasion, but we do know that on other occasions people missed lunch and dinner to hear just one of his sermons—so let’s assume they were a great deal longer than my 15-20 minutes!

After Jesus finished talking—and God only knows how long that was—it seems he wanted to thank Peter for his radical hospitality. So he says to Peter, “Let’s you and I go fishing!” Peter, being an obviously amiable sort, says, “Look, Master, I’ve been fishing all night! Remember, you found me cleaning my nets…I didn’t catch a thing. But, if you want me to fish, I’ll do it.”

Well you know the story! Peter put down his nets in deep water and the fish all jumped in. In fact, so many fish jumped in that the nets began to break. So, Peter calls to his friends on shore who are also fishermen. They jump into their boats and put down their nets. Their nets also become full to the brim. They pull in so many fish, that the boats actually begin to sink. And good ole Peter, seeing this as a certifiable miracle, fell down on his face before Jesus and shouted, “Get away from me! I am a sinner…” Jesus, rather than getting away as he is in a boat and on the water, does the truly wise thing and speaks to Peter’s heart issue. He invites Peter, James, and John not to be afraid, but rather, to become fishers of human beings. Well, all four men get up on the shore and begin that wonderful work together.

Isn’t this a wonderful story! And I mean full of wonder! Wonder means, “to be filled with admiration, amazement, awe or marvel. I think it is wonder-full that Jesus’ message of love and peace and joy caused so many people to want to come and listen to his sermons. I think it is wonder-full that Jesus was so generous toward Peter, James and John providing all the fish they ever wanted or needed. I think it is wonder-full that after meeting their physical need for fish, Jesus also met their spiritual need of him by inviting them to walk with him and to share his message of love with others. And do you know what else I think is wonder-full? All of this same “wonder” is still available to us almost 2000 years later! So let’s talk about how we can access it.

Well first of all, we must be willing to use anything and everything that we have to advance Jesus’ message of love. Let’s face it…Nothing has changed in 2,000 years. People are hungry to hear a loving, peaceful, joyful, hopeful message. In the midst of a world so torn with grief and strife, violence and poverty, hunger and disease, the Good News is that God loves us, hasn’t given up on us, has already made provision for our salvation, and stands ready aid us—if we will but accept God’s help…

Peter showed his willingness to use what he had to hear the words of Jesus and to allow others to hear them as well. After all, he loaned his most prized possession—his means of bread and butter—to this man Jesus, whom he hardly knew. What is it that we are willing to “loan” back to Jesus so that Jesus’ words can be proclaimed to others? Are we willing to share our prized possessions for Jesus’ glory? Are we willing to use our cars for his glory? Are we willing to open our homes for his glory? Are we willing to offer our money for his glory? See, ultimately we must remember that all that we have has been given to us by God—in trust—to be used for God’s glory. If we are willing to “loan” it back to the God who gifted it to us in the first place, we will experience the wonder of seeing the Good News proclaimed to others.

Second of all if we want to experience the wonder of God, we must be willing to share the overflow of what we experience while in the presence of Jesus, with others. I have heard God called El Shaddai, or the God of more than enough. And Look! Didn’t Peter experience that truth in his own life? Jesus asked him to put down his net. Out of radical obedience, rather than common sense, Peter did as he was instructed…And as a result, Peter caught more fish than he could haul or sell by himself. So, rather than being stingy, or seeking to keep his blessing to himself, Peter invited his friends to enjoy the overflow of Jesus’ bounty. Peter invited his friends to get in on his good thing. Peter invited his friends to share his good news, rather than keeping it to himself.

Now, I want to suggest to us today that this is good advice for all of us. Just the fact that we are here “clothed in our right minds” means that God has been good to us. Just the fact that we chose to worship here this morning, means that we feel there is a good thing going on in here. God has been so good to us! Let us call all our friends to enjoy what we are enjoying…In the presence of God there is liberty! In the presence of God there is freedom! In the presence of God there is joy! Don’t we want all of our friends to have the same?

Listen, if Peter had sought to keep his blessing to himself, he could not have. He could not have contained it. His selfishness would have literally sunk him. So, our lesson today is that the response to God’s generosity is always generosity toward others! I truly believe that God blesses us to be a blessing to others. When we experience the overflow of God’s love, everyone around us should as well.

Finally, if we want to experience the “wonder” of God we must be willing to always follow only Jesus! After Simon experienced his miracle, it caused him to become aware of his sinfulness. I believe that this is a natural human reaction. When we stand in the holy presence of God, we recognize our need of God’s holiness!

