- Mar 28, 2019Day 23: Thursday, March 28th, 2019
Mar 28, 2019Day 23: Thursday, March 28th, 2019Series: Lenten Devotionals 2019Written by Stacie Carrico
- Mar 25, 2019Day 20: Monday, March 25th, 2019
- Mar 24, 2019Day 19: Sunday, March 24th, 2019
- Mar 23, 2019Day 18: Saturday, March 23rd, 2019
Mar 23, 2019Day 18: Saturday, March 23rd, 2019Series: Lenten Devotionals 2019Written by Kerry Perez
- Mar 22, 2019Day 17: Friday, March 22nd, 2019
- Mar 21, 2019Day 16: Thursday, March 21st, 2019
- Apr 15, 2017Day 46: Holy Saturday, April 15th, 2017
Apr 15, 2017Day 46: Holy Saturday, April 15th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 46: Saturday, April 15, 2017 Matthew 25:31-40
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away and the sea was no more. ²I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³I heard a loud voice from the throne say, ‘Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be nor mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’"
Over these past 40 days, in addition to reading and being inspired by the stories in the devotional, I also committed to a forty-day retreat with Jesus. It is different from my usual daily devotions. For my usual daily devotions, my wife Jannette and I do them together. We begin by reading a scripture, writing down our observations and thoughts about the scripture, thinking about how the scripture applies to our life, then sharing our thoughts with each other and praying together. I have found this practice not only enhances our spiritual life, it enhances our married life. (Just a note—over these past forty days my wife and I also read the devotions in this booklet—thank you for this gift).
Like my usual daily devotions, the forty-day retreat with Jesus begins with scripture. Not a long narrative, just a few verses that I would read several times. Unlike my usual daily devotions, I wouldn’t write down my thoughts, observations, and application. Instead I attempted to quiet my mind and pray, “Lord Jesus, speak to me.” Then I listen, listen for what Jesus needs and wants to say to me. I wouldn’t write it down because I would get distracted and start writing my own thoughts about the scripture. I would just listen for a word from Jesus. Then like my usual devotions I would pray, thanking Jesus for speaking to me.
The above scripture is the one I am reading today. Today is a different kind of day. Jesus is wrapped in cloths, lying in the tomb. Everyone believes Jesus to be dead. Some, like his followers, are grieving. Some, like the religious officials, are rejoicing. Many others couldn’t care less. This is a different kind of day. It is the day between Good Friday and Easter. It is the time between the crucifixion that gives us the gift of total forgiveness and the resurrection that gives us the gift of total new life. What does one write for a devotion on this day? Instead of sharing with my thoughts and observations about the above scripture, I invite you to experience a different kind of devotion for a different kind of day. Start by reading the above scripture several times. The scripture is about a different kind of day—a day of ultimate triumph. Ask Jesus to speak to you. Then quiet your mind and listen for Jesus to speak a word to you. If one doesn’t come right away, it is okay. Read the scripture again later in the day and take time to listen. End you time with saying a prayer to Jesus thanking Him for speaking to you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for speaking to me. May Your word be real in my life today. Amen.
Contributed by Senior Pastor Jeff Miller
- Apr 14, 2017Day 45: Good Friday, April 14th, 2017
Apr 14, 2017Day 45: Good Friday, April 14th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 45: Friday, April 14, 2017 John 19:38-42 (NIV)
“38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. [a] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
More often than should be, a homeless veteran or an unaccompanied veteran will be laid to rest at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery. No family, no close friends; instead, volunteer veterans and members of various veterans’ support groups gather together to give the veteran an appropriate burial of honor. For Christ, it wasn’t His close disciples, friends or even family that arranged or performed his burial. Instead, two members of the Sanhedrin, wealthy men, secret disciples, who had nothing to gain and everything to lose, stepped forward and arranged the burial. It is believed that Joseph even gave his tomb. It was a new tomb, one that had never been used. Joseph and Nicodemus, secret followers of Christ, showed the respect they had for Christ and His doctrine, and that it was not lessened by the reproach of the cross. They may have also believed that through their actions others would see the strength of their love and follow Christ’s message. So it is for those veterans providing an honorable burial for homeless or unaccompanied veterans. The service to fellow vets is not lessened by the criticism of their homeless unaccompanied status but strengthened to show honor. Unlike Joseph and Nicodemus, we are called to confess Christ to others and show His love to all.
Prayer: Father give us the strength and courage to profess Your love for all and not be discouraged by the unbelief or criticism of others. Amen.
Contributed by Colleen Smith-Fey
- Apr 13, 2017Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017
Apr 13, 2017Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017 John 3:16
Now That’s Amazing!!!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Amazing is defined as causing great surprise or wonder, astonishing.
Now I do not know if you have noticed the use of amazing by friends, family, or on the TV or movie screen. As I read the definition I have to think, “Really, was that dessert amazing?” “Was the job amazing?” “Was the football play amazing?” I mean these things are pretty great, but amazing?????
Now put those things we say or others say are amazing and compare it to the love of God? Hmmmmmm… they do not seem so amazing when put in that perspective, do they?
Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us. He loves us so much Jesus died on that cross for us. He was without sin, and He did not deserve our punishment, but He took it because of the love He has for each and every one of us. WOW!!! Now that’s amazing!!!
So when someone says, “Wow, that was amazing!” you may want to think, “No, what’s amazing is what Christ our Savior did for us on that cross. He conquered death and the grave for us. He gave us the gift of eternal salvation!! My friends–Now thatis amazing!!Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are my King.
You are amazing.
I want to thank and praise You for loving us so much.
Let us always remember how amazing Your love is.
Amen.
Contributed by Laura Dungan
- Apr 12, 2017Day 43: Wednesday, April 12th, 2017
Apr 12, 2017Day 43: Wednesday, April 12th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 43: Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV)
“3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
All my life I have been content to sit quietly in the shadows and allow others to take credit for the work I do and ideas I have. I do not mind because I simply do not wish to be the center of attention. I have never been one to boast or make a noise, and I prefer to hide in the corner and sit quietly as life passes me by. It is because of this that I have never quite understood my children, and other adults for that matter, that demand constant reinforcement and recognition. Those who are always in need of tooting their own horn, shouting to the heavens, "Look at me, here I am! Look at what I have done!" demanding that "Star Pupil" or "Employee of the Month" plaque. I have tried to teach those around me that they are valued and loved not only by myself but most of all by God. They should not need constant pats on the back and awards to boost their self esteem and know that it is not a competition between them and others. We are all the same in God's eyes and we are all perfect. I believe Philippians 2:3-5 says it best "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us to do Thy will with only the motivation to please You and not seek constant accolades and awards. We should be satisfied just doing Your will and living the life You choose for us. Amen.
Contributed by Gretchen Franck
- Mar 28, 2019Day 23: Thursday, March 28th, 2019
- Mar 25, 2019Day 20: Monday, March 25th, 2019
- Mar 24, 2019Day 19: Sunday, March 24th, 2019
- Mar 23, 2019Day 18: Saturday, March 23rd, 2019
- Mar 22, 2019Day 17: Friday, March 22nd, 2019
- Mar 21, 2019Day 16: Thursday, March 21st, 2019
- Apr 15, 2017Day 46: Holy Saturday, April 15th, 2017
- Apr 14, 2017Day 45: Good Friday, April 14th, 2017
- Apr 13, 2017Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017
- Apr 12, 2017Day 43: Wednesday, April 12th, 2017
