Devotional Mar. 13th, 2020
Grace at Work
Friday, March 13th – Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
This scripture is stressing that we need to sow spiritual seeds rather than seeds from the flesh. Sowing is the process of planting the seeds and reaping is harvesting the finished product.
Sowing in this scripture is a metaphor for our actions as reaping is a result of those actions. If we are not walking in the Lord we are disrespecting him or mocking him as the verse says.
When we are sowing in the flesh we are interested in pleasing ourselves rather than the spirit of God.
Heavenly father, please give us hearts to desire to walk with you and be servants who are pleasing you rather than looking out for our own selfish needs and desires. Help us to put others before ourselves as you did Lord. I thank you too Lord that as we walk or sow in the spirit, your word says we will be rewarded.
– Camille Osier
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Devotional Mar. 12th, 2020
Grace at Work
Thursday, March 12th – Hebrews 6:10 (NASB)
“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.”
Jesus is our example, when He said “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” He identified a new way to lead, by serving the needs of others. Knowing the Father was is the God who cannot lie is always trustworthy, John 12:26.
Father, help me to hear Your voice and no other. And in so hearing Father cause me to look toward you in every situation, in every circumstance and confess You as LORD by serving Your body sacrificially all the days of my life, Amen.
– John Murdock
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Devotional Mar. 11th, 2020
Grace at Work
Wednesday, March 11th – Proverbs 11:24-25 (NLT)
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Years ago, my roommate went on something like YWAM’s DTS. She was gone for 6 weeks, which meant she wasn’t there to contribute her share of rent & utilities. There was a small family (Dad, Mom & baby) at church who needed a place to live for about a month. I invited them to live in my roommate’s room as she was gone. They were unable to pay anything toward the rent, in fact, they barely had enough to buy food for themselves. There was a week between when I paid the last of what I had for rent and when I was to be paid where I had no food left and nothing to buy food with. Every day that week a good lunch was provided for me. One day the Boss bought everyone lunch. Another day a co-worker said she owed me lunch… I didn’t go hungry and I didn’t fast. God took care of me. I was one who refreshed others and I was refreshed.
Jehovah Jireh – my Provider. Help me to recognize Your provision. Help me to freely give what You have given to me so You can give me more. Help me to refresh others so that I may be refreshed by You. Amen and amen
– LesleyMae Gronroos
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Devotional Mar. 10th, 2020
Grace at Work
Tuesday, March 10th – 2nd Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV)
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
I wonder why God loves a cheerful giver? I’m thinking about the contrast between doing something cheerfully versus being under compulsion or reluctance. Honestly, this seems difficult at times as we (speaking for myself, of course) seem constantly focused on ourselves, especially when it comes to money. There are so many things that overwhelm our financial budget: debt, taxation, insurance or medical costs, family needs and more. Where is there room for God, and how can I be cheerful about it when it seems at times there aren’t enough dollars to go around? I think the answer, at least for me, is verse eleven. God wants us to be enriched in every way, including financially, so that we can be generous. God’s plan is for us to be a blessing to others, and he provides the seed for us to sow in order to reap a generous harvest that we can use to bless others. And… as a result of this process, God receives thanksgiving from those who have benefited, both on the receiving AND giving end. I believe when we clearly understand this process we would absolutely be cheerful when we give. The Bible goes on to call this a gift from God!
Lord God we thank you for your process of seed time and harvest. Lord give us the revelation in our hearts and minds of Your desire to be a blessing in our lives and one of the ways you use to accomplish that. Ultimately Lord we choose to trust in you, help us God to be consistent, passionate and committed to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Devotional Mar. 9th, 2020
Grace at Work
Monday, March 9th – Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (ESV)
“Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.”
When I first approached these verses, I had no idea what to make of them. After consulting many journals from people who have way more experience than I do, I came to the following conclusions: There are multiple ways to read the first verse. My favorite way to read verse one actually reads “Sow your seeds” rather than cast your bread. Looking at it this way, we can sum it up much simpler. Sow your seed anywhere you go. Don’t hesitate on whether or not you should, or who to give it to. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow. What does this mean for us as believers? How can we sow seeds? Are you prepared to provide the stimulus for growth at any moment?
Feel free to reflect on that, and then pray this with me.
Lord, thank you for providing for me.
Thank you for doing what is best in every circumstance.
Lord I pray that you would reignite my fervor for you. I pray that every interaction I have would be a seed planted for You. As we are going through this Capital Campaign, give us the sense of urgency needed for a world with no promise of tomorrow. Give me the strength and the boldness needed to cast my bread upon the water.
You are the only way that we can grow.
Thank you for being who you are.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
– Allison DeJong
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Devotional Mar. 6th, 2020
Everything We Need
Friday, March 6th – Genesis 18:13-14 (NIV)
“Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
All too often we look at things through our own understanding. We use logic and reason to predict likely outcomes; it’s useful when plotting out traffic patterns to get to work or picking ingredients to make dinner – but be careful about putting God in a box. Who made the universe from nothing? Who breathed life into Adam? The devil likes to use our ‘superior intellect’ to cause us to doubt what God is capable – or willing, to do. Notice that God didn’t get angry with Sarah and punish her for her doubt; he reaffirmed His promise.
