Daily devotion

Counting the Joy

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James 1:2 ESV

We had gotten used to Disney being closed and resigned to the fact that even beaches were shut down. That was soon followed by restaurants, my barber shop and finally even our church. But the reality of this verse didn’t kick in for me till yesterday when I discovered that there were no cases of any kind of water at Publix and the clerk didn’t know when it would come in.

Like the surprise of a sunrise streaking across the horizon I suddenly realized that nothing was in my control. It has become popular to say that we are all in this together. But our togetherness is kind of like being in the same waiting room each awaiting our individual surgery. One by one God is operating on our hearts through new and different trials. The good news is that He is not only a Good Shepherd -He is also a great surgeon! We can count the procedure we are facing as joy because we know that in the recovery room He will tell us that the operation was a success!

 

I Am Missing Church!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 ESV

Oh I know all about meeting online, making phone calls, and watching countless videos but I miss the little things about church. I miss wildly flipping through my Bible’s pages trying to keep up with our young pastor’s messages. I miss seeing the faces of my brothers and sisters and feeling their hugs and handshakes. I miss hearing voices of people crowded into the seats next to ours. I even miss just hanging out after the service and catching up with friends. But more than all these I, miss the hushed moment as the communion plate is passed and together we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made so that we could have eternal life – a life shared together with Him and all the family of God.. Not one of us knows when this Corona virus crisis will be over but when it is I will wager dollars to donuts that there will be tears of joy as once again we enter our places of worship. Maybe we will treasure a little more one of God’s gifts that we so often take for granted -the gift of one another. Maybe this trial by fire will open our eyes and our hearts to see the church the way that Jesus does. He is our Good Shepherd and together we are the flock of God for whom He laid down His life. Maybe this will teach us to appreciate and honor one another more. Maybe when the doors swing open again we will eagerly come and embrace one another because we have been reminded of the value of the church, the Body of Jesus Christ.

Father Forgive

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.   Luke 23:34 KJV

 

Whenever the president goes about nominating anyone for service in the government he makes up what people often refer to as a short list of names. These are the most qualified, smartest and powerful folks available. Add to those qualities the need of their having no embarrassing past, no criminal record or financial entanglements. Only after the best of the best have been narrowed down is the final the choice made. The good news for us is that God works in a different manner. His short list of candidates included corrupt politicians like Pilate; condemned criminals like the thieves being crucified with him and even a disciple named Peter who had denied him three times. Our greatest hope in the promise of Easter is in the forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers. We are as far from God as the soldiers who nailed His hands to the cross and Jesus reaches out to all of us in His prayer.

1564393271963_verse_image.jpg

Do you feel far from God’s plans for your life? Do you feel hopelessly tangled in a lifestyle that is leading you away from Him? The best news in the universe is; even if you had been one of those who gathered the thorns that were plaited into His crown, He would still want you as His child!