Daily devotion

Superman or Clark Kent?

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A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”  Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. John 4:7; 9

The failure that many of us have in trying to do what Jesus has called us to do is that we are doing His work in our way. Jesus says preach the gospel, but instead we do all kinds of things in place of simply telling our neighbor the story of eternal life through Jesus. If we are going to work like Jesus then we must think like Jesus did at the well in Samaria. He could calm winds and waves heal the sick and multiply bread but rather than trying to impress this woman with His abilities He begins by asking for her help.

red framed eyeglasses on newspapers

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When was the last time you asked your neighbor, co-worker or family member for help? Why does it seem to us that we must always be more like Superman than Clark Kent? Clark may have his weaknesses but he does have friends. If like Jesus, we ask for help in our own areas of genuine need we may discover that doors to hearts will begin to open. After all Superman may save the day but He never sticks around to get married, have kids and raise a family! If we are to reach our world with a message as desperately needed as water from a well, then we need to be willing to be weak and ask for help. Our moment of vulnerability will open the doors of hearts to what only God can do both in their lives and in ours!

Finding Contentment

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If there’s one thing I’m learning during this enforced time of semi- isolation it is just how simple our needs really are. During these six weeks we celebrated our 47th anniversary with takeout and flowers delivered to the house. Our children and friends called to congratulate us and 50 more sent love and greetings on Facebook while they chuckled at those old wedding pictures

We have haven’t been to church but we have had church online and learned the value of listening and worshipping at home. Our small group was cancelled but people are keeping in touch with messages and phone calls. Being unable to be physically present with others we are learning how important it is to pray for one another. And through it all life has inexorably become both quieter and more content.

Maybe we are becoming content because for the first time in a long while we are seeing how helpless we are and how strong the arms of God that draw us ever closer to Him!

An Invisible Faith

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Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 ESV

Some days it is easier than others to walk in our invisible faith. The circumstances around us seem confusing and often our friends and family wonder why we would choose to blindly follow Jesus Christ. But the power of invisible faith carries us forward one step at a time. It cannot be destroyed because no one can see its form and strike it dead with visible weapons. It cannot be explained, conjured up or reasoned into existence. Our faith in Jesus is a gift from above that arrives like seeds blown in the wind that quietly settle in our hearts when we are looking for Him.

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And when that invisible faith enters in to the secret place of our inner person it begins a work that usually remains unseen for a while. Then the unseen seed silently yet irresistibly grows. From the beginning of our journey God has plans for that seed will in the end be a reflection of His own eternal love. And then we will understand the promise that Jesus told Thomas about when He said, “More blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” What an amazing thought that 20 centuries after His death we are offered a greater blessing than Thomas – if only we will believe. We must simply trust  that one day we will know the visible reality of that blessing when we stand in His presence and see with our own eyes the face of Jesus Christ.