Friday’s Devotion: Less is More

Matthew 6:7-8  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Yesterday, I had to unfollow friend on Twitter.  I had set some of my friend’s tweets to automatically push to my iPhone.  She was tweeting constantly and my phone’s dinging was bugging me. I couldn’t quickly figure out how to turn off the push feature. Generally my tweeting friends do so sparingly and I enjoy what they have to say.  I think Jesus was saying that we can accomplish much with fewer words.  Sometimes we don’t pray because we don’t think we have a big enough block of time to pray effectively but small short prayers during the day can be very effective. Maybe even in conversations and witnessing to others we can be conscious that quality of words are more important than quantity.

Creator God, we ask your blessing on us today. Teach us to pray and witness in ways that are pleasing to you.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.   

Thursday’s Devotion: The Lives We Write

Matthew 4:4  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Yesterday I had the honor of installing the new officers of the Hapeville Service League. The League does not have a set order of installation, so I sought ideas for the short ceremony.  I found on in which pens were presented to each incoming officer and I took that idea as a basis for yesterday’s installation.  As she performs the duties of her office each person will write part of this year’s chapter in the history of the Service League.

We each write our own history through our words, our attitudes and our actions.  As with most pens, these actions don’t come with an eraser.  Our actions are indelible. And yet our writing can improve with time and experience and through spiritual growth.  Most of my devotion readers are Facebook participants and you who are will understand when I say that we write on each other’s walls.  How I compose my life affects very many other people, especially since I am such a public witness for Christ. 

The phrase “it is written” appears 72 times in the NIV translation of the bible.  Present actions were very much affected by what had been written in the past.  What we write today will affect the future.  I hope your marks will be all you hope them to be.

Lord, you are the author of all life.  I pray that we will together write a chapter in which the Good News of the gospel reaches all people.  Help us to write lives that bring love, kindness, hope, help and healing to those around us and those beyond us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday’s Devotion: When the Future Shows Up

Isaiah 41:10  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.

Last night on Glee character Kurt Hummel bemoaned, “Now the future has the nerve to show up and it wants us to do something and it’s not willing to give a lending hand.”  Many if not most of us are procrastinators.  There’s always some reason to put off tackling a necessary task.  Sometimes we put off really important things; reconciling a relationship, planning for retirement, getting a physical, giving our pre-teens “the talk.”  Then suddenly the future has the nerve to show up and we are unprepared.  As a pastor, I am concerned for those who have yet to give their life to Christ.  There will be a day when we are each held accountable for our life.  For some that time may come sooner than expected.  Don’t put off making Jesus Lord of your Life.  When the future shows up God is there for those who believe.  Be a believer.

Dear God, We would like to put off things that need to be done.  We feel there is always tomorrow.  Yet God, help us in planning our priorities.  Help us not to be unprepared when the future shows up.  In Christ’s name, Amen.

Tuesday’s Devotion: Straying off Course

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT)  Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.  Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

I have always wanted to take a Mediterranean cruise but certainly wouldn’t want it to end up like the cruise that ended in tragedy off the coast of Tuscany this week.  Apparently the captain wanted to show the ship off to the island and veered off course to get closer.  To make matters worse the captain and some crew members abandoned ship leaving the passengers to fend for themselves.  Ships offer safety training to passengers, but this cruise was just beginning and that training had not taken place.

We might not steer a ship but we do direct our lives.  The bible provides safety training for us.  It shines light upon safe paths for our lives.  The closer we can stick to that path, the better chance we have for a godly and abundant life.

Dear Lord, “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Amen.  –Psalm 143:8

Monday’s Devotion: Strength in Adversity

Mark 9:47(KJV) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out:

Although it’s a little better this morning yesterday my left eye hurt most of the day.  I don’t know whether something has gotten in it and caused irritation or whether it is a product of allergies.  It just hurts.  It was difficult to see to review numbers in our finance committee meeting and bothered me in the next meeting.  I thought, Lord, I’m trying to do your work, why am I having to struggle so? I don’t want to pluck it out but sure wish I could make it feel better.  I also realize that the rain falls on the just and unjust.  Sometimes in we simply have to carry on and the reward is just the fact that in the face of adversity, we did carry on.  Here’s to all my friends who I know are carrying on in difficult situations.  May God continue to give you strength.

Loving God, we know that you do not cause all adversity, but that you walk through it with us.  We ask that you continue to guide, bless and protect us as we make our way in your kingdom.  We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday’s Devotion: Lost Fruit

Luke 3:11  John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.

I knew I had a long day facing me yesterday so I started it with a walk.  I prayed some, ran some (even up the hill at Master Park) and chatted with a neighbor as he walked his dog.  As I jogged down the road I saw a lime by the curb.  A few feet further on I saw another one. That’s strange, I thought.  Who would throw out perfectly good limes?  If that wasn’t unusual enough, about a mile away on another street I saw two fresh cherries at the edge of the road.  We throw away so much, but I wonder at wasting what is good.  I think to learn about the gospel and then to not make good use of it, or to not share what we have acquired is in a way throwing away good spiritual food.  Jesus told Peter that if Peter loved him to feed his sheep. Christ wanted all to be fed, to be cared for and that includes you and me.  I hope we can work together to carry out Christ’s mission.

Gracious God, as you give us physical and spiritual sustenance help us to find ways to do the same for others, especial those who don’t have a relationship with your Son in whose name we pray.  Amen.

Thursday’s Devotion: Finding the Attention Getter

1 Corinthians 14:3 The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Our three dogs seem to be bottomless pits.  They are always looking for food.  If I open the refrigerator or pantry or the cabinet where we keep crackers and pita chips, at least one of them is right at my feet. As long as I have food in my hand, I have their undivided attention.  As a pastor I am seeking to find what we can offer others that will get their undivided attention.  What is it that our unchurched friends, family and neighbors want most that we can offer?  How do we let them know we can do that? As for ourselves, how do we find what we are seeking from a relationship with the divine?  Maybe in our journey towards spiritual self-fulfillment, we’ll discover ways to reach out to others.

Holy Lord, How blessed we are to be a part of your Church.  We pray for those who don’t know those blessings.  Help us to reach out to them and to draw then into your kingdom.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.