“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer – a day when we are called to unite our hearts as one and pray for our nation, our leaders, and our communities. I love that we have this set aside time to join together as a nation! It also is a reminder that prayer is important. It makes a difference. It is needed. But, I also would like to take this time – the day following this National Day of Prayer – to remind us that EVERY DAY is a day of prayer! Prayer makes a difference and is needed every day of our lives. It is an ongoing, continual communication with our Lord. We are to “pray without ceasing.” In other words, DON’T STOP!! Don’t stop praying just because we may not feel like it. Feelings have nothing to do with it. We pray because God desires us to do it and also because it is through prayer that our lives and circumstances can be changed. WE are changed!! We are to rejoice (feel joy, celebrate, triumph) and be thankful in all circumstances! We may not feel joy or be thankful FOR the circumstances…but we feel joy because God is with us IN the circumstances. He is within us to enable us to GO THROUGH and to COME OUT victorious and stronger! HALLELUJAH!! May we come into alignment with the WILL OF GOD: 1) rejoice always 2) Pray without ceasing 3) Give thanks in all circumstances Thank You, Lord, for always being with us to enable us to carry out Your will. We do not have to rejoice, pray, and give thanks apart from You! YOU give us the words, YOU give us the strength, YOU give us the desire to walk in obedience to You. We join You in our journey… day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute. AMEN!!
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV
As I was seeking the Lord about what my devotional would be for today, I felt that He was nudging me to not focus on what has happened and is happening in this time of COVID-19, but to look FORWARD to what He is calling us to.
I know you have probably heard, as I have, people saying that they can’t wait for things to get “back to normal.” Well, I don’t think that as we transition through this season, God is calling us BACK to where we were before. I don’t believe He wants us to just pick-up where we left off.
Brothers & Sisters! The Lord wants us to go FORWARD into a new season, a new reality, and a new “normal.” It can be a little scary and a little unsettling not to know what to expect as we journey into the remainder of 2020 and beyond.
BUT! We are reminded by the Lord in Jeremiah that we have a FUTURE WITH HOPE! The Lord has plans for us – and they are plans for our welfare. When I looked up welfare in the dictionary I was given the meanings: health, happiness, and well-being.
WELL-BEING! I am encouraged to know that the Lord desires for my being – my body, my mind, my soul, and my spirit to be well. His plans are not to harm us! When life throws us an unexpected “curve ball” the Lord still can use use it to work for our good!! HALLELUJAH!!
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NRSV
LORD, we are so thankful that You have plans for us – plans that are in no way abolished because of what is happening around us. We put our whole trust in YOU, knowing that You desire our health, happiness, and well-being. We continue to journey forward knowing that You have already gone ahead of us preparing the way. We are ready to embrace the “new normal” and we know that YOU are moving in and through it all manifesting Your good and perfect will! ALL GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE IS YOURS NOW AND FOREVERMORE!! AMEN!
I wasn’t really planning on doing a written post today. To be honest, I woke up a little depressed. If it were a “normal” day, I would be getting dressed in a beautiful, colorful outfit and looking forward to joining my friends at church to celebrate this special day. Of course, I know this day isn’t about me…I know that it is a day of focusing on our precious Jesus…I know this and yet I still find my thoughts drifting towards my isolation. Am I the only one?
So! At this point, I CHOOSE to refocus my thoughts…I CHOOSE to trade in my depression for the oil of gladness! I CHOOSE to celebrate the awesome resurrection of our precious Lord!
As I said, I really wasn’t planning on writing a post this morning – but the Lord had other plans. Thoughts of resurrection have been floating around in my mind and spirit. And I know I am to put it to “paper.”
When we receive God’s Truth we are expected to react to it. We know that the resurrection of Jesus is true! So what should our reaction be? Hopefully, foremost our reaction should be to accept the NEW LIFE that Jesus offers to us through His death and resurrection. If anyone who reads this has not made that salvation step – I would encourage you to stop…seek the Lord…and CHOOSE to accept what Jesus did for you.
Again, what do we do with this Truth of the Resurrection of Jesus? We must DO something! I am reminded that “Faithwithout works is dead.” (James 2:26). We have faith that Jesus was indeed resurrected from the dead. What are we going to do with this knowledge? How will our lives be changed with this knowledge? How do we “walk out” this Truth?
Resurrection Power is within us! Through the Holy Spirit living within us, we walk in the same power that Jesus walked in on this earth. Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my brain around that Truth. But, Jesus confirms this Himself!
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” John 14:12 NASB
CHURCH! Are we walking this out in our ministries and lives? Jesus is our example. Are we seeing the works that Jesus did being manifested in our families, in our church, in our communities?
