Devotionals

If there is one blessing that we can take for granted is that we have different senses that help us navigate through life.  Our senses include our smell, our touch, our vision, etc.  Out of those senses I have mentioned, the one that we use most frequently is our vision.  Every minute of every day, we are looking around and examining our surroundings.  Not only that, but we also pay attention to the details and to the people who we see and interact with on a daily basis.  I wear glasses every day for me to see what is in front of me.  I often joke about how I have four eyes because of the fact that I wear glasses.  I use my glasses to help me pay attention to not only to details but also to the people who I see on a daily basis.  Our vision can mislead us based on what we see on the screen or anything else of that nature.  Unfortunately there are times where someone is physically blind.  Not only that, but there have been times where we have been spiritually blind as well.  

In today’s scripture, we see where Jesus had healed two men that have been blind since birth.  When they were sitting on the side of the road and heard Jesus coming, they were asking Him to have mercy on them.  When Jesus asked them what He wanted them to do, they wanted to see.  He touched their eyes and they were healed and they received their sight.  

Scripture: Matthew 20:29-34 (NLT Translation)

29. As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.

But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”

33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to see what You want us to see.  Help our eyes be open to not only Your words that we read throughout the Bible, but also Your words of wisdom.  Let us not be blinded by the events of the world that we miss out on You.  Help us to be tuned into You and Your channel rather than being tuned into the channels of this world.  Help us keep our words and actions aligned with You.  In Jesus name, amen. 

If there is one thing that the world is producing, it is the fact there is evil all around us and people are being sucked into the foolishness and the lies that the world is producing.  I’ve mentioned this before, but people can get twisted and confused about all kinds of different things.  People are looking for the source of truth and they are wanting to find it in other people and even through substances and different things of that nature.  What we need to understand is that we can only find healing from God and Him alone.  He is the only One who knows and supplies our needs rather than giving us our wants.  In other words, God will give us what we need rather than our wants.  He knows what is best of us.  We need to be in that place of receiving His instruction with an open heart as well as an open mind.  

In today’s passage, David writes this psalm as a prayer for deliverance from those who do wicked.  David asks God to listen to him and his prayer for mercy.  How many times have we been in those moments where we believe and feel that God wasn’t listening to us.  When we are in those storms of life, we have the tendency to believe that God doesn’t listen to us, but this is not the case however.  The reality is that God does listen to us.  We cannot treat God like a genie in the bottle just wanting Him to grant us our very wishes.  That is not who He is.  He hears us and will bless us when it is His time.  We need to understand that God has our very best interests.  Only He can lead us through those storms and we need to be in that place of being in tuned with Him.  Once we are in tuned with Him, then He will see us through.  

Scripture Psalm 28:1-9 (NLT Translation)

1 

I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
    Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
    I might as well give up and die.

2 

Listen to my prayer for mercy
    as I cry out to you for help,
    as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

3 

Do not drag me away with the wicked—
    with those who do evil—
those who speak friendly words to their neighbors
    while planning evil in their hearts.

4 

Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!
    Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.
Pay them back for all their evil deeds!
    Give them a taste of what they have done to others.

5 

They care nothing for what the Lord has done
    or for what his hands have made.
So he will tear them down,
    and they will never be rebuilt!

6 

Praise the Lord!
    For he has heard my cry for mercy.

7 

The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

8 

The Lord gives his people strength.
    He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

9 

Save your people!
    Bless Israel, your special possession.[a]
Lead them like a shepherd,
    and carry them in your arms forever.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to receive Your instructions with an open heart and an open mind.  When we receive those instructions, help us to not only receive them but help us to obey them.  We cannot grow Your Kingdom unless we obey You.  Help us to do just that.  In Jesus name, amen.  

