Day 32: Saturday, April 1, 2017 2 Timothy 1:7 & 1 John 5:14 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim)
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John)
Fear was an overwhelming force on 1 April as it was the day I landed in Vietnam to begin my yearlong tour. I had only been married a few months, and I was in fear of how I could take care of my new wife. I feared that I would not have the courage to face whatever was in front of me during my tour. I feared that I would not survive or, worse yet, suffer some catastrophic injury. I did survive, and that tour put me on a path for the rest of my life, not knowing then that God had better plans for me, and I should have put my trust in Him more fully. Looking back I now see where He was involved in many aspects of my life and continues to do so.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for taking my fears and guiding me through them. I pray that I will always look to You for my path and trust that You will lead me in the right way. Amen.
Contributed by Dean Honchul
- Apr 1, 2017Day 32: Saturday, April 1st, 2017
Apr 1, 2017Day 32: Saturday, April 1st, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 32: Saturday, April 1, 2017 2 Timothy 1:7 & 1 John 5:14 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim)
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John)
April 1st brings to me memories from both ends of the spectrum, one a joyful occasion and the other fear for what the future might bring.Fear was an overwhelming force on 1 April as it was the day I landed in Vietnam to begin my yearlong tour. I had only been married a few months, and I was in fear of how I could take care of my new wife. I feared that I would not have the courage to face whatever was in front of me during my tour. I feared that I would not survive or, worse yet, suffer some catastrophic injury. I did survive, and that tour put me on a path for the rest of my life, not knowing then that God had better plans for me, and I should have put my trust in Him more fully. Looking back I now see where He was involved in many aspects of my life and continues to do so.
April 1st this year is the day my youngest daughter, Deana, is getting married. It will be a joyful day for me to say the least. I have always prayed that all my children would find that special someone to spend their earthly life with. God has answered my prayer once again.Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for taking my fears and guiding me through them. I pray that I will always look to You for my path and trust that You will lead me in the right way. Amen.
Contributed by Dean Honchul
- Mar 31, 2017Day 31: Friday, March 31st, 2017
Mar 31, 2017Day 31: Friday, March 31st, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 31: Friday, March 31, 2017 Romans 8:28-39(NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The disciples were fulfilling the great commission, sharing the Great News of our personal salvation, through their testimony and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. They suffered trials, persecution, hostility and physical death to carry out God’s purpose, and yet He carried them through it all. Have you felt tested in circumstances where you were standing on humility and truth? Possibly, those around you became obstacles to your obedience? When we choose to call on the Spirit of Christ, His grace and love will guide us to peace no matter what obstacles we encounter. Christ is the only reflection we see when we call upon His Spirit.
Prayer: Gracious Lord Jesus, Your grace is sufficient and Your love is never ending. You are my only hope in this force against sin and I call on You to intercede in this daily battle. You have called me by name and no one and nothing can separate me from Your love. All glory and honor in Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Contributed by Lisa Kure
- Mar 30, 2017Day 30: Thursday, March 30th, 2017
Mar 30, 2017Day 30: Thursday, March 30th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 30: Thursday, March 30, 2017 Numbers 6:24-26
“May the Lord bless and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.”
This year, my oldest daughter, Amy, would be celebrating her 48th birthday today with us, but instead, she is reveling with the angels in heaven. It is hard for me to believe that this year marks the 20th anniversary of both her and my mom’s deaths in 1997. The saddest part for me is that Amy’s oldest son, Jeremiah, and wife Alish would have presented her with her first grandchild last year, when Jonah Robert Clay entered this world. What a beautiful great-grandchild he is for me, and he also would have been my mom’s first great-great grandchild. The scripture above may seem familiar to most of you, as it’s part of a farewell song we sing to someone leaving our church – mostly departing for a new duty assignment, most likely to an overseas assignment and it goes like this – “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. Amen, Amen.” Besides hearing this when we farewell someone, I also heard it sung at the end of a memorial/funeral many years ago and thought how fitting it was to be celebrating someone’s life that way. I hope this Lenten season will give you time to reflect on the good thing that God has brought into your life for your time here on earth.Prayer: Thank You Lord, for the peace and protection You provide for us each and every day. May we strive to live up to all the blessings You provide for us, all of them. Amen.
