Weekly Devotionals

Thank You, God!

11/22/2022

Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

While we celebrate Thanksgiving this week in the US, each of you, wherever you live or work, can join in and praise God for his goodness and faithfulness. To be sure, every day ought to be a day of thanksgiving. Looking back, we have experienced a pandemic, global climate change, economic hardships, divisive politics, and recurring spates of violence.

Yet, we are assured that our God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). In fact, we know that our God is trustworthy and dependable, loving us through our storms, and guiding us to safe havens.

Take time out to thank God for his grace and mercy; his provision and protection; his Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thank God, too, for those who he has put in your lives to help you on life’s journey. For preachers, and teachers, and encouragers. Thank God for family and friends, and for strangers who were there for you (seemingly by accident) when you needed confirmation of God’s presence.

And yes, as you gather with family and friends, or you sit alone with memories, remember Jesus. Thanksgiving ushers in the Advent season when we remember, and wait for, with great expectation, the birth of Jesus, God’s precious gift to us. Truly, we have much to be thankful for. Thanks be to God!

PRAYER: Hear our prayer, O Lord. Our lips tell you thanks, but our hearts bubble over in gratitude for how you love us with abundant care. Thank you, God! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©Medytations 2022

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Giving Thanks Because God Is...

11/16/2022

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

The longer we live, the more we realize that nothing is constant. Not love, friendship, or marriage. Not cherished beliefs nor tightly-held traditions. In the ebb and flow of life things change, although quite often they do so in unexpected ways. Yet, we can be assured that there is one constant. One foundational truth. God is.

As human beings, we are always rushing to fill silence. To bring voice to spaces that need no words. And so, we attempt to fill in the blanks.

God is good… God is love… God is faithful…God is merciful…

Those are all attributes of God, but God is more than that. As the Creator and sustainer of all life—this life and the life to come—our infinite God is everything we could ever hope for and more.

We are taught in the Scriptures about Jesus, God’s Son, who is called The Word. We are told:
“The Word became
a human being
    and lived here with us.
We saw his true glory,
the glory of the only Son
    of the Father.
From him the complete gifts
of undeserved grace and truth
    have come down to us.”
                                 (John 1:15, CEV)

How very rich we are, having been given “undeserved grace and truth”!

The apostle Paul explains the importance of these gifts.
“His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy” (Colossians 1:11, CEV).

And Paul indicates what our response should be:
“I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free” (vv.12-14).

Oh that we would be grateful to God for Jesus who is “superior to all creation” (v.15) and who is “the head of his body, which is the church” (v.18).

In this season of Thanksgiving, let’s pause in the light of who God is. After all, God has given us all we need to live godly lives (2 Peter 1:3). Let’s be thankful that God is trustworthy and dependable. “He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing” (James 1:17, CEV). God is.

PRAYER: God, we can rejoice that you exist. And that we know you. You are bigger than our thoughts, our accomplishments, our dreams. Remind us, when we forget, that all we have comes from you, and the generosity of your Son, Christ Jesus. Give us hearts made tender by your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                               ©Medytations 2022

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A Time of Thanksgiving

11/16/2022

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

Gratitude. Quite often we skip over it because we believe that others instinctively know that we are grateful for their efforts when they reach out to us. Our complacency in this regard may even stem from how we treat the blessings that God so graciously and generously gives us.

Watch out! Greed is often present when gratitude is absent. We want more…and more…and more. We often think we are successful in our own strength. Don’t be surprised, then, if narcissism lurks around the corner when we refuse to identify, and thank, God as the giver of the gifts we receive. The Scriptures tell us plainly:

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing” (James 1:17, CEV).

It is God who makes us successful. Every gift from God is wrapped in grace. We don’t deserve his blessings. We can never earn them, but because he loves us so much, he loads us with them daily.

David, the psalmist, makes music to God ears as he proclaims:
“Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good;
    his love is eternal!”
Repeat these words in praise to the Lord,
    all you whom he has saved.
                                          (Psalm 107:1, 2, NIV)

Will you repeat those words? Have you been saved? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then you are saved — because Jesus died on the cross for your sins.

Our salvation does not grant us immunity from the troubles of the world, but we are guaranteed that our Savior will be with us every step of the way. The apostle Paul encourages us with this reminder:

“…never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18, CEV).

Our circumstances do not limit our ability to be thankful. While we may weep over those things that trouble us, we can still look at ALL the things that God has done in our lives and offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Furthermore, we are told that this is what God wants us to do.

Take some time to reach out in gratitude to those who have blessed your life. Try to remember the simple things at first. Think how these acts of kindness, words of affirmation or even discipline, have moved your life in the right direction. Then thank God for his glorious presence in your life and the lives of those around you.