Yesterday, we learned about the idea of winning the war within.  If there is one thing that is relevant to us today, it is the fact that spiritual warfare is real.  Most of life’s battles are won or lost within our minds and in our brains.  This is where the enemy attacks us the most is within our minds.  What we need to understand is that we need to be paying attention to what is going on so that we do not give the enemy the authorization as well as the clearance to proceed into our minds.  When it comes to our lives, we are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.  If we are always thinking positive thoughts, then we are going to live our lives in a positive way.  If we think negative thoughts, then we are going to live in a negative way.  What we think determines how we are going to live our lives.  

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the apostle Paul speaks about how we need to “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ” (NIV Translation).  In other words, we need to take every negative thought that comes into our minds and reverse engineer it to making it follow the commands of the Lord.  It takes more energy in our body to think and act negatively than it is positively.  He also talks about how we do not wage war as the world wages war.  In other words, the world uses manmade weapons while God’s soldiers use the Bible.  That is the only offensive weapon that we need.  We need to understand that God is always going to be with us no matter what.  While there are waves crashing around us, we need to be focusing on Christ.  Only He can lead us through.  

Scripture 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT Translation)

“3. We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.  4. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock don the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.  5. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.  We capture rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”  

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to always be following You no matter what season of life we are going through.  Remind us each and every day that You are for us and is with us always.  Help us to surrender our hearts and minds to You.  Let us come boldly to Your throne without any sense of fear or hesitation.  Let Your love and grace wash over us and let us go out and be Your hands and feet to the world.  In Jesus name, amen. 

Today, during my reflection and devotional time, I was singing a song made famous by gospel artist, Lynda Randle. For me, it fit so perfectly with where I find myself, as well as where David found himself when he wrote the song of melody for our passage, today. It is easy to belt out praises when we are enjoying the mountain top experiences with the Lord. But, what about the times when we are called to linger in the valley of uncertainty? I am learning [and it is a very good thing for me] we must form a habit of praising God’s goodness in the valley, because it prepares us for climbing the mountain where we experience glorious joy!

So, in case you haven’t heard the song, I am going to share the lyrics with you. They are so good; so filled with truth and love. Such a comfort for our souls! I just love how Jesus finds ways to bring joy to our hearts. This was mine, today.

David knew all about the valleys, because he wrote in one of his famous songs of praise, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me!” (Psalm 23:4). Aren’t we blessed to have a Lord who loves us, never leaves us, or forsakes us? I am praising our Lord, today; I am radiant with JOY!

The God on the Mountain is still God in the Valley
[Verse 1]
Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known
But when things change and you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone

[Verse 2]
We talk of faith when we’re up on the mountain
But talk comes so easy when life’s at its best
But in the valley of trials and temptations
That’s when faith is really put to the test

[Chorus]
And the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night
The God of the day, is still God in the night

Psalm 34:1-8 NLT A psalm of David
1
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being with us each moment and comforting us in times of trouble. Thank you for your angels who stand guard over believers as we pray and praise. You are good, Lord! We have tasted and we know! Blessings and honor to you our Holy One! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Last Sunday during our time of teaching, I briefly mentioned a very mysterious Old Testament king who rises up as a leader in early Jerusalem: Melchizedek, king of Salem as a form of Christ and a forerunner of our True High Priest—Jesus. Strangely, there is no real record of Melchizedek entering or existing his kingly office, but Scripture mentions his reign just the same. The message is clear; Melchizedek [image of righteousness] arrives from the supernatural eternal realm to connect with Abram.

The King of Salem is sent by God for the purpose of bringing redemption and understanding to Abram. People who think human knowledge is the highest quest fail miserably, because human knowledge without spiritual understanding is a very small vision of reality. God is reality—the Creator of all things—and our tiny brains will never comprehend the limitless wisdom and power of God. God wants Abram to understand more about his power and plan.

So, here is a little more about Melchizedek. Abram comes to Salem [later called Jerusalem] after he conquers Kedorlaomer—king of Elam and his people [Iran]. Interestingly, the evil King of Sodom [seeking union with Abram to rescue the captured people of Sodom] and the righteous King of Salem [Melchizedek] meet Abram in the King’s Valley [Kidron Valley]. This is symbolic of that which is both spiritually godly and evil approaching Abram. Melchizedek brings Abram bread, wine, and a blessing; he tells Abram it was God Most High who had helped him gain the victory over his enemies (Gen 14:19). Abram responds in gratitude by giving a tenth of all the goods he had recovered to Melchizedek. As well, Abram told the King of Sodom he had no desire to keep the evil people or spoils of this battle.

To know God personally through Christ is a HUGE gift! An indestructible life is found only in Jesus Christ, our permanent and eternal High Priest. Knowing our High Priest through his redeeming relationship connects us with many amazing blessings. First, Jesus is the only One who can connect us with the Father, because they are One in righteous nature. Second, Jesus is the only One who can forgive our sins and cleanse us from human unrighteousness. Third, Jesus is the only One who can connect the earthly realm with the eternal realm and bring us understanding for life—revelation. So, connect to Christ!

Jesus has authority over heaven and earth; therefore, having him as a Bridge or High Priest brings us the ability to know and understand the plan and purpose of God and how we fit as transformed Kingdom citizens. Christ is our King and his Kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit. We have the strength and power of God causing us to rise up in a fallen world as more than conquerors.

Hebrew 7:1-10 NLT Melchizedek Is Greater Than Abraham
1 This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel,[a] who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. 9 In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our Strength and for making us eternally indestructible. Believers are your royal priesthood, so we are to be examples of your divine wisdom and spiritual power to overcome every attack of the enemy. We do not need to be lured toward destruction and we are never victims. Greater are you, Lord, and you live in us. Holy Spirit, help us to remember you travail to get us to the other side of every life issue that seeks to dominate us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Recently, I have been personally convinced about the true power and destructive nature of hurricane water and winds, because I am experiencing the lingering effects of Helene and Milton on our home. In the past, I knew about the power of hurricanes; I watched others suffer, but until we personally taste that experience, no human being can really understand the scope of the devastating helplessness, the grief of loss, and the challenge of restoration. There is something about experiential learning that brings a whole new awareness to the reality of nature and God’s purposes to connect the temporal with his eternal plan.

In our passage today from the gospel of John, the disciples struggle to gain a full understanding from Christ’s example of power, purpose, and passion in the temporal realm. Foot washing? Huh, what does he mean? Jesus has used simple signs and symbols to demonstrate eternal realities. The disciples have walked on earth with the Lord for three years and they have seen him do one miracle after another, yet they do not know how Christ’s coming as the Son of God changes everything for the future. Christ knows the purpose, but the disciples must experience the grief flowing from the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord in order for them to really know.

We should not be too tough on the disciples, because at times we can struggle to gain a bigger vision of God, as well. For example, why would God permit nature to batter a devastating blow to a coastline or flood surrounding states? I believe there is a very righteous answer for that question, but we must decide if we are going to see things from a human perspective or grow in our understanding of God’s perspective given by imparted divine wisdom.

Sometimes God allows things to happen in our lives, so the blinders the enemy has placed on human understanding are removed by reality. God wants us to know his love has come to forgive sin and rescue those who confess their need for him. God wants us to know the blood of Jesus is the only sacrifice that will protect people from eternal destruction. God wants his disciples to know the Truth of his purpose, because they need to lead others away from evil and into the Light or Revelation of Christ. It is a life and death situation we all face. Because God wants to save all of creation he allows suffering so we will turn to him and realize our greatest need is HIM! May our washed feet help us walk into the lives of others and share the Truth of God’s greatest gift—Jesus—and the rescue he alone brings.

John 13:1-17 NLT Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end [full extent of Christ’s love] .2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas,[devil used Judas] son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your Word, today. Help us to understand your righteous plan of salvation and how everything—even suffering—plays into it. When we suffer loss, we invite you to become what we lack. When we suffer with sin and call your name you come and wash us with your redeeming and forgiving love. When we suffer with worldliness, you help us see how fleeting the temporal is and help us walk in your pure righteousness. Then, we know how to tell others the Truth from our experience. Thank you for helping us see from your perspective. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Knowing how to respond to evil has been and continues to be a very difficult challenge for God’s children. Should we respond to evil by trying to bring justice in our human strength or should we remain in a place of trust and steadily seek to overcome evil with good? (Ro 12:21). Some times it looks like evil is gaining the upper hand. However, no matter what we face, we must demonstrate God’s love for all, trust the Lord, and pray for wisdom, because when God rescues his people, justice will prevail. Remember, God writes the future for his children, as well as for the wicked.

In our passage today, David sings about two different futures awaiting humanity. Nothing good awaits the wicked in the future; only destruction. It may look like they are flourishing, but that success is short lived. However, for the righteous who make the Lord their refuge, they are rescued and brought into a place of peace. “While trouble overthrows the wicked, it only drives the righteous to their strong Helper, who rejoices to hold them (Spurgeon). David reiterates the value and power of a person placing his or her trust in God. Do you trust the Lord with the challenges you may be facing?

Psalms 37:34-40 NLT
34 
Put your hope in the Lord.
    Travel steadily along his path.
He will honor you by giving you the land.
    You will see the wicked destroyed.
35 
I have seen wicked and ruthless people
    flourishing like a tree in its native soil.
36 
But when I looked again, they were gone!
    Though I searched for them, I could not find them!
37 
Look at those who are honest and good,
    for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.
38 
But the rebellious will be destroyed;
    they have no future.
39 
The Lord rescues the godly;
    he is their fortress in times of trouble.
40 
The Lord helps them,
    rescuing them from the wicked.
He saves them,
    and they find shelter in him.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us trust and rest in your provision of grace and strength. We will follow and do things your way as we praise you for your love. May our hearts be filled with gratitude, today, as you deliver us from evil. In Jesus’ name.

Friends, today’s devotion directly connects to yesterday’s sermon from Pastor Mary. If you recall, or if you were not able to join us, we spent time in Hebrews 5:1-10. The Apostle Paul is attributed, by many, to have written the epistle (letter) to the Hebrews, which is recorded as the book of Hebrews. At the time, Paul’s letter was meant to encourage the Jewish members of the Church, but God intended for His message through Paul to be an encouragement to the entire Church. A message that we are to maintain our faith in Christ Jesus and to not return to our former sinful lives or wander away from our new created life of salvation found in Christ Jesus.

Pastor Mary has been guiding us through “The Revelation of Jesus” as taught through the Spirit filled message of the Apostle Paul in Hebrews. Yesterday Pastor Mary talked about how as believers we are constantly faced with crossroads. Decisions that have to be made, where the goodness of God and His grace is on one side, and the darkness of Satan and his evil is on the other side. These decisions are crucial. It might not seem that way during certain decisions, or at certain times, or with certain people, but we are constantly choosing between God and Satan. Think about this, what if you find yourself on the wrong side of a choice, and in that very moment Jesus returns for His Church. You might be thinking come on, Jen, it’s one choice and the other 99.9% of the time I chose Jesus. I don’t know what that will look like, only Jesus does, but gosh, I would hate to be on the wrong side of things when Jesus returns. So, that leaves me with the question for myself and for you, so why is it ok then to be on the wrong side at any point in time. As believers, we know the answer is, it’s not ok.

Today’s passage reveals to us the importance of our continual spiritual growth and formation. Paul encourages us in verses 1 – 3 to move past the basics of our Christian walk. We know that our faith is found in the One Who gives us our faith, and in order to grow closer to Him we must be rooted in His Word (the Bible), daily, so we can know exactly Who Jesus is, how much He loves us, how He wants to use us to grow His Kingdom, and how He wants to prepare us for His return and eternity. Paul goes on within verses 4 – 8 to assure us that our lives will backslide if we fall into spiritual complacency or laziness. Our faith is directly connected to Jesus, Who is the Word, and so we must be growing (studying) His Word for the remainder of our earthly existence. In verses 9 – 12, Paul points to our salvation in Christ being connected to our love and care of others as we work hard to grow God’s Kingdom. Working hard for the Kingdom and caring for others should be a top priority for all believers as it reflects our spiritual growth and our formation to be more like Jesus and an extension of His love.

