Daily devotion

God’s Promises in a Covid World

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Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Matthew 2:19 ESV

Somedays we may wonder if and when we will ever emerge from the Covid-19 world. Some may be looking forward with the hope that Christmas will not be cancelled again. The rest of us are just longing for the good old days when a world-wide epidemic was simply the subject of science fiction. But the reality is that forces were trying to cancel God’s promises and destroy Christmas long before King Herod’s murderous plot and the wise men’s journey to Bethlehem.

As the sweet baby Jesus lay in the manger surrounded by shepherds, Joseph and Mary knew little of the dangers that lay ahead. They went to sleep that night trusting God just as they had always done. Then while they slept God sent His angel to warn them and direct them on their journey to safety.

So, as we face our dangers spelled out by daily new case counts, death rates and fears, remember that God also has a plan for us. Just as He kept Christmas alive in spite of Herod’s plans, so He will keep both Christmas and his plan for you and me alive no matter what comes. Even if our malls and restaurants close again or if we are unable to light candles together at church on Christmas Eve, God will keep His promise alive in our hearts forever if we will only trust in Him!

Unfailing Love

/ pastorpete51 / 18 Comments

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalms 36:7 NLT

Two nights ago I spent a mostly sleepless night alternately praying and worrying about our two daughters in law. On the same day one was going through major cancer surgery while the other was diagnosed with Covid-19. I know, because I have taught about prayer, faith and trust in God that He has them in His hands. Yet the human side of me struggles and silently repeats over and over the same requests.

So last night when I woke at 2:30 gripped again with fears and anxiety I prayed not just for them but for God to help my faith to grow. Of course the answer did not immediately jump out at me like toast popping up. But I followed my dad’s advice on sleeplessness and got up and changed the subject. I grabbed a bowl of cereal, put my earbuds in and listened to the Bible. Then as I relaxed my mental grip on the situation (partly from exhaustion partly faith) I could feel God’s heavenly wings around me and I knew that He can handle this. His plan- and unfailingly love is enough no matter what my fears. In the words of the song, I stopped all negotiations with the God of all creation” and I found my rest in the Father’s hands. If some nights you are also caught in that anxious crossfire between worry and faith then stop and take a deep breath. Change the subject just long enough for those mighty yet gentle wings of God to cover you and then find your rest in the unfailing love of our Father’s hands!

Praying For America

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Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

This Saturday we had a great meeting at Sunshine Village but our hearts are heavy for America. With young soldiers dying in Afghanistan and a storm of a lifetime threatening Louisiana we need God more than ever. 75 years ago Dr. Peter Marshall spoke on the American dream. “For freedom is not the right to do as one pleases, but the opportunity to please to do what is right. The founding fathers sought freedom…not from the law but in law;not freedom from government but freedom in government; not freedom from speech- but freedom in speech; not freedom from the press- but freedom in the press. Not freedom from religion- but freedom in religion.

How strange that after so many years that the struggle remains the same. We must hold our freedom firmly and our personal responsibility to use it well as a holy trust from God. How America needs our humble prayers today. Who will take the time to not only have a little talk with Jesus but be ready to hear what Jesus has to say!