Friday’s Devotion – Improving our Spiritual Eyesight

John 9:39 (NLT)  Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

Several friends recently have posted puzzles on Facebook based on optical illusions. For example in a square filled with rows of identical flowers, find the two stars. At first glance one sees neither of them.  But as you look carefully, row by row they become easy to spot. What we once couldn’t see becomes visible.

Here, Jesus is talking about spiritual blindness. In John 8:12 Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  In 1 John we learn that when we walk in this light we will fellowship with one another.  One of Jesus’ most notable characteristics was that he saw people differently.  He saw value in the very people whom others looked down on. Sometimes like with those puzzles, we have to work a little to see the value in people but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  I may not like the panhandler outside Walgreens or the aggressive driver who cuts me off in traffic but over the years through my own spiritual growth I have come to recognize that these people have stories of their own. Who is to say my story is any better than theirs in the sight of God?  Scripture gives us a prescription for improving our spiritual eyesight: James 2:8 “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
Has Jesus given you sight or is he showing you that you are blind? 

God of Grace, Help us to see others as you would see them and ourselves also. When we go to criticize another, remind us that he or she also woke up that day with cares and burdens.  Help us to see the newborn babe that they once were, innocent and hopeful yet vulnerable.  When we can’t praise others, help us to pray for them. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Make a new friend today!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Power In, Power Out

(Used again 9/4/18)

Matthew 4:25 “Great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan”

Many of us know the story of the woman with an issue of blood who touched the hem of Jesus’ robe as he passed by her.  In Luke 8:46 Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I know that power has gone out from me.”  A writer in the current Journal of Preaching pointed out that that although in this one case Jesus talked about losing power, usually he became energized by the crowds. They helped grow his ministry as they saw his miracles and spread the word to others.  I know that when there are more people in worship and they are engaged with the service, I am energized.  Some people give us energy and some take energy.  Some are switch hitters!   A pond with no outlet from which water can flow allowing room for fresh to enter will become stagnant.  The same can be for us.  If we hold everything to ourselves, we can become stagnant.  Only by us giving to others can God then replenish us. 

Heavenly God, we ask strength for this day. Surround us with people from whom we may draw energy and to whom we can reach out in ministry.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Crafting with God

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

There are three theological concepts about the way God created the world. 1. Ex nihilo is a Latin phrase meaning "out of nothing".  2.  Ex materia - creation out of some pre-existent, eternal matter and 3. Ex deo - creation out of the being of God.  Frankly what’s done is done in my book.  We’re here and we believe God is the creator whether from nothing, something or his own being. Speaking of creation, I watched a new show last night, “Craft Wars.”  Competitors were given a group of items from which to create a specified project – a duffle bag, a playhouse.  They could also use other materials and tools in the studio.  Crafting is about looking at materials in a new way.  Perhaps that’s a good way to craft life.  We’re presented with a set of elements – demands on our lives, relationships, goals, and resources. The more we can creatively combine those elements (with God’s help) the more options we have to make life great.

Creator God, we marvel at your creation and know that you continue to create and renew the earth. Help us to become co-creators with you, taking the life you have given us and creating something beautiful and pleasing to ourselves and to you.  Amen.

Have a creative day!
Paige  

Tuesday’s Devotion – Off the Beaten Path

Luke 9:2-4  He sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.  He told them, “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no money, not even an extra shirt.  Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place.

Jesus sent the disciples out on a journey.  It surely must have been a new experience for them.  In days when life was simple yet often dangerous anyone setting out on a long journey would certainly go prepared.  Jesus wasn’t deliberately sending them out to face harm; in those days hospitality was a way of life.  It was common to welcome strangers into ones home.  After all there wasn’t a Holiday Inn in every village.  Joe and I took a drive to the north GA mountains Saturday.  We had no set destination but Joe knows the roads that we usually travel to get up there and back.  However on the way home our route was determined by our hunger.  Not wanting fast food we went off the beaten path guided by Yelp for restaurant suggestions and our GPS to get us there.  We ended up in downtown Jasper where we not only found food at the Jasper Café we were able to see some really great old trucks and cars in a car show that lined the blocked off main street.  We never know what treats might be waiting for us when we are willing to leave the beaten path and do something or go somewhere different.  Sometime it is an answer to a calling by God or sometimes it might just be at our pleasure.  I hope like the disciples we can be bold and trust the Lord.

