2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.”

It is hard to see this nation so divided.  As I watched the election unfold I was thinking about the last several elections and how close the voting has been in each of them.  Our nation is divided.  Today there are many people rejoicing in the belief that the right choice prevailed and there are almost as many sitting in shock and disbelief at that same outcome.  Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on these verses call us to see the good work of God, not of man.  God gives us comfort and hope because through the gift of Jesus He is our Father.  Let’s release the grip we hold on our beliefs in the political arena and hold hands with each other in the love of our one Father.  Hold the hope in your hearts through him, take comfort in your hearts through him and be strengthened in those gifts so that we can go forward doing good works to His glory.  His word is truth and it says that God is good.  Trust and hope in Him and his grace.

Lord,

Your hand is in everything whether we can see it or not.  Help us trust in your power and guidance.  Give us hearts filled with your comfort and hope so we can use our hands to serve you in word and deed.  Unite us together in our love for you so that we might all work together for your kingdom.  Amen.

Psalm 47:2 “For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.”

Today is election day; I am guessing I don’t need to tell anyone that.  The television ads and the phone ringing off the hook over the last few weeks would not let us forget for one moment that we need to choose the next leaders of our country.  People have high emotions and deep seeded beliefs when it comes to politics.  I do not participate in political discussions for the most part because I see no value in it.  I do not think I can sway another person to see things the way I do nor will they likely sway me.  In that case it just becomes an argument with no end.  As I was praying about my vote over the last few weeks it became very clear to me that my vote was not as important as it is made out to be.  Don’t get me wrong, I think it is our civic duty and a privilege to vote and I do not squander that.  Whoever sits in the Oval Office at the White House for the next four years is not really in charge though.  The senators and representatives that win their seat in congress do not rule this nation.  There is hope and comfort in this verse.  Our Lord, the Most High is King over all the earth.  Hallelujah and Amen!

Lord,

I lift your name on high this morning.  Thank you for this verse to remind us who is truly in charge.  You are the ruler of our hearts and of all nations.  Your will be done.  Amen.

Luke 17:33 “Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it.”

It all comes down to perspective.  Do you look at the world from the outside in or from the inside out?  We are creatures of security.  We like to make sure we have what we need and desire and only then do we turn to think about others.  The problem is we do not know what we truly need and our desires are misaligned.  We get wrapped up in our own lives and lose sight of the bigger picture.  The squirrel is busy gathering nuts for himself and has no gumption to share with a squirrel that has less, but we are not squirrels.  This passage in Luke is powerful and I would encourage you to read verses 20-37.  There is so much to meditate on ...  As you go through today look to give rather than gather.  Find ways to share rather than hoard.  As you hear the voice of generosity calling, don’t look back at your storehouses first.  Trust in the Lord to continue to provide for you as He always has.  Release control and security for these things are truly in the hands of our God.  When we do that, we have gained true life, life with God.

Lord,

I pray that these words jump from my computer screen right into the depths of my soul.  Help the peace and trust in you remind me that I am not in control and that you, the all-knowing God of the Universe are the one holding all the cards.  Keep my eyes focused on you so I can see the needs in this world and be the help you would have me be.  Amen.

Mark 6:38 “And he said to them, ‘How many loaves have you?  Go and see.’  When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’”

Potluck meals are great.  You get to try new foods and there are always the standbys that you can count on.  Everyone comes and there is great company to go along with a great meal.  Have you ever been to a potluck where there was not enough food?  I know I have been to many where there was worry about having enough food but it never seems to run short.  I wonder about this story sometimes.  How can 5 loaves of bread and two fish feed 5 thousand people?  I imagine the disciples were thinking the very same thing.  There will never be enough!  I don’t know how it worked, I wasn’t there but I would guess the disciples may not know either and they were there.  What I learn from this story is that we are asked to give what little we have and then trust the Lord to use it as he will.  One gift of food from one little person seems useless.  Yet, that gift compounded by the love of the Lord fed thousands of people.  What can we give that the Lord can compound?  Let go and allow God to work with your gifts to magnify his kingdom.

Lord,

Thank you for this story.  Thank you for the reminder that I am not called to feed five thousand, I am asked to give what I have for you to feed the five thousand.  Please take my meager offering and use it to further your kingdom in ways beyond my imagination.  All glory and honor to you.  Amen.

Jonah 4:1-2 “But this was very displeasing to Jonah and he became angry.  He prayed to the Lord ...’for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.’”

The injustice of it all... these rampant sinners in Nineveh didn't deserve the mercy of God in Jonah’s mind.  He didn't want to give them a warning and he certainly didn't want to see God’s grace given to them if they decided to repent.  When I read Jonah’s story it is easy to see from my bird’s eye view how selfish Jonah is being.  He disobeys God and through the mercy of God he does not drown but is rescued in the belly of a fish.  When Jonah repents and prays to the Lord, God allows Jonah to be delivered to dry land and try again.  Even after just receiving all this grace Jonah cannot bear the thought that others would deserve grace as well.  How often do we listen to a story on the news or read a story in the paper and cry for justice.  As we learn to accept and embrace the grace and forgiveness of God, let us also learn that His grace is for everyone.  Join me in praying for all people to turn from our selfish ways and follow him, seeking his grace and steadfast love.

Lord,

Thank you for not sending me to Nineveh, I fear I may have run away just as Jonah did.  Forgive me for the times I have run from what you call me to do.  Encourage my heart to trust you and know that you are God of all people.  Amen.

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” 

I am currently participating in a bible study on the book of James.  Last week this was one of the verses we read.  When I read this passage again the picture that came to mind was this:  We go to church on Sunday and listen to the bible verses and the sermon.  We sing our hymns and pray the prayers printed in the bulletin and then we go home to our daily lives.  The challenge lies in the daily living.  Does the word change how we live each day or do we hear it and discard it at the doors of church on the way out?  I have spent the majority of my life doing just that.  Oh I would never have admitted to that in the past but the reality is that the word and worship barely nicked the surface of my soul.  I would give to the poor and be kind to others but did I give from the depths of my heart or simply the extra fluff I had laying around?  Do I live in authenticity or do I show a facade of light to those around me?  I want do the work of the Lord in truth and in depth; I do not want to be a mirror, only reflecting back what is outside deceiving myself as well as other people.

Lord,

Call me into authenticity.  Show me the truth of my heart so I can be changed and be true to you.  I do not want to be deceived and I do not want to deceive others.  As I hear your word, move me into action because of it.  Show me what to do again.  Thank you Lord, thank you.  Amen.

2 Kings 4:6-7 “When the vessels were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another vessel.’  But he said to her, ‘There are no more.’  Then the oil stopped flowing.  She came and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your children can live on the rest.”

I would put the whole story in my devotion but then I would run out of room on my page, it would be too long for some to read and there would be no reason for you to pull the bible off of your shelf and read it for yourself.  The reason I started writing devotions was to encourage others to get into the Word on a daily basis so I encourage you to get into the Word and read this story.  There are many stories in the bible and still in today’s world where God is faithful to us and provides what we need.  This widow asks for help and does not question what she is told to do.  She listens and obeys and she is rewarded for her faithfulness.  I know if it were me my temptation would be to think, I only have a little oil left, why do I need to gather vessels for that?  Jesus words “Oh you of little faith” come echoing into my heart.  He is faithful forever.  If we ask in faith He will provide whatever we need.

Lord,

Help my unbelief.  I come to you so many times knowing you can provide but not knowing that you will.  When I doubt, remind me of this story and encourage me to follow in complete trust; you will never lead me astray.  Thank you for your faithfulness and for caring for all of us. I sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to you this day.  Amen.