​5-31-22
Today’s devotion is based on John 17:24, where we hear Jesus’ words; “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
As I read this passage, I thought about our dreams and goals for ourselves and others. Concerning our dreams and goals, there is one thing that we know is that we must commit to some type of action. 
Jesus has already set loftier goals for you. Jesus prayed to his Father in heaven and had a clear goal in mind for you: he wants you in heaven with him forever.
Christ has achieved the goal for us. As you chase your dreams and goals here on earth, always keep an eye on the heavenly home that Jesus has waiting for you. Rest assured that no matter what happens in your life, the loftiest goal possible has already been achieved for you; eternal life with God.
Please pray with me the prayer for today; Dear Lord, heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to win my salvation. Help me keep my eyes on my heavenly home and bless me as I set goals for my time here. Please help me to always glorify you. Amen.

​5-30-22
Today’s daily devotion is based on John 17:23, where we hear Jesus say in his prayer for the disciples and thus us, “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Complete unity. That sounds nice, doesn’t it? The world does not enjoy complete unity, but we are no better at achieving it in our own lives, are we? Again, it sounds nice, but it is not reality.
Jesus wanted his followers to have complete unity—a perfect unity. Unity of faith, purpose, and love that would last. Such unity would bring great blessing, but it would prove costly. Jesus was willing to pay the cost for us all. Through his death, Jesus has united us as God’s children. He has brought us into God’s family. So, while we will never find perfect unity in this fallen world we will, through Jesus, enjoy complete unity in heaven forever.
Please pray with me, Dear heavenly Father, you have brought us into unity through the life and death of your son Jesus. Keep us in faith and bring us to our heavenly home. Amen.

​5-29-22
Today’s daily devotion is based on John 17:21, where Jesus is praying, for his disciples, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
John places this prayer just before Jesus is betrayed. Even knowing the fate that awaits him, Jesus selflessly wants for all believers the indwelling relationship Jesus has with his Father.
Jesus prays that we be with him so we can see his glory – it’s awesome beyond imagination that the Father and Son, creators of the universe, want to personally share with us the glory of creation.
I am more aware of the chasm between what Jesus prayed for and who I am than I am of the love that Jesus prays for. Yet Jesus says our love for each other and him is a witness to him and his relationship with God.
Please pray with me, Heavenly Father, we pray that our relationships in the world reflect the relationship between you and your Son, Jesus Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, that the world believes your Son died to reconcile the world to you. We pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

5-28-22
Today’s daily devotion is based on Acts 14:15, “We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.”

Whenever a person moves from one home to another, questions abound. What will the next place be like? What do I take with me? What do I leave? All questions that need to be answered when moving to a new home. It is even more important for every person to ask this question regarding their spiritual life. Recognizing what Jesus gives us makes us realize it is time to clean our spiritual house. We need to get rid of those things that hinder our relationship with Jesus.

Please pray with me, O gracious Lord and Savior, how can I thank you for your gifts of priceless worth! Turn my heart from earthly things that have no eternal value to your gifts of priceless worth which have eternal value. Amen.

5-27-22

Today’s daily devotion is based on Luke 24:49, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
God the Father promised the Holy Spirit, and Jesus sent him to clothe the disciples with power. How often do you think about the power of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus sends that power to clothe us. What amazing things can we do if we lean into the power that God has clothed us with? What faith does this require? What would it be like to sit for a while today and ponder this power? Consider why God would clothe his people with his power from on high. Ponder for a little or a long time but contemplate and listen to his whispers and obey. Think also about the readings for the past few days. Wonder at God’s almighty power. Be amazed; be awed. We are clothed with God’s Holy Spirit.
Father God, you sent your Holy Spirit to clothe your people. Thank you that you are my God. Help me recognize your mightiness, power, and awesomeness. Help me hear your whispers and follow your will obediently. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

