Thursday’s Devotion: Leaving for the Far Shore

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I’m never surprised anymore when someone produces a wise saying.  On Idol last night Steven Tyler advised one contestant, “If you want to get to the other side you have to lose sight of this shore.”  The judges are encouraging the singers to let go, to sing with emotion and vulnerability.  When they think too much about the performance, the song suffers.  Their advice is also good for people beyond that environment.  How many of us have dreams and aspirations but let fear hold us back?  How many times do you want to act silly or tell a joke or do something fun that’s entirely new but don’t because it might mean losing a little control?  Have you ever wanted to say “amen” in worship or raise your hands or clap but didn’t want to embarrass yourself?  Are you stuck in a job or relationship that’s dragging you down, but fear change? God wants us to live life to the fullest but we let fear restrict our exploration of life. Have you given up on trying for the other shore?  Be strong and courageous; the Lord will go with you.

Thank you, God for the gift of life. Help us to live it without fear. Show us better and fuller ways to experience each day.  We ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Monday’s Devotion: Changing Reactions

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Yesterday after the Jeans and Jazz service many who filed out the door shook my hand and said, “I enjoyed your message.”  That seems to be a common response.  Pastors often wonder if they really did or are just offering empty platitudes.  As I walked up front to collect my things our Jazz drummer’s girlfriend approached me.  She also said, “I really enjoyed your sermon.” Then she said, “Here’s what I got out of it.” I love to hear those words!

I had talked about God wanting us to know that all our concerns were important, that God really did understand and could relate to our sense of powerlessness over things that sometime face us.  I said that we can’t make ourselves well, we can’t make our loved ones well, we can’t make someone love us or hire us or treat us fairly. We have no control sometimes over events, only our reaction to them.  The young woman said that she was really trying to work on controlling her reactions to circumstances.  I thought a moment and shared that as I have become closer to God, my natural reactions to trying circumstances have changed. I am more at peace and feel the help of the Holy Spirit when I face challenges. I can’t always expect God to solve my problems, but I do trust him to love me through them.

Thank you Lord, for being with us when we cannot change our circumstances.  Please continue to uplift and comfort and guide us in all things.  We ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: New Every Morning

Psalm 143:8 "Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, for in you do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you."

Life is about finding a balance between trust in others and trust in God. I trust my wonderful husband in so many different ways. I trust my trainer not to direct me to do exercises that would cause me physical harm. There are many people I need to be able to trust.  But there are limits.  I must test everything others offer against my own understanding and I must trust my own understanding against God’s Word.  Thank goodness we have a God so full of lovingkindness towards us.  I hope that along with me you will each seek and find God’s presence every morning before your busy day begins.

Gracious God, how we need your love and care every day. Our ultimate trust lies in you, our Creator and our sustainer. -- Because of your great love we are not consumed,
for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Amen

Monday's Devotion: When Others Let Us Down

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIRV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.  In all your ways remember him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.

I like to get up early enough on Sunday morning to have some quiet time with my coffee and to watch Dr. Charles Stanley.  Yesterday he was teaching on the subject of letting go. He talked about things we hold on to, our motivations and what we should let go of.  Eventually he got around to letting go of material possessions – after all it is stewardship season for most churches.  I liked what he had to say and those who come to worship at Hapeville First will definitely hear some of it. 

I put thoughts of that aside as I was getting ready for church. Instead I thought about several people recently who had let me down. As the daughter of an alcoholic mother and very busy father I grew up learning to be independent and self-sufficient. It’s easier to rely on myself than others.  I’ve had to learn to let go and to be dependant.  That lesson becomes especially difficult when people let you down; when they say they will do something, then don’t, or walk away from church or responsibilities.  Although Dr. Stanley didn’t cover this type of letting go, in a way it’s the same thing.  We balance letting go of control with letting go of our expectations of others.  While I was pondering this, God showed me Proverbs 3:5-6.  One thing I need to hold on to is my trust in God.  If I do that God will help me overcome disappointment when others let me down.

We can’t do everything ourselves Lord.  Help us to let go and trust others and at the same time be with us if they let us down.  Help us to always trust you.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.