Devotionals

These days it seems like being “short staffed” within restaurants and retail stores is the new “normal”. Far too often, I see signs in the windows of these establishments that are requesting patience and kindness because of this overwhelming issue. So, what is your response when your favorite spot is either too busy or just simply closed for being short staffed? Do your thoughts, words, and/or actions come directly from 1 Corinthians 13, where the example of Christ as the Greatest Love, is patient and kind? I’d like to say that is exactly my response all the time, but Jesus is still refining my patience to be more and more like Him and He is increasing my endurance as I wait on His return.

In today’s passage James gives us several vital examples of patience and endurance:

James 5:7-12 (NLT)
Patience and Endurance

7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

We are to patiently wait for the Lord’s return, and James provides an example of what that looks like, through the farmer. While we are waiting, we are not to complain against one another, for “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). James continues by shining a light on how we are to maintain our patience even during suffering, and that is where endurance in Christ is found. He uses Job as the perfect example; that we may “also glory in suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope” (Romans 5:3-4) and our only hope needs to be in Christ, alone, and His return. Finally, James gives us a warning to speak the simple Truth, “for my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips” (Proverbs 8:7).

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being the perfect example of patience and endurance; and thank You for providing Your Word which is the perfect guide so that I may follow and grow in both. Please help me, Lord, to be the farmer and quicken my thoughts, words, and actions to be patient with others. Grow and refine my character so that I may have Your endurance. I so look forward to Your return and I want You to be ready for You. I pray all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Today’s passage contains 8 verses from a mere 176 verses…YES, you read that correctly, Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, and chapter, in the Bible with 176 verses. It’s an acrostic poem using the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 119 is divided into 22 sections, with 8 verses in each section. Another amazing fact is that this Psalm focuses entirely on the importance and value of the Word of God. Almost every verse contains various synonyms that are often used throughout scripture for the Word.

In these 8 verses I can relate to the palmist as in my own life I find myself clinging to my salvation in Christ and to His every Word. I always need Jesus, but it is especially clear to me that I need Him to deliver me from the trials and evil of this world. Only Jesus can spare my life as I obey His greatest commandment to love the Lord with all of my heart, soul, and mind; and the second to love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:37-39).

Psalm 119:81-88 (TPT)
Deliver Me

81 I’m lovesick with yearnings for more of your salvation,
for my heart is entwined with your Word.
82 I’m consumed with longings for your promises,
so I ask, “When will they all come true?”
83 My soul feels dry and shriveled, useless and forgotten,
but I will never forget your living truth.
84 How much longer must I wait until you punish my persecutors?
For I am your loving servant.
85 Arrogant men who hate your truth and never obey your laws
have laid a trap for my life.
86 They don’t know that everything you say is true,
so they harass me with their lies. Help me, Lord!
87 They’ve nearly destroyed my life, but I refuse to yield;
I still live according to your Word.
88 Revive me with your tender love and
spare my life by your kindness, and I will continue to obey you.

Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Today’s devotion includes all of Psalm 123. It’s very possible that the psalmist wrote this song to be sang by ancient Israel, while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as a form of worship after they were exiled. The psalm is titled “A Song of the Stairway” and in the first verse eyes are lifted, in worship, up to the Sovereign Lord. This is a powerful expression of spiritual eyes of the heart bowing before God for hope amid oppression. Only His faithful people understand that He, and He alone, is worthy of praise. The way love is described in the next verse is as fully dependent on the Lord. The psalm continues and ends with God’s people understand the great importance of receiving the His mercy and grace, not because they’ve earned it, but because it’s a gift that only God can give. This psalm is just as relevant today, even though much of our unbelieving contemporary culture would think otherwise, those of us who believe understand the great importance of lifting our spiritual eyes to the LORD, loving Him above all else, and praying for His mercy and grace.