But, I love Jesus’ response to Peter’s fear at being found sinful. Jesus, says, “Do not be afraid.” Isn’t God’s Grace Wonder-full! Jesus understood, what we often neglect to understand. Most of our sin is related to feelings of fear, worry, or anxiety. It is these feelings that lead to selfishness, greed, pride, envy, lust or even worse. When Jesus said do not be afraid, he was saying, “Step boldly into a life lived in the light of my Amazing Grace. Step courageously into the light of my love, joy, and peace.” Let us remember, “Perfect love casts out all fear! (1 John 4:18)

Jesus knew what Peter could not. Jesus knew that God so loved the world, that God was willing to give God’s only begotton Son so that all people who believe in Jesus will not perish, but have eternal life…Jesus knew that when we come to Jesus with hearts full of wonder and awe, we don’t have to be fearful in His presence. Jesus knew that our God loves us unconditionally. There is nothing that we can do to earn God’s love. There is nothing that we must do to retain it. Jesus knew that God makes it God’s business to bless the sinner and the saint. And ultimately Jesus knew that he had come to the earth to die on an old rugged cross to ransom our souls from sinsickness, death, and the grave and to reconcile us to God and make provision for our eternal life in Heaven.

Oh! The WONDER OF GOD’S AMAZING GRACE! Let me close with this…Do you remember when you first met Jesus? Do you remember when you first felt invited to walk with him and to share the Good News that Jesus loves us? Do you remember the fire in your belly, the joy in your heart, your excitement every time you read scripture or came to church? Do you remember how all you could talk about was Jesus, and all your friends, family, and co-workers knew you were in love with him? I remember it…

And today I want us to return to our first love. I want us to return to that period in our lives where every day was Sunday and we were so filled with the wonder of knowing and loving Christ that we were always willing to use all we had for God. We were always willing to share the overflow of God’s blessing with the people around us, and we were always ready to follow only Christ! Because we know in our heart of hearts that God’s Amazing Grace is wonderful! Because we knew in our heart of hearts that God is truly wonder-full!

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.


Won't you pray with me?

Holy One, I pray that I might know the wonder-full joy of knowing Jesus and of walking with him as his disciple as I share the Good News about your Love. I am so glad that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to forgive me sin and make provision for my eternal life. I know--and believe--that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day just like he promised. Please let your love overflow in me today such that everyone I meet will never be the same. I pray that I will never count the cost of leaving everything to follow Jesus, but that I will only remember the eternal rewards. Please take my ordinary life and make it extraordinary! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

SENT

SCRIPTURE

Luke 4:42-44 (NRSV)

Jesus preaches

At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.


DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)





SENT

I must
proclaim
good news
I must
declare
The Truth
You must not prevent me
Hinder me
Dissuade me
for I am not yours
for I am not yours
I am
SENT
for this purpose

I must
announce
glad tidings
I must
make known
my joy
You must not stop me
halt me
impede me
for I am not yours
I am not yours
I am
SENT
for this purpose

Move out of my way
I love you
but I must go
I must
profess
JESUS
crucified
risen
coming again
the incarnate
good news

I am
SENT.

Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

HOLY FRIENDSHIP

SCRIPTURE

Acts 9:26-31 (NRSV)

The apostles reluctantly welcome Saul

When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.


DEVOTION

Today's scripture reading reminds me of the importance of holy friendships and good mentoring and discipleship.

Paul was a new convert to the faith. He didn't know anyone and didn't have good relationships with other Christian believers. He was an outsider and people weren't sure if his conversion was real.

People were afraid of him and probably avoided him like a plague until Barnabus stepped in as a friend, mentor, and spiritual guide, introducing him to others, validating his testimony, and encouraging him in his witness and faith.

It is so important that mature Christians do this for "baby" Christians. When a new person enters into our midst, we must take them under our wing, pray and study scripture with them, disciple and teach them, as Christ has taught us!

We ought not to look at them with suspicion, rather we are to help them as they struggle to find their way and their unique testimony and ministry amongst us!

Today, I want to thank God for Barnabus who had the wisdom and discernment to see a "diamond in the rough."

Who knows what might have happened had Barnabus not stepped in and befriended and loved Paul so well. Perhaps he could have given up and left The Church. Perhaps he could have been killed by his enemies before his time. Perhaps he would not have become the man of God and great evangelist whom we celebrate today!

Nobody knows what might have happened because Barnabus stepped into his life as the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus!