Holy God, you have created many paths for us to explore. Give us the courage to try new things and to go new places. Be with us as we journey through life and give us opportunities to proclaim your love to others.  Amen.

Have an adventure today!
Paige

Monday’s Devotion: When Others Disappoint Us

2 Samuel 12:7-10 Nathan told David. “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and delivered you from Saul’s power.  I gave your master’s house to you, and gave his wives into your embrace. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. If that was too little, I would have given even more.  Why have you despised the Lord’s word by doing what is evil in his eyes? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and taken his wife as your own. You used the Ammonites to kill him.  Because of that, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own, the sword will never leave your own house.”

God loved David, the one God had chosen as his anointed leader and yet David disappointed God. And if we read the rest of the story we see that David had to face the consequences of his actions.  Yet David continued on as a leader and a person who was in God’s favor.  I’ve always found this story inspiring for those who have really messed up but turn their life around.  In our lives there will be people who disappoint us, too.  Maybe it’s infidelity, maybe they act out of the character that we expect them to have.  They don’t meet our expectations. They let us and others down.  What should we do?  I guess we should seek to find compassion for them, just as God found compassion for David.  Most people suffer consequences when they act out – with some exceptions, we don’t have to be the ones to impose those consequences.  We can just pray the best for them, even if at times the best might be having to learn some hard lessons.

Heavenly God, when others disappoint us help us to see the big picture, to look past the present circumstances towards long term results.  Help us to find forgiving, compassionate hearts and to hope for redemption and salvation for all sinners, not just for our own failings.  We ask in the name of the One who died to make that redemption possible. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: The Energizer Bunny Must be a Methodist

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” --Benjamin Franklin
Members of my congregation continue to amaze me.  They are like the Energizer Bunny.  I spoke with one yesterday who has not been able to be in worship for a while because of various health issues.  She said she had a lot of challenges but she was just getting over them one by one.  I had lunch with another who had a kitchen fire that resulted in a lot of smoke damage a couple of weeks ago. She’ll be out of her house for at least a month.  Yet she has remained upbeat and positive – taking the removal of all her possessions, carpet, and the kitchen demolition in stride saying it’s an interesting new experience. Many of them are really living Romans 12:12.  It’s a good way to get through each day.  Very few of us have perfect lives. We can only make the best of what we have by being the best that we can be.  Kevin Costner recently said something I made note of, “I haven’t had a perfect life, but I’ve had a perfectly good life.”  I hope at the end of the day we can all say that.

Holy God, we often become so consumed with our burdens that we lose sight of our blessings. Help us to have the blessed assurance of your presence and participation in our lives. Help us to live confidently according to your Word. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed day and weekend!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Age Has Its Advantages

1 Samuel 4:17-18  “Israel has been defeated by the Philistines,” the messenger replied. “The people have been slaughtered, and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were also killed. And the Ark of God has been captured.”  When the messenger mentioned what had happened to the Ark of God, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and overweight. He had been Israel’s judge for forty years.

Eli was old and overweight.  I can relate!  I am working hard at both maintaining and increasing physical fitness. Yet I know that my body doesn’t work quite as well as it did when I was a young adult.  As we mature things seem to deteriorate.  Buildings are like that, too. The parsonage was built in the 1950’s and like an ageing lady had needed some work.  The parsonage committee has been great about doing that. Now two showers need the shower pans replaced. A contractor is coming next week to do that.  I thought that while age may cause deterioration and diminish some capabilities, with age also comes wisdom and the voice of experience.  As we age our relationship with God can actually improve.  That’s something to rejoice about. I’m so glad God doesn’t abandon us as we age but actually draws us nearer until one day we cross the river and end up in the arms of Jesus.  Glory hallelujah!

