Pastor’s Blog

Daily Devotion June 15, 2023

“…whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” (John 5:19, CEB)
 

     Narcissus is a Greek mythological character who was physically handsome and unmatched in human beauty.  Narcissus was led to a pool of calm water. Like a mirror, when Narcissus stared into the water, he saw his stunning reflection. He couldn’t turn away from looking at himself. Some sources claim that Narcissus eventually died from loneliness because he couldn’t see anyone beyond himself.


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Daily Devotion June 14, 2023

 “Jesus [himself] is the kindness of God.” (Titus 3:4)

Pastor Stuart Briscoe tells the story of his experience in Chicago. As he approached the Windy City in a rental car, he noted that the tank was getting low on gas. However, the gauge was a little off because suddenly the car came to an abrupt halt. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Stuart Briscoe found himself stuck in the fast lane on the freeway in the middle of rush hour. And it was raining sideways.

     So, as Dr. Briscoe climbed out of his car, he was greeted by a chorus of horns all expressing their displeasure. People were yelling out of their windows with expletives just to fill him in on the details. Then suddenly, an old, dilapidated car pulled alongside Stuart’s vehicle. The driver rolled down his window and said a few words in broken English.


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Daily Devotion June 13, 2023

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NKJV)

     Recently, four Indigenous children from the Huitoto people were rescued in the Amazon jungle in Columbia. The youngsters ranged from eleven months to thirteen years of age. The foursome survived a plane crash that took the lives of three adults, including the children’s mother.


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Daily Devotional June 9, 2023

I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6, MSG)

     I once worked as a chemical dependency counselor for a private counseling agency. Warren (not his real name) was the first client with whom I worked. Warren was fifty years old and had been drinking since the age of twelve.

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Daily Devotional June 8, 2023

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20, NRSV)

     The story of Joseph is an example of a sibling rivalry gone toxic. Joseph was a teenager whose brothers faked his death and sold him into slavery. That traumatic turn of events would institutionalize many people.

     For the next thirteen years, life for Joseph didn’t get much better. He was wrongly convicted of a crime he never committed. A friend failed to keep a promise, which wound up keeping Joseph in jail even longer.


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Daily Devotional June 7, 2023

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” 
So, God granted him what he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV)

     Following the publication of his book, The Prayer of Jabez, in 2000, Bruce Wilkinson noted a concern. Many who read the book misunderstood the intentions of Jabez’ prayer because of three words: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and ENLARGE MY TERRITORY…” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV). Enlarge my territory became understood as, “Grant me more wealth” or “Expand my power” or “Make me a success.” Sadly, Jabez’ prayer became the mantra for those who espouse a “Prosperity Theology.”


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