PRAYER: God, there is none like you. Your big, giving heart made such a difference in my life. Thank you for giving me Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for giving me Jesus as my Lord who tenderly leads me. Remind me to be grateful at all times, for all things, great and small. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
                                                                             ©Medytations 2022

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Light, Comfort and Hope

11/16/2022

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

It becomes increasingly difficult to live in a world where what we once considered stable, have changed almost beyond recognition. Yet, as Christians, the Bible has forewarned us so that we are never taken completely by surprise.

We are reminded that we are in this world, but not of this world because we are kingdom citizens. In fact, we are told “…you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light….” (1 Peter 2:9, CEV).

And it is because we have this “marvelous light” that we know that only God is unshakeable, unchangeable, and constant. So in a world where climate change has shifted the ecological balance, and people’s hearts have grown callous causing them to commit heinous deeds against God and each other, we realize that we are privileged to declare:

God is our mighty fortress,
always ready to help
    in times of trouble.
                             (Psalm 46:1, CEV)

Don’t think we are not in trouble. Jesus told us plainly that we should expect it, but he cautions us to maintain a cheerful attitude: “But cheer up! I have defeated the world” (John 16:33, CEV).

In today’s world, trouble is everywhere. Everything that God has called abominations is being practiced. Many, in order to blend in with the culture, have thrown away godly filters and have adopted a laissez-faire attitude…”it is what it is.”

Such an attitude causes us to veer away from the truth of the gospel. And, even when we follow our own paths, we are still miserable. That is why the psalmist tells us:

The Lord's instruction is right;
    it makes our hearts glad.
His commands shine brightly,
    and they give us light.
                             (Psalm 19:8, CEV)

Be encouraged that God is faithful and that he calls us to be faithful as well. Yes, it is disturbing that our society is crumbling, and the things and people we once held in esteem have failed us. But God is our rock, our tower of strength. It is he that guides us, and it is he that offers us godly comfort and hope. Remember:

“God our Father loves us. He treats us with undeserved grace and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope” (2 Thessalonians 2:16, CEV).

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being a light in our lives. You, Lord, are our Rock. We count it all joy to be able to count on you in moments when we our world seems chaotic. Give us peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                     ©Medytations 2022

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We Would See Jesus

11/16/2022

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Wednesday’s Word
By Dorette Saunders

As we read the account of Zacchaeus’ conversion (Luke 19:1-10), we are inclined to wonder what was it about this man Jesus that transformed the heart of a greedy tax collector? Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but being a short man, it was impossible for him to see above the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree along the path.

Can you visualize this very wealthy man shimmying up a tree? Can you imagine him holding his breath and holding on tightly, peeling his eyes to take a look at the One he had heard so much about? Perhaps the people below heckled him and had a good laugh at his expense. After all, tax collectors were not well regarded in that day. They were looked on as traitors since they collected revenue for the occupying forces, Rome (and themselves), oftentimes over and above what was required.

But Zacchaeus was not going to be deterred by his short stature. And, he would not be denied. He had to see Jesus. There was something about seeing the Lord. Something about being in the light of his presence. And suddenly from his perch, Zacchaeus heard Jesus say:

“Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today” (Luke 19:5, CEV).

Imagine that! Despite the crowd, Jesus stopped exactly at the spot where Zacchaeus was. And, he called him by name!

Isn’t that just like Jesus? He knows where we are. And he knows our name. Ah! There was no time for Zach to call his wife to clean up, or to prepare a special meal for an honored guest. That day was the day of salvation.

When Jesus comes to us, he calls us just as we are. Jesus sees and knows all the messy things in our lives. No need to cover up. Everything is laid bare before him…including our heart.

Do you and I desire to see Jesus? To know him? What stands in the way? Note that Jesus tells Zach to “hurry down.” What are we waiting for? It’s time to make a decision.

Never mind what labels people slap on you—liar, thief, adulterer, pervert, sinner—Jesus stands ready to save you. Jesus tells us:

“The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost” (Luke 19:10, CEV).

Perhaps we don’t consider ourselves “lost” as we go about our daily activities. But if we have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we have not yet moved out of “darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Later, Zacchaeus promises to make restitution to those he has cheated, over and above what was required, and to give half his wealth to the poor. By his words and actions, Zacchaeus is like the apostle Paul who says:

”But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7,8, CEV).

Having put his faith in Jesus, Jesus assures Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham” (Luke 19:10, CEV).

We who are saved are part of God’s family. Yet, there is always room for more. Are you one who would see Jesus? Such a meeting with the Lord will transform your life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you know our every fault yet love us still. We seek you in this hour of turmoil and confusion. Help us to overcome every hindrance that would stand in the way of our acknowledging you as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©Medytations 2022

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Thank You, God!

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