​5-26-22
Joy Victorious Over Waiting
Today’s daily devotion is based on John 16:16, “Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
Jesus wanted his disciples to know that he would soon be gone from their sight, and he knew this wouldn’t be easy for them. But he also knew that just three days after this conversation, he was going to be standing in front of them, fully alive after he had died as their Savior, and fully victorious over sin, death, and Satan. He knew exactly how long their “little while” would be—just as he knows yours.
He knows how long you will be sick. He knows how long you will suffer. He knows how long you will grieve. He knows how long your heart will ache. He knows how long before you finally get to heaven to see your loved ones again.
It’s hard to suffer, grieve, and carry guilt for even “a little while.” But, as it happened to Jesus’ first disciples, all our “little whiles” have an expiration date. After “a little while,” our eyes will also see Jesus, whose innocent death and resurrection prepared our place in God’s family. And then, as Scripture says, “we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and there will no longer be any “little whiles” but only boundless joy.
Please pray with me, gracious Savior, keep my faith firmly focused on your work as my Savior until the day you return to take me home. Amen.

​5-25-22
In light of the latest mass shooting yesterday, I ask that you join me in prayer today: Lord, in our shock and confusion, grief and despair, in our sense of helplessness in the face of violence, we come to you for help, for only you can give us strength and hope.
We pray for the families of those young children and teachers who have been murdered. We pray for the community that has lost so many of its citizens. We pray for those law enforcement and medical personnel who have witnessed the slaughter of innocents. We pray for the congregations in the area as they minister to those grieving.
We pray for those who make our laws that they set aside political ideologies and pass sensible laws that would address the safety needs of our children in our country.  Lord have mercy.  Amen.

​5-24-22
Today’s daily devotion is based on John 16:18, “They kept asking, ‘What does he mean by “a little while”? We do not understand what he is saying’”
Jesus had told his disciples that they would see him in a little while, they would not see him anymore, and then after a little while, they would see him. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was telling them.
How often do you turn to Jesus when you are confused or unsure about what he says to you personally? How often do you ask him to help you understand? How often do you lean into your personal relationship with Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Are you holding up your part in that relationship? Ask and then look, listen, and obey.
After all, later in verse twenty-four, Jesus says, ‘Ask in my name and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.’ Listen in the silence. Be sure to listen for his whisper rather than listening only for shouts. Through the Holy Spirit, our relationship with Jesus is personal. Ask Jesus today to help you deepen your personal relationship with him through the Holy Spirit to understand what he is saying to you so that your joy is complete.
Please pray with me, Heavenly Father, thank you that I can rely on your promises. Please help me deepen my relationship with you. Help me hear the whispers of your Holy Spirit. Help me stand in your light and understand what your word means in my life. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray. Amen.
 

5-23-23

Today’s daily devotion is based on John 18:20-22, [Jesus said] “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
Jesus’ statement that “a woman giving birth to a child has pain” needs no explanation for those who have given birth to a child. Childbirth is painful. But then the pain is overcome by the joy of holding her child for the first time. 
The circumstances of our lives in this world cause real grief, but knowing the victory of Jesus on our behalf gives us a joy that overwhelms our sorrow. Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins is completed and his victory over death is already won.
Please pray with me, Lord Jesus, by your death and resurrection, give me daily strength to endure the hard circumstances of earthly life in anticipation of my final victory that is already won. Amen.

​5-22-23
Impossible love?
Today’s daily devotion is based on John 13:34,  “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
When God commands us to love one another as he has loved us, he gives us no small task. He says to love with the love that he has shown to us. How can we do that? We can do the kinds of things that will make sure even death will not limit our love. If you want to love your spouse, pray for and encourage their faith. If you want to love your child, make sure that they grow up in a place where their faith can be nurtured. If you want to love your neighbor, do the kinds of things that allow you to share with them the hope you have in Jesus. Helping those you love to be in the Word of Christ and to follow his commands is one of the greatest expressions of love because it is the only thing that is truly limitless.
Please pray with me, Father, thank you for loving us so much that you sent Jesus. Help us to love with the limitless love you have shown to us. Amen.