Loving God, thank you for giving us the opportunity to grow in wisdom and faith even as our body may age.  Be with us each day with your love and protection.  We need both so much.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Have a blessed day today!
Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion – Oh Those Egos!

Proverbs 18:12  Pride comes before a disaster, but humility comes before respect.

It’s told that after spending an hour one morning admiring herself in the mirror a woman confessed that to her pastor. “Do you think this is a sin of pride?’’ she asked.  Being rather blunt, he responded, “No, it’s a sin of imagination.”   Some people think too highly of themselves and others think to little of themselves.  Whether we wake each day with an inflated or deflated ego we really are who we are. Scripture tells us that the Divine shows no partiality. See Acts 10:34-35 and Luke 20:21. Let’s recognize that God blesses each of us uniquely. Boldly take that and soar into the future with it.

Father God, how wonderful it is to think that you love us just as much as the person we envy the most. Remind us that you also love us just as much as the person we regard the least. We asked in the name of the one who died for all. Amen.

Love in Christ,

Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: Treasures for Now and Later

Colossians 2:2-3 (NLT)  I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.  In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I watched two shows I like a lot last night, Antiques Roadshow and American Pickers. Joe and I have always loved old things and the hunt for something of value.  I think this is a good hobby and it has been profitable for people on both these shows.  On the other hand I know where true treasure lies. Scripture tells us not to store up treasure on earth where moths and rust destroy but instead to store up our treasures in heaven.  According to this scripture Christ is the source of valuable treasure for us. It’s fine to like beautiful things, but let’s also keep all that in perspective.  Let’s not become so distracted by worldly concerns that we don’t have time for heavenly ones.  It’s the difference between what is temporary and what is eternal.

Loving God, we love beautiful things and thank you for giving us the ability to recognize the value of earthly treasure. Yet help us to remember that it is with you that our true treasure lies. Help us to balance all that we do.  In Christ’s name, amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Monday’s Devotion: Put Your Ladder in the Right Place

Matthew 6:13 (CEB) And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

At Annual Conference last week one preacher quoted another preacher, Fred Craddock.  He said, “It doesn’t matter how high you climb up the ladder of success if your ladder is leaning up against the wrong wall.”  Sometimes we want to move our ladder to the wall of recognition, self-gratification, or wealth when perhaps God is calling us to something else, like a special relationship, a different career or service to others. Maybe it’s not always Satan that tempts us to place our ladders here or there.  It’s human nature to do what pleases us.  But I truly believe the more we operate within God’s preferred desires and purposes for our lives, the more fulfilled our lives will be.  How often do you consult God before making major decisions? 

Loving God, we ask your blessings upon this new week.  Thank you for the fact that we have choices in life and for the freedoms we have but please nudge us in the right direction when we stray too far.  Lead us not into temptation and protect us from temptation that we find on our own.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed week,
Paige

Friday’s Devotion: Happy to be Home

Luke 9:58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Joe and I returned safely last night from our time at Annual Conference in Athens.  I was really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed with my own pillows.  We usually carry our pillows on our travels and we had forgotten to take them.  Jesus didn’t stay in one place for very long in his ministry.  This week I met a woman who will be leaving to serve her appointment in Uganda. Rev. Eddie Fox, our Conference guest preacher was leaving for Estonia. While most of us stay in our comfortable homes in our comfortable beds with food on demand in our well equipped kitchens, there are so many others out there serving God under difficult and trying circumstances.  The next time we ask you to serve on a committee or to volunteer for a short term project at church, please think of these others who give so much. In the meantime join me in praising God for traveling mercies and that I will be sleeping well!

