January 24, 2022
Hi friends! This is Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant. As many of you know, I have the privilege of writing the Monday devotionals. My name is typically at the bottom, but since I will be sharing an important part of my testimony in this devotional, as it directly connects with today’s date and passage, I thought it would be good to let you know, on the frontend, it’s “me” who is sharing.
Six years ago, today, our family learned that my 27-year-old cousin, Christopher Acerbo, went Home to Jesus. My Aunt Maria and Uncle Jack’s home was immediately filled with tons of our family and Chris’ friends as the news of their son’s loss was quickly received. There was easily over 100 people at their home, and I will never forget the moment our family’s Pastor came and spoke. Her name was “Pastor Mary Haley”, and I didn’t know her at the time. Why? Well, because at that time I didn’t consider myself “a person of faith”. So, as the Pastor spoke, I was standing directly behind her. She told all of us, “I don’t believe in religion, I believe in a relationship; one that is about love, and His Name is Jesus. If you want to know about true love, not this world’s temporal love, come and see me and we can talk.” I didn’t realize at that moment that the Spirit of Christ was moving within me…that revelation would come later, but I did go and meet with that Pastor the day after my cousin’s service.
Everything is fleeting in this physical life, and six years ago it seemed to me that there was nothing to hold on to with certitude. However, God used the most painful experience to gain my attention, and He spoke about His Eternal Love through the most unlikely person at that time in my life, a “Pastor”. Friends, although everything is fleeting in this physical life, we don’t live for this earthly life, we live for Eternal Life; and I cannot stop thanking the Lord for opening my spiritual eyes to grow with Him in understanding this Truth which He has for my life, and He has for your life. I can honestly tell you now that the enemy, who controls the ways of this world, wanted to keep me from knowing Jesus; because he knows that Jesus is the One perfect thing for our lives in this imperfect world, so he will stop at nothing to keep us from knowing Jesus.
In the seven verses of today’s Psalm, we are reminded that the Lord (Who is the Word) is Eternal, He is faithful, all of creation serves Him, happiness is found in knowing Him, He gives new life, and only His Word in this life is the One perfect, true, and eternal thing. Those who want to argue the Word don’t study it, they don’t live in and by it each day, and unfortunately, they don’t know Jesus (the Word of Life).
Friends, if you don’t know Jesus, or you have stepped away from Him, or you are thinking of stepping away, please pray and ask Him to allow the Holy Spirit to fill your mind and heart as you read today’s passage. Ask Jesus to open your spiritual eyes and ears so that you can see and hear what it is that He has for you. Jesus wants to guide you to understand how to live, He wants to hold you through the trials and valleys of this life, He wants to be your happiness and joy overflowing, and He wants to keep you sane in this insane world.
Psalm 119:89-96 (CEV)
89 Our Lord, you are eternal!
Your word will last as long
as the heavens.[a]
90 You remain faithful
in every generation,
and the earth you created
will keep standing firm.
91 All things are your servants,
and the laws you made
are still in effect today.
92 If I had not found happiness
in obeying your Law,
I would have died in misery.
93 I won’t ever forget
your teachings,
because you give me new life
by following them.
94 I belong to you,
and I have respected your laws,
so keep me safe.
95 Brutal enemies are waiting
to ambush and destroy me,
but I obey your rules.
96 Nothing is completely perfect,
except your teachings.
Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for giving me new life in You. I am truly happy. Please continue to allow my spiritual eyes and ears to remain open to the things that You need me to see and hear. I belong to You, Lord Jesus, and Your Word is permanently etched within my heart. Help me to grow each day in Your Word and guide me to bring Your love to others. I ask all of this in Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.