Thank you for being patient with my inability to post the devotionals,since the stroke things are improving and ai think I can get back to this.

DAILY DEVOTION, July 17, 2023

The next petition in the Lord’s Prayer is “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. All those in heaven, angels, and redeemed souls do the will of God. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray that our lives will reflect that same spirit. If we have no intention or desire to do the will of God, we probably should not pray the Lord’s Prayer. God will see that as hypocrisy on our part.

However, is it not true that God’s will is always done? The answer is “yes and no.” God’s will is not always done in the permissive sense. God permits us to act freely, even when we conflict with His will. That is why we pray, “Thy will be done.” Why pray those words if you believe God’s will is always done? However, when we speak of human free will, we have to say that God also has free will, and when our will comes into conflict with His will, His will trumps. Humans have wisdom and intelligence, but God’s wisdom and intelligence are unlimited. I am suggesting that God’s will is always done in the sense that no matter what we do, God works all things in harmony with His eternal purpose. His will shall ultimately triumph.

And so, in the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying that we may always be in harmony with the will of God. We do not always know or understand God’s will, so we pray, “Thy will be done.” Yes, we think about how things should be, but as Christians, we also believe God’s ways are always best. Jesus prayed that God would find a way to allow Him to escape the cross, but then added, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39). We need to follow His example. Never engage in a battle of wills with God. Guess who will always win!

Father in heaven, help me to live my life in submission to Your will. When my will conflicts with Your will, I want Your will to be done. Forgive me when I demand that things be done my way. Help me understand that Your will is always best for me because You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (JAMES 3:17-18).

DAILY DEVOTION, July 15, 2023

I want to repeat a series of devotions I did three years ago. They are slightly revised. We repeat the Lord’s prayer every Sunday, beginning with the words, “Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name….”

The Lord’s prayer was given in response to the disciples saying to Jesus. “Teach us to pray.” What words come to mind when you begin to pray? If we follow the example given to us by our Lord, we should start by addressing God as “Father” and reflecting on the privilege we have to speak to God in this manner.

What comes next on the prayer agenda, according to Jesus?  I am too quick to list the things I want God to do. Perhaps I am asking for help in my life, or I am interceding for others. If we follow the prayer example of Jesus, our next thought should be on the phrase “hallowed be thy name.”

Jesus reminds us that when we pray, our first thought must not be of our needs or the needs of others. It is a bad habit to barge into the presence of God with a list of requests. Before speaking to God about our needs, we must pause and remember to whom we speak. We will have proper respect and honor for God, our Father. We are addressing the triune God who spoke the universe into existence. His power and creativity are beyond our comprehension. The prophet proclaims, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27). When we honor the name of God, we regard Him with awe and reverence.  To be casual or flippant when we address the Father is utterly inappropriate.

Since Jesus expressly told us how to pray, I wonder if starting all our prayers with the Lord’s prayer would be wise. And the first thing to remember when we pray is to whom we are speaking. We are speaking to Almighty God, whose name and person are to be honored and held in the highest respect.

Prayer: Father in heaven, help us to remember who You are and to honor Your name when we pray. Help us to withhold our list of “gimmes” until we have given proper honor to Your most holy name. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen

Marie’s daily verse: 1 Peter 5:6-7Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time,casting all your cares upon Him,for He cares for you.

DAILY DEVOTION, May 8, 2023

So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).

I want to reflect on the second sentence in the text. When we are clothed with Christ, a marvelous change happens. We are united with Christians all over the world. The differences we observe between people are gone forever. We no longer distinguish between a Jew and a Gentile; a male and a female; a black or a white; a Russian or a Chinese, etc. All persons of every race and background are united together in Christ. Prejudice disappears.

Yesterday we saw that baptism brings this change. It is the baptism Christ performs when we come to Him by faith – – – the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water without the Spirit cannot bring about this change. Note that water and Spirit baptism are joined into the one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). I was baptized in water in 1950. I did not expect anything to happen, and nothing happened! I was baptized by the Spirit into Christ about 13 years later. Together they constitute one baptism. Normally, the person with a penitent heart enters the waters of baptism after the baptism of the Spirit (I guess that makes me abnormal!). But, like the Trinity, baptism is a mystery. How can two baptisms be one? How can three persons be one God? It’s in the Book!

Father, blessed be Your name! I confess that at age 14, I did not understand the two sides of baptism. However, you brought them together into one baptism, although they were separated for many years. Thank You so much for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which makes Jesus real in my soul. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. PHILIPPIANS 4:5

DAILY DEVOTION, May 7, 2023

So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).

Paul says a lot in a few words. First, he says we become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This takes place through “baptism.” We are baptized into Christ and become clothed with Christ. The word “baptism” is used in two ways in Scripture. Water baptism was practiced first by John the Baptist and subsequently by pastors. Water baptism is of lesser importance than Spirit baptism performed by Jesus. John the Baptist says in Matthew 3:11, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Water baptism does not clothe you with Christ. The Holy Spirit does that in the baptism performed by Jesus. We are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is the outward act symbolizing the inward act performed by Jesus. Whenever we see the word “baptism,” we must ask ourselves, “Is the reference to water baptism or Spirit baptism?” When we repent, we are baptized in water. To be clothed with Christ requires the Holy Spirit. Both baptisms are important. More on this verse tomorrow.

Father, I thank You that when I came to faith, I was baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus real in my soul, the greatest of all blessings. Thank You, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 wc

Marie’s daily verse: Psalm 121:1-2, 

King James Version:I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

DAILY DEVOTION, May 3, 2023

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” -(Colossians 3:23, NLT).

Paul reminds us that we work for God, not for people. Whatever we do we are to remind ourselves that we do it for God. People may benefit (or not) from what we do. We are to do all our work/activities willingly, unto the Lord. Your employer signs the paycheck but you are working for the Lord. I wish I had known this earlier. I spent a lot of years doing things for myself. Even my early church work was more for myself than for God. 

Do you realize you are working for God, not for people? You belong to Him. He watches you and you work for Him. That means we must work hard and always try to do our best. God is a wonderful employer and will reward you. So, remember who you work for. 

Father, I want to live my life for You, always under Your authority. What a blessing it is to know I work for One who loves me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.