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: God and Multiplication

2 Kings 4:1-7  The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”  Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”  Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”  She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.  When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”   But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.  She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

Yesterday morning I watched the first bit of Dr. David Jeremiah before I left for the church. He was in some arena that seated many thousands of people.  I wonder about those huge congregations sometimes.  It must be exciting to stand and sing to the glory to God with tens of thousands of other Christians.  There’s energy in numbers.  However I also thought about our smaller congregation and thought how happy I am that our energy comes from the power of the Holy Spirit that is so evident in and around Hapeville FUMC.  We have love and laughter and genuine worship and study, too.  God can take our small offerings of prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness and multiply it. If we are faithful with a little, God will be faithful with much. 

Dear Lord, Often we think we have less than others; less for ourselves and less to offer others.  Yet we know you created the world from nothing and that Jesus like this woman took a little food and made much. We ask you to continue to help us make the most of what we have.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.