Weekly Devotionals

Words of Wisdom

7/2/2025

Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

It is profoundly painful when obstacles stand in the way of our immediate happiness or success.

The account of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14) is instructive for all of us who seek divine intervention to combat suffering in our lives.

Sadly, we often have our own ideas of how we expect God to work. And, when things do not work out the way we think they should, we become bitter and disillusioned.

Yet, it would be wise for us to remember God’s words:

“My thoughts and my ways
    are not like yours.
Just as the heavens
    are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
    are higher than yours.”
                                     (Isaiah 55:8,9, CEV)

Meditating on those words should immediately lower the temperature of our egos.

Naaman was a brilliant military commander of the Syrian army who had earned the respect of the king and the people because of his mighty conquests. Yet, despite his prowess, Naaman was a leper.

Quick translation: Leprosy was a socially communicable disease and an inevitable death sentence.

A young girl whom Naaman had captured from Israel, and forced into slavery, tells the commander’s wife:
“If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, CEV).
Imagine, she had been taken forcefully from her country and yet she was willing to share words of wisdom, from her God, with her captor!

When Naaman, under the aegis of his king, goes off to seek his healing, he loads up with tons of gold and silver. But God doesn’t peddle miracles, and there’s no price tag on healing. God only craves a sincere and obedient heart.

Elisha, God’s prophet, does not come out to greet the mighty man of valor, but rather sends someone with this message:
“Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured” (2 Kings 5:10, CEV).
Imagine Naaman’s furor. The prophet does not formally acknowledge his presence, but rather sends him away with an oral prescription for a cure. Did he hear right…wash in the Jordan?? Weren’t there more sparkling rivers in Syria…if that was all it took, why did he have to come all the way here? Why should he obey?

Because these were words of wisdom from God’s prophet--- a man who had received a double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit before Elijah was caught up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9).
With his ego on full display, Naaman was ready to go home.

Retreat.

This mighty man of valor was losing a battle with his flesh (literally and figuratively). He was calling it quits. But then came more words of wisdom from an unlikely source.
His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured” (2 Kings 5:13, CEV).
Why don’t we do what God says? Naaman had an attitude adjustment.
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's (2 Kings 5:14 CEV).
Whose words of wisdom have we disregarded? Perhaps, God has placed provision for our healing, peace, and joy in a person or place that we normally would not consider. Let’s ask God to point out his words of wisdom that are resting in unlikely places.

PRAYER: Humble us, Lord. Let us kneel before your presence in love and gratitude for your constant care, and the words of wisdom that you give us through the Scriptures and the mouths of everyday people. Teach us that any vessel you use is valuable for our good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                                                                                         ©M©dytations 2025

Wednesday’s Word
  Words of Wisdom
July 2, 2025

It is profoundly painful when obstacles stand in the way of our immediate happiness or success.

The account of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14) is instructive for all of us who seek divine intervention to combat suffering in our lives.

Sadly, we often have our own ideas of how we expect God to work. And, when things do not work out the way we think they should, we become bitter and disillusioned.

Yet, it would be wise for us to remember God’s words:

“My thoughts and my ways
    are not like yours.
Just as the heavens
    are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
    are higher than yours.”
                                     (Isaiah 55:8,9, CEV)

Meditating on those words should immediately lower the temperature of our egos.

Naaman was a brilliant military commander of the Syrian army who had earned the respect of the king and the people because of his mighty conquests. Yet, despite his prowess, Naaman was a leper.

Quick translation: Leprosy was a socially communicable disease and an inevitable death sentence.

A young girl whom Naaman had captured from Israel, and forced into slavery, tells the commander’s wife:
“If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, CEV).
Imagine, she had been taken forcefully from her country and yet she was willing to share words of wisdom, from her God, with her captor!

When Naaman, under the aegis of his king, goes off to seek his healing, he loads up with tons of gold and silver. But God doesn’t peddle miracles, and there’s no price tag on healing. God only craves a sincere and obedient heart.

Elisha, God’s prophet, does not come out to greet the mighty man of valor, but rather sends someone with this message:
“Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured” (2 Kings 5:10, CEV).
Imagine Naaman’s furor. The prophet does not formally acknowledge his presence, but rather sends him away with an oral prescription for a cure. Did he hear right…wash in the Jordan?? Weren’t there more sparkling rivers in Syria…if that was all it took, why did he have to come all the way here? Why should he obey?