Contributed by Marty Portmann
- Mar 29, 2017Day 29: Wednesday, March 29th, 2017
Mar 29, 2017Day 29: Wednesday, March 29th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 29: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Matthew 21:22
“And whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
It was six months into my husband’s second deployment, and I was 1,700 miles away from family. I was on my own with two boys, ages four and two. As both boys are usually awake by 5 a.m., I was always short on sleep. The stress of being both mother and father was wearing me down. The past week had been particularly difficult, as I felt all I was doing was yelling at and correcting my oldest son, quickly losing my patience over small infractions. One night after putting the boys to bed, I prayed for the opportunity to be a loving parent rather than a disciplinarian. Just a few hours later at 2 a.m., CJ was awake with an impressive stomach bug. I dutifully got him cleaned up, changed his sheets, and then we snuggled on the couch through the rest of the morning. Sleep was precious to me, but I was more thankful for the chance to care for my sick boy. No parent ever thinks he or she will be happy cleaning up vomit at 2 in the morning, but that was the answer to my prayer. I wouldn’t have traded all the sleep in the world for those few hours on the couch with my precious boy that morning.
Prayer: Lord, grant us faith to trust in Your wisdom. Help us to recognize when You are present and to be thankful when You hear our prayers. Amen.
Contributed by Allyson Mather
- Mar 28, 2017Day 28: March 28th, 2017
Mar 28, 2017Day 28: March 28th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 28: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 John 6:18-21
“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”
Have you ever asked for an answer to a problem only to be even more scared of the answer? The disciples may have felt that way when they were caught in a storm on a lake. They were searching for a way to survive the storm when they saw Jesus walking to them on the water. Instead of feeling comfort from His presence, they were frightened. What He was doing seemed impossible. How could they trust in the impossible? Yet Jesus understood their confusion. Instead of admonishing them for being frightened, He spoke to them. Rather than looking at the impossible action of walking on water, they focused on His voice.
Sometimes Jesus shows us an answer that frightens us more that the difficulty we are facing. However, listening to His voice brings calm assurance that whatever He is doing in the situation--however impossible it seems—is the only solution.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, too often I look at the circumstances surrounding my situation let myself be frightened by what I don’t understand. Help me to focus instead on Your voice, through prayer and Bible study, so that I feel the comfort of your presence and not see the impossibility of my situation. Amen.
Contributed by Stacie Carrico - Mar 27, 2017Day 27: Monday, March 27th, 2017
Mar 27, 2017Day 27: Monday, March 27th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 27: Monday, March 27, 2017 Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
During my 31 year military career, I became stagnated at one rank for 10 years, and I often prayed for advancement during this period. While on one of my five combat tours to Iraq, during a morale call to my wife, she explained how an unknown older gentleman approached her with a paper maché of a military rank with the message that I would wear this rank. When she turned to ask the gentleman a question, no one was behind her. Through untraditional methods, within a year I did obtain that rank.
Three years later, while on a combat tour to Iraq, I once again prayed to God that if it be His will, I would advance in rank. I asked God to show me a sign if my prayers was heard, A higher ranking individual approached me and handed me a military rank with the message that I would be wearing this soon.
Prayer: Praised be to God; he has shown favor to my family. How great are His signs; how mighty His wonders; His kingdom is everlasting; His dominion endures from generation to generation. I seek His counsel. I give thanks to His holy name and glory in His praise. Through my lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Willie Singleton
- Mar 26, 2017Day 26: Sunday, March 26th, 2017
Mar 26, 2017Day 26: Sunday, March 26th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 26: Sunday, March 26, 2017 Hebrews 10
High Stakes Testing
As anyone who works in education or has a child in public school, Texas is one of the many states which requires several exams on top of course work to graduate from high school. In Texas, students must pass English I, English II, Biology I, Algebra I, and US History. And if you think these exams are easy and anyone can pass them, you would be mistaken. I tried the online version of several of the tests, biology and algebra to name two, and I would have to sit the course to pass the exam. Now, students may retake any exams that are failed as many times as the exam is offered, but there are some seniors that reach this time of the year, and they still have some exams to pass or they will not be able to walk the stage with their class. And I’m the lucky testing coordinator who has to tell the students this heartbreaking news. If I never have an 18 year old boy tear up in my office when he finds out he didn’t pass the English II exam again, that will be just fine with me. But missing the cut score by even one question negates an entire body of course work and all his 12 years in school. I’m not always sure that is fair.
What if those same standards were applied to Christians? What if we had a series of challenges we had to meet to get into heaven? We could keep trying to meet the standard, and many would meet that standard the first time around. But what if we got to the senior season of our life and we had one hurdle yet to conquer? What if we couldn’t, even with the help of the pastor and all the good people from the church. We just couldn’t finish, and we can’t get into heaven no matter how well we have done in every other aspect or test in our life. We simply have to accept that we were not good enough for heaven as we couldn’t fulfill all the requirements no matter how we tried.
Jews in the time of Jesus faced tests that they could not pass, laws they could not keep, and an afterlife that was not fully appreciated. Six hundred thirteen laws to follow, most of which were impossible to follow, and blood sacrifice that was necessary to atone for the sins of the law breakers.
