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Devotions

Planted by Water

Read Jeremiah 17:5-10.

At the surface, it seems as if Jeremiah is saying to trust in God and not to trust in people. Yet the scriptures and our experiences tell us that God often works powerfully through people.

It seems to me that the question is whether the people we trust turn our hearts towards or away from God. If the people you trust cause you to be more judgmental, cynical, anxious, or fearful, then you may find yourself feeling like a shrub in the desert, living in the parched places of the wilderness. Trusting God and trusting the people through whom God is working feels different altogether. Instead, it feels like being planted by a cool stream – refreshing, nourishing, fruitful.

This week, pay attention to the sources you trust. How do you feel when you listen to or read what they have to say? Are these people or these sources helping you to turn towards God, helping you to live a more whole-hearted life? In prayer, ask God to give you a more trusting heart and to help you discern which people are trustworthy in helping you to grow in relationship to God and to the people around you.

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Devotions

Drop Your Nets

Read Luke 5:1-11.

In this story, Jesus shows up in what must have been a very discouraging time for these fishermen—a time when their labors had not borne fruit. That is one of the great gifts of being part of a community. We have the opportunity of showing up for each other.

Have you had times in your life when it seemed all your best efforts were fruitless? Who were the people who showed up and spoke an encouraging word or helped you to keep things in perspective? If you were able to move beyond those feelings, either on your own with God’s help or through the words of a friend, how did you do it? What thoughts and words were helpful? Think of a situation that might seem hopeless. How might Jesus be calling you to drop your net and let him work his power?

In prayer, surrender that situation to Jesus.

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Devotions

With My Whole Heart

Read Psalm 138.

In this song of praise, the psalmist expresses gratitude for God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. They have experienced these attributes through answered prayers, strength to withstand tough times, a sense of mattering, and protection. In response, they give thanks ‘with their whole heart’ (vs. 1). I wonder how often our expression of praise is half-hearted. I wonder how often we say the words out of habit, giving them little thought.

Something I catch myself doing in my prayers of praise is upping the ante. “Thank you, God, for this beautiful, sunny day. Now could you send a little rain, too?” “Thank you, God, for forgiving the harsh words I said to my spouse last night. Now could you help them to see that I was right?”

This week, commit yourself to a time of whole-hearted worship. Whether it is during the Sunday morning service or during your personal time of prayer, focus your mind and center your heart on praise and thanksgiving. Give thought and attention to the many ways God continues to faithfully bless the earth and all that is in it. Sing the doxology with gusto! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

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Devotions

From Generation to Generation

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

Paul’s words are a beautiful reminder of the path the Gospel message has taken to finally arrive at your door. The story of God’s redemptive actions through Jesus Christ has been passed along from generation to generation, no matter the deadly consequences especially for those early believers.

Think of the people who have shared the gospel message with you. Maybe it was a parent or grandparent, maybe it was a Sunday school teacher, or a neighbor. What about their words, actions, or presence left an impression on you? To what degree did their understanding and expression of faith have an impact on yours? Today, think of someone who could use an encouraging word or who would benefit from hearing the good news that Jesus loves them and is walking with them. Make time to stop by, to give them a call, or write them a note.

In prayer, thank God for all the saints who continued to proclaim a message of hope even when things seemed hopeless and commit yourself to doing the same.

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Devotions

On Worthiness

Read Isaiah 6:1-8.

In this dramatic story of Isaiah’s call into God’s service, he marvels at the splendor of the throne room, the glorious voices of the heavenly hosts singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” It’s no wonder he proclaims his unworthiness. “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips who lives among people of unclean lips.”

There are times when I am around someone who seems to lead an exemplary spiritual life. I almost can’t help but compare myself to them and almost always, I put a spotlight on my own inadequacies. I begin to think of my shortcomings and my sin as insurmountable in rising to what God calls me to do and to be. Once Isaiah’s sin is burned away, he boldly answers God’s call with, “Here am I; send me!”

How does the promise of forgiveness and the cleansing of your sin affect your sense of worthiness to do the work of God? Can the same lips that speak words of judgment or anger also speak words of promise and hope?

Today, offer a confession for your sin, receive God’s forgiveness, and boldly offer yourself to God’s service.

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Devotions

Hometown Heretic?

Read Luke 4:21-30.

This is the second half of last week’s reading. Here, Jesus’ community becomes enraged at his challenging words. Which of Jesus’ teachings stretch your understanding of who God is and how God operates? Are there any biblical passages that make you angry? What about them bothers you? This week, challenge yourself to explore a difficult passage from the other side. Looking at it from a perspective different than the one you normally would, what insights do you gain?

In prayer, ask the Spirit to guide you in your understanding of Jesus’ teachings and what they mean in your life.

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Devotions

Ideal Love

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

This is the passage we most often hear at weddings. Think about loving relationships in your life—whether it be with a spouse or significant other, with your family members, or with your friends. In what ways have these qualities of love been shown by you or to you? Which qualities could you further develop?

This week, write a love note to someone (this does not have to be a romantic note, but should include offerings of gratitude and appreciation) and offer your relationship with that person to God in prayer.

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Devotions

Refuge

Read Psalm 71:1-6.

Here, the psalmist offers praise for and confidence in God’s steadfast presence in life—experienced as shelter, rescue, and trustworthiness. Often, when we feel anxious or afraid, we behave as if we are alone in it. We try to manage, manipulate, or even avoid situations to offset the chance that things might turn out badly. It is usually in hindsight that we can see the worst didn’t happen, after all.

How differently might we experience stressful situations if we do what we can, but then trust God to handle the rest, even if handling it means accompanying us when the outcome is bad? When have you felt you needed a refuge or a fortress for safety and protection? When have you needed God to rescue you? How often does God need to rescue you from yourself—your destructive thoughts or your bad choices?

In prayer, thank God for God’s steadfast presence and release situations that only God can redeem.

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Devotions

Consecrated

Read Jeremiah 1:4-10.

In vs. 5, God speaks to Jeremiah, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” To consecrate something means to declare it as sacred and to dedicate it as God’s to use for God’s divine purpose. In this case, God names and claims Jeremiah as a proclaimer of God’s word.

Have you ever wondered if God has consecrated you for something special? What natural gifts have you been given? Which have you worked on developing? How has God used you in small ways in the past week, month, or year? Who are the people in your life who have recently proclaimed God’s word to you? Have they proclaimed it with words or with actions?

Today, consider what you can do to cooperate more fully with God’s call on your life and in prayer, ask for the willingness and courage to answer that call.

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Devotions

Hometown Hero

Read Luke 4:14-21.

Imagine someone who grew up in our congregation comes into church, reads an Old Testament prophecy, then makes the claim that he or she is the fulfilment of that prophecy. How might we react? What would you feel or think? Because we know the rest of the story, we tend to shake our heads at his community’s response. Now imagine what it might mean to hear these words of promise if there was no one on your side, if you felt as if something or someone held you captive, or if you held a position on an issue that was unpopular. What impact might that have on you?

In prayer, thank Jesus for these words of hope and promise.