Because these were words of wisdom from God’s prophet--- a man who had received a double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit before Elijah was caught up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9).
With his ego on full display, Naaman was ready to go home.

Retreat.

This mighty man of valor was losing a battle with his flesh (literally and figuratively). He was calling it quits. But then came more words of wisdom from an unlikely source.
His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured” (2 Kings 5:13, CEV).
Why don’t we do what God says? Naaman had an attitude adjustment.
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's (2 Kings 5:14 CEV).
Whose words of wisdom have we disregarded? Perhaps, God has placed provision for our healing, peace, and joy in a person or place that we normally would not consider. Let’s ask God to point out his words of wisdom that are resting in unlikely places.

PRAYER: Humble us, Lord. Let us kneel before your presence in love and gratitude for your constant care, and the words of wisdom that you give us through the Scriptures and the mouths of everyday people. Teach us that any vessel you use is valuable for our good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                                                                                         ©M©dytations 2025

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Can You See It?

6/11/2025

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Wednesday’s Word
By
Dorette Saunders

Recently, while online, I heard a song, “The Holy Ghost Fire is Moving Just like a Magnet.” A catchy, tambourine-slapping tune, its words reminded listeners that the Holy Spirit moves even now, just as it did at Pentecost.

Simple lyrics for a song, yet the question is, do we believe it?

Right after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus tells a questioning crowd of his purpose for coming to earth and hints at his impending death. Jesus indicates that he would die to save humanity, and God, his Father, would be glorified.

Jesus said:

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32, KJV).

How prophetic! God was glorified by the obedience of his Son, and Jesus was glorified in the fulfillment of the task he had come to accomplish.

It is indeed Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that “draws” us to him. We are humbled that One so holy, so righteous, should die in a sinner’s place-- for us.

Yes, it is the cross with its magnetism that draws us to the place where we see Jesus as he truly is…the Holy Son of God, but yet the friend of sinners. The One who died, was raised, and who ascended into heaven.

It is the saving work of the cross that makes us stand in awe wondering why “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16, CEV).

And, it is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth that reveals all the answers to our hearts and minds.

Jesus, our Promise Keeper, told his disciples, “…when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you” (John 16:13-15, CEV).
Can you see the unity and convergence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

We have the assurance that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, now lives in us because of our relationship with Jesus (Romans 8:11).

The Holy Spirit still moves like it did at Pentecost. In response, we are to share the good news about the Good News to those around us. Signs of the times indicate that the Door of salvation will not be open forever. The Scriptures tell us now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). The writing is on the wall.

Can you see it?

PRAYER: Lord, we acknowledge the presence of your Holy Spirit. “Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly dove, stay right here with us, filling us with your love.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©M©dytations 2025

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Shaken!

6/1/2025

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

Do you read the Bible for all it’s worth, sometimes marveling how God works miraculously in the lives of his people?

Reading Acts 16:16-34, we find Paul and Silas in Philippi heading toward a place of prayer. On their way, they are constantly accosted by a demon-possessed slave girl who makes money for her owners by fortune telling. Paul eventually exorcises the evil spirit, thus leaving the girl of no monetary value to her greedy owners.

Ah! It is said no good deed goes unpunished, and the disciples find themselves in a jam. Not only do the owners drag the two men to court, but they incite a riot by lying that Paul and Silas were “upsetting” their city.

Without an opportunity to plead their case, Paul and Silas are stripped of their clothes, badly beaten and thrown in jail. They are chained with heavy wooden blocks on their feet, and a jailer to guard them.

What would you do?

One would think this would shake the faith of the two men. After all, Paul had a vision in which someone had told him to come to Macedonia to help them (Acts 16:9). And here he was in Philippi, one of its towns, locked up in jail.

God, are you there? Did I read you right?

Yet, the Scriptures tell us:

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened” (Acts 16:24, CEV).

Praying? Singing?

There is something powerful about the midnight hour. It’s the time when we either give up hope, or we persevere, knowing that God’s power is always waiting to sustain us.

Can you think of the content of their prayers, or the hymns that they sang? Perhaps, they sang, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” or “The Goodness of God” or even the foot-stomping “We’ll Soon Be Done with Troubles and Trials.”