Father God, while we ask your blessings upon ourselves and our churches we also ask you to bless those who are serving in ministry and mission away from home. Guide, bless and protect us all.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a blessed weekend!

Thursday’s Devotion: Size vs. Spirit

1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Rev. Jay Hodges a retired pastor was the guest pastor for the retiring pastors’ service yesterday. During his sermon he used a quote familiar to me.  “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” The saying immediately reminded me of the above scripture and Paul’s advice to his young co-worker, Timothy. We heard many say that while they were retiring from being active pastors they weren’t really retiring from ministry.  They might not preach every week but there is still much they would be doing.  Just like Paul didn’t want Timothy to be intimidated by those who might think him too young for ministry, we won’t think of these friends as too old.  God desires to reveal himself to each of us and to accomplish his purpose through us.  How might someone consider you a Timothy?  Know that God has a plan for every life.  Don’t let anyone look down on you, but set an example for others, showing that you are one of God’s beloved and chosen children.

Holy God, Thank you for equipping each of us to serve your Kingdom in some way.  We ask that you reveal those ways to your children and give them the confidence to withstand the criticism of others that seems to surely come when Kingdom work is being done. Bless and guide us today.  We ask in your Son’s holy name. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Still Standing, Barefoot or Not

Yesterday’s highlight at Annual Conference was the ordination service.  It brought back the recollection of my own ordination as an elder in full connection on that very stage last June.  Rev. Eddie Fox preached a truly wonderful sermon for the service.  He has preached to Methodists world-wide.  One story he told was of preaching barefoot in India to a crowd of 100,000. It’s the custom to do that there as they believe pastors are standing on holy ground.  We didn’t have quite that many in the Classic Center theatre but it was standing room only.  A custom at these services is to stand up whenever the bishop lays hands on a friend or loved one and imparts the authority of clergy upon them. I stood for 11 friends of the 34 who were either commissioned as provisional deacons or elders or fully ordained. I thought of how many years each had spent between the time they answered God’s call until last night’s service.  It was probably anywhere from 4 (for commissioning) to 9 years or maybe even more of discernment, seminary, ministry and other hard work. I remembered how members of Hapeville First traveled to Athens to stand for me along with Joe and my son Robert and my clergy family. It meant a lot to me to see so many standing for me.  It still means a lot because they are still standing.  As I stand in the pulpit and impart the Good News of Jesus Christ, so many are standing behind me, helping me along.  It takes us all and I am so thankful for my wonderful partners in ministry. 

Holy God, we ask your blessing upon those who were commissioned or ordained this year and all whom they join, both lay persons and clergy who work to advance your Kingdom and to bring people into a saving relationship with your Son.  Help us all in this holy work. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Tuesday's Devotion: Yeast, Mold and other Hidden Things

Luke 12:1-3 (NIV)  Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

During the past month or so I began to notice a musty odor as I went down the steps into our finished basement.  I couldn’t pinpoint the source and kind of blamed it on stinky dogs.  Sorry, Dino, Dandy and Daisy. This time you didn’t do it.  Instead, the shower pan in the master bath had sprung a leak and water was seeping into the floor and ceiling and things were beginning to grow mold.  We finally discovered it when water began coming out of the ceiling and the plumbers cut a square into the ceiling to verify the source.  The church trustees are getting bids on replacing the shower and any of the floor boards and ceiling that shows water damage and mold.  Hidden mold can be very harmful to your health.  I thought about other hidden things that are harmful, like cancer cells that grow undetected. And I thought about things to do with our emotions that we allow to fester often without giving it much attention – bitterness, resentment, prejudice, a difference of opinion.  Like the mold and the cancer cells these are harmful to our health.  Quality life demands that we be attentive and seek out and remove what might be harmful to us. What hidden things might need your attention?

