Weekly Devotion 10/15/18 ~ Jesus, Love, Grace, Mercy, Compassion, Service

Monday

It’s official! I can add homeschooling mom to my list of growing responsibilities. It’s exciting, scary, overwhelming, but something I never really thought possible and am very grateful for. It’s one of the reasons there was no devotion last week. Life was hectic, to say the least, and I needed more time with the Lord to help me make some important choices. I have faced many hurdles. Sometimes I clear them, sometimes they make me stumble, and sometimes I just stop in fear of another fall.

Life’s like that though…a culmination of experiences. What are you creating out of yours? Do you believe in yourself? Do you belief God made you for a purpose? Do you believe that He hears your prayers and do you have faith that He is always working for your good?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

Tuesday

As I spend more and more time with Jesus, I am realizing the mission is simply to love; love on whoever we can and everyone God has placed in our lives. For me, it starts at home. It starts with dinners around the table discussing our day, family movie nights with pizza around the TV, or breezy days at the spring, beach or park. It continues with gifting meals to the homeless, providing groceries to a domestic abuse shelter, and spreading the gospel of Christ Jesus with anyone willing to hear-anyone desperate and hurting like I was once. There is Hope and His name is Jesus. While many want their name to be known, I strive for those God places in front of me to get to know the Christ that dwells within me, the Son of God, who can remove all the pain of the past, and provide hope for a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday

In loving others, no matter what is happening in our lives, we begin to be a model of Christ. We begin to let his light shine through us and He can begin to work through us to minister to the broken. After all, there are many instances in which Jesus showed compassion for others and healed them.

It’s amazing how the love of God can restore anything from failing marriages to complete wellness & life, from insecurity to confidence, from cowardice to courage, from financial hardship to financial security…there is nothing God can’t do. His amazing grace is so expansive, we could do nothing to separate ourselves from Him. Do you understand that, dear one? That no matter how many times you fail, His love never ends. But we must be willing to get back up and keep trying.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ~ Matthew 9:36-37

Thursday

Jesus said, “The workers are few.” So many of us think we need a special platform, a huge social following, or the adoration of certain individuals to do God’s work. I propose that it begins with the day to day tasks in life; from the occupation we hold, to the family we are in charge of keeping unified, to the children we are held responsible for raising.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6

Friday

Before I say good bye to you this week, I want to remind you to simply love - love on whoever you can and everyone God has placed in your life. It's time to begin to believe that you are God's chosen one and He has a plan and purpose for your life. It's time to begin to let others see the Christ Jesus that dwells within you!

This is my command: Love each other. ~ John 15:17