We’ll never know what they prayed or what they sang, but we know for sure that the Holy Spirit joined in this a cappella worship service. It was a powerful jailhouse rock, for the Scriptures tell us:

Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.
When the jailer woke up and saw that the doors were open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped. He pulled out his sword and was about to kill himself (vv. 26-27).

Paul, however, assured him that none of the prisoners had escaped.

Prayer is powerful! But so is singing praises to God. Just think of it as your prayers set to music.

Imagine an earthquake of seismic proportions—it probably weighed in more than 9.5 on the Richter Scale. That was God’s doing, for the liberation of his people. And for the salvation of a jailer and his entire household.

Our faith need not be shaken when trials come, because the Holy Spirit can break every chain, both literally and figuratively, that seeks to hold us captive.

The jailer “was shaking all over” as he asked Paul and Silas:
“What must I do to be saved?” (v.30)
Their reply: “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!” (v.31)
This is true for all who have not yet come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. For those who are followers of Christ, do not let your faith be shaken, but be obedient and faithful to God who loves us, and gave his only Son to prove his love.

PRAYER: Father, shake us up from slouching prayer and sleepy worship. Revitalize our souls in the midnight hour. Embolden our faith as we journey through the storms of life, and lead us safely to a place of safety. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. ©M©dytations 2025

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For Such a Time...As This

6/1/2025

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

Why, God, why?

The terror on the face of a child in a war-torn country still haunts me. The recent live image could not have been more piercing.

The answer came back swiftly.

“It is for such a time as this that you are a Christian.”

It was a sobering thought. A dose of reality. A call to “arms” and a call to prayer.

How can we, as Christians, influence events that happen half-way around the world? We can acknowledge that these people who are casualties of war are our brothers and sisters. We can lock arms with other Christians and support them in practical ways.

We can pray.

While that response may sound like a flippant, pull-it-out-of-a-hat type of answer, it’s not. Like the word “love,” in the mouths of people who profess to be believers, “prayer” has often been reduced to what we say when we don’t know what else to say.

“I’ll pray for you…”

Prayer is powerful!

When faced with a dilemma that could have led to disastrous consequences, Queen Esther chose to fast and pray (Esther 4:16).

And, if we slow down long enough to listen, prayer is one of the battle tactics God’s tells us to use. God says:

“If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven…” (2 Chronicles 7:14, CEV).

We are empowered to pray. Yes, God knows what we need, but he wants us to come and talk to him about it. So, it’s a choice we make. If we want changes…we are to pray.

Sometimes, we say about situations that look impossible, “All we can do is pray.” (I’m guilty of that, too). But honestly, such a limp proclamation sounds like we have tried all our personal remedies and are coming to God as a last resort, with a defeatist attitude.

Let prayer be at the top of our list.  Let’s start from a place of victory, remembering well what our Lord has told us:

When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
                                                     (Isaiah 59:19, NKJV)

That standard is the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ.

And, it is Jesus himself who comforts us:

“I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” (John 16:33, CEV).

We have been forewarned by God about such a time as this when
people will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, cruel and godless (Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, CEV).

Yet, the Bible tells us that we are not fighting against mere humans but “We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:12-13, CEV).

Further, the Scriptures remind us:

“Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people” (Ephesians 6:18, CEV).

We pray for such a time as this. Lord, hear our prayer.

PRAYER: Father, we have neglected being our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers. Forgive us. We have flouted your laws and commands, and now our own laws are being flouted. We have neglected to pray as we should. Grant us your wisdom and your guidance for such a time as this. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©M©dytations 2025

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Where's Your Heart?

3/11/2025

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

Lent is all about Jesus. It reminds us of our mortality, and points us to the blessed hope found in Jesus as he journeys to the cross.