I wonder if there is a new Christian within your sphere of influence whom you would be willing to see through the transition of coming fully into the community of faith?

If so, please pray with me:

Holy One, I thank you that you are a friend who sticks closer than any other. I also thank you for Barnabus, who was a brother and friend to Paul when he needed it the most! Please help me to be a "Barnabus" to someone today. Send someone across my path whom I can mentor and disciple--or who will mentor/disciple me! I believe, by faith, that you will do this. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION



If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Don't Give Up!

2/4/2010

Acts 9:19b-25 (NRSV)

Saul's call is questioned

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." All who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.


DEVOTION

Ah! The ironies of life!

Today's scripture reading is a wonderful reminder that God is a miracle working God!

The same person who made it his business to persecute The Church, became a follower of The Way and a bold advocate of Jesus Christ!

This transformation is proof positive that when the Holy Spirit gets a-hold of us, we are changed from the inside out!

Saul (Paul) was changed so much that the very same folks he had previously worked for, decided to try to kill him! Now, if that's not a witness to the effectiveness of his testimony, I don't know what is!

I am proud that in his moment of distress, the Christian community rallied around Paul, for it would have been so easy to allow him to "get what he deserved!"

After all, he had persecuted, bound, jailed, and even helped to kill some of them. He had been a "bad man" before he met Jesus.

But, the Christian community made a radical decision. They decided that since God had seen fit to forgive Paul and give him a ministry to do in Jesus Name, they would do the same.

They let him down, out of the city in a basket, thus preserving his life and opening the door to the prolific evangelistic ministry that we still teach about and celebrate today!

I want to give God a "Hallelujah Praise!" for Paul's conversion because it is a grand reminder that we should never, ever give up on anyone.

That same person who fights, cusses, drinks, drugs, thugs, and denies Jesus today, could be the next great missionary of tomorrow.

I am glad that God knows all things and judges all people. If I had that job it would be too much for me to handle! But, since its not my job, I'll leave God to it!

Instead, I'll simply make it my business to love God and love my neighbor as I share the good news that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

I am so glad that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day just like he promised! Since God accomplished this awesome miracle, I know that nothing is too hard for God!

I will not give up on anyone! No matter how resistant they may be to the Gospel today, tomorrow is always another day and another opportunity!

Is there someone in your life that you have given up on? Will you renew your love and commitment to that person today?


If so, please pray with me:

Great and Gracious God, thank you that you are a miracle worker! You can do anything but fail! Thank you that on a daily basis you are transforming hearts for your glory! I am sorry for the many times that I have judged others, written them off, or given up on sharing the good news! Please fill me up with your Holy Spirit so that I will persevere in my commitment to read, share, and BE good news every single day. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

In God We Trust

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 56 (NRSV)
In God I trust

Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;
all day long foes oppress me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many fight against me.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid;
what can flesh do to me?

All day long they seek to injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk,
they watch my steps.
As they hoped to have my life,
so repay them for their crime;
in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your record?
Then my enemies will retreat
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I am not afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?

My vows to you I must perform, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from falling,
so that I may walk before God
in the light of life.


DEVOTION

How I love how scripture always meets you exactly where you are!

I feel like I could have written Psalm 56 over the last couple of days.

Have you ever been through a season in your life that feels highly anxious, worrisome, or fearful?

I'm sure if you are a living, breathing, adult you most certainly have!

Whether you have conflict on the job, bills that are overdue, wayward children who won't mind, a spouse who has gone astray, confusion about a big decision, anticipation over good things that may or may not come, trouble being patient, or any other challenge--it is always a good idea to put your trust in God!

I love the words, "O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you."

Indeed, there is not a more secure place to put our trust in times of trial, tribulation, heart ache, and/or pain. God loves us and proved it when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

God cares about us and wants only the best for us.

I was profoundly touched as I read the words, "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record?"

Hallelujah! Isn't it amazing that the Alpha and Omega, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, has time to gather all of our tears into a "bottle" and to record our every pain?

When we are afraid, we are invited to run into the loving arms of God! In that place of peace, comfort, and safety we will find all that we need to rest patiently on the manifestation of God's help and God's miracle for our lives.

Be at peace friend of God. All is well...


Will you please pray with me?

Holy One, thank you that when I am afraid, I can put my trust in you. You have never left me, nor forsaken me and you have always come through for me. Please help me to remember all of the other miracles I have experienced in my life and please help me to be patient as I await another. I love you so much and I promise to share our love with everyone I meet. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL