Devotionals

Intro: On my desk at home I have a pair of Emmett Kelly, Jr. bookends that my mother bought for me years ago. Emmett Kelly Jr. was a legendary American clown; his character was Weary Willie. These bookends in some way touch my soul; in between my bookends rest my three favorite Bible translations. So, Weary Willie reminds me when I am tempted to feel weary, it is time to reach for the Word!

In our lesson today, Jesus has the Jewish nation on his mind. He uses two events like bookends to his lesson about judgment. The first piece or bookend of the event takes place when Jesus is walking toward Jerusalem with his disciples, realizes he is hungry, and walks to a fig tree in order to pick some fruit. But there is no fruit even though the leaves on the tree make it look healthy and promising. The leafy fig tree is a facade; looks visually inviting and hopeful, but void of fruit [the tree is an object lesson about the spiritual hypocrisy and fruitlessness of Israel]. So Jesus gets angry, curses [judges] the fig tree, and keeps walking to the temple.

When Jesus gets to the temple, he becomes aware that the priests have ignored God’s instruction about their duties to maintain a sacred place of worship for God’s dwelling. Instead, the priests, money-changers, and merchants are padding their pockets by taking advantage of the poor [extortion]. As well the priests are doing business in the Gentile courtyard which hinders the non-Jews from worshiping. Therefore, the temple is a facade; looks like it is busy with life, but it actually is a place where the practice of sin is allowed to hide and contains no prayer for the nations. Immediately, Jesus expresses the anger of God and drives them out of the temple [judgment has been put into action]. Note, the temple will be destroyed in 70AD when the judgment is complete.

Here’s the second piece or bookend of the event: The next day Jesus and his disciples are walking past the same fig tree [still an object lesson] and they notice it is dying from the roots up. Jesus wants his disciples to understand about the judgment coming. If the life of Christ is not in us, we will not only be fruitless, we will spiritually wither and die. We must dwell and abide in Christ.

Only the life of Christ can atone for our sin, but repentance and turning from sin is essential. Jesus is the Judge of sin and we must surrender to his righteous commands. This evening ends Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. For the Jew, it is a time to ask God to forgive and cleanse his people from sin. For Christians, we know Jesus is the Messiah who atones for our sin and provides peace with God. So, today, may we spend time in prayer for the Jews to recognize their Messiah who offers peace, the salvation of the unbelieving world, and for our very own hearts to repent of all known sin. Judgment is inevitable, but forgiveness comes when we ask for the blood of Jesus to cleanse us.

Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 NLT Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

Prayer: Lord, according to your Word, I know your plan for redemption includes the salvation of the Jewish people. So on this Holy Day of Yom Kippur, I pray for the Jewish people to come to know you as their Prince of Peace and personal Savior. May they receive the perfect atonement you offer. Open their eyes, reveal yourself to their hearts, and help them confess, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” For non-Jews, we pray for them to hunger for your righteous justice, mercy, and forgiveness, Lord. And for all hearts, we pray the blood of Jesus to cleanse us and make us holy in your sight. We are a sin-prone people, but you are a holy God! Hear the cry of our hearts, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: It has been days now since hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern coastal Florida. The photos and the news articles of the devastating details are hard to comprehend; the destructive power of the storm that left its mark on much of the state. Even believers have been struggling to figure out how God could have allowed this to happen. However, we must never forget the world is demonically influenced by the methods of Satan (John 10:10). As well, don’t miss the promise nestled within the destruction: God will always take what Satan means to rob, steal, and destroy, and use it for good [bringing the promise of redemption, the return of the Son to defeat evil, and the establishment of the heavenly Jerusalem on earth].

It is true God has the power to rebuke the wind and the surging waves and they are forced to obey him, but we must never forget this world is not as God created it or desires for it to function (Luke 23-25). This world and everything in it is going to face the judgment of God. Human beings gave power to sin, even though they were in God’s Garden paradise, and from that moment on the world was subjected to God’s curse against sin (Ro 8:19-22). So, according to Scripture, God’s anger against sin is even experienced in natural disasters (Luke 21:25). Natural disasters always shake our understanding of who is in control, but we are once more keenly aware that human lives are fragile and possessions are temporary. God is good and we must always hold onto that truth in our hearts. Our faith in the Son of God must rule our lives, because we cannot serve two masters and making a choice between earthly possessions or heavenly treasures will come (Mat 6:19-21, 25).

In our passage today, the Apostle John wants us to remember those who believe Jesus is the Messiah are spiritually born again as the children of God. We are now empowered by the Spirit of God to love him and love others around us as we place our faith in the Son who makes it possible for us to obey the Word of God with our choices. Believers have eternal life—Jesus—and have fellowship with him. We believe in the incarnation; so, now we must choose to be the heart and hands of Christ in the midst of this natural disaster. God’s children will be revealed by the love we proclaim with Abba, as well as the love we share with others because we live in fellowship with him. Jesus is the Truth—a person of divine love and integrity. Let him live through you, because we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word/Truth of our testimony (Rev 12:11).

1 John 5:1-5, 18-21 NLT Faith in the Son of God
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing a Way for believers to remain strong in faith even in the midst of every physical, emotional, or spiritual storm. It is through faith that we defeat Satan and every plan he has to rob, steal, or destroy us as your children. Please continue to give us wisdom and understanding, so we are not distracted or tossed to and fro by the work of evil. We will remain focused on you by holding onto your promise to love, care, and partner with us to be a source of restoration. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Last week someone asked, “why isn’t God stopping Hurricane Ian, or better yet, why did He even allow the storm to begin in the first place?”

If we are all being completely honest, at times along our faith journey we have found ourselves in difficult places and have asked questions like: “Why, God?”, “Where are You, God?”, or “Are You really good, God”? If we take our honesty to a place of Biblical humility, we can admit that in those times we were doubting God, we were not trusting in Him, and our doubt and lack of trust were directly connected to our lack of Biblical saving faith. That Truth might be a tough and ugly pill to swallow at times; but our actions and inactions are a direct indicator of our faith or lack of faith.

So, how are we as believers supposed to respond to the destruction of Hurricane Ian or to hard times? In today’s passage, James tells us that as believers we are to consider ourselves fortunate, or in other Biblical translations we are to consider it a sheer gift (GNT), consider it pure joy (NLT), or allow it to give us a reason to be very happy (ERV), because it will all be worth it in the long run (for eternity)!

Considering ourselves “fortunate” during a hard time might sound like a crazy idea. But James wants us to know that when we allow the Spirit of Christ, by our faith, to guide us during hard times that our faith succeeds (or grows) and as a result our ability to endure during hard times also grows. It is all about God seeking to grow us up in our faith, so that we trust in Him at all times, and ultimately, He can keep producing something worthwhile and eternal in each of us. The key to this happening is that we have to be fully willing to allow God to work within us.

James is not telling us to plaster on a fake smile in the midst of pain during a hard time. Remember, James was the younger son of Mary and Joseph, so he knows pain as he watched his own Brother be nailed to a cross and crucified. Rather, in today’s passage, James is guiding us towards praying to God in the midst of pain and calling out for His Godly wisdom. You and I need God’s wisdom to lead our faith in hard times. Otherwise, Satan will seek to weaken our faith with doubt. Doubt is not from God, and if you and I allow it within our souls (our minds, wills, and emotions) Satan will use it like Hurricane Ian to cause destruction of our faith. God’s wisdom within us stands against Satan and his tactics to destroy us and our faith…so we need to pray for God’s wisdom every single day!

James 1:2-8 (GNT)
Faith and Wisdom

2 My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, 3 for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. 4 Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. 6 But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. 7-8 If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being the ultimate example of faith. Your faith never wavered on the cross, the most difficult of times, and so we call on that faith for our own lives. We seek Your wisdom, Lord, and we need Your help to cast out all doubt. Forgive us for our lack of faith and our lack of trust. Strengthen our faith, Jesus, by Your wisdom. We ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: We are all called to be a living expression of faith in God. I want us to think about that statement for a minute. How you and I live, move, and have our being is to be an expression of what we believe about Christ and his love (Acts 17:28). I pray you are home safely and you, like me, are praising God we were spared of greater destruction from hurricane Ian. As well, I am praying about ways we can be the expression of Christ to our Florida neighbors who faced the storm head on and are suffering.

In our passage today, Jesus is revealing God’s heart to his disciples and to the crowd that follows him. He is the Healer and he cares about the suffering of his children. Everything about Jesus is compassionate and full of mercy, so he reaches for the suffering around him. The two blind men—who cannot physically see Jesus—spiritually know he is the long-awaited Messiah; while, the religious leaders have no idea who Jesus is and how he is able to do such amazing miracles. It becomes so clear that we can have an idea about God, but offer no accurate expression with our lives. We must be followers of Christ to be a true expression of him. As we go back into our routine lives (following the storm) let’s remember to reflect his glory and praise the majesty of our Messiah! As well, let’s look to be a healing hand of hope and help.

