Week of November 11TH, 2024

 

Bible Verse

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5) 

 

Devotion

A few months ago, our community lost 27-year-old Captain John Robertson, a kind, genuine, and Jesus following US Air Force instructor, in a tragic accident at the Air Force Base. It is there that he gave his life for his country and it is there where he left this world and went into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus. We live in a wonderful country and we have armed forces that help secure our freedom and safety. We can only imagine that his family and friends must feel great sorrow, matched with great pride for how he served our country so sacrificially. Losing someone that we love and is a part of our existence, whether they are blood or not, is so very hard. Loss is an experience that every one of us will have to endure at some point. But through Jesus, in our sadness, we can find peace, joy and hope found in Christ and His promises. God’s glorious grace shines through and guides us forward one step at a time. All tears are dried, all wounds are healed, all broken hearts are mended, broken souls are restored, and mental chaos is finally put to rest. Captain John Robertson believed in and followed Christ. Through his passing, more people have been able to hear about Jesus, which is yet another beautiful example that suffering can and does shout the Gospel. During Captain Robertson’s service, his family shared that they were recently going through his personal items and there was SO much evidence of his walk with Christ! Notes in rooms, post-it notes in drawers, prayer journals, Bible verses written down, a playlist of worship music, and more.  His life shined for Jesus. We have to invest in our walk with Christ, similar to how Captain John Robertson did. Like so many others have done. Let’s let our walk with the Lord be even louder than our talk. Thank you, Captain John Robertson, and so many others who so sacrificially serve our wonderful country, but thank you most of all, for loving Jesus and letting your light shine for Him. 

 

Do Something

Ask the Lord to help you be a good example of Christ’s teaching so clearly for the world and others around you to see. Don’t lack in boldness even though boldness can be scary. Take some time to seek out those that are in the military. Whether you are at church, Walmart, the playground, etc. When you see a Veteran, stop and remember their sacrifice and then thank them. 

 

 

 

Week of November 18th, 2024

 

Bible Verse

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”.  (Romans 10:9) 

 

Devotion 

Because of Jesus’ sacrificial love and fulfilled promise of His resurrection and our belief in Him, we get to privilege to rejoice, sing, praise, dance and have hope and glorify Jesus, and be bonded with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Small moments in life are big points of gratitude because of Jesus’s gift and grace. We should be so thankful for the opportunity and ability to worship and serve the Lord with our voices, lungs, heart, body and spirit. As we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas and get ready for a brand new year, let’s have a more spiritual focus on the holidays. Let’s remember the BEST gift, Jesus. Let’s remember we all have something to be thankful for and let’s prepare for the new year with a renewed focus on loving Jesus and loving others. 

 

Do Something

What is your favorite part about Christmas and Thanksgiving? Is it seeing and feeling the level of deep joy in people’s hearts and eyes as we praise Jesus and celebrate His birthday? Is it being reminded of all the things we can be thankful for? Take some time to write down some things that may help you this holiday season or maybe even draw some things you are thankful for. Let’s keep Jesus in mind through it all.