Category: daily devotions

Can you understand God?

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The the true master knows that if he had a God he could understand he would never hold him to be God-——from “The Gargoyle” by Andrew Davidson

God is way beyond my understanding. There are so many things that happen in the world that make no sense to me. Who would allow pain and suffering if they were in charge? However, I know that there is a God whose wisdom I cannot grasp and no matter how much I study I will never understand. God is infinite and beyond my imagining.

unknowable God

Amazing God, you created the world and all that is in it. Your wisdom is before me every day and I will never understand. You are God. I believe.

Live joy

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Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
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Have you met Christians who think that God expects us to be somber in all that we do. Oh no! God created a beautiful world and he expects us to see the joy in it. He does want us to share of our abundance so that others may also have good things. Don’t go around with a sad face and a gloomy disposition. This will make others think that is our way. Let them see joyful Christians who thank God always for his love and abundance.
Gracious Lord, you have given us so much. Let us show the joy that living in you brings us. AMEN

Forgiveness

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Real human progress depends upon a good conscience. ———-Albert Einstein

We are not perfect….so we can’t always do everything right. This means that we will make mistakes and do things that we are not proud of. Thankfully, God has granted us a way to continue to have a good conscience. It is called forgiveness. All we have to do is see the error of our ways and ask forgiveness.

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Loving God, you never stop forgiving us. Thank you, thank you. AMEN

No Exceptions

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Religious liberty includes freedom to change one’ religion or belief without consequent social, economic and political disabilities. Implicit in this right is the right freely to maintain one’s belief or disbelief without external coercion or disability. ——–World Council of Churches

We are all so divided. Not just into totally different religions but into divisions within religions. So often we cast stones at those of other faiths or other denominations. Jesus called us to love one another. He did not include the word “if.”

no exceptions

Matthew 22:36-40 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 

How big is God?

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If you can’t believe in God the chances are that your God is too small. —J.B. Phillips

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We are so good at creating in our minds a God who is like us. We need for God to be reasonable and make everything work out the right way. That is our right way. This is not God. God is infinite. We will never understand him. Any image we have is not big enough. God is intimate. God came near in the presence of Christ to help us understand. We missed most of it. God is unreadable, beyond understanding, way bigger than our minds can comprehend. Just accept it.

Unimaginable God, you have tried everything to help us see your greatness. Give us the wisdom to accept you as you are. AMEN

Science and ethics: listen for God

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quote-we-can-t-simply-do-our-science-and-not-worry-about-the-ethical-issues-bill-joy-133-50-02The ethical results of current research is staring us in the face. We don’t always think about this as being connected with our faith. However, it is critical to our belief system. I am thinking way beyond abortion and gay marriage. I am considering choosing the characteristics of our children, immortality for those who can pay, who can have access to healthcare, when do we let people die to husband our resources?

These are questions that we have to consider now and ones that we must lean on our core ethics, our faith and our God. We must listen for God’s voice to discern how to move forward. Begin to pray about these things and listen for God now!

Infinite, intimate God, the issues before us are way beyond our understanding. Guide us in your wisdom to do your will. AMEN

Rest in God

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seek God 3We spend so much time in prayer asking God for things but take little time so listen for answers. We must seek to be with God. To rest in silence and meditation and wait for him. God waits for us…we just have to let him find us. In God’s presence is peace.

Patient God, you wait for us to come to you and we doing asking for things. Help us to learn to just rest in you presence. AMEN

He maketh me

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He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.………….Psalm 23

god rested

Have you ever thought about the word “maketh” in this part of the Psalm? God didn’t just ask us to rest. He makes us rest. The trouble is we don’t take this seriously. There is always something to be done. Things pull at us 24/7. But God “maketh me to lie down.” God demands that we take time to stop, rest and be at peace. Keep that in mind.

Caring God, you know that we cannot race through every day and still hear your voice. We must lie down in green pastures. AMEN

Prayer and action

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Faith moves mountains, but you have to keep pushing while you are praying. —-Mason Cooley

EndAction

Prayer is a wonderful thing. It not only links us to God but it also changes us. Often when we pray we ask God for something from health to things. It is important to remember that we are also involved in the answer to the prayer. W can’t stay on our knees. We are God’s hands and feet and we must do what we can. Pray but work also.

God of wisdom, we are part of your plan for the people of earth. We are meant to us our hands and feet to do your will. Help us to remember this. AMEN

God forgives—others can too

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Eve left the garden and wondered if God was still hurt by her betrayal of His love for her. ———————-Suzanne Boyd

We often do things that hurt others. If we care about them we regret that hurt. We wish we could take it back. We also do things that we know makes God dismayed and disappointed. In both cases we need to seek forgiveness. Genuine regret can be seen and felt by the person we hurt. By acknowledging our regret and asking for forgiveness we can begin to set things right.sorry

Be sure to say you are sorry when you hurt someone.

Forgiving God, we know that when we ask forgiveness we will receive it from you. Help us to also seek forgiveness from those we hurt. AMEN