God is faithful to love every single one of his children, his creation, his image-bearers. How can we live celebrating this every day? We can celebrate like Jesus.

This week, let us commit to living with a heart of celebration. One way we can be sure to lift our spirits into joy is to make a list of things we are grateful for. It is good for us to remember that we have a God who eagerly, joyfully, and generously gave it all for us…

Prayer is a conversation with God, a mode of worship to our Lord, and a way to give him thanks for his loving-kindness. Prayer is a time to confess to God, to remind us that there is now no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Prayer is the vehicle to petition our loving God for our deepest needs, a time to give to God what we can no longer carry or would never be able to resolve…

At the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus called us to go out and make disciples. It's called The Great Commission. Jesus gave them "all authority" to speak to "all nations" about "all things." All.

The authority He was given from the Father, he passed on to his followers. All. Without the Messiah's authority, the mission of the disciples would be a quick and forgotten failure. These words were chosen by Jesus carefully; his last words would be remembered. Make disciples. Disciples are made by example, by deed, not just words…

Jesus listened to outcasts.

In today's devotional, we go over Matthew 20:29-34, where Jesus heals two blind men. They cried out to Jesus, and despite the crowd trying to silence them, Jesus listened and called them over to himself. In so many situations, Jesus went out of his way to serve the very people who were usually considered the "low-lives" in society.

Jesus asked them a simple question. "What do you want me to do for you?" He knew what they needed. He knew what they wanted. He's Jesus. But he listened to their cries, and took the time to listen to them as they stated their needs…

God surprised me! Has he ever surprised you?

I am a broken woman. I've been a Christian for 18 years, growing in relationship with Jesus, but I still make mistakes. I don't have it all figured out. I still struggle. I still sin, not intentionally. I have a testimony of past messes that I created on my road to unbelief. But do you know how God sees me today? He sees me white as snow (Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 103:12). His eyes look at me, and he sees nothing but the righteousness of Jesus. I am covered by his grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). I am now free from my bondage to sin because I put my trust in Jesus (Romans 8:1). That's scandalous…

Take a good look at yourself. How are you doing today? Are you spiritually full – topped off? Or are you running on less than a full tank, a little low, or maybe empty – hearing alarm bells?

 None of us like to be spiritually empty, and God does not want that for us either…

Where are you headed?

In today's devotional, we read that Jesus came alongside two men who were headed to a place called Emmaus. Lots of people speculate where this place was, but I think where they were going is completely irrelevant. It's where they were leaving that mattered. They were leaving the most remarkable place, the most extraordinary story, the community of believers, and the One who was the source of the hope they sought. They were leaving the site of the resurrection, an event that would soon change their lives for eternity…

Today’s devotional is about two men who were lost. They were going the wrong way. While the disciples were running to the empty tomb, these guys were leaving town, walking away. While everyone was looking for the resurrected Jesus, they left him behind…

Will you trust Jesus, no matter what happens?

One of my favorite church experiences is watching people declare their faith.

About once per month, our pastor gives a message that compels people to come to faith. He ends by inviting people to stand up and say, "I Believe." Many do, some with loud voices, others barely able to speak. After a long silent pause, giving as many people as possible the space they need for such an important decision, we all clap loudly, hoot and holler, and rejoice in the Lord for the new creations just birthed.

Jesus called Peter, not by his new name "Peter" (rock), but by his old name, Simon (pebble). He calls Peter to humble himself and serve others with his life, not because there was something in it for Peter, but out of love for Jesus. As the shepherd of the flock of God, Peter would have to tap into his brokenness to guide others by example. His authority would come from his weakness. His service would grow out of love. There is a great message of "home" for us in this story.

Peter denied Jesus three times and was filled with shame. He ran away from the identity Jesus gave him. He failed to be the rock for Jesus.

 Yet Jesus called Peter again and again and again to follow and serve God’s people. He invited Peter to care for his “lambs.” From that point on, Peter gave his life, eventually dying on a cross hanging upside down, doing what Jesus called him to do.