I believe that on this Resurrection Sunday, as we celebrate our risen Lord, He is calling us to be the expression of His Life on earth!! BE the hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mouth of Jesus! HE IS ALIVE and HE LIVES IN AND THROUGH US!!
Oh Jesus! We thank You for dying on the cross for us. We thank You for the resurrected life we have in You. When we accepted You as our Lord and Savior – You brought us from death in our sins to eternal life in You!! We celebrate Your resurrection on this most high and holy day! WE CELEBRATE YOU!! Amen!
Good Friday…so why is the day that Jesus was tortured and crucified called “good?”
As we look at how Jesus was treated, I think we definitely can say that what He endured was not good.
So again…why is this day called Good Friday?
There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. There is no Resurrection without the Cross.
Sometimes it’s difficult to understand that what we consider a “bad” thing could actually end up achieving good results.
Jesus chose to suffer the Cross to bring about our redemption…to reinstate our position with God that was lost in the Garden. There are consequences to sin. What an awesome Love that Jesus chose to bear the consequence of our sin on the Cross. No, the suffering of Jesus wasn’t a “good” thing – but it was necessary to bring about our good standing with God once again. The result of the Cross was definitely good!
Because Jesus understands the importance of being willing to lay down our lives for a new life, He instructs us to take up OUR cross and follow Him.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever losestheir life for me will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 NIV
No, we don’t have to be nailed to a physical cross to be a disciple of Jesus – but, He does call us to be willing to exchange our old life for a new life in Him. And this can be a difficult thing indeed!
Are we willing to let go of our plans, our desires, our way and allow Jesus to place His life in us? If we want to have life eternal with God – then we must embrace the cross – His and our own.
Good Friday – a day to remember the GOOD that was accomplished through the absolute LOVE of JESUS!! He took our sins upon Himself so we could have eternal life with Him. And that was indeed a “good” thing!!
Ahhh, Jesus! I am overwhelmed with the revelation of what You were willing to endure for us. You chose the Cross. You chose the Cross for us so we wouldn’t have to pay the price/penalty for our sin. Lord, help me to choose to pick up my cross and follow You. May I place all of my selfish desires and my self-focus on the cross and follow in Your footsteps of humility and love. May I join You on this Day of the Cross and follow You to the Day of Resurrection! Amen!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV Well, the days of quarantine and staying at home continue. As we are separated from others physically and separated from participating in some things that give us pleasure, it is easy to dwell on those things that make us frustrated or angry or sad. We are instructed in God’s Word to take control over our thoughts! We are not to let our thoughts control us – to control how we feel – but we are to control what thoughts we allow to “hang around.” [2 Corinthians 10:5] If we allow God to guide and direct our thoughts – we will discover that we can change our focus from thoughts of doubt, negativity, blame, frustration, and hopelessness to thoughts that focus on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. In other words, what are things that we are THANKFUL for? May we take each day and write down those things/people/circumstances that are commendable and deserve our praise. Let’s not just write them down once a day, but let’s have a running list that continues throughout the day as we are proactive in bringing our thought life into alignment with God’s thoughts. LORD! We are so thankful that You are with us 24/7 as we journey through this quarantine season. Help us, Lord, to take control of our thought life. May our thoughts and our words be full of life and love and praise. Help us to see others through Your eyes and may we be vessels of honor and truth and love. Oh LORD!! YOU are the One at the top of our list who is worthy of our praise!! And we praise You each and every day! HALLELUJAH!! ~Tina K. Roach
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 NASB
I woke up on Palm Sunday feeling at odds because I was not getting ready to attend church on this special day. As a matter of fact, it was supposed to be the day of our Easter Cantata. But, due to the quarantine/stay-at-home, we were unable to follow through in leading this worship experience.
I know that once this separation is over, we will not only pick up where we left off, but we will pick up NEW ways to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds….and encouraging one another.” We already have found ways that maybe we weren’t doing before as a Church or individually. I would say that Church, as we know it, is being transformed!!
We have also discovered that even though we have been unable to assemble together in our church building – we have NOT forsaken our “assembling together.” Through phone calls, email, texts, and social media – we HAVE stayed connected!! Hallelujah!
In and through it all –
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful!!”
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. PSALM 46:1
How are you today, Beloved of God? I know at times it seems like we are fighting a battle that we can’t win. And truthfully, we can’t win this battle in our own strength. But, God can and will!! I know that God’s Hand is upon many that are walking in discernment and wisdom as each day brings new accomplishments and new discoveries. GOD IS PRESENT AND WORKING IN AND THROUGH HIS PEOPLE!!
As the days and weeks continue on with us staying at home as much as possible, it’s very easy to feel isolated and cut off from life around us. But, there is still much we can do to stay involved, active, and connected to others.