Psalm 123 (TPT)
A Song of the Stairway

1 O God-Enthroned in heaven, I lift my eyes toward you in worship.
2 The way I love you
is like the way a servant wants to please his master,
the way a maid waits for the orders of her mistress.
We look to you, our God, with passionate longing
to please you and discover more of your mercy and grace.
3–4 For we’ve had more than our fill of this scoffing and scorn—
this mistreatment by the wealthy elite.
Lord, show us your mercy!
Lord, show us your grace!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word which is always relevant. I am so grateful to be a part of Your Family, and I bow my heart before You and ask for You to keep my spiritual eyes fixated on You. I love you, and please allow our relationship to grow. Help me to continue to lose my independence so that my dependence on You grows deeper. Please continue to show me your mercy and grace. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Today’s passage is another letter from Paul to the church in Corinth. In these verses, Paul exposes arrogance by contrasting the humble life of the Apostles to the prideful life of the Corinthians. The Corinthians believed that as Christians they were self-sufficient, while the Apostles suffered earthly judgment and circumstances for the sake of Christ. To many, the appearance was that the Apostles were weak, while the Corinthians were strong; but, to those who love Christ, we know that the Apostles were being guided by the Holy Spirit in the Wisdom of Christ. They were following the teachings and examples set out in front of them by Jesus Himself (Luke 6:28 & Matthew 5:44). Jesus directs us, as His followers, to love the unlovable and to pray for those who curse us, that they will be blessed. It seems like such a big ask at times, because in our flesh it’s easier to get angry, frustrated, or annoyed. But, as believers, we are called to speak like Christ, to walk like Christ, to listen like Christ, to pray like Christ, and ultimately, to love like Christ. Because, we know that only He will judge and that only He can save. So, our work is clear, we have to be His humble and loving representatives so that He can do what only He can do through us, and that is to bring more hearts to His Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (MSG)

9-13 It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We’re something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We’re the Messiah’s misfits. You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we’re mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don’t have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living. When they call us names, we say, “God bless you.” When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them. We’re treated like garbage, the leftovers that nobody wants. And it’s not getting any better.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the example You set for me. Please forgive me when I fail, and help me to quickly acknowledge my sin, to repent, and to move forward on the path You have for me. Guide me to not judge others, to love when someone is unlovable, and to pray for those who curse me to be blessed. Help to quicken my soul to understand that when I’m being cursed it isn’t about me at all, rather it’s because of You and they don’t truly know You. I pray for those who don’t know You, may they have an encounter with True Love, You, Jesus. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

When was last time you prayed and asked Jesus to increase your faith? Is it something you do daily? Do you ask others to pray for you in this place? Maybe you’re thinking I don’t need to because “I trust Jesus with my entire life and my faith in Him is firmly rooted every day in His Word.” Do you think it’s fair to say that the disciples, who walked with Him, thought the same way? Today’s message is crucial for all believers as the fragility of our faith is real because we are all imperfect human beings who reside in a fallen world. In today’s passage, we see how the disciples, who were physically present with Jesus, were unable to free a possessed child, which they had done at an earlier date. In response to this entire situation, Jesus’s own words reveal this inaction is due to their lack of faith and lack of prayer. This lesson leaves me with the realization that at times I too can be the arguing crowd, the desperate father, and the imperfect disciple. Jesus’s words (in red) help me to realize that He is calling me to be His representative everywhere, He wants me to submit all circumstances to Him in prayer, and He is urging me to confess my unbelief, lack of trust, and little faith during times of despair, so He can replace those places with full confidence, trust, and faith in Him, and Him alone.

Mark 9:14-29 (NLT)
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.

16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.

17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

19 Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”

29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

Prayer: Jesus, I confess that I do not always have the confidence, trust, and faith in You that I need to. Please forgive me and increase these places and help to break any unbelief. Quicken me to call on You in prayer in every moment of each day. I love You and ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 (NIV)

1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Chapter 9 is a continuation of chapter 8, of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. He is writing to encourage these believers in Christ to remain enthusiastic and committed to their promise of a generous gift to help the Christians who are suffering in Jerusalem. He even boasts about their gift to the poor churches in Macedonian. To ensure that their commitment has not faded, Paul sends Titus and brothers from other churches ahead of his arrival.

You might be thinking, what’s the big deal if these believers decide to adjust their committed gift or if they choose to not give at all? Paul goes on within the chapter to help us understand that when we make a commitment it is a heart matter (agreement) between us and God, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (9:6). God blesses those who are a blessing and who allow His work to operate through them. These blessings go far beyond this physical journey; as “others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (9:13) So, the “committed gift” ends up being a huge deal, not because it’s monetary, but because it’s a “confession of the Gospel of Christ” and it’s about your “generosity in sharing with everyone”.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for Your precious Word which ministers to my heart. Please guide me to remain committed to where you call me each day and may Your generous Spirit flow through me so that I may share the most precious gift of confessing Your Gospel. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Psalm 88:9 NLT“My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O LORD; I lift my hands to you for mercy.”