Lord, forgive us for our doubt of your abilities. Cause us to walk boldly with the faith that you keep your promises and delight in our faithfulness. Open our eyes to see the miracles all around us today.
Amen.
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Devotional Mar. 5th, 2020
Everything We Need
Thursday, March 5th – Isaiah 64:3-4 (TLB)
“So it was before when you came down, for you did awesome things beyond our highest expectations, and how the mountains quaked! For since the world began no one has seen or heard of such a God as ours, who works for those who wait for him!”
The prophet Isaiah lived his entire life watching the enemy’s of the nation constantly attack God’s people. Yet his consistent message was “Blessing and Restoration” because he passionately envisioned Christ, the Messiah to come. In this passage Isaiah’s prayer for help describes God’s intervention as awesome and beyond expectation.
This perfect picture of God coming down and the mountains quaking (flowed down) aptly applies to our spiritual battles that seem to manifest as impassable obstacles to our promised land of spiritual victory. We are reminded that since the world began eyes have not seen, nor ears heard of such a God as ours and the promise that he will battle for those who wait for him.
There are 16 Hebrew words that translate into “wait” in the Old Testament. The word wait in this passage is translated from the Hebrew “chakah” and literally means “wait in earnest” (Strong’s)
During the latter half of the 8th century Israel, the Northern Kingdom, had suffered immeasurable decline. Samaria was destroyed in 722 BC. A long progression of wicked kings, diminishing faith and empty ritual foretold the downfall of Israel. Judah, led by the degenerate King Ahaz seemed willing to follow Israel’s pathway to apostasy and looked toward pagan Assyria for security and deliverance instead of waiting on their covenant God, Jehovah. In the face of such unfaithfulness Isaiah raised a stern and determined protest. With imminent destruction at their doorstep, a prayer for mercy and help is raised. Isaiah, in this prayer, paints a reassuring picture of God on the scene. Hope is restored. God’s promises are as real today as they have ever been. When the way is hard He can renew your strength. When the wind and waves bring fear you can mount up with wings like an eagle. When the burdens of life try to hold you down you can cast your cares upon Him, run and not be weary. You can walk and not faint. These are His promises to us when we look to Him in sincerity.
God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. He stands ready and waiting for His Church to earnestly seek him and wait for Him. When we do we will always find Him on the scene bringing us deliverance, restoration, victory and blessings beyond our highest expectation! For we are His people and He is our God and since the world began no one has seen or heard of such a God, such a God as ours!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your provision.
Help me always remember that you are the God who provides and I need not look anywhere else.
Teach me your promises and grow my faith in you. Remind me if I doubt.
Help me focus on you, wait on you and earnestly seek you for divine intervention. Remove my doubt.
I pray also for your Church. Remind us over and over that you are the Christ, the son of the Living God. That flesh and blood has not revealed this but our Father which is in heaven. Build your Church Lord, anoint each area of ministry. Oil the machinery and direct us with your Word and the Comforter you have sent. Bring us closer to you and one another. Bless us with unity of spirit, confidence in your promises and revelation that you are the Christ, willing and able to provide even more than we ask or think.
In Jesus name let it be so.
Amen
– Allyn Almond
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Devotional Mar. 4, 2020
Everything We Need
Wednesday, March 4th – Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
God tells us to remember Him. In a world filled with distractions it can be easy to become mindful of things that are not about God and His promises. One of the most common and stressful worries are financial. Bills, debt, taxation and living expenses are a regular part of life and it seems as if they constantly change. One thing though that does not change is God’s promise. In the above verse he asks us to keep in mind that He is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth, and that promise remains today so His promise to mankind can be confirmed in this world. Consider the idea that we are created in God’s image and He has given us the ability to create, innovate, imagine, produce, and build. There is literally nothing we cannot accomplish when God is our creator and provider. Let’s keep that in mind!
Father we thank you for your promises! We pray that you would use us in a manner that would glorify you. Help us to live up to our potential in You, and remove anything in our lives that would encumber your will for us. Help us Lord to remember you and your loving nature and your promises. Empower us as a church Lord to create wealth so that your covenant can be confirmed in our communities and beyond. Thank you God in Jesus name,
Amen.
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Devotional Mar. 3, 2020
Everything We Need
Tuesday, March 3rd – Exodus 35:4-5 (NIV)
“Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing…”
“Everyone who is willing”
Reading this passage, it really strikes me that God is such a gentleman and so committed to our free will that instead of demanding what is His to claim, he invites us to participate in what He is already doing. So the question that I have to ask myself is, am I willing? Am I willing to trust that God has already provided for me (and my needs) and also for Himself for what He wants to accomplish through me and others like me? But in order to see it fulfilled I need to let go of what’s already His.
Lord, you’ve been faithful to me in so many ways. Help me to abandon my doubts and fears. I know fear is from the evil one. Make me willing, in Jesus name, Amen
– Kevin Deuvall
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