May 2,2022

Marie’s daily verse: For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, 

abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you (Psalm 86:5).

DAILY DEVOTION, May 2, 2022

Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

I recently read about a conflict in the middle east. A shepherd noticed that when a shot rang out or a bomb exploded, his sheep were startled and frightened. So the shepherd touched the frightened sheep and spoke calmly to them, and they soon relaxed.

This is a reminder to us. Much is going on in our world that disturbs us. With Covid, the war in Ukraine, and a host of personal problems, we can feel stunned. When we are scared or frightened – – – overwhelmed by the cares of this world, as we turn to our shepherd and trust in Him, we can find comfort and peace. We can cast all our cares upon Him because we know that He cares for us. When it seems that no one else really cares for us, we can count on the Good Shepherd. “He cares for you.”

Father, Your love and caring for me is awesome. Help me to always remember that. Help me to cast all my cares upon You because You care for me. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

May 1,2022

Marie’s daily verse: The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him (Exodus 15:2). 

DAILY DEVOTION, May 1, 2022 

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9).

This verse is a follow-up from yesterday. God does two things for us when we trust in Jesus. First, he saves us, and then He calls us to live a holy life. A holy life is a life lived in obedience to the will of God. As we saw yesterday, it is a life characterized by good works.

Why has God treated us in such a favorable manner? It is not because of anything we do. We cannot point to anything in our lives and say to God, “See what a good boy I am! You will surely want to include me in Your everlasting kingdom.” That was the attitude of the Pharisee in Luke 18:10ff. Before time began, God saw that we humans would wander away from His will. So he planned that He would save us from our folly by sending His Son to be our Savior. It was grace that moved Him to save us. God loves us, and God saved us. Therefore, our reasonable response is to live a holy life.

Gracious God, our Father, I thank you that Your grace has touched my heart and Jesus has drawn me into Your Kingdom. I want to honor Your name daily. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, April 28, 2022

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).

Many were ashamed of Jesus in His day. His words were thought to be the words of a false prophet. He warns those in His generation of the dire consequences that await those who despise Him. It is also a warning to us. Jesus entered our world to provide for us the way of salvation. Unfortunately, many hear His message and are unwilling to embrace it.

Jesus speaks of His return to earth in glory accompanied with the holy angels. Jesus says in effect, “You rejected me; I reject you.” To be rejected by the Savior who loves us will lead to a tragic ending, one too terrible to contemplate. We need to stand tall for our Savior in this life, praising and thanking Him for the salvation He has provided. We don’t want to shrink from His message in embarrassment.

Father, I do trust in Your Son, Jesus. I am not ashamed of Him. Instead, I rejoice in the salvation He has provided me. I ask that Your hand of protection be upon me that I may abide in faith unto everlasting life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, April 26, 2022

So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7).

We recently completed a Bible study on the Holy Spirit. We learned that every Christian has one or more gifts to be used in helping others, working to build up the Body of Christ (the church). Paul urges the Corinthians not to fall short in using their Spirit imparted gifts to minister to others. There is no such thing as a Christian with no gifts. We are not called to be spectators but participants in the Christian life. While we are busy using our gifts, resources, and talents to build up the church, we are doing something else.

We are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus. That event will occur at His second coming. World history as we know it will one day come to an end. Jesus will descend from heaven to bring final redemption to His people and judge the lost. Is that event something you are eagerly anticipating? Do you really believe in the second coming of our Lord? He is coming again.

Father, if my gifts are large or meager, help me use them to minister to others. Then, when Jesus returns, I will be found busily working for the good of His kingdom. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, April 25, 2022

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

There is much we know about God because He has revealed Himself to mankind, especially through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. So the big picture is clear. God loves us and has acted to forgive our sins and redeem us through His Son. However, the above verse reminds us that we are often in the dark when it comes to understanding the details in our daily lives.

Significantly few events in my life have gone according to my plan. God reminds us that we cannot possibly grasp His thoughts and ways. His thoughts and ways are way above us. He has made it clear that He loves us and has opened heaven’s gate for us. However, he has not clarified all the details of our unfolding lives. Therefore, we rest in His love and mercy when things happen to us that we do not understand. We can have faith to ride out the storms of life because we understand God’s love and mercy. Because we have received God’s redeeming love, we can rest in faith when we are bewildered by life’s events.

Father, this verse reminds me that I am not God! Your wisdom and ways are beyond my comprehension. Help me rest in faith when things come my way that I do not understand. I do understand that You love me and have redeemed me through Your Son, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.