When you are faced with a storm in your life what do you do? As your “eyes are blinded by tears”, amid the storm, where are you? While the storm surrounds you are you “lifting your hands to the Lord” in prayer and trusting in His “mercy”? Here is a simple question, do you face a storm like cattle (cows/bulls) or like buffalo? Before you think I’ve completely lost my mind, a herd of cattle respond completely different than a herd of buffalo to a severe storm. When a herd of cattle see a storm coming, after lying down, they turn and move/run in the opposite direction; and when a herd of buffalo see a storm coming, they wait for the storm to be overhead, and then they charge into the storm. The cattle unfortunately are not fast and never outrun the storm. In fact, they get caught up in the storm and many times end up running with it. Both herds inevitably face the storm, only the cattle face it longer and with exhaustion, while the buffalo minimize the storm’s impact by breaking through it, with more energy, and into the LIGHT of the sun (SON) which is visible when on the other side of the storm.

Jesus never promised us that we wouldn’t face storms on our earthly journeys; in fact, as we learned during last week’s time of worship, and from the Gospel of Mark (4:35-41), Jesus calls us to have faith in Him during life’s storms.

So, what happens when the storm feels too big, as felt from the Psalmist of 88, and fear begins to rise, and you question if the Light is too far away? It is the time to get with other believers and pray, and to stay rooted in the Word of God. Come to Tuesday Morning Prayer at 7:00 a.m., come to Wednesday Night L.I.F.E. Lessons at 7:00 p.m. and ask for prayer, come early or stay late Sunday during 9:45 a.m. Worship and ask any of the Team to pray with you, and/or call (727-230-9723) for prayer and discussion about the Word of God. If you are tempted to stay away, it’s not Jesus “tempting” you. Jesus calls us to His Body and to His Word. It is always important to listen to that call, but it is imperative to listen more closely during the storms of life, because the enemy wants to use the circumstances and noises of the storm as a distraction from the only ONE who can calm the storm, JESUS!

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me the privilege of being just one part of Your Body. As I find myself in a storm, I praise You for allowing me to witness Your mercy, love, and compassion through Your Word, while in prayer, and through my Brothers and Sisters in Your Body. Help me to remember these moments and actions, so that I may be a blessing to others during their storms. Thank You for holding me in this place as I trust that You are using it for good. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jen Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Psalm 30:4-5 (NLT)
4 
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
    Praise his holy name.
5 
For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

What is grace? God’s unmerited favor is called grace. The grace the Father lavishes upon us permeates us until we return to God through our physical death. Grace is like a mantle or wrap that keeps us snug near God’s heart. What does grace do in our lives? Grace makes a way for us to be blessed by God; to be held, healed, and helped by God. It gives us victory over sin (James 4:6). We are saved by grace through faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, because Jesus is the embodiment of grace and Truth (Eph. 2:8; John 1:14). We have eternal hope because of grace (2 Thes. 2:16). If you are grateful for this amazing grace God has given you, then, like the psalmist, take time today to sing and praise his holy name.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your extravagant grace that covers me for a lifetime. This life can be difficult and hard. Though I have faced times of weeping, your grace has always brought me joy and restoration. I love and appreciate you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 130:3-4 (NLT)
3 
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
    who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 
But you offer forgiveness,
    that we might learn to fear you.

Are you a record keeper with your family or friends? You know what I mean; if someone says or does something hurtful to you it sticks to your brain like a tally sheet. As humans, we may be tempted to keep score when we face injustice, but God is never tempted to do so. In fact, he offers forgiveness in exchange for our repentance simply because he wants us to love, respect, and learn from him. To fear the Lord is to honor his holy name by living in a way that pleases him. Live in the fear of the Lord, today.

Prayer: Lord, by your mercy and forgiveness I am saved from the penalty of sin. In my repentance, you remember my sin no more. Glory to God! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mark 6:45-52 (MSG) Walking on the Sea
45-46 As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray.

47-49 Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared to death.

50-52 Jesus was quick to comfort them: “Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.

Sometimes things we read in Scripture can get stuck in our heads. We may work to process the information mentally, but can find ourselves only getting frustrated because understanding eludes us. Here is the reason: Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Therefore, we cannot really understand the supernatural spiritual ways of God with our natural minds. We need to invite the Holy Spirit to bring revelation knowledge (Truth) to our hearts. Then we invite the Spirit to help us understand the Truth we gain. Lastly, the Lord provides Wisdom to know how to apply that Truth to our lives.

In our passage today, the disciples have not been able to make sense of how Christ was able to feed the five thousand on two fish and five barley loaves of bread (with 12 baskets of leftovers), speak to the storm and bring peace, or walk on top of the sea. Where’s gravity during that last miracle? I would struggle trying to mentally process those things, too. That is why Jesus tells us we must trust him; he leads us to the knowledge of the Truth, through understanding the Truth, and into the application of the Truth. Jesus is the Truth and he knows where he is going in the Spirit! So, trust him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing Truth, understanding, and wisdom into my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.