Blessed God, help us as we do self-examinations to find things that we are harboring inside. Help us to be truthful with ourselves, with you and with others that we might be healed.  We ask in the name of the Great Physician. Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: The Big Difference between “In” and “About”

John 11:25-27 (CEB)  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die.  Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.”

This dialogue between Jesus and his friend Martha demonstrates at least two kinds of belief.  There is a theological difference in believing in Jesus and believing facts about Jesus. I can believe a lot of different things concerning a particular leader.  But to believe in that leader means to put my trust in him or her. It means that I want to align myself with their ideals. Note that Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in him, not to those who believe he is the Messiah.  Satan believes Jesus is the Messiah. We cannot have true faith in Jesus without living into what he asks of his followers; to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves and to be his witnesses everywhere we go.  To claim that our faith is personal and private is to admit that we haven’t yet “gotten it.”  We are to share the light that Jesus gives us, not hoard or hide it from others.  The good news is that sharing the Good News is easier than we think because God empowers us as we do it. When is the last time you shared the Good News with someone else beyond the walls of the church?

Gracious God, help us to overcome our fear or embarrassment of talking about your love and grace given us in Jesus Christ. Guide us to people who need so much to hear the Good News that Christ offers to all who would believe in him.  We ask in His holy name. Amen.

Have a Blessed Week!
Paige

Friday's Devotion: Missing My Prayer Walks

Mark 1:35  “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed”

While we’re waiting for my foot to heal from tendonitis, I’ve been instructed to “baby” it.  I told the doctor that I had reduced my three to four mile morning walks to only two and a half miles.  He said that’s not babying my foot. Ugh.  I miss my walks but more than just the walking I miss my morning prayers. There’s something about praying while walking that works better for me than trying to pray in the house. So I’ve found myself praying in short spurts during the day instead of having that long conversation with God. I can tell a difference in my days.  Let’s all pray for my foot to heal!  Do you have a time each day for your conversation with God?

Holy God, thank you for the gift of prayer.  Help each of us find time and the best way to have that time with you each day.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a Great Weekend!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Tumbling, Tumbling Down.

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

It was pretty cool to actually get to be in Jericho this year after having read about it in Scripture all my life.  And who hasn’t sung “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho?” I just watched a video of a university jazz choir in Turkey singing it!  But I digress, what I really want to talk about is the walls we build around ourselves.  Some are physical walls to protect our privacy, yet others are emotional walls that we build out of fear of being hurt or being judged if we reveal truths about our real feelings.  There is One from whom we cannot hide.  No wall is high enough or thick enough to keep us from the all-knowing God.  Both open sharing and privacy can be beneficial when it comes to our relationship with other people. It depends on the circumstances.  But God is truly one with whom we can share our deepest fears, regrets and hopes.  When you feel you have to talk to someone but have no one to turn to, try talking to God.  God always understands.  Sometimes by working things out in a conversation with God first, it becomes easier to open up to another person.  By faith let those walls come tumbling down so that others may share your joys and concerns.

Dear Father God, we know that you listen with love and compassion to all we share with you.  Help us to find those special friends with whom we can also share.  Especially surround us with them when trials come our way.  We ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a great day!
Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Are We Benevolent Rulers?

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature    so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."  - from Genesis 1, The Message

Other translations put the text in ways similar to the Common English Bible, “28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and master it. Take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and everything crawling on the ground.”  I think that we sometimes forget that to rule does not mean to do as we wish without regard to our subjects – in our case all of nature - earth, sea and sky and the living creatures that populate it. I’m reading an interesting book by Barbara Kingsolver on her family’s attempt to spend one year consuming only food that they produced themselves or purchased from other local producers.  She is correct in saying that most people aren’t aware of the amount of energy and resources it takes to produce, process, package, promote and transport the foods we eat. If we take God’s charge to us to care for His creation, perhaps we should each consider learning about ways in which we can better care for and preserve this marvelous gift that sustains our life as we sustain its life. 