 Peter’s story reminds us that there is hope even in our suffering…

Have you ever been in a huge crowd of people (probably before COVID) yet felt invisible to others? Unless you’re in an embarrassing situation or were trying to hide from someone or something, the feeling of being overlooked is not pleasant. We all hate being an outcast. It’s hard on our hearts to be physically present and yet not seen by others. At the same time, we are all a little afraid of being fully seen, for we know that there is a part of ourselves that, if people knew, may cause people to reject us or wish us gone. Read more…

Dating has a lot of ups and downs. On the upside of dating is the joy of attraction, the pursuit. It’s deeply flattering and emotionally exhilarating when someone shows interest in us, laughs at our jokes, and acts as though we’re the only person on earth! Likewise, finding someone wonderfully refreshing, interesting, and cute is stimulating. On the downside, when someone loses interest in us, the pain of rejection is hard to recover from. This demonstrates our deep desire to be loved unconditionally.

We can naively think we control the outcome of someone's spiritual journey, but Jesus is the one who brings life change. He is the outcome. (Comment "amen" if you agree.)

The Samaritan woman at the well ran to her town to tell her friends and neighbors about Jesus. She was transformed, and that convinced them to drop what they were doing and meet Jesus. They invited Jesus to stay in town for a few days, during which time Jesus taught them, and they believed. She was but a conduit between Jesus and God's people. She participated in the miracle, but Jesus did the saving…

The Greek verb "ginosko", to know has the idea of a loving relationship. To know as Jesus knows is not about information. It’s about love, intimate relationship, sweet, loving fellowship. To know in this way is to love. This is why, the Psalmist can confidently say: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way." Psalm 139:23-24

Jesus demonstrated to the woman at the well that there was nothing she could hide from God. And still, she was deeply loved. She did not have to earn his love, his approval, the "living water" or the life of purpose. All of this and her eternal existence were given to her through Jesus…

From the beginning, God created humans to be in fellowship with Him, to enjoy a relationship with their Creator, to thirst for Him above all else. Yet, our sin separates us from God, and thus we were disconnected from the only source that can quench our spiritual thirst. Sin leaves a vacuum in our hearts that only God can fill. But, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Although it is not always felt, in some sense there is a thirst in every soul. God did not make us to be content on our own…

Jesus brakes our human-made rules. He travelled from Judea to Galilee through Samaria, something Jews did no do in his time unless they had to. Jews did not associate with Samaritans, men would not speak to women in public, righteous people would not talk to sinners.

Jesus ignored all of that. Jesus' ways do not conform with human boundaries. He goes out of his way to meet this un-named woman. He asks her for a drink of water, making himself vulnerable before the lowest in the religious and social ladder…

Hezekiah became terminally ill at the young age of 39. He was at the height of his success and didn't want to die so he prayed to the Lord. God healed him. Imagine that! But Hezekiah's heart became proud. When ambassadors of Babylon's rulers came to "inquire about the miraculous sign", he showed them all his splendor. He did not give credit to the LORD for his mighty acts. What a mistake; one we could all easily make.

Pride is poison!

Hezekiah was wise enough not to take on the Assyrian enemy on his own. He humbled himself and prayed and cried out to the LORD. He included others and invited them to pray with him. He presented to God the defiant words of the enemy. He trusted that the LORD was listening and prepared to act on his behalf. And, he was wise to do so. God delivered Judah from the king of Assyria and sent him home in disgrace…

Hezekiah "remained faithful to the Lord." (2 Kings 18:6) Now, that's not easy to do on a good day, let alone when a crisis strikes, when a nation is against you, and a powerful king is breathing down your neck! Okay, you and I have not experienced that. But what about when you lose your job, end up in divorce, get a cancer diagnosis, find out your loved one is terminally ill, ______ (You fill in the blank)? It's not easy to remain faithful when life is great, but it can also be hard when we are in distress…