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Fighting for you…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 14:25a He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! 

Oh the surety of knowing that the Lord is fighting for you. Based on the dialog, the Egyptians know with certainty, without question, that the Lord is fighting for the Israelites. Interestingly, in several conversations about God, Jesus, and their commandments lately, the idea that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 100% for preserving the sanctity of human dignity has come up.

Exodus 14:25b The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

Think about the women at the well. She is so outcast that she comes alone in the middle of the day to get water from the well. Jesus knows that she has had five husbands and is living with a man who is not her husband, and yet, he breaks all kinds of social rules to treat her with dignity and respect, allowing her to know the deep, fierce, profound love He has for her, for all of us.

Exodus 14:26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 

Precious Savior, It is so easy to use You as an exclusive badge of honor, but that is not who You are. You love each and every one of Your children, regardless of their mistakes and missteps, regardless of whether they recognize Your sovereignty. You want a relationship with us all, simply because we are Your beloved children. Thank You. Help us to show that kind of all-encompassing love to ourselves and each other. Amen.

Exodus 14:27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea.

Have a blessed day.

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Christ’s peace…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 33:5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

At the end of today’s verses, Esau says, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” Unfortunately, we live in a world that often says, “I have plenty, but I want more, deserve more, need more.”

Genesis 33:6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 

Commentary remarks on Esau’s peace and contentment, even without the birthright blessing. That kind of contentment, of peace, can only come from God. The world will loudly insist we need more, even if we have enough. Our fear of scarcity tells us we can’t share, even if we have plenty.

Genesis 33:7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

Precious Savior, in John 14:27 You say, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Thank You for understanding this fear that the world propagates. Help me to live Your word, Your peace, instead of the world’s fear. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 33:8-9 Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

Have a blessed day.

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Hope was born into the world…. (devo reflection)

Luke 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,  

With Christmas less than two weeks away, it feels appropriate to start Luke 1 today. The first two chapters of Luke are, at their heart, Jesus’s origin story–Where he came from, How he got here. That seems important to remember in the days leading up to His birth.

Luke 1:2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 

It’s important to remember Jesus’s birth because we know where His life is heading: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). But before that ultimate sacrifice was made, hope was born into the world to an unwed teenage mother in a lowly stable.

Luke 1:3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

Precious Savior, It is so easy to get caught up in the season of Christmas, the rush of finishing a semester, the frenzy of buying, wrapping, decorating. Help us this season to step back, to take a breath, to wait in joyful anticipation for hope to be born, for grace to interrupt, for You. Amen.

Luke 1:4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Have a blessed day.

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Precious Savior, Dearest Father, Loving God… (devo reflection)

John 17:24 “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.

Precious Savior, Today I just want to say Thank You–for blue skies and sunshine, for the fall season, which shows me that change can be incredibly beautiful (even though I still don’t love change), for the people You have placed in my life whom I love so deeply, who love me deeply, too.

John 17:25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 

Dearest Father, Thank You that when we are slogging through valleys, when difficult times come, and they always do, You use them to draw Your children closer in ways that aren’t possible when we are on the mountain tops. I don’t like the hard times, but I am so thankful for the closeness to You that results.

John 17:26a I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known…

Loving God, Thank You that You created me to praise You and to encourage others. Thank You that words matter and that I can use them to edify others. Thank You that I can lift others, encourage others, even when I am struggling, and that I am always encouraged in return. Thank You, Lord. Thank You. Amen.

John 17:26b …in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Have a blessed day.

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For those who will believe in me through their message…. (devo reflection)

John 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message….” What an incredibly powerful prayer. Jesus, as He was preparing to give His life for us, prayed for His disciples and for “those who will believe in me through their message.” That’s us and everyone whose lives we touch as we tell about our mighty Savior.

John 17:21 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. 

This is why we can’t discount people. This is why we can’t ostracize others. We have no idea who will come to believe in Jesus because of our words. None. And as He neared the hour of His death, Jesus not only prayed for His disciples AND for us, He prayed for them, too. All of those folks who will eventually come to believe in Him, no matter how long it might take.