Matthew 20:29-34 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
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: Lord, thank you for keeping us safe through the storm. I pray for wisdom to know how to be an expression of your love to those who find themselves facing catastrophic loss and in need of help. Use your children, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Today, John and I are staying with our daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter, Amana, since we had to evacuate for hurricane Ian. Occasionally, we have accessed the hurricane tracker for an update, but have spent very little time watching and listening because it stirs up stressful emotions. Over the years, I have looked for natural and doable ways to reduce stress—I have no desire to allow stress to dominate my life. Evil came to rob, steal, and destroy the children of God, but Jesus came to give us abundant life in the peace of God (John 10:10). Therefore, when I am feeling stressed, I try to take a nice walk, go for a bike ride, listen to music, and laugh with family or friends. Well, no walk or bike ride today, but I can still find humor as I listen to Amana’s white noise machine; it’s actually quite peaceful. lol!

The Word of God is the peace of Christ which manifests in our hearts, so when we are stressed, we should spend time in the Word. God knows what frightens, frustrates, and stresses us. So, it is wise to trust the Lord in all things—even this stress-inducing storm. Trust is about submitting to the Lord; we give up our stress by getting our focus off from our finite situations and onto the wisdom of God. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Eph 3:20). Trust is also about delighting—aligning—and reconciling with how God desires to be known and love him wholeheartedly in that place. So, may we commit not only what we do but the way we look at life knowing the Lord is always there to help those who place their trust in him. Peace is from the Lord and we need Peace right now!

Psalm 37 A psalm of David
3 
Trust in the Lord and do good.    Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 
Take delight in the Lord,    and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 
Commit everything you do to the Lord.    Trust him, and he will help you.

Prayer: Lord, as Your children we must grow in our trust during the most difficult places in this fleeting life. Today, my heart is burdened for those who have found and still may find themselves in the path of Ian. I pray for Your supernatural peace to overshadow every stressed or frightened heart in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Today, just before we had to evacuate our home, I took Gracie for a walk. As I wandered through the neighborhood, it was evident many folks around us were planning to stay in their homes during the storm and not evacuate even though we all live in Zone A. I stopped to talk with a sweet couple for a few minutes. As I was leaving them, I said, “I will be praying for your safety.” The woman responded, “Yes please! Oh thank you so much!” We all want to be saved from the storm, but real salvation comes as we give Jesus—the Living Word of God—first place in our lives. Loving God wholeheartedly and loving our neighbors requires deep relationships; Jesus connects us all together in his perfect love.

In our passage today, Jesus is approached by a young man who wants to know how he can have a life that lasts forever. Now, Jesus knows the man’s heart and the sin of greed that is hiding within his flesh. So Jesus offers him a very unusual assignment that will reveal the Truth. Jesus wants the young man to see he actually loves himself and his possessions most of all; sin is the reason he will not obey Christ’s instruction. The young man fails the test and misses the answer to his question: following the commands of God is the way to a life that lasts forever.

Matthew 19:16-22 NLV Jesus Teaches about Keeping the Law
16 A man came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good work must I do to have life that lasts forever?” 17 Jesus said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One Who is good. If you want to have life that lasts forever, you must obey the Laws.” 18 The man said to Him, “What kind of laws?” Jesus said, “You must not kill another person. You must not be guilty of sex sins. You must not steal. You must not lie. 19 Show respect to your father and your mother. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 20 The young man said to Jesus, “I have obeyed all these Laws. What more should I do?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have and give the money to poor people. Then you will have riches in heaven. Come and follow Me.” 22 When the young man heard these words, he went away sad for he had many riches.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word that leads to life that lasts forever. Today, I pray for everyone in the path of hurricane Ian to see true salvation comes when we follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Over the last few hours, I have needed to cling to my place of spiritual rest—trust in the Lord. The enemy has been busy trying to shift me from that place of confident trust by getting my thoughts focused on the hurricane that looms in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as concern for the vast preparation that lies ahead for my day. These are the things I am thinking and praying about this morning when usually this is my sabbath and I typically plan to relax and get recharged.

