Marie’s daily verse: Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved, 

all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other

DAILY DEVOTION, May 1, 2023

‘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).

The words of Isaiah need to be remembered. Some have said, “God is God, and we are not.” God has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures and His Son Jesus, the Messiah. We need to know how to relate to God. God’s Word and Jesus are our guides. We know God loves us, that Jesus died for us, and that our sins are forgiven. Isaiah reminds us that while we know much about God, we don’t know everything.

We live our lives trusting in Jesus. As life unfolds, there is so much we don’t understand. God’s thoughts and God’s ways are way above us. When we do not know what is happening, we must continue to trust the Father and the Son. We are to walk by faith even when we do not understand the mind of God. We know He loves us and is always working for our good. We can rest in those truths.

Father, I confess there is much I do not understand about Your ways. Please help me to walk by faith and not by what is happening in my life. I believe You love me no matter what. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. 

Marie’s daily verse: Psalm 23:1:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

             DAILY DEVOTION, April 25, 2023
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted (Galatians 6:1).
This isn’t easy. We talked about this in our Wednesday Bible study a few weeks ago. We must confront a brother or sister (a fellow Christian) if we know they are “caught up” in a sin. This means they keep on sinning with no repentance. I have never had to apply this verse in my years as a pastor. If any of my church members were caught up in some sin, I never knew about it!
But there are two cautions in the verse should we ever need to put it into practice. First, the aim is to restore the person to obedience to Jesus, and it must be done gently. The purpose is not to embrace or boot them out of the church but to restore them. Second, we must always be careful.  We are not above being “caught up” ourselves. But the verse is there and is to be followed if the situation arises.
Father, help me guard my heart, so I am not caught up in some sin. May the grace of our Lord Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit keep me faithful. If and when I do slip (and I will), lead me quickly to repentance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse:  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” LUKE 15:10

DAILY DEVOTION, April 23, 2023

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

These two verses are profound. We are surrounded by other Christians, both in heaven and on earth, who encourage us. When tempted to fall into sin, we need to listen to that cloud of witnesses surrounding us and lay the sin aside. Sin is described as a weight. It is heavy, pulling us in the wrong direction. Our sinful desires all too easily entrap us.

As we continue to look unto Jesus, trusting Him, loving Him, and remembering Him when we are tempted, we receive strength from Him to resist the sin tempting us. Jesus is the author of our faith and finisher of our faith. Faith begins and ends with Jesus. When Jesus understood His death would atone for our sins, He was filled with joy. The cross was a painful reality, but He endured it for our sakes. We need to remember Jesus on the cross when tempted to disobey God. His suffering brought us forgiveness and strength to live a new life. So let us live it!

Father, when I contemplate the suffering Jesus endured for me, I feel both remorseful and grateful. I am so sorry that my disobedience caused Him so much pain, but I am also thankful that He was willing to endure the cross for my sake. I want to rededicate myself to Him out of gratitude for what He has done for me. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: Psalm 46:2: Therefore we will not fear, 

Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

DAILY DEVOTION, April 17, 2023

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down (Daniel 4:37).

Nebuchadnezzar was a heathen king. He did not have any regard for the God of Israel. Then he met Daniel. The king had a dream interpreted by Daniel. The king learned he would lose his mind for a time and live like an animal. This was a judgment upon his wickedness, especially his pride. Daniel told him to get his spiritual act together, and perhaps God would restore him (Dan 4:27). 

When the king was restored to his right mind, he changed his opinion about the God of Israel. He praises Him and affirms that He is a God of truth and justice. He mentions especially that God disapproves of pride. He experienced firsthand that God can put down those who walk in pride.

We need to beware of having too high an opinion of ourselves. Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth in his day. He was above criticism. He was able to crush anyone and everyone who stood in his way. He did not need anyone, God or man – – – or so he thought. The God of Israel brought the great king down, and he became a believer. Don’t allow pride to get ahold of you. If you do, God can bring you down. The wiser course is to turn away from pride and live humbly before God.

Gracious God, help me to recognize when pride is in my heart. I have no reason to stand before my Creator with pride in my soul. If I ever look down upon another human being, I ask you to bring me to repentance. If I stubbornly refuse, I ask You to work drastically in my life as You did with Nebuchadnezzar, until I learn to walk before You in humility. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Marie’s daily verse: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ISAIAH 41:10

DAILY DEVOTION, April 16, 2023

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19).

James gives some practical advice on how to relate to one another. When another is speaking, we must pay close attention to what they are saying. We are often sidetracked by thinking about what we will say, and we don’t really hear the other. James says we need to listen more than we speak. We sometimes get the process reversed! Others notice as we listen carefully to what others say and hold our tongues. They appreciate that we really want to hear and understand their point of view. When we speak too quickly, we say, “I care more about my opinion than yours.”  Others notice that also.

As we interact with one another, words, at times, can inspire anger. James says to slow down on the anger part. Listening more than we speak also reduces the chance of anger arising. Angry words only damage a relationship. Careful listening to what others say strengthens the relationship—good advice from the apostle James.

Father, please help me to be a good listener. Hold my tongue when I am too eager to speak. Above all, let not anger arise in my soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.