John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 

Precious Savior, Thank You for seeing the value in all of us. Thank You for Your prayers in the time leading up to Your death. Thank You for the hope of heaven, the hope of You. Help us recognize that hope in all whom we encounter. Always. Amen.

John 17:23 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.

Have a blessed day.

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While I am still in the world…. (devo reflection)

John 17:13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.  

This world is not my home. And there are times when I feel so strongly out of place in this world that the pain is almost physical. But there are other times when I am truly thankful that I feel so out of sync because it is easy to turn my back on the pull of the world.

John 17:14a I have given them your word and the world has hated them, 

I find it interesting in today’s scripture that Jesus says specifically that His prayer is not that God take us out of the world–even though we don’t belong, even though it’s not our home–His prayer is that God protect us from “the evil one.” Perhaps that feeling of not belonging here, of longing for our true home is important for our spiritual journey.

John 17:14b …for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your fierce, compassionate love and for Your prayers long before we were born. Thank You for the reminder that this world is not our home. Help us to accomplish Your will for us while we are here. But help us never forget that we don’t belong here. There is a better place for us, an eternal home with You. Amen.

John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Have a blessed day.

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The image of Jesus as parent…. (devo reflection)

John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 

Verse 9 really strikes me this morning. Jesus prayed for us. JESUS prayed for us. Jesus PRAYED for us. Jesus prayed for US. Let that sink in a moment.

John 17:10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 

The image of Jesus as parent is really strong for me today. Jesus prayed for His children. He knew he would not remain in the world but His children would stay without Him. He prayed God would protect His children by the power of His name.

John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 

Lord, There’s so much spinning in my head this morning: You prayed for me. You see me as Your child. You knew You would not be physically in this world with me so You prayed God’s protection on me. You are Immanuel, God with us. Thank You. Help me to love others as well as You have always loved me. Amen.

John 17:12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

Have a blessed day.

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My goal is to glorify God. Always…. (devo reflection)

John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.    

I am agitated this morning about a situation. I feel like I need to defend myself and my actions. I have to keep reminding myself that my goal is to glorify God. Always. I have to take to heart that Jesus is talking about me in this scripture.

John 17:6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.

Jesus, His life, His truth, reveals God to me. I am His. I have obeyed His word….OK, I’m trying to obey His word. Sometimes, like today as I try to stay focused, I keep straying and have to remind myself to stay true to who I am and who I am in Christ. Thankfully, my Savior gets that.

John 17:7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.

Precious Savior, Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Thank You for who I am to You and in You. When life gets loud, chaotic, and unfair, help me to cling to You, to trust You, to glorify You. Always. Amen.

John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

Have a blessed day.

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Now this is eternal life…. (devo reflection)

John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.    

Verse 3 is what catches my attention this morning: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” The verse doesn’t say, “Now this is the SECRET to eternal life” or “Now this is the KEY to eternal life….” “Now THIS is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

John 17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

My morning reading, prayer, and devotional time is spent daily trying to know God, to know Jesus better. I feel like every day I know Him a little bit more. I think the nature of this relationship is that there is always more to know, more to understand. With every year of experience I gain, I am able to understand His word that much better.

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Precious Savior, I think of eternal life as something that happens after this life on earth, but your word says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Does that mean that eternal life is something that we can have on earth as well as in heaven? Help me to understand the implications, Lord. Help me to glorify You. Amen.

John 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Have a blessed day.

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Living in joy and peace…. (devo reflection)

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Verse 4 today reminds me of John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” We can rejoice in the Lord, we should rejoice in the Lord, always. It is what He wants for us–peace that surpasses all understanding and joy that overflows in a world that is often lacking in both.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

But how do we go about that in a world that is often chaotic? Verse 6 gives us a guide: Don’t be anxious. Instead, pray and petition, give thanks, and present your requests to God. The same Lord who told us in John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” He wants us to bring everything to Him. He wants us to channel everything through Him. He wants us to live in joy and peace. He is for us. Always.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Lord, Sometimes I let the world get into my head. Sometimes I forget just how close You are. Verse 5 reminds me that You are near. The world tells me You are so very far away. Forgive me when I forget the truths You tell me. Help me to bring everything to You–the joy, the pain, sorrow, weariness, every single thing. Help me to rejoice in You, always. Draw me closer. Amen.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.