I am not afraid of the storm. However, I am aware there are many people I deeply love who will either be sheltering alone, perhaps needing to be evacuated, or find themselves activated to work as first responders. I cannot change the service work my precious loved ones must rise to champion, but I can be present to help with those who may be alone or need a safe place to stay. Truthfully, should the storm stay on the present projected path, I will have to evacuate my home.

For a few moments this morning I felt unsettled in my soul; then, I realized I was actually experiencing the encroachment of a dual storm: a physical storm named, Ian, and a spiritual storm named, Satan. What is my priority now that I know I am dealing with a storm doubleheader? I have chosen to sit quietly for a spell, write this devotion a day in advance, and await God’s Wisdom about what preparation is necessary as I love God and others. “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him!” (Ps 62:5).

While I have been sitting here quietly at my computer praying and meditating on our passage for today, I have received multiple text messages from members of our spiritual family looking to take care of others who may need shelter, help, or prayer. The Spirit called me to this quiet place this morning to reassure me salvation is right now, in this present moment, found in the love of God. Do you realize how precious that revelation is to me? It’s like God showing me how much love we, as a spiritual family, have for Him as we seek to love and care for others in need (Mat 22:37). It is the living Gospel my friends; Christ in action. What a blessing this past hour has been to sit quietly and watch the work of the Body being led by our Lord. Jesus is so faithful! So loving! So Good! What a Shepherd and Lord we serve!

When we have built our hope and lives on the SOLID ROCK of Jesus the Savior, we are secure and safe. The storms of life will most assuredly rage, but our faith must remain fixed and anchored to the Rock that no enemy can reach! Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
So make seeking Christ your priority, today. Pray for the storm to weaken and for people in its path to be safe. And, look for the power of God to care for His children! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend upon your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Pro 3:5-6).

Psalm 62:5-8 NLT
5
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,    for my hope is in him.
6 
He alone is my rock and my salvation,    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 
My victory and honor come from God alone.    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 
O my people, trust in him at all times.    Pour out your heart to him,    for God is our refuge.

Prayer: Lord, I want to thank and praise you for the love you impart to your children. You have revealed that to me today in the most tangible ways. We have just entered the Ten Days of Awe and a time for turning repentant hearts toward you for renewal. May those who know you, hold faithfully to your promise of salvation. And, may those who have yet to know you, reach for you today and the new beginning that is found in you alone. Precious Lord, take our hands and lead us on. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friends, I’ve mentioned in the past that we follow the Lectionary with the passages that we use for the daily devotions; and it seems like Jesus is divinely connecting so many of my recent devotions to the urgency of our spiritual readiness as His church in preparation for His return.

Today we will be looking at the last 9 verses of Revelation 3 which is a message from Jesus, through John, to the Church in Laodicea. Before we look at today’s passage, we need to remember that the book of Revelation is an unveiling of the future. Every message to all 7 churches is in red print, meaning these are direct words from Jesus to “the church”…and since you and I are the church, that means He is speaking to us. This particular message, or letter, is the final instruction that Jesus has given to John to write for the 7th church. These messages/letters advise you, me, and all believers that as the church we must repent and hold firm to our faith, or else we will become lukewarm which is exactly where Satan wants each of us so he can turn our hearts cold to Christ.

Every message/letter, prior to this last one, has included at least a compliment from Jesus to the churches. But, right out of the gate in this one, Jesus says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mount!” (v.15-16) We must remember that Jesus knows the intensions of our heart. He knows if we are serving Him (and on hot fire with the Holy Spirit) or if we are serving Satan (have grown cold and desiring more of this world). It is imperative that we remember what Jesus taught us through Matthew during His Sermon on the Mount that “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” (6:24) Anything of this world that enslaves us is simply Satan taking us further away from Jesus. Satan plays a long-term game for our hearts, he knows if we are enslaved to the things of this world, we will grow lukewarm and eventually we will turn cold. If we go a little further in Matthew to chapter 24 Jesus speaks about the future and He specifically says that “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” (24:12)

We can say we are good, that we have everything we need, even that we are rich which money, love, things, etc. The physical churches can be beautiful, with large budget lines; but, when everything goes away, you and I want to make sure that we have stored up “wealth” in eternity…and that starts right NOW. We must live for eternity now, which means we ought to be repenting daily in prayer and allowing God to purify us, so we can inherit the riches of heaven. We also want to be made righteousness in the likeness of Christ, which requires the same, constant repentance in prayer and seeking to have spiritual eyes to be guided on the path Christ has for us. We have to welcome the correction that God has for us, because if we don’t, we are walking off of the path He has so beautifully created for each of us as His church. Listen for His knock, quickly answer Him, and remain on HOT fire for Jesus, no matter what is happening around you.

