New Year's Eve

New Year’s Eve

“The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46v7

            Today rather than focusing on a new beginning, let’s give thanks for the blessed year that has passed. Certainly as we think back there are both positive and negative memories. We may ask why we did some dumb things? …or why something great happened? Whatever the case, the Lord was with us and we need to be thankful.

Thought for Today: Today let us be thankful for last year and prayerful about our future. As we move forward let’s remember two of my favorite themes. Keep healthy in spirit, mind and body. Also when doubt about something remember my favorite philosopher, NIKE and “Just do it!”

Bob’s Note: Thank you for reading these devotions. My prayers are that it helped you in some small way. You are a blessing to me.

Sincerity

Sincerity

"Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
 Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.”
(Romans 12:9-13)

        During the Christmas season we all share material gifts. It is a time of great love and caring.  There are a lot of hugs, kisses and tears of joy. It is a truly wonderful time of year. We are blessed with love and the spirit of Christ. 

        Now we are faced with a New Year and all of the resolutions that come with it. In most cases, we go back to the grind of daily life and settle into our routine with very few changes. However, we need to continue to share this love, this zeal and this joy. When we do, we all benefit and live better lives. Here are two of my favorite quotes and worth thinking about for the New Year.

John F. Kennedy:  "One person can make a difference and every person must try."

John Wesley:

Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can

at all the times you can,

to all the people you can,

as long as ever you can.

Thought for Today: As we proceed toward the New Year, let us focus on ourselves and our talents. Let us recognize that we have special gifts, given to us by the Lord to use for Him.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are entering the New Year and we wonder where it will have in store for us. Week we pray we can apply our talents and gifts in the New Year to pursue your will.
Amen

Joy to The World!

Joy to the World

“Joy to the World, the Lord has come"

        There are a lot of one liners that can be taken from Christmas carols. The opening of "Joy to the World" says it all to me. It summarizes our Christian lives; lives of joy through the forgiveness of our faith and our Christian peers. Let us all feel the joy of the season, the love for each other and keep our faith strong throughout the season.

With blessings, have a great Christmas Eve.

Christmas Love

Christmas Love

"If I have the gift of prophesy, and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge

and if I have a faith that can move mountains,

but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not Love, I gain nothing.”

(1 Corinthians 3-2)

            The holiday season is a time of great joy. It is full of symbolism. There are bright lights in almost every neighborhood. Stores are full of shoppers buying gifts for their loved ones. Christmas trees light up our homes. Special carols that we sing only once each year sound pleasing to our ears. Yes, the celebration of Christ's birthday is a wonderful experience.   

             As Christians, we proceed through this season each fall. In general, love abounds within our society. When we donate to the food shelf; to Toys for Tots; serve at a shelter; or just say Merry Christmas- we feel good because we are demonstrating our love for each other- through Christ. Love is wonderful gift we have been given through our faith.

Thought for Today: As we go through the week before Christmas, stress tends to build. Year end activities pile up on top of holiday parties, annual budgets and all the "to do" about Christmas. As we go through the day, let us focus on why we are doing all of this. Not because we have to, but out of love for each other, those around us and the love of Christ.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are all wrapped up in the season's activities. We are concerned about all of the "hate" in the world. The mid-east, the eastern bloc and most of Africa seem to be embroiled in it and here in America it has manifested itself as disrespect. Throughout the free world, there is confusion and fear of terrorism. We pray that somehow love can shine through all of this and that we as people may see through the negative forces and learn that love is possible.

Amen

Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,

for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed.”

(Psalm 57:1)

           

This weekend I am thinking about people who are having a sad time during this Christmas and Holiday season. In the terms of Elvis, they are experiencing a Blue Christmas. My prayers are out there for those who have lost a loved one and will have an empty place at the dinner table, those who are out of work, the many with serious illnesses to name a few. There are too many reason to be sad to mention them all.

Some that I know who will read this include three who lost a loved one this year, a lady who just lost her job and an African lady without a job with a critically ill brother.

Also this year I want to pray for those throughout the world who were injured themselves or lost a loved one in an act of terrorism. Worldwide there are thousands of Christians as well as people in other faiths. There is no group that is untouched. It is a sad situation that needs our prayers.

As Christians we have a cause for joy; the celebration of Christ’s birthday .Our Jewish friends are lighting menorahs and celebrating Hanukkah. YES, experiencing joy! We all need to wear our smiles share our joy.     

Thought for Today: Let us take note of our sad feelings over the holidays. Let us recognize that they exist and pray about them. Turn them over to God so we can enjoy the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father today we have special prayers for the holidays. We pray that the reminder of your presence brings trust and love to the world. We pray for people who have lost loved ones and are spending their first Christmas with an empty place at the table. We give thanks for the role that you play in our lives and the help you give us. Thank you for being available for us each and every day.

Amen

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

"Blessed are they

whose transgressions are forgiven

whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

(Romans 4 verse 7)

             When we truly believe, we will be at peace. Not because we have been perfect, but because we will know that we are forgiven through our faith. That is a powerful and moving statement. There are many moments in our lives that we have erred and perhaps are not proud of that memory.

            There are many twelve step programs and clinics full of people that have never let go of these memories. They are searching for peace. It will find them when they "...turn their will and their lives over to the care of God...”. That is an interesting thought.

             In our lives, we also have an obligation to turn these memories over to God. I.E. the expression: "Let go and let God". How do we accomplish that? Perhaps through the forgiving of those who have harmed us.

            Colossians 3:13 says "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you".  When we learn to forgive others, we find it easier to accept the forgiveness we receive from God.

Thought for Today: Today, let us focus on the many positive things we accomplish, the people we help and the positive memories that we all appreciate. When a negative or remorseful memory comes to the forefront, let us stop a moment, pray and remember that God is forgiving.

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to find grace and live in peace. Today, please help me focus on the positive things in my life and help me see the good in others.

Amen

Day of Infamy

Infamy

The LORD Almighty has sworn,

“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
   and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

(Isaiah 14:24)

            Today is a famous day described as a day of Infamy. It is one of the most famous days in the history of war. There are a lot of famous battles described in our history books, David and Goliath, Troy, Gettysburg…and more. I need to wonder and ask why. Most wars since WWII have been un-Godly nobody wins situations that do not seem to resolve anything. In fact, after the treaties are signed there has been as much tension as before and does not make a lot of sense to me.
            So where is God in all of this? What would Jesus do? How come both sides can think God is with them? These are great questions and I am not even going to try to answer them. I will refer them to Abraham Lincoln as he analyzed God’s presence in war.
            In Abraham Lincoln: A History by Nicolay and Hay, Lincoln is quoted: “The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purposes of either party—and yet the human instrumentalities working just as they do, are of the best adaption to effect His purpose…God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. …He could give final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.”
            
            Today we need to remember Pearl Harbor, a day in infamy. We also need to pray for an end to all conflicts and terrorist acts, we need to contemplate world peace.

Thought for Today: Contemplate world peace.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord and savior today we are wondering where it will all end. Throughout history the world’s people have found ways to battle. Today we pray for some understanding as to your role in all of this. We pray for understanding so that we can represent your will in search for peace.