But those impossible standards placed upon Jews were negated by the blood sacrifice of our Savior. Hebrews 10 states that all sin has been negated by the blood sacrifice of Jesus, God’s son. For those who accept his gift, their gift is eternal life. The last test has been passed. The last hurdle overcome. Heaven is ours for the taking. And this promise is ours whether we accept Jesus as our Savior as a child or as a senior. We can walk the stage at our graduation and know our family will be there to greet us on the other side.
Prayer: May we reach the last stage of our life knowing that You are there to accept us as we walk across that stage to meet You. Amen.
Contributed by Susan Frisch
- Mar 25, 2017Day 25: Saturday, March 25th, 2017
Mar 25, 2017Day 25: Saturday, March 25th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 25: Saturday, March 25, 2017 Matthew 9:35-38
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciple, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.’”
Because God indwells all of human life with the gift of free will and the ability to choose between what is destructive or what is creative, life in that sense is essentially changed in every human being. This applies to all persons, but when life follows the basic nature of the life and teachings of Jesus, the positive changes are remarkable. All human walls of separation and division are torn down and dismantled, and the moral divide between races, gender, or religious preferences are replaced by the fact that every person is created in the very image of God. This is fundamental to the very nature of our faith.
The old life, as it were, is gone; the new has come. We leave behind all that is personally comfortable and comforting to us and follow as disciples of Jesus, whatever that discipleship requires for the good of humanity. An excellent example of such a life is that of Albert Schweitzer, a famous musician, theologian, and medical doctor who left all major aspects of “the good life” in Germany and gave up fame and fortune to live among the poorest of the poor in Lambarene in his tin-roofed medical clinic. He scraped infectious lesions off blue-black natives in the steaming misery of equatorial Africa. He championed the sacredness of all life. Jesus’s command rang clearly in his ears: “Follow me,” and he did.Prayer: O God, who indwells all of life, we renew our pledge to do our part in healing the wounds of our tragic human divisions and bring about the noblest and finest persons we could be, only by Your abiding and sustaining grace. Amen.
Contributed by Rev. Boni Mequi
- Mar 24, 2017Day 24: Friday, March 24th, 2017
Mar 24, 2017Day 24: Friday, March 24th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 24: Friday, March 24, 2017 Philippians 4:13
“For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
As I cuddle with my two year old, terrible thoughts race through my head. Will the fever ever break? Will he be able to sleep tonight? What if he stops breathing? All these are thoughts typically running through a mother's head who is dealing with a sick child.
One time when I was states away from home I became very ill. My mother and grandparents were very worried about me. State police had been notified in five different states to be on the lookout for me. Finally they found me in a state bordering my home state. Needless to say I was still very sick. I had to be taken to a medical trauma center in another state. I was hospitalized for many months. One day I awoke and thought I could talk and walk and think, all to no avail.
I spent the next year in rehab learning to do these critical skills. After this time I became closer to God. It was God whom I prayed to to deliver me safely home. It was God who kept a complete male stranger from harming me sexually or physically. It was God who gave me the strength to “live” again.
Philippians 4:13 not only reassured me then, but reassures me now that even if something terrible happened to my sick child, God would be there to see me through the rough times.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please remind us constantly, through good times and bad, that you are there providing us strength to persevere. Amen.
Contributed by Daphne Madrid
- Mar 23, 2017Day 23: Thursday, March 23, 2017
Mar 23, 2017Day 23: Thursday, March 23, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 23: Thursday, March 23, 2017 Job 17:9
“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.”
I was listening to K LOVE the other day and heard about a guy that has been trying to get his motorcycle license. He had failed numerous times. He was about to give up, and something told him to try one more time. So he did and got his motorcycle license. As he sat at home, so excited, he was reminded that the finish line was right around the corner. Never give up on your dreams. Never let Satan tell you that you are not good enough.
That reminded me of my journey with school. There were times I wanted to give up. There were times I just wanted to go to sleep. There were times my lovely wife and I had arguments over me not quitting school. You see, I was working full-time and going to school at night full time. I did this for two years.
Finally, in November 2016, I earned my degree and certification. I could not believe how this felt for me and for my family.
God has a plan for all of us. We have to believe that He is there pushing us to be better.
On 6 February 2017, I started my new career with the Hill County Transit District (HOP), doing what I went to school for.
As I sit here thinking about what I went through, what my family went through I think of Job. What he went through was unbelievable, but he never gave up.
Prayer: In the midst of turmoil or conflict, we will not be shaken, for our hearts remain steadfast, trusting in You and Your overall plan for our life. Amen.
Contributed by Eric Madrid