Loving God, thank you for placing us on such a beautiful and bountiful earth. Forgive us for the abuses it has suffered from our ignorance, greed and complacency.  Be with us as we seek ways to better care for your creation.  Amen.

Have you changed anything about your lifestyle in order to be more ecologically responsible?

Be blessed today,

Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: The 3D Eyes of Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
(NIV) We live by faith, not by sight. (GW) Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.

I’ve brought several different translations today of this familiar verse to show that it is very helpful when studying scripture to look at different versions.  I rarely go a day without using Biblegateway.com to look up scripture or to do word searches.  When I chose this scripture for today I immediately thought of our date night Friday when we went to see Men in Black III in 3D.  I discovered that I could watch the movie without the 3D glasses although things were slightly out of focus. But when I put on the glasses the picture became very sharp and clear, showing a completely different dimension that I couldn’t see without them.  That’s what happens when we live by faith; when we look at the world through the eyes of our faith.  We see things differently, more clearly and hopefully more lovingly.  The Pharisees’ eyes saw sinners, people they considered scum. Jesus saw beloved children of God with the potential for a better life.  Let’s all put on our faith eyes today.  What might you see differently if you did?

Thanks for answering my question about hoarding yesterday.  I always welcome feedback and further conversation.

Holy God, a favorite hymn says, “Open our eyes that we may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me.” That is our prayer today. We ask in the name of the One in whom we have our faith. Amen.

Have a blessed day.

Paige

Monday’s Devotion: To Keep or Not to Keep

Philippians 4:18-19  (NLT)  At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

I stopped at a friend’s house recently and as we walked through the yard he said to excuse some stuff we had to walk around. He said he was a hoarder. I don’t think he’s a real hoarder but like most of us sometimes saves things that could be used in future projects.  I remember my mother had a large collection of old panty hose that she intended one day to use to make a braided rug. I’m sort of glad that didn’t happen. Downsizing has caused me to take a harder line about what I must give away or throw away although I admit that I still have too many books.  Real hoarders find it hard to get rid of anything.  They continue to acquire and acquire and acquire with no real need for the items they are bringing into the house.  I can’t even watch the reality program on hoarders!  Perhaps they have some deep sense of insecurity.  We should be smart about providing for ourselves, but we also have a need to look to God for provision.  God will open doors for us – not always as we expect or when we expect but scripture tells us over and over to trust in God not in ourselves and not in earthly riches. I’ve learned that it’s not always in acquiring but instead in giving away that we feel real pleasure.  What do you hoard?

Creator God, Thank you for providing for our needs even when we’re not aware of your hand in our lives.  We pray that you will help us trust your care for us so that we may use our resources to help care for others.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday’s Devotion: Fully Awake, Fully Alive

 Proverbs 20:13 Don’t love sleep or you will be poor; stay alert and you will have plenty to eat.

My alarm didn’t wake me up when it went off this morning. I used my iPhone set to Big Ben.  I was dreaming about getting ready to go out on a mission project with a group of fellow church members.  I worked that ringing into my dream wondering whose alarm was going off and why they didn’t turn it off.  As we went from one location to the other I could still hear that ring.  Finally after it had rung for seven minutes, I did wake up. I think that a lot of people sleep through life.  Yes they get out of bed every morning, but their life is sort of on automatic pilot.  Everything is so planned, so routine that they really don’t have to invest much of themselves to make things happen. Instead of living in the present, their minds are constantly daydreaming about other things.  I picked this scripture for the words “stay alert and you will have plenty.” Life will be richer if we pay attention and put our focus on each moment – savor life instead of sleeping through it.

Ask yourself – Am I really awake today?

God in Heaven, Thank you for this day of life and all that it may hold. Please help us to pay full attention to this wonderful gift and to be fully alive each day.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

Have a blessed day and great weekend.  I hope you will join me or attend a church near you this Sunday.

Paige