Revelation 3:14-22 NLT

The Message to the Church in Laodicea

14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for hearing our prayers. Help us to be on fire for You, Lord. When we step into sin, help us to immediately stop, repent, and turn away from that sin. We ask for Your angels to guard us, and for all of heaven to join us in prayer as we hold firmly to our faith in You, Lord Jesus. We join our hearts in asking for Your protection over all who are in Ian’s path. Please weaken this storm, Lord. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: Human beings crave influence and power, but rarely wear it in humility or use it wisely. According to Scripture, leaders are elected into positions and allowed to have power, but are actually used to further God’s purposes rather than the human agenda (Ro 13:1). Sin is the root of humanity’s pride problem that will one day lead to destruction (Pro 16:18). Righteousness is the eternal solution that will lead to life (Pro 11:19). Biblical history reveals God uses prideful control-driven leaders to demonstrate what is true and must be fixed: this sinful world needs a divine Lord who is perfect in love, righteousness, and rules in justice [giving people what they deserve]. Jesus is the perfect One.

In our passage today, Jesus is mentoring leaders for the future. His eternal Word reaches our hearts with the lesson. The disciples get into an argument about who is the greatest among them; pride is leading their thoughts and conversation. This must have grieved Jesus, because he arranges a public object lesson to humble them. Jesus uses a child as an example of greatness for his disciples. As if to say, “You want to know who is the greatest leader in the Kingdom among you? It’s this child, because she listens to my correction and humbly obeys. Be like her!” God exalts the humble (Phil 2:8).

Pride will always seek to block a person from learning to listen to the Spirit; but, humility opens the heart and brings a person honor. God’s Spirit-led leaders are servants. Pride has dominion over too many leaders in our world, today. So, be a servant-leader in your sphere of influence and reveal the lesson of humility. If we are wise, we will humbly bend our knee now, because one day…every knee will be commanded to bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord! (Phil 2:9-11).

Luke 9:46-48 NLT The Greatest in the Kingdom
46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf [in my name] welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this lesson today on leadership. To be great in the Kingdom is to be like Jesus. So, Holy Spirit please recreate us in humility as your servant sons and daughters. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Yesterday, I read a quote by educator and author Edith Hamilton, “Love cannot live where there is no trust.” I found the quote remarkably interesting because I talk to people every day who find themselves with trust issues—living in the present, but focused on negative experiences that happened in the past. In our personal relationships, it is very difficult to move beyond trust issues when someone we respect or love betrays our trust. We can be afraid to trust, again. When we face those times, we need the love of God in order to heal and move forward.

Human beings are flawed; we can have an ugly side that is very selfish. However, God is pure love and he can always be trusted (1 John 4:7-21). It is the love of God that leads believers to place their trust in him (John 3:16). Every challenge we face in life is an opportunity to grow in our trust of God; within those challenges God reveals even then the ways he is loving us. There is a huge difference in how God loves and how flawed humans love. Oh, that we would be more like Jesus! God’s love is holy and stedfast; we can always trust his promises. Human love is fleshy and faltering that’s why God made a way of salvation for us. We can have an expectation for the love of God, but there will be plenty of times we will need to be merciful with everyone else…and everyone else will need to be merciful with us. Love keeps no record of being wronged (1 Cor 13:4-7).

In our passage from the Psalter today, we are reminded to trust God, because he is our Shelter when we are afraid to trust—we trade our fears for faith in his love for us. God has promised to protect us and keep us safe even in the midst of great stress and challenging situations. Yes, even in the midst of injustice. He has promised to restore us when we find ourselves wounded. You can trust God wholeheartedly; let him be your safe place of love, today.

Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 NLT
1 
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 
This I declare about the Lord:He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;    he is my God, and I trust him.
3 
For he will rescue you from every trap    and protect you from deadly disease.
4 
He will cover you with his feathers.    He will shelter you with his wings.    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

14
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 
When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
16 
I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being our promised place of safety. Shelter us with the wings of your Spirit and fill us with pure love, trust, and strength today. Thank you for always being with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.