As we prepare for this 40-day period of fasting and prayer, it challenges us to reflect, focus on Jesus and his sacrificial death, and turn our hearts to repentance.
How do we do that? Where do we start? We start by remembering Jesus’ teachings and looking inside ourselves.
For one thing, Jesus tells us, “Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is” (Matthew 6:19-21, CEV).
What captures your attention most? Your home. Car. Family. Job. Finances….
From Jesus’ perspective, our treasure is that which we value most, that which seeks and commands our undivided attention, that which we guard with life and limb.
Surely Jesus is not asking us to take a vow of poverty when he decries amassing earthly possessions, but he is warning us against the type of greed that is so prevalent in our society. He also warns of the unhealthy obsession with “things” rather than the Word of God.
Being enamored by material possessions, social status, and a “keeping up with the Joneses” attitude leaves no room for the values that really matter.
When things matter more than people, and when people matter more than God, then we have willingly allowed ourselves to be shackled by the stocks and bonds of the world.
So the question is: “Where’s your heart?”
It is so easy to be distracted from the vows we make to God. So easy to speak with our lips and not with our hearts. So easy to look around at others and make plans to “have what they have…” So easy…
Why? Because we live in a society that places top value on wealth, on self-promotion, and outward success. And while there is nothing wrong with being successful or having wealth, when success or wealth strangles our dependence on God, it becomes a tool of the enemy.
Jesus, our omniscient Savior, tells us how to avoid this trap.
“Don't worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well” (Matthew 6:31-33, CEV).
God’s Word is our treasure, and our response should be to apply it to our lives and share it with those around us. When we treasure God’s Word, a natural response is humility and obedience in the presence of an awesome God who loves us more than we can ever imagine. God proves it to us by sending Jesus to die in our place.
When our hearts embrace Jesus, God blesses us richly and the things we value will become aligned with what God desires for us. Take time to self-reflect during Lent, and pause to consider the question, “Where is your heart?”
PRAYER: Lord, you are our treasure. Help us push away the world’s distractions and keep our hearts focused on you and your Word. We are beyond grateful you know the things we need, so we have no reason to worry. Forgive us when we do, and help us to trust you in all things. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
                                                                                                   ©M©dytations 2025

  Wednesday’s Word
Where’s Your Heart?
March 5, 2025

Lent is all about Jesus. It reminds us of our mortality, and points us to the blessed hope found in Jesus as he journeys to the cross.

As we prepare for this 40-day period of fasting and prayer, it challenges us to reflect, focus on Jesus and his sacrificial death, and turn our hearts to repentance.
How do we do that? Where do we start? We start by remembering Jesus’ teachings and looking inside ourselves.
For one thing, Jesus tells us, “Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is” (Matthew 6:19-21, CEV).
What captures your attention most? Your home. Car. Family. Job. Finances….
From Jesus’ perspective, our treasure is that which we value most, that which seeks and commands our undivided attention, that which we guard with life and limb.
Surely Jesus is not asking us to take a vow of poverty when he decries amassing earthly possessions, but he is warning us against the type of greed that is so prevalent in our society. He also warns of the unhealthy obsession with “things” rather than the Word of God.
Being enamored by material possessions, social status, and a “keeping up with the Joneses” attitude leaves no room for the values that really matter.
When things matter more than people, and when people matter more than God, then we have willingly allowed ourselves to be shackled by the stocks and bonds of the world.
So the question is: “Where’s your heart?”
It is so easy to be distracted from the vows we make to God. So easy to speak with our lips and not with our hearts. So easy to look around at others and make plans to “have what they have…” So easy…
Why? Because we live in a society that places top value on wealth, on self-promotion, and outward success. And while there is nothing wrong with being successful or having wealth, when success or wealth strangles our dependence on God, it becomes a tool of the enemy.
Jesus, our omniscient Savior, tells us how to avoid this trap.
“Don't worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well” (Matthew 6:31-33, CEV).
God’s Word is our treasure, and our response should be to apply it to our lives and share it with those around us. When we treasure God’s Word, a natural response is humility and obedience in the presence of an awesome God who loves us more than we can ever imagine. God proves it to us by sending Jesus to die in our place.
When our hearts embrace Jesus, God blesses us richly and the things we value will become aligned with what God desires for us. Take time to self-reflect during Lent, and pause to consider the question, “Where is your heart?”
PRAYER: Lord, you are our treasure. Help us push away the world’s distractions and keep our hearts focused on you and your Word. We are beyond grateful you know the things we need, so we have no reason to worry. Forgive us when we do, and help us to trust you in all things. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
                                                                                                   ©M©dytations 2025

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Words of Wisdom

Can You See It?

Shaken!

For Such a Time...As This

Where's Your Heart?

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