Hebrews 6:1-12 (NLT)

1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely, we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. 8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Please help each one of us, as believers, to grow up in our faith walk and to grow closer in relationship with You as we deepen our biblical knowledge. We want to be ready for Your return and we know that it will take each one of us spiritually ready and mature. Holy Spirit, please guide us with Your daily wisdom to open Your Word and to know where You need each one of us to be as workers for Your Kingdom. We continue to lift up to You, Lord Jesus, all of those who are healing and rebuilding from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Please guide each of us to reflect Your love, care, and support during these difficult times. We love You, Jesus, and ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

God is the perfect designer of nature; he has built creation by his supreme power and wisdom. Everything works in synchronicity by his commands. Recently, multiple states were overwhelmed by the powerful water of Helene and the intense winds of Milton; yet, friends we should be in awe and filled with respect for the One who actually sets the boundaries for nature. Science has limitations to explain some things regarding creation; the Creator God who is Wisdom itself does not.

Our passage today from the Psalter is to remind us to praise and worship the Lord for all he has created and given to us as his children. We praise our Creator who loves and gets involved in his creation. As science cannot encompass and adequately explain the supernatural Creator, we do not always understand the boundaries God sets for certain acts of nature. Humanity was to love and care for nature. We have to answer for our sin against God’s instruction and command. However, no matter how our lives may be affected by the adverse cause of natural disasters, we will sing and praise the Lord.

Psalm 104
1 
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
O Lord my God, how great you are!
    You are robed with honor and majesty.
2 
    You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
3 
    you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot;
    you ride upon the wings of the wind.
4 
The winds are your messengers;
    flames of fire are your servants.
5 
You placed the world on its foundation
    so it would never be moved.
6 
You clothed the earth with floods of water,
    water that covered even the mountains.
7 
At your command, the water fled;
    at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.
8 
Mountains rose and valleys sank
    to the levels you decreed.
9 
Then you set a firm boundary for the seas,
    so they would never again cover the earth.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this beautiful and wonderful world you have created for us to tend and enjoy. We cannot control nature; it is yours to command. Natural disasters are more than cause and effect. Our problem is sin and it goes way beyond not taking good care of your creation; the world has displaced you as Creator, the rightful Ruler, Authority, and Lord. We ask for mercy and forgiveness. Help us to remember the salvation you offer the repentant, as well as the personal responsibility that is ours to love and serve you and your purposes for our lives. We praise you with every aspect of our beings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Accepting people must be a part of every Christian’s life. Although some folks are much easier to accept, it does not change the truth. Jesus mercifully accepts people without preference and we must do the same.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul writes to remind the Roman believers (and us) to work toward unity. I’m not sure how you might define unity, but for me I always come back to the word “connection.” A Christian is to remain in oneness or unity with other believers because of his or her connection to Christ—we remain in a bond of love. We accept others based on Christ’s love. We may not be able to affirm their personal life choices, but we can certainly accept them and welcome them into God’s family.

The beauty of God’s family is we should all be thinking about Jesus the same way; as the One to Whom we owe our lives. With that mindset, we are filled with a spiritual hospitality and compassion. We run to listen and heal others. We seek to understand things that wound or break the heart of others. We are salt! We are light!

Romans 15:7-13 NLT 7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:
“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing praises to your name.”
10 And in another place it is written,
“Rejoice with his people,
    you Gentiles.”
11 And yet again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.
    Praise him, all you people of the earth.”
12 And in another place Isaiah said,
“The heir to David’s throne will come,
    and he will rule over the Gentiles.
They will place their hope on him.”

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, thank you helping us as your children embrace the right attitude about others. Continue to grow us to be people who accept others the way Christ accepts us. Holy Spirit, help us to be tolerant and respectful when we meet other believers who do not see things the way we do. Convict us when we try to make others in our image; rather than accept others made in your image. We rejoice in your love and we seek to share it with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.