What a blessing it was for me to call a group of church members to talk and pray with them! Who can you reach out to today…NOW…to support with your love and time?
I know that when I find myself feeling down and focusing on everything that I don’t like – it becomes a downward spiral of negativity that can worsen very quickly. BUT! If I consciously make a choice to reach out and serve and minister to another – that downward spiral becomes an upward wind that takes me to a higher place in the Lord!
Ahhh Brothers and Sisters!! If you are feeling like you are stuck in a stagnant pool of muddy water, begin to FLOW outward by connecting with the Lord and with others. And as we FLOW WITH THE LORD, we will see that RIVERS OF LIVING WATER will begin to flow from us. [John 7:38]
Everything that we do and say in the coming days should flow from a place of refuge and strength in the Lord. Are Rivers of Living Water flowing in and through our actions and speech? Or are the waters muddied?
Father God, thank You for being our refuge, our strength, and our help each and every day! LORD, we don’t want to be stuck in a stagnant, muddy pool of negativity, doubt, and hopelessness. May the Wind of Your Holy Spirit blow across our lives and position us to be carried along on YOUR River of Life! LORD, release rivers of Living Water within us and increase the flow to those around us! We want to FLOW WITH YOU!! In Jesus’ Name we pray…AMEN!
What a time we are experiencing in the world! The Coronavirus is causing us to be quarantined from our “normal” day-to-day lives. I know many are experiencing financial hardship as they are not able to return to work. Some that are working are having to find child care for their children because of school closings. We are praying for you!
I am hearing a lot of negative talk going around on social media and from people that I have encountered on my short trips to pick up supplies. I hear you…I understand the frustration and the fear that is trying to surround us. In the midst of this “storm” I am reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
I do not speak against those that are having fear, but encourage you to look to God to help you overcome it. I have to admit that I have moved from the initial feelings of fear and frustration to seeing the spiritual implications of what’s going on spreading out before me.
I do not believe that the enemy of our souls, Satan, has caused this virus. However, I do believe that Satan is taking the opportunity to release a spirit of fear to paralyze the church and world. He is trying to separate and shut down God’s people and cause anxiety and depression.
I come against that right now, in the mighty Name of Jesus! I rebuke and root out the spirit of fear. I command it to GO and I release God’s POWER and LOVE to rise up within God’s people! I thank You, LORD, that we have the mind of Christ, a SOUND MIND…a mind that is not filled with what the world says, but with YOUR TRUTH, O God!! I thank You, LORD, that out of our sound mind we make decisions and choices based on Your Guidance and Your Word. May we honor and heed the guidance and directions of those that are positioned to stop the spread of this virus. May we look past ourselves to those that are vulnerable and need to be protected. Help us, LORD, to be on the front line of defense – through our actions and through our prayers.
I also believe that God has not caused this virus. However, I do believe that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
I see God using this time to wake up His Church!! What are we turning to in reaction to what’s going on? Are we comforting ourselves through things of the flesh or are we turning to God? Where does our hope come from?
What are we doing now that we are forced to be at home? Oh Brothers & Sisters!! What an opportunity we have to connect more deeply with the Lord! I hear the Lord calling us to DRAW NEAR!! How can we journey through this time and come out on the other side stronger?
I would encourage you (and me) to dig deeper into God’s Word. I would encourage us to spend quiet time just resting in His presence – feeling His love and expressing our love to Him. Take this time to LISTEN. God wants to speak to you. I believe that as we press into the Lord, really press in, we will begin to receive answers to questions we have had unanswered. We will receive deeper revelation of what God wants us to do during this time of separating ourselves from the world and abiding in Him.
God is calling us to HOLINESS! I see this time as a time of “cleaning house.” May we physically clean house and get things in order…but even more importantly…may we spiritually go through our homes and get rid of those things that God says to remove. Get out the anointing oil and (re)dedicate our homes as places of spiritual safety, health, love, and rest.
We also need to “clean house” in our own lives. What has God been calling us to stop doing or to begin doing? What things are causing us to move away from God instead of drawing near? Brothers & Sisters, the time is NOW! No more putting it off until later…
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-4). *I invite you to read through verse 13*
WE ARE THE CHURCH!! We are just as much the church even when we are not physically able to meet in the church building. May we focus on the LORD during this time. May we position ourselves to become the Church He has called us to be. May we use this time to be wise and “fill our oil lamps!” Allow the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing! May we burn brighter and brighter as we are filled more and more with the oil of the Holy Spirit!! When we are released from this quarantine may we be LIGHTHOUSES shining brightly for the LORD!!! GLORY!!
We are in this journey together!! You, me, and Almighty God!! Trust and KNOW that He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Reflection of Glory! 