Corona Devotionals

It's easy . Some of us are still trying to make it hard...but Jesus has made it easy. Let's be Biblically reminded today of how easy Jesus made it for us to connect with Him. For us to be in relationship with Him. For us to be accepted by Him. And for us to (one day) enter paradise with Him and because of Him... Not because of us. We want to ignore and avoid the process. We want to qualify and quantify the process. We want to complicate and even dictate the process. But Jesus made it an easy process, for anyone. Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. (33) When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. (35) The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” (36) The soldiers mocked him, too... (39) One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “S...

I'm truly enjoying the Book of Judges and "Gideon's Guide to Following God". That's nobody's term but my own, but it fits because Gideon was a lot like us: unsure of himself, worried about his "worthiness" in serving God, and he was human --he got tired and he even got even once in a while. (Like I said, he was human.) But Gideon kept God at the center of his heart and actions. If we can follow his "guide" in being a follower-of-God, then his example (although a couple thousand years old) becomes surprisingly timely as we seek to fight our battles in the Lord's name today. Gideon then crossed the Jordan River with his 300 men, and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. ~Judges 8:4 though exhausted... Can I get an Amen? Anyone exhausted today? ...Already? Physically exhausted ? From the pace of life. From the pain of life. From the lack-of-sleep or lack-of-peace of life? Spiritually exhausted ? From the sorro...

Are we unsure (and a bit cold-footed) about what God is calling us into today? Are we afraid to attack (Judges 7:10) and in need of some encouragement before we move forward with the plans He has for us? God knows that. He knows us. He knows that we want to believe Him and His sovereign plans for us and our world. But because God perceives our thoughts (Psalm 139:14) He also knows that sometimes we need reassurance before we can enter the daily battle for Him. Is that us today? Are we looking for a little push of encouragement before we set foot into today's battles? Life doesn't let up, does it? But neither does God's faithfulness, direction and strength. We know Jesus and we believe in Him. But today's battle can seem so lopsided and all uphill. The "armies"..."and the people" that we face seem to surround and outnumber us " like a swarm of locusts" and their "camels" are like grains of sand on the seashore—too ...

I'd like to share with you that my parents called me their "patient" child or their "bright" child, but (instead) many times I overheard my mom tell others that I was her "tester" child. Are you a "tester" child, too... of God? In the Bible, Gideon was a "tester" child, just like us. He was given an assignment by God ( to lead an army to defeat the Midianites who had been oppressing God's people, the Israelites) and Gideon had the guts to ask God to "prove Himself" (three times!) before he accepted the assignment. Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me. ( 18) Don’t go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.” He answered, “I will stay here until you return.” (19) Gideon hurried home. He cooked a young goat, and... he baked some bread without yeast. Then...he brought them out and presented them to the angel, who was under the gre...

Maybe today we can't get out from under the covers.  Or maybe we are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to take on the world.  Either way, give God a clap and  publish his glorious deeds among the nations.  Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. (Psalm 96:3). Things can get heavy in our minds and hearts.  The intimidation and weight of our circumstances can isolate us and feel personally enclosing  today.    But... Sing to the Lord; praise his name.  Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. ~Psalm 96:1 In a grateful, refreshing, revitalizing and God-focused way, we can remember and experience that although our thoughts and circumstances can burden us: God-in-the-world and God's blessing in our circumstances  is something to be grateful for!   Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! (~Psalm 96:4).    And gratitude-in-our-today changes our today.  God is so good.  People and institu...

Come, let us worship and bow down.  Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.  If only you would listen to his voice today! ~Psalm 95:6-7 I woke up with a full calendar day (you probably did too).  Each hour screamed a new event or deadline and first on my list was making oatmeal cookies.  One big batch to cover a multitude of occasions happening today. I threw the ingredients into the mixer and waited for the paddle-whisk to do it's magic.  But something was off.  The batter was dry.  I added some extra shortening but still no adhesion.  I tried to stay positive but as I watched the craisins seem to sit in a huff, staying away from the crumbly mix of oatmeal, flour, brown sugar and spices that fell flat along the sides of the bowl.  It just wasn't coming together right.  In the meantime, there was a lack-of-adhesion elsewhere in our kitchen...   The...