Thursday’s Devotion – A Prayer for Comfort

Psalm 23:4  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Jeremiah 31:13  Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

A Candler classmate and her husband lost their baby yesterday. She had been born a few days before with numerous challenges. Our church had them on our prayer list and the reports had been encouraging. I am very sad for them.  This birth was preceded by nine months of planning and joyful expectation for a new life. We can do nothing but pray for comfort for this couple. A few days ago a friend’s wife was diagnosed with an egg-sized brain tumor.  How quickly life can change.  I hope that each day we are walking closely with God so that we may find God’s comfort in times like these.  We assign importance to many things in life, but all can be fleeting.  The only thing that is unchanging – from age to age the same is God’s love and care for us. 

Loving God, we pray your blessings and comfort for our friends who have lost loved ones, who face serious illnesses or who have lost their way in life.  You Lord are the One who can restore life and guide us.  Keep us in you care.  In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Love and Prayers,

Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Many Hats

1 Corinthians 12:6  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

On the expressway yesterday I came up behind a car with a license plate that said something like “IwalkwGod.”  I thought, “Me, too.”  Then another car came in between us. The back window was decorated with hats lined up all in a row. Each hat was different, mostly ball caps.  The middle hat appeared to be a Marine dress hat. Many hats, maybe representing many roles, but all placed on the head of the same person.  I thought about all the roles each of us fill.  And I wondered how many of us let Christ permeate each of those roles.  Do we let God work though us at work, in our social life, among casual friends, in our family relationships, at church and in our moral choices?  I’ve known some people who appeared to put on God like they would put on a hat to come to church but it was not very evident elsewhere.  Our goal is to have God at work within us in each of our roles.

Loving God, please help us to be filled with you each day so that we may be the same even when we have different roles. May we represent Christ wherever we go and whatever we do.  In His name we pray, amen.

Have a great day,

Paige

Tuesday’s Devotion: Life Comes Back!

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."

I watched an episode of Rookie Blue a while back.  Generally I don’t remember much about episodes but one scene stayed with me.  A man who was very upset because his wife, tired of physical abuse was leaving him, pulled a gun and was holding her hostage.  The police try to negotiate a peaceful ending.  When the man expresses his anger about losing his job and all his other misfortunes, the officer replies, “Life comes back.” Three simple words --life comes back.  Often we have disappointments; failures; discouragements.  And yet life comes back if we trust God to be with us and for us in our efforts.  It may not be in the way we imagined but life comes back.

Holy God, encourage us where we are discouraged, comfort us where we are sad, restore in us the joy of our salvation.  We ask in the name of the one who has overcome the world. Amen.

Have a blessed day,
Paige

Monday’s Devotion: Deep Roots

Proverbs 12:12  The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
Colossians 2:6-7  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

The asphalt driveway down to the neighborhood pool is so bumpy that one must drive on it with much care.  These large bumps are caused by tree roots pushing the pavement up.  On one of my walks last week I came upon and entire section of thick concrete sidewalk that had been pushed out of place by a tree root.  The bible talks about roots in numerous verses.  It’s used to describe ancestry – Jesus comes from the “root of Jesse” and as a foundation for strength and stability as in the above verses. I want to have my roots deep into the foundation of Christ – meaning that my faith in Christ gives me the boldness to get through each day confident of the help of the Holy Spirit and grace and blessings of God.  This past week I saw news clips of numerous large old trees that had fallen over during local storms.  One fell on Fox Brothers BBQ destroying a dining room, delivery van an employee’s car.  Although large, these trees fell because they had shallow root systems.  They were felled by the winds of adversity.  We can protect ourselves by growing strong in our faith and rooting ourselves firmly in the body of Christ.

Holy God, help us to anchor ourselves in thee. Guide and bless us this week. Help us to overcome challenges and to feel you love and strength each day.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have a great week!
Paige

Friday’s Devotion: Waiting for the Final Score

Revelation 17:14  They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings —and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Someone posted a spoiler on Facebook last night congratulating Gabby Douglas on winning the all around gold medal before the event was telecast.  In spite of this at the end of the competition when they were waiting for the final score for her nearest competitor to decide between gold and silver I found myself holding my breath along with them. Scripture tells us that the victory over this world is ours through the Lamb whom we follow. And yet sometimes we still find us holding our breath and wondering if evil is not going to win out especially when Christians find themselves set against one another on theological issues. The devil laughs when we argue.  Gabby Douglas gave the glory to God in her follow-up interview.  So should we as we acknowledge that ALL followers of Christ will be victorious. And all means ALL.

Dear God, forgive us our petty arguments and our doubts in your love and grace. Help us to live the best life we can without judging others as we look to the final victory.  We ask in the name of the one who conquered the grave. Amen.

Have a blessed weekend. I hope to see you Sunday!

Paige

Thursday’s Devotion: Resisting Rest

Mark 6:31  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Once again I got caught up in watching the Olympics and was up well past midnight. I’m glad they only come every four years!  I don’t watch the winter games as closely.  Maybe because I’m from the sunny South I can’t relate to all that snow and ice.  I’m going on vacation shortly after the games end so I will have time to rest and catch up on my sleep.  Jesus knew the value of rest.  He is shown going off to pray and get strength from his Father.  He told people, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  I’ve found that even those who are retired can find themselves filling their days with activities.  It’s hard to stay still in this fast paced world. Yet we should follow after Christ’s example and take time out to restore our minds and bodies.  Maybe I’ll record tonight’s events or maybe I’ll just drink a lot of coffee in the morning.

Loving God, we are so active and don’t find rest to be productive.  Help us to see that it produces the energy we need to better perform and enjoy all our activities.  Help us to turn to you for rest when we finally are too tired to go on.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Blessings,

Paige

Wednesday’s Devotion: Considering Patience

Philippians 1:21-25 Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better.  If I continue to live in this world, I get results from my work.  But I don’t know what I prefer. I’m torn between the two because I want to leave this life and be with Christ, which is far better.  However, it’s more important for me to stay in this world for your sake.  I’m sure of this: I will stay alive and remain with all of you to help your progress and the joy of your faith.

My nephew’s girlfriend delivered a baby girl last night.  Along with the rest of the family we’ve watched the pregnancy progress over the nine months.  Then at the end the doctor decided to induce labor.  Even so it then took over a day to deliver.  She was admitted Monday night.  Aunts and grandparents in Ohio were anxiously waiting for Narissa to arrive.   This reminds me of many times in life when I got close to the end of a project or goal and just could hardly wait until the conclusion.  Paul is in this place now.  Yet he recognizes that his work is not yet complete.  In those anxious times when we’re almost there lets dig in and stay the course patiently taking things step by step until our goal is met.

Gracious God, we know that you are a patient God.  How you wait for us to turn to you! Please bless us with this fruit of the Spirit that we may endure in and through all things. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

PS  Please say a prayer for Narissa.  Her esophagus did not form completely so she will need extra medical